There are several words we use in the English language to describe various things or events and so often at times we tend to use a word that may over state what we are actually referring to. This however is not the case as I use the word "WOW" in reference to the week we had during Christmas 2008. WOW can be used to describe a feeling of excitement or sadness and in this case it represents both and is a WOW that would signify a "wow, I can't believe this week just happened.".
Christmas is a time of the year when so many things happen, so many emotions are on display and so many feelings rise up and people get really rude...and really friendly. It is a time that we look forward to seeing family, friends, taking time off, opening gifts, and most importantly, celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. This seasons brings so much to our plates as we gear up and spend money and think about the gifts and the joys we have all been blessed with. These gifts are those like friends, your jobs, homes, cars, and most important...family. No matter what you buy or how much you spend, nothing can replace family.
Now this week was no exception to the hustle and bustle of the season. My wife and I spent hours driving all over getting gifts, making plans, and preparing for our travel with the kids to Dallas to spend the Holiday with family. It was hectic to say the least. We managed to get it all done in time to load up the kids and head for Dallas. Now, family for me is something I missed growing up in the sense of a father, mother, good times with all the aunts, uncles, grandparents, siblings, etc.. I missed out on a lot of those "good times" and God knew that, so He blessed me beyond my imagination with the family I have married in to. Now this family...is family by its purest of definitions and I am so fortunate to be apart of it. Hence the "WOW" for the excitement.
On our way up there, we had it all planned out as to what we were going to do for the most part and it all started with a visit to our aunt Sandra Hooper. Aunt San had been dealing with Cancer for the better part of two years and it has been a journey for the family in many ways. We went over there the first chance we got and spent several hours with her. San was laid up in the bed, unable to move, respond, or communicate at all. It was close to the end for her and we all knew it. A couple of her sisters and a few other family members had spent weeks and months taking care of her and being her rock and preparing the family for the obvious outcome. I have to say, I truly enjoyed the time I spent with her during those hours whether it was just her and I talking or being joined by my wife, remembering the past. San was an awesome person and a beautiful child of God who loved her family so much and loved kids with a huge passion. She had the most radiant smile that would make you forget any issues you may have had and let you know it would all be alright. Sitting in the room with her, we knew more than ever that God was going to take her home because it was in His plans. On Christmas Eve morning at 3:30am, God did just that. Her spirit went up and left her body here for us to kiss one last time. Her going home celebration was set for Saturday and the focus went back to Christmas. God would have it no other way.
Christmas was great, we all shared gifts, food, conversation, laughs, and even some tears when we remembered San publicly. Kids running all over, crying, laughing, complaining about each other. Cousins gearing up to hit the clubs. Uncles sitting outside talking about the old days and the family and all that was going on, including if the Cowboys would make the playoffs or not. (OR NOT!!!lol) Aunts inside talking, laughing and sharing stories. Younger cousins playing the new Guitar Hero and screaming....oh, I mean, singing the songs. Family being family. What I missed before, God has given again and made it amazing. As the one joining the family through marriage and being me, I love to sit back and observe them. And what an observation. I recently saw a movie the other day called the Bucket List with Morgan Freeman and Jack. In the movie, they wanted to see something "majestic". Jack asked what would be something "majestic". One of the definitions of majestic is "majestic in manner or bearing; superior to mundane matters" Superior to mundane matters. Well Jack, Majestic can be something as simple as family. When I observe this family, what I see is majestic. They are family above all "mundane matters" and family above all else. This Christmas, like any other, they came through like family should and San would be proud. Even on the day of the funeral, while we all were rushing to get ready, a fire broke out in the house and everyone rushed outside, all 40 plus at 930am. After 5-10 minutes of standing outside, the temperature dropped 20 degrees in 5 minutes and it started to pour down rain. After the fire department was done, we had no electricity and were forced to leave. Not a problem, we all gathered our stuff, dropped it in the cars, made sure everyone had a ride, loaded up and headed to our other Aunts to get ready and eat breakfast and continue on with the day as planned. While waiting outside, we laughed, joked around and wondered what San was trying to do. Not one person was upset, we just do what family should do, adjust, thank God, and move forward. And we did, we do, and we will. Majestic. And San? Well she would just smile and say, "it will be alright." "WOW"
Love you San...Thank you God
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Friday, December 5, 2008
Believe Or Not Believe....
How can a book over 2000 years old along with thousands of scientific findings that solidify the truths of this book be wrong? For thousands of years, millions have followed the teachings and beliefs of God and Jesus Christ and for many of those years, Scientist have researched and study, found, and uncovered many of the facts listed in the bible. They have found scriptures, tombs, temples, jewels, cities, monuments, all mentioned almost exclusively in the bible and found to be factual dates and times. So many times people have debated it and found their debates to be empty due to God showing Himself through the means of His choice.
After this and many other examples of God's Truth, people still want to argue that God does not exist, and there is no heaven or hell and we should all just be "good" rather than follow something we "can't prove". My simplistic, theological question to those who do not believe and say to just "be good" is if there is not God, and no heaven or hell then please tell me what your definition of "Good" is and where did it come from? See, with out the direction of a God that is real to explain what "Good" is, we would have no clue. According to man, good can mean so many different things. Someone hurts you and you rebel against them, that is good? It made you feel good? Some one stole furniture and food for their family because they have no money to make ends meet....is that "Good?" What is your definition of good and where did it come from?
God provides us the foundation to which we are built on and the basis for what good and evil is and how to walk the journey of life in the midst of the evil around us that is ours by nature...again, our definition of good showing itself. I read this article about a group of Atheists that put a sign in front of a Nativity scene that was on display in the state of Washington. This was done, according to one of the leaders of this particular group to show people a different option. This is fine, however, as per one of their signs and beliefs listed in buses in America, it states to "just be good for goodness sake" I raise the question that if they are to just "be good" is putting a sign of your belief in front of a Nativity sign that displays another belief an act of "good?" (for goodness sake) This is a sign of disrespect towards the belief of others and the display. Groups have fought against prayer in school, court, state and local government offices. They have disputed the very foundation that this country, that allows them the freedom to express themselves, was built on. We have lost sight of the plan so much so that we bow down as Christians to any opposition that comes against what we believe. Others vote to remove God from all areas of our life and we do nothing. They say it is a violation of their rights yet we don't argue about our own right and how banning these things is a violation of our own rights to freedom of speech and religion. Stand up and show that God is God and be not afraid of what He is able to do through you. If there is opposition, fine, Jesus suffered greater than we will ever suffer with opposition, yet he prevailed against it all.
For those who do not believe, where do you get your understandings from? Good v-s evil, respect v-s disrespect? If you choose not to believe in a God that has shown Himself time and time again, fine, your loss. You loss of eternal life from damnation and hell. Your loss from the gift of salvation and joy. For those who say they aren't sure, don't know, or don't think God is real....try Him. I would rather choose God and salvation as oppose to not choosing Him and be wrong in the end. That is the choice of being good for goodness sake.
After this and many other examples of God's Truth, people still want to argue that God does not exist, and there is no heaven or hell and we should all just be "good" rather than follow something we "can't prove". My simplistic, theological question to those who do not believe and say to just "be good" is if there is not God, and no heaven or hell then please tell me what your definition of "Good" is and where did it come from? See, with out the direction of a God that is real to explain what "Good" is, we would have no clue. According to man, good can mean so many different things. Someone hurts you and you rebel against them, that is good? It made you feel good? Some one stole furniture and food for their family because they have no money to make ends meet....is that "Good?" What is your definition of good and where did it come from?
God provides us the foundation to which we are built on and the basis for what good and evil is and how to walk the journey of life in the midst of the evil around us that is ours by nature...again, our definition of good showing itself. I read this article about a group of Atheists that put a sign in front of a Nativity scene that was on display in the state of Washington. This was done, according to one of the leaders of this particular group to show people a different option. This is fine, however, as per one of their signs and beliefs listed in buses in America, it states to "just be good for goodness sake" I raise the question that if they are to just "be good" is putting a sign of your belief in front of a Nativity sign that displays another belief an act of "good?" (for goodness sake) This is a sign of disrespect towards the belief of others and the display. Groups have fought against prayer in school, court, state and local government offices. They have disputed the very foundation that this country, that allows them the freedom to express themselves, was built on. We have lost sight of the plan so much so that we bow down as Christians to any opposition that comes against what we believe. Others vote to remove God from all areas of our life and we do nothing. They say it is a violation of their rights yet we don't argue about our own right and how banning these things is a violation of our own rights to freedom of speech and religion. Stand up and show that God is God and be not afraid of what He is able to do through you. If there is opposition, fine, Jesus suffered greater than we will ever suffer with opposition, yet he prevailed against it all.
For those who do not believe, where do you get your understandings from? Good v-s evil, respect v-s disrespect? If you choose not to believe in a God that has shown Himself time and time again, fine, your loss. You loss of eternal life from damnation and hell. Your loss from the gift of salvation and joy. For those who say they aren't sure, don't know, or don't think God is real....try Him. I would rather choose God and salvation as oppose to not choosing Him and be wrong in the end. That is the choice of being good for goodness sake.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Purposed Opportunities.....
Thanksgiving is here....the Holiday Season is upon us and how fast it came!! I can not believe that this year went so fast but it did and here we are, gearing up for the days of eating and fellowship with family and friends. Getting together with others whom we have not seen in a long time and walking town verbal paths of past times and old ways, things we used to do, should have done, and are going to do. As I look over the stories of Holiday cheer and excitement and the concern with the economic situation, something far greater than money concerns me and brings up something in my heart. Family and the lost opportunities that have passed us up to "right" the past or "get over" what once was.
I read an article on CNN.com (yes, I go there every day...20times a day!!lol) and the story was about families and those that are faced with challenges this season and every day before and after. Over 4.5 million people in America alone have the disease, Alzheimer's and deal with loss every day. As I read this story, I began to think about our own losses that we deal with. Imagine for a moment, you have shared your life with a family member or friend. Your whole life, you have spent time with this person, laughing, crying, celebrating, and growing with this individual whom you shared all your thoughts, or most, your dreams, ideas and they shared with you. Your feelings have been hurt and restored by them causing you both to grow even closer through all your experiences together. The love and relationship you share is so great, you count it a blessing to be in their life and they in yours. After many years, 20, 30, 40, 50, plus years of all of this, imagine you walk in to the room to see them again and hang out and they have no idea who you are. Wow. They don't remember any of those times, any of the laughs, tears, or years. They even fear you now because you act like you know them and they have no memory of ever meeting you. Reading this, realizing that our time is not our own rather it is God's and nothing is promised or guaranteed to us, I am reminded about those who we have a chance to speak to and don't, who we have a chance to enjoy and avoid. We get upset when it is too late, but God has given us the chances.
How many times has God presented us with opportunities to right the wrongs of the past and we ignore it, believing we have more time? How many times has God put the person or situation in front of us and we walked around it or turned the other way? We have a bag full of excuses we use to justify. "It wasn't my fault" "they need to apologize to me" "I will get to it eventually, I got time" "why do I always have to be the one to step up" "I don't owe them anything, they owe me" "there is nothing there anyways, what difference would it make" or my two favorites.."I ain't doing it, it ain't me" and "I don't even care either way".
We got the excuses but what we don't realize is we don't have the time we think, and the resolve we can gain is underestimated. We always blame and never except blame. We always put things off, never realizing we are the key. To answer all the excuses and the ones not listed..."Why?" ...because God said so and we all want heaven, the reward, well it comes with work. I remember one of my best friends dad past years ago and he called me on the phone to tell me and asked me to come by. At first I thought he was kidding because we always play jokes on each other and I was concerned because this was a little twisted. I realized he was not kidding and I rushed over. He sat there with a blank look and was angry as oppose to being sad at first. We went to his dad home to start the plans with his brothers and as we walked through the apartment, sadness started to kick in. The anger was because his dad was gone and he couldn't get him back, the sadness came because of the guilt he felt for not talking to his dad in a while and restoring a bruised relationship. I let him know that it's not too late, talk to him now. It may not be the same, and the healing took a while, but the process started there. How many times have we let that chance slip? The guilt, the pain, anger, and sadness we feel for not saying anything. It was the other persons fault until its too late, then it doesn't matter. It should not matter when you have the chance. We said "goodbye" to his dad that day, and entered in to a new way of viewing opportunities God gives us.
This Holiday season, you will at times be reminded of those family members and or friends for which you used the excuse to avoid. You will be confronted with and think about your opportunities that God has given you to resolve what ever it is that caused a separation. Think about those 4.5 million individuals that will never be able to remember, like you can, when things were good with an "old" friend or family member. They will not be able to smile at the good times, realize how they grew during the hard times, and know that God has blessed them with the love that still exist despite it all. Take a moment to pick up the phone, go to their home, interrupt their holiday season to show them that God is able and that you miss them. Show your family and their family that out of all the things that may have happened, no matter how strong the action was, or how great the pain is you felt, Love is still the greater of it all.
If Jesus was like us and felt like He could do what He was sent to do at a later time. Or felt that because others talked about Him, beat Him, and made fun of Him that it was not His problem to solve and decided to wait on us to get it right, where would we be? With Jesus choosing to follow through with His calling and fulfill His purpose, He gave us a chance, an opportunity. What will you do with yours?
I read an article on CNN.com (yes, I go there every day...20times a day!!lol) and the story was about families and those that are faced with challenges this season and every day before and after. Over 4.5 million people in America alone have the disease, Alzheimer's and deal with loss every day. As I read this story, I began to think about our own losses that we deal with. Imagine for a moment, you have shared your life with a family member or friend. Your whole life, you have spent time with this person, laughing, crying, celebrating, and growing with this individual whom you shared all your thoughts, or most, your dreams, ideas and they shared with you. Your feelings have been hurt and restored by them causing you both to grow even closer through all your experiences together. The love and relationship you share is so great, you count it a blessing to be in their life and they in yours. After many years, 20, 30, 40, 50, plus years of all of this, imagine you walk in to the room to see them again and hang out and they have no idea who you are. Wow. They don't remember any of those times, any of the laughs, tears, or years. They even fear you now because you act like you know them and they have no memory of ever meeting you. Reading this, realizing that our time is not our own rather it is God's and nothing is promised or guaranteed to us, I am reminded about those who we have a chance to speak to and don't, who we have a chance to enjoy and avoid. We get upset when it is too late, but God has given us the chances.
How many times has God presented us with opportunities to right the wrongs of the past and we ignore it, believing we have more time? How many times has God put the person or situation in front of us and we walked around it or turned the other way? We have a bag full of excuses we use to justify. "It wasn't my fault" "they need to apologize to me" "I will get to it eventually, I got time" "why do I always have to be the one to step up" "I don't owe them anything, they owe me" "there is nothing there anyways, what difference would it make" or my two favorites.."I ain't doing it, it ain't me" and "I don't even care either way".
We got the excuses but what we don't realize is we don't have the time we think, and the resolve we can gain is underestimated. We always blame and never except blame. We always put things off, never realizing we are the key. To answer all the excuses and the ones not listed..."Why?" ...because God said so and we all want heaven, the reward, well it comes with work. I remember one of my best friends dad past years ago and he called me on the phone to tell me and asked me to come by. At first I thought he was kidding because we always play jokes on each other and I was concerned because this was a little twisted. I realized he was not kidding and I rushed over. He sat there with a blank look and was angry as oppose to being sad at first. We went to his dad home to start the plans with his brothers and as we walked through the apartment, sadness started to kick in. The anger was because his dad was gone and he couldn't get him back, the sadness came because of the guilt he felt for not talking to his dad in a while and restoring a bruised relationship. I let him know that it's not too late, talk to him now. It may not be the same, and the healing took a while, but the process started there. How many times have we let that chance slip? The guilt, the pain, anger, and sadness we feel for not saying anything. It was the other persons fault until its too late, then it doesn't matter. It should not matter when you have the chance. We said "goodbye" to his dad that day, and entered in to a new way of viewing opportunities God gives us.
This Holiday season, you will at times be reminded of those family members and or friends for which you used the excuse to avoid. You will be confronted with and think about your opportunities that God has given you to resolve what ever it is that caused a separation. Think about those 4.5 million individuals that will never be able to remember, like you can, when things were good with an "old" friend or family member. They will not be able to smile at the good times, realize how they grew during the hard times, and know that God has blessed them with the love that still exist despite it all. Take a moment to pick up the phone, go to their home, interrupt their holiday season to show them that God is able and that you miss them. Show your family and their family that out of all the things that may have happened, no matter how strong the action was, or how great the pain is you felt, Love is still the greater of it all.
If Jesus was like us and felt like He could do what He was sent to do at a later time. Or felt that because others talked about Him, beat Him, and made fun of Him that it was not His problem to solve and decided to wait on us to get it right, where would we be? With Jesus choosing to follow through with His calling and fulfill His purpose, He gave us a chance, an opportunity. What will you do with yours?
Monday, November 17, 2008
Best & Worst of Both Worlds
It is a blessing being me. I get to see things in such a different light and God has really been good to me, beyond my best prayers. I have the fortunate opportunity of viewing the world from 2 sides and seeing the options and opportunities for both. One thing I have always tried to do as a writer and poet, and just as a person, is walk and talk with honesty and integrity. In doing so, as blessed as I am to be me and see the benefits of "both worlds" I have the unfortunate truth of facing the worst of them as well.
Just recently I read an article on CNN.com from an accomplished journalist who wrote an article about "Is America Ready?" speaking on the topic of if America is ready for a African American as President of the United States of America. She went through a series of thoughts she had on the topic and believed, as I do, that America is ready. In reading the article, there was a piece in it that spoke to the fact that racism still exsist, and it does. She wrote about the fact it becomes obvious when you see citizens at a rally for McCain and Palin shouting "Kill him" and "terrorist" in reference to Barack Obama. Now this is a reality, it did happen at a few rallies and it is truly sad that it has happened. In this reference, the journalist identifies this as the obvious signs that racism does exsist and it is a one sided reference. Racism does exsist, but it is not just because whites (who were the shouters at this rally and the subject of her reference) are speaking out and showing that they are still racist, or harbor some racist feelings towards blacks. It is not just whites who hate others for the color of their skin or the many other characteristics that make up a person. We have pointed the finger at whites on so many occasions as the driver of continued racism in our country when it is simply just not the case. (all the time) We protested and wanted the radio d.j., Imus, fired for making remarks towards the Rutgers Womens basketball team as "nappy headed hoes". We could not believe he could say this, and he had to be tried, judge, and sentenced based on our feelings. When he came back to radio, he made a reference to a black football player who was accused of a crime as being a victim of "racial profiling" and we didn't hear that...we heard. "he was black?...well there you go". We hear the white comedian from the Jerry Seinfeld show, make a reference to blacks as "niggers" in a stand up he performed at a club and there we were, trying him, judging him and provided his sentence to life out of the business. These two situations are just a few references of many, many more of how it is obvious that racism still exsist and it is not just whites who speak out about it. See, I don't believe that the D.J. meant anything racial towards those young ladies at all in his reference. I believe he was merely repeating what he has heard on the radio and T.V. . I also don't believe that the guy from Seinfeld meant anything hateful by his reference, again, just repeating what he heard. Now I do believe that these references may not have been the best for either one of them, but repeating what they here, assuming it was ok, and in fun may not be their fault.
I am a huge fan of comedy. Absolutely love it and on a good day, am a fairly comedic individual myself. I love to laugh and believe that laughing is a cure to many of life's challenges. I have watched so much comedy over the years on so many different shows and have laughed at most of them. (some just ain't funny) I have watched BET's comic view, HBO's Def Comedy Jam, stand ups, sitcoms, been to many comedy shows and just hung out with some funny people in life. In this, I have heard a wide range of comedy from being beat down for asking for some candy at the store to flying house shoes from the mama that doesn't miss. In some of the skits, many topics are discussed to include race and racial differences. In the performances, black comedians imitate white people in such a way that shows them to be upity, stuck up, scared of blacks and danger, white people. The voice is changed, the walk is changed and the attitude is changed. Whites are referred to as "honkeys" "crackers" "whitey" and several other names less "politically correct". They are talked about, put down and challenged to say the infamous "N" word.
On radio, t.v., movies, and magazines, blacks refer to eachother as every thing else but some thing that uplifts. In so called "black movies", whites are portrayed as inferior and submissive. Scared and disrespected. When a black is portrayed that way in a movie it is called "slave day" like or racist. Why is this the case? Why is it that on "black" programs, negative references and comments are welcomed and ok, even though it creates separation among people and how others are viewed, but on "white" programs it is cause to fire and dismiss? This is racism at its strongest.
The reality is this....there is racism in our country and some whites are a part/cause to that, however blacks contribute to it as well and are more open about it. How you ask? Take a look at some of the following:
A black republican is considered a sell out, a upper class black is considered upitty or an uncle tom. A poor black is considered ghetto, and a angry black is considered a thug. These are not stereotypes created by whites either. These are the labels that we gave to ourselves. The bible says clearly..."love your neighbor AS your self." It makes this reference in Leviticus, Matthew, Mark, and Romans. God instructs us to love yourself first, then and only then can you truly love your neighbors. How can we continue to speak to ourselves in such a negative way and then towards others and think that we are excluded from the hate that still exsist? The fact is racism has grown and comes in a different form now as oppose to before. Before, you would see it, hear it, feel it, every day in the streets and the way people spoke and the segregation that existed. Now, it has morphed in to the fabric of peoples lives. In others words, they don't feel that they are racist, yet they live and conduct themselves in a segregated fashion. The comments made, hint at racist tones, the actions speak to racist feelings, so much that it is not obvious to that person any more, it is just the way they are and how they were raised. That is why they feel they are not racist, they really don't know. For example, and this is not a plug for Obama, (this time) but in the second debate, McCain referred to Obama as "that one". Now, did he mean it in an outright, racist manner, I don't believe so, but it was disrespectful and hinted at racist undertones. Another example is when McCain was speaking to a member of the audience there who happen to be black and said to him, "I am sure before this economic crisis, you probably have never heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie (Mac)" No deliberate intention, but just the way he is by nature. This is the state of our Country now. We don't believe we are, yet are feelings speak differently. How do we change this? How do we come from a place that has been born in the very essence of who we are? We face the truth. Why do we feel the way we do? Why do we treat others the way we do, good or bad? Anger is the root cause of it all. Blacks angry for slavery, and have carried that for all these years and feelings have been passed down, thoughts, ideas, and hate. No one in this generation has ever been a slave or owned a slave, yet we treat eachother as if they have. These feelings have come out in various acts of good and unfortunately some bad. Those bad actions have caused whites to become angry do to the acts being towards them in most cases. Over the past 3 decades however, those acts have been aimed at eachother. Now we stand at the crossroads of truth. Some whites do harbor hate and racist feelings, and the fact is, so do blacks. In some cases, as shown in those comedy shows, music, t.v., and magazines, blacks can be more racist at times, especially towards whites. This is an issue we have to face and have to be honest about. Now, of course this is not a reference to all whites or all blacks, but I said in the beginning, I try to walk in honesty and I have to face the Best and Worse of Both Worlds. I believe that the answer is in the scripture in Romans 13:9 The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. And... James 2:8 If indeed you [really] fulfill the royal Law in accordance with the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as [you love] yourself, you do well. We have to face the truth, learn from the mistakes and know that God has a better plan for us all. People are just different, they operate different, they think different, they look different, and approach things different. Does that mean one is better than the other? No, it means they are different. The thing that is the same? Love, we want to love and be loved. Success, we want to feel and be successful. Family, we want and need to be apart of family, something bigger than us. All of us are equipped to face this challenge it is time that we do. Why do we view people of other races the way we do? Is it what we heard on t.v.? Is it what other family members or friends have said that made up our mind? Is it what we don't know that causes us to fear and back away from wanting to know? One of these is the questions we all have to ask.
Why me? Who am I to talk about this issue? "he doesn't know" "He has a lot of nerve" "who does he think he is?" I have heard it all in the 33 blessed years I have lived. Who am I? A child of God who loves people with such passion that I have to talk about the truth. I have to get people to at least hear it to begin to try and face it. How do I understand? People look at me, in my face, at my skin and see what they want to see. They see what they have been trained to see over their life. They see what they think they have to see. However, what they do not see, and what many don't know is the history, the heritage, the fabric of who I am and what I am. What they don't see is regardless of the heritage, the life, the circumstances and event I have gone through and endured. The experiences that I have encoutered that has caused me great pain at times, and resulted in great joy with God's grace. The truth is the truth, I am who I am. People can see what they want, but if you are to caught up in who I am, then you miss out on who you can become. I told you, I have seen the Best and Worst of Both Worlds....only one way to do that, and the best that I have seen is an amazing and unbelievable thing we should all embrace. We will all be better for it. Racism is a terrible thing that has torn our country apart for far too long and hurt far too many people. Thousands have died to fight against it, to put an end to it. Has their efforts come to an end? Has the prayers gone up to be unanswered? I don't believe they have, I believe the time is now to start. How? By being different, being the example for others to follow, standing up for what is right, what God has asked of us. Loving despite the actions of others to allow God to work through you and in them. We start by looking in the mirror to change what we can change....first.
Just recently I read an article on CNN.com from an accomplished journalist who wrote an article about "Is America Ready?" speaking on the topic of if America is ready for a African American as President of the United States of America. She went through a series of thoughts she had on the topic and believed, as I do, that America is ready. In reading the article, there was a piece in it that spoke to the fact that racism still exsist, and it does. She wrote about the fact it becomes obvious when you see citizens at a rally for McCain and Palin shouting "Kill him" and "terrorist" in reference to Barack Obama. Now this is a reality, it did happen at a few rallies and it is truly sad that it has happened. In this reference, the journalist identifies this as the obvious signs that racism does exsist and it is a one sided reference. Racism does exsist, but it is not just because whites (who were the shouters at this rally and the subject of her reference) are speaking out and showing that they are still racist, or harbor some racist feelings towards blacks. It is not just whites who hate others for the color of their skin or the many other characteristics that make up a person. We have pointed the finger at whites on so many occasions as the driver of continued racism in our country when it is simply just not the case. (all the time) We protested and wanted the radio d.j., Imus, fired for making remarks towards the Rutgers Womens basketball team as "nappy headed hoes". We could not believe he could say this, and he had to be tried, judge, and sentenced based on our feelings. When he came back to radio, he made a reference to a black football player who was accused of a crime as being a victim of "racial profiling" and we didn't hear that...we heard. "he was black?...well there you go". We hear the white comedian from the Jerry Seinfeld show, make a reference to blacks as "niggers" in a stand up he performed at a club and there we were, trying him, judging him and provided his sentence to life out of the business. These two situations are just a few references of many, many more of how it is obvious that racism still exsist and it is not just whites who speak out about it. See, I don't believe that the D.J. meant anything racial towards those young ladies at all in his reference. I believe he was merely repeating what he has heard on the radio and T.V. . I also don't believe that the guy from Seinfeld meant anything hateful by his reference, again, just repeating what he heard. Now I do believe that these references may not have been the best for either one of them, but repeating what they here, assuming it was ok, and in fun may not be their fault.
I am a huge fan of comedy. Absolutely love it and on a good day, am a fairly comedic individual myself. I love to laugh and believe that laughing is a cure to many of life's challenges. I have watched so much comedy over the years on so many different shows and have laughed at most of them. (some just ain't funny) I have watched BET's comic view, HBO's Def Comedy Jam, stand ups, sitcoms, been to many comedy shows and just hung out with some funny people in life. In this, I have heard a wide range of comedy from being beat down for asking for some candy at the store to flying house shoes from the mama that doesn't miss. In some of the skits, many topics are discussed to include race and racial differences. In the performances, black comedians imitate white people in such a way that shows them to be upity, stuck up, scared of blacks and danger, white people. The voice is changed, the walk is changed and the attitude is changed. Whites are referred to as "honkeys" "crackers" "whitey" and several other names less "politically correct". They are talked about, put down and challenged to say the infamous "N" word.
On radio, t.v., movies, and magazines, blacks refer to eachother as every thing else but some thing that uplifts. In so called "black movies", whites are portrayed as inferior and submissive. Scared and disrespected. When a black is portrayed that way in a movie it is called "slave day" like or racist. Why is this the case? Why is it that on "black" programs, negative references and comments are welcomed and ok, even though it creates separation among people and how others are viewed, but on "white" programs it is cause to fire and dismiss? This is racism at its strongest.
The reality is this....there is racism in our country and some whites are a part/cause to that, however blacks contribute to it as well and are more open about it. How you ask? Take a look at some of the following:
A black republican is considered a sell out, a upper class black is considered upitty or an uncle tom. A poor black is considered ghetto, and a angry black is considered a thug. These are not stereotypes created by whites either. These are the labels that we gave to ourselves. The bible says clearly..."love your neighbor AS your self." It makes this reference in Leviticus, Matthew, Mark, and Romans. God instructs us to love yourself first, then and only then can you truly love your neighbors. How can we continue to speak to ourselves in such a negative way and then towards others and think that we are excluded from the hate that still exsist? The fact is racism has grown and comes in a different form now as oppose to before. Before, you would see it, hear it, feel it, every day in the streets and the way people spoke and the segregation that existed. Now, it has morphed in to the fabric of peoples lives. In others words, they don't feel that they are racist, yet they live and conduct themselves in a segregated fashion. The comments made, hint at racist tones, the actions speak to racist feelings, so much that it is not obvious to that person any more, it is just the way they are and how they were raised. That is why they feel they are not racist, they really don't know. For example, and this is not a plug for Obama, (this time) but in the second debate, McCain referred to Obama as "that one". Now, did he mean it in an outright, racist manner, I don't believe so, but it was disrespectful and hinted at racist undertones. Another example is when McCain was speaking to a member of the audience there who happen to be black and said to him, "I am sure before this economic crisis, you probably have never heard of Fannie Mae or Freddie (Mac)" No deliberate intention, but just the way he is by nature. This is the state of our Country now. We don't believe we are, yet are feelings speak differently. How do we change this? How do we come from a place that has been born in the very essence of who we are? We face the truth. Why do we feel the way we do? Why do we treat others the way we do, good or bad? Anger is the root cause of it all. Blacks angry for slavery, and have carried that for all these years and feelings have been passed down, thoughts, ideas, and hate. No one in this generation has ever been a slave or owned a slave, yet we treat eachother as if they have. These feelings have come out in various acts of good and unfortunately some bad. Those bad actions have caused whites to become angry do to the acts being towards them in most cases. Over the past 3 decades however, those acts have been aimed at eachother. Now we stand at the crossroads of truth. Some whites do harbor hate and racist feelings, and the fact is, so do blacks. In some cases, as shown in those comedy shows, music, t.v., and magazines, blacks can be more racist at times, especially towards whites. This is an issue we have to face and have to be honest about. Now, of course this is not a reference to all whites or all blacks, but I said in the beginning, I try to walk in honesty and I have to face the Best and Worse of Both Worlds. I believe that the answer is in the scripture in Romans 13:9 The commandments, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not kill, You shall not steal, You shall not covet (have an evil desire), and any other commandment, are summed up in the single command, You shall love your neighbor as [you do] yourself. And... James 2:8 If indeed you [really] fulfill the royal Law in accordance with the Scripture, You shall love your neighbor as [you love] yourself, you do well. We have to face the truth, learn from the mistakes and know that God has a better plan for us all. People are just different, they operate different, they think different, they look different, and approach things different. Does that mean one is better than the other? No, it means they are different. The thing that is the same? Love, we want to love and be loved. Success, we want to feel and be successful. Family, we want and need to be apart of family, something bigger than us. All of us are equipped to face this challenge it is time that we do. Why do we view people of other races the way we do? Is it what we heard on t.v.? Is it what other family members or friends have said that made up our mind? Is it what we don't know that causes us to fear and back away from wanting to know? One of these is the questions we all have to ask.
Why me? Who am I to talk about this issue? "he doesn't know" "He has a lot of nerve" "who does he think he is?" I have heard it all in the 33 blessed years I have lived. Who am I? A child of God who loves people with such passion that I have to talk about the truth. I have to get people to at least hear it to begin to try and face it. How do I understand? People look at me, in my face, at my skin and see what they want to see. They see what they have been trained to see over their life. They see what they think they have to see. However, what they do not see, and what many don't know is the history, the heritage, the fabric of who I am and what I am. What they don't see is regardless of the heritage, the life, the circumstances and event I have gone through and endured. The experiences that I have encoutered that has caused me great pain at times, and resulted in great joy with God's grace. The truth is the truth, I am who I am. People can see what they want, but if you are to caught up in who I am, then you miss out on who you can become. I told you, I have seen the Best and Worst of Both Worlds....only one way to do that, and the best that I have seen is an amazing and unbelievable thing we should all embrace. We will all be better for it. Racism is a terrible thing that has torn our country apart for far too long and hurt far too many people. Thousands have died to fight against it, to put an end to it. Has their efforts come to an end? Has the prayers gone up to be unanswered? I don't believe they have, I believe the time is now to start. How? By being different, being the example for others to follow, standing up for what is right, what God has asked of us. Loving despite the actions of others to allow God to work through you and in them. We start by looking in the mirror to change what we can change....first.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
A Long Overdue Letter.......
1 Kings 8:57 says, May the Lord our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us or abandon us.
My Dear Beloved Ancestors;
I know this letter has been long overdue, and for that I (we) apologize. I (we) will not attempt to use the excuse that things have been rough or just too busy, I (we) can not use those terms in a letter to you. I will simply say that I (we) just overlooked the need for this letter to you, so I (we) will send it to you now.
I (we) witnessed something this week that words can not fully or respectfully describe to give the full meaning and feeling that comes from it. On November 4Th, 2008 at approximately 10:01pm (CST), the citizens of The United States of America elected Barack Obama as our next President, thus becoming the first African American to be elected to this office in our Nation's History. For this occasions, and the countless other, such a letter to you is needed to simply yet humbly and with the greatest respects, say "Thank you". I (we) may not ever fully grasp the extent of this event as it relates to our Nation's long and challenging history. As I watched the announcement and realized just what had taken place, a rush of emotions came over me that I could not fully explain other than to say it was "a moment". My generation is a younger generation that did not have to see many of the things that you and many others have had to as it relates to slavery and racism. I like to believe I am a fan of history, mainly because I believe that if you don't know where you were, you can not begin to understand where you are going and why, so my insight to what has taken place in the past is based on what I read and heard from older generations. As I watched the t.v. I saw Rev. Jesse Jackson, who I am sure as you have watched over us throughout the generations, you are familiar with him, he was overtaken by tears that poured down his face and I began to feel what he may have been thinking, and what drove me to write you this letter. He was there, 50 plus years ago to witness the hate, the racism, and the segregation that controlled our country and he is there now, to see what so many, including himself have fought for. What you, my dear Ancestors, have fought for. Thanking you, I feel, is not even enough to show how much what you did means to all of us and what impact your efforts still have today. I was reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a Dream Speech" when I watched Barack Obama speak to the crowd of thousands in Chicago, Illinois as he thanked them for what "they" did and what we are going to do going forward. He looked over a crowd of diverse backgrounds and a promising future and it spoke volumes to who he was really addressing. In Dr. King's speech, he said the following:
"I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. "
Then he said: "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation."
Dr. King's Dream never made reference to being President and I believe it is because if his dream was to be fulfilled as he had hoped, an African American becoming President was to be birthed out of his dream and the dream for our Country. His Dream, and his intent out of that dream brings us to this historic moment.
I thought about the story of Moses when God told Moses to take them out of the land of Egypt to freedom. In Egypt, they were enslaved yet they were upset when they got to the land of promise because nothing happened right away. They felt they had more back in Egypt. As they waited, they became more upset and spoke out against Moses, questioning why he brought them there. As we look at our Nation's history, we know that you were brought here, my dear ancestor's, as slaves from a land where it seemed you had more. You were brought here and the journey was not a journey you would, or any one would ask for. Once here, you spoke out, you stood up, you stood your ground, but your faith in something greater never waiver ed despite the defeats you suffered to include death. In the end, like with Moses and those he brought out, God, as always provided the promise. Through suffering comes victory and it is your suffering that has brought us the biggest victory since the end of slavery. This victory is not the end of the road, rather the start of a new beginning and a new journey, but it is a journey that we would not have had if it had not been for what you did.
Thank you my beloved Ancestor's for your sacrifice and determination. Thank you for your example of the kind of people we should be and by showing us what kind of God we serve. You lost your lives, your families, friends, your homes, children, spouses, freedoms, but never your faith, never your dignity, never your pride, and never your spirit. It is that spirit that I (we) need even now as we enter this new journey, walking out the victory that Barack called "yours" and I believe he was referring to you, ancestors. Thank you Frederick Douglas, Marcus Garvey, Harriett Tubman, Nat Turner, Henry Thurman, W.E.B. Dubois, Ida B. Wells, Archibald Grimke, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Rosa Parks, Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Louis Farrakhan, Alex Haley, the countless numbers of slaves who died in the battles, the numerous African Americans who pressed forth in the Civil Rights movements and sacrificed their lives for the right to freedom. Thank you to the thousands of whites who sacrificed their own freedoms to bring about justice and fairness. My dear ancestor's, with out you, there would be no "us". Your greatest gift followed that of the God you and i (we) serve in that Jesus gave up His life to bring others back to God. He gave up His life for millions He did not even know, and He did it in front of people that did not care about Him, nor wanted Him to exist. You have given us that same example and it is because of that, I believe that God has provided so greatly to those of us you were thinking about. You gave your life for millions you did not know and did so in front of those who did not care about you. We care, we thank you and we love your for it.
It is often said that what we now call the "new school" does not appreciate or respect the sacrifice that was made by you and the "old school" that has been around the last 50 plus, years. I would like to discredit that myth and say that we greatly appreciate what you did, and we are taking the torch and following your example. That example is to not complain with out a solution, not protest with out a purposed result, not debate with out an answer, not fall if we don't plan on getting up, and not waiver with out supporting each other. We, the new school, believe in just pressing forward in spite of, to achieve what you died for us to achieve. Barack Obama has done that and his election, the birth, from the Dream being realized, is the start of a new direction for our country and all those within. My dear Ancestor's, please know that no matter how far we go, no matter how well we do, it is not of our own works, but it is a gift from God, and we consider you those gifts, never to be taken away, never to be forgotten, always to be loved.
Please forgive me (we) for the tardiness of this letter, and I hope you receive it in love and know that our journey is not over, but made easier because of you. Your victory is continuing to be won and it is my (our) honor just to be included in the celebration. Thank you my beloved Ancestor's, thank you for your sacrifice and your unending love.
With love....
Your Descendant(s)
My Dear Beloved Ancestors;
I know this letter has been long overdue, and for that I (we) apologize. I (we) will not attempt to use the excuse that things have been rough or just too busy, I (we) can not use those terms in a letter to you. I will simply say that I (we) just overlooked the need for this letter to you, so I (we) will send it to you now.
I (we) witnessed something this week that words can not fully or respectfully describe to give the full meaning and feeling that comes from it. On November 4Th, 2008 at approximately 10:01pm (CST), the citizens of The United States of America elected Barack Obama as our next President, thus becoming the first African American to be elected to this office in our Nation's History. For this occasions, and the countless other, such a letter to you is needed to simply yet humbly and with the greatest respects, say "Thank you". I (we) may not ever fully grasp the extent of this event as it relates to our Nation's long and challenging history. As I watched the announcement and realized just what had taken place, a rush of emotions came over me that I could not fully explain other than to say it was "a moment". My generation is a younger generation that did not have to see many of the things that you and many others have had to as it relates to slavery and racism. I like to believe I am a fan of history, mainly because I believe that if you don't know where you were, you can not begin to understand where you are going and why, so my insight to what has taken place in the past is based on what I read and heard from older generations. As I watched the t.v. I saw Rev. Jesse Jackson, who I am sure as you have watched over us throughout the generations, you are familiar with him, he was overtaken by tears that poured down his face and I began to feel what he may have been thinking, and what drove me to write you this letter. He was there, 50 plus years ago to witness the hate, the racism, and the segregation that controlled our country and he is there now, to see what so many, including himself have fought for. What you, my dear Ancestors, have fought for. Thanking you, I feel, is not even enough to show how much what you did means to all of us and what impact your efforts still have today. I was reminded of Martin Luther King Jr.'s "I have a Dream Speech" when I watched Barack Obama speak to the crowd of thousands in Chicago, Illinois as he thanked them for what "they" did and what we are going to do going forward. He looked over a crowd of diverse backgrounds and a promising future and it spoke volumes to who he was really addressing. In Dr. King's speech, he said the following:
"I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive. "
Then he said: "I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation."
Dr. King's Dream never made reference to being President and I believe it is because if his dream was to be fulfilled as he had hoped, an African American becoming President was to be birthed out of his dream and the dream for our Country. His Dream, and his intent out of that dream brings us to this historic moment.
I thought about the story of Moses when God told Moses to take them out of the land of Egypt to freedom. In Egypt, they were enslaved yet they were upset when they got to the land of promise because nothing happened right away. They felt they had more back in Egypt. As they waited, they became more upset and spoke out against Moses, questioning why he brought them there. As we look at our Nation's history, we know that you were brought here, my dear ancestor's, as slaves from a land where it seemed you had more. You were brought here and the journey was not a journey you would, or any one would ask for. Once here, you spoke out, you stood up, you stood your ground, but your faith in something greater never waiver ed despite the defeats you suffered to include death. In the end, like with Moses and those he brought out, God, as always provided the promise. Through suffering comes victory and it is your suffering that has brought us the biggest victory since the end of slavery. This victory is not the end of the road, rather the start of a new beginning and a new journey, but it is a journey that we would not have had if it had not been for what you did.
Thank you my beloved Ancestor's for your sacrifice and determination. Thank you for your example of the kind of people we should be and by showing us what kind of God we serve. You lost your lives, your families, friends, your homes, children, spouses, freedoms, but never your faith, never your dignity, never your pride, and never your spirit. It is that spirit that I (we) need even now as we enter this new journey, walking out the victory that Barack called "yours" and I believe he was referring to you, ancestors. Thank you Frederick Douglas, Marcus Garvey, Harriett Tubman, Nat Turner, Henry Thurman, W.E.B. Dubois, Ida B. Wells, Archibald Grimke, Abraham Lincoln, John F. Kennedy, Rosa Parks, Huey Newton, Bobby Seale, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Nelson Mandela, Louis Farrakhan, Alex Haley, the countless numbers of slaves who died in the battles, the numerous African Americans who pressed forth in the Civil Rights movements and sacrificed their lives for the right to freedom. Thank you to the thousands of whites who sacrificed their own freedoms to bring about justice and fairness. My dear ancestor's, with out you, there would be no "us". Your greatest gift followed that of the God you and i (we) serve in that Jesus gave up His life to bring others back to God. He gave up His life for millions He did not even know, and He did it in front of people that did not care about Him, nor wanted Him to exist. You have given us that same example and it is because of that, I believe that God has provided so greatly to those of us you were thinking about. You gave your life for millions you did not know and did so in front of those who did not care about you. We care, we thank you and we love your for it.
It is often said that what we now call the "new school" does not appreciate or respect the sacrifice that was made by you and the "old school" that has been around the last 50 plus, years. I would like to discredit that myth and say that we greatly appreciate what you did, and we are taking the torch and following your example. That example is to not complain with out a solution, not protest with out a purposed result, not debate with out an answer, not fall if we don't plan on getting up, and not waiver with out supporting each other. We, the new school, believe in just pressing forward in spite of, to achieve what you died for us to achieve. Barack Obama has done that and his election, the birth, from the Dream being realized, is the start of a new direction for our country and all those within. My dear Ancestor's, please know that no matter how far we go, no matter how well we do, it is not of our own works, but it is a gift from God, and we consider you those gifts, never to be taken away, never to be forgotten, always to be loved.
Please forgive me (we) for the tardiness of this letter, and I hope you receive it in love and know that our journey is not over, but made easier because of you. Your victory is continuing to be won and it is my (our) honor just to be included in the celebration. Thank you my beloved Ancestor's, thank you for your sacrifice and your unending love.
With love....
Your Descendant(s)
Monday, November 3, 2008
Will We Make History This Week?
Tuesday 4 November 2008 is a day in which History can be made and will be made either way. If we elect Barack Obama and Joe Biden, history will be made as Obama will become the first African American elected to be President of the United States. If McCain and Palin are elected, he would be the oldest elected and she, the first woman Vice President in our nations history. So either way, history is going to be made.
This is a huge moment in our Nations History and can not be overlooked or understated. As a Country, we have come a long ways and yet have a long way to go. To look back and think that just 50 years ago, and less....blacks were not able to dine in the same place as whites. Even the right to vote was not fully applied. The right to vote was put in to place back in 1870, stating any one of any race can vote however there was no law prohibiting individuals from stopping others (blacks) from voting and violence was even tolerated to keep blacks from voting. This was only resolved in 1965 and Tennessee excepted the ratification only in 1997 after rejecting it in 1869. So the history of just voting is still some what new and to have the ability to vote and elect an African American as President speaks volumes to the past and those who sacrificed and died to push for equal rights. This is a moment in time when, regardless of your race, regardless of your background, regardless of your current feelings, you have to take a moment and take notice to what is happening. Through hope brings change and through change brings growth and through growth brings possibilities.
I am so excited about this election for many reason and at the same time am reminded of the challenges we face ahead. Our country is changing and to many, change is hard to except, but needed. Some say that to be critical of our Country is to be Non-American, however to be critical is to care. In a marriage or any relationship, if you care about each other, you would want to bring out the best in each other and sometimes that means to challenge the worst in one another. Our Country is no different. Our Country has a history of mistakes and a history of greatness. You can not have one without the other. In our history of mistakes, we have learned from them and we will continue to learn, so be critical, expect the best out of our Country and expect the best out of those who represent it. This election is a chance to represent the best of our Country and show that we DO learn from the mistakes of the past and are prepared to right those wrongs, no matter who is at fault.
If Obama is elected, it is not a victory for just African Americans, though the joy will be undeniable and the feelings will run deeper than ever before. The past will be present, the shoulders we have stood on will be replaced by our own and the cried tears of the past can begin to change to cries of happiness. His victory is a victory for our Country, for whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Indians, and every other race present. He represents the change in direction and the goal of the past that many from every race fought for. This is a chance to stand proud and know that we have come a long way.....at the same time we are mindful that we have a long way to go, but we are on the right path. Either way....History will be made and no matter who you support, it is a victory for our Country with either candidate, so regardless of who wins....don't stop the momentum, don't give up and forget about our goal. Continue to hope, continue to change, continue to grow and continue to grab the opportunities before us. Like those before us understood about us, it is OUR children's lives who depend on what we do now.
This is a huge moment in our Nations History and can not be overlooked or understated. As a Country, we have come a long ways and yet have a long way to go. To look back and think that just 50 years ago, and less....blacks were not able to dine in the same place as whites. Even the right to vote was not fully applied. The right to vote was put in to place back in 1870, stating any one of any race can vote however there was no law prohibiting individuals from stopping others (blacks) from voting and violence was even tolerated to keep blacks from voting. This was only resolved in 1965 and Tennessee excepted the ratification only in 1997 after rejecting it in 1869. So the history of just voting is still some what new and to have the ability to vote and elect an African American as President speaks volumes to the past and those who sacrificed and died to push for equal rights. This is a moment in time when, regardless of your race, regardless of your background, regardless of your current feelings, you have to take a moment and take notice to what is happening. Through hope brings change and through change brings growth and through growth brings possibilities.
I am so excited about this election for many reason and at the same time am reminded of the challenges we face ahead. Our country is changing and to many, change is hard to except, but needed. Some say that to be critical of our Country is to be Non-American, however to be critical is to care. In a marriage or any relationship, if you care about each other, you would want to bring out the best in each other and sometimes that means to challenge the worst in one another. Our Country is no different. Our Country has a history of mistakes and a history of greatness. You can not have one without the other. In our history of mistakes, we have learned from them and we will continue to learn, so be critical, expect the best out of our Country and expect the best out of those who represent it. This election is a chance to represent the best of our Country and show that we DO learn from the mistakes of the past and are prepared to right those wrongs, no matter who is at fault.
If Obama is elected, it is not a victory for just African Americans, though the joy will be undeniable and the feelings will run deeper than ever before. The past will be present, the shoulders we have stood on will be replaced by our own and the cried tears of the past can begin to change to cries of happiness. His victory is a victory for our Country, for whites, blacks, Hispanics, Asians, Indians, and every other race present. He represents the change in direction and the goal of the past that many from every race fought for. This is a chance to stand proud and know that we have come a long way.....at the same time we are mindful that we have a long way to go, but we are on the right path. Either way....History will be made and no matter who you support, it is a victory for our Country with either candidate, so regardless of who wins....don't stop the momentum, don't give up and forget about our goal. Continue to hope, continue to change, continue to grow and continue to grab the opportunities before us. Like those before us understood about us, it is OUR children's lives who depend on what we do now.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Seven Years Later....
Psalm 66:5 Come and see what our God has done,what awesome miracles he performs for people!
Today, October 19th, we spent the day celebrating my sons 7th birthday. Now to most, this is something we all do with our families and friends on regular basis, so it seems that is really nothing to get caught up in and we should just prepare for the next and the next...etc..etc.. This may very well be true, however this day was a special special day in my life and the life of all those affected by the birth and life of my son.
Seven years ago, on October 9th, we were told after arriving at the hospital with complications with the pregnancy that we would have to stay at the hospital and they would try to keep my son from being born at this time. The reason? He was not due until January 16th (give or take a few days) For two weeks, we were instructed to pray for the best and prepare for the worst. As time progressed and we realized we would have to go ahead and deliver him, we were told he would not make it. He was too little and his lungs had not developed enough, even with help. October 19th at 7:01am...time stood still as he was born and rushed off to the specialists to try and do what they could. After about 1 month in a place they keep pre mature babies, the doctor came to me and explained to me how when pre mature babies are born, they stop growing for a period of time because they do not have the resources to help them grow and develop. He explained to me this process and continued by telling me that he is not sure how or why, but (quote) "your son has not stopped growing since he was born." Now at this time, I was so mad at God and so un in love with God I had no idea what He was doing. My only talk with God was to just save my son and I would be alright. I wanted God to leave me alone. Just save my son. For the next two months, my son grew and grew strong and was ready to come home. What an exciting day!!
At the 4 month mark, with life getting on as usual....the ball dropped. One morning, my son started to have a seizure and was rushed back to the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital, we were told that at no point would he wake up and (quote) "he will not make it, we will do everything we can, but he will not make it. There was too much damage from the seizure." 3 days later, he woke up. 3 weeks later he came home. Again. Now, we understood his life would be a little different with the damage from the seizure, but God had done what was asked. Even from someone who was mad at Him and wanted nothing to do with Him.
Over the next 6 and a half years, I have watched my son push through and accomplish things he should not be able to do, according to the past instructions. I have watched him grow and become a young man who absolutely loves life and loves his family. I have watched him study people and do what they were doing and not stop until he does it just like they did. We have been instructed by doctors that his abilities will be limited at times and he will not develop at the rate of any normal child and put him as a special needs child. Through the years, as a father, it has been so hard to deal with those words..."special needs" because of all the dreams I have for my children and all the things I want them to accomplish. It has been hard to receive and even angered me at times because when I look at my son, I don't see special needs...I see my hero. I see a young man who WANTS to do all the things the other kids do and does. I see a young man who speaks to his family and tells them what he wants and doesn't want and when he wants it. I see a young man who learns daily how to operate through life and does not think of any difference that may exist between him and other kids. I see a young man who has changed the lives of so many around him from family to friends and beyond. He has brought people together and made so many smile with his amazing smile. I remember a few years ago at church as I was walking up the parking lot in to church, I was approached by a lady who introduced herself and her family and told me that my son is so amazing, she said (quote) "there is something about your son that just makes people flock to him and want to see him and touch him. He is so beautiful and there is just something about him that draws others." After hearing this, I took a moment to reflect and in church I sat and prayed to God for what He had done...despite my ignorance that cost me greatly. God let me know that when he was born, he didn't stop growing because God kept him growing and after the seizure, God kept my son sleeping for 3 days to talk to him. Ever since....my son has grown in ways that he was not suppose to. He plays basketball, football, volleyball (like his big sister) and baseball. He loves to fish and ride four wheelers and play with all his cousins. He loves to read and watch movies and play with his family all the time. He is a clown and shows that every day. He loves to be outside and helps with chores and cleanup. He loves life, and he is his daddy's hero in so many ways.
Seven years ago, we were told that none of this would happen, that we should prepare for the worst. Seven years ago, when I walked away from God, God walk to me through my son. Seven years ago, this birthday party we celebrated today was never suppose to happen...but it did. Seven years ago, I, as a father, cried out of fear for what I was not sure of...today...after the party....I cried for what I know and will never forget. The scripture at the top refers to the miracles God does and every day when I look at my son..I am reminded of those miracles and the miracle He did with him. Seven represents completion in biblical terms and today starts year number 8 which represents new beginnings. My sons life is in God's hands and I have never been more thankful for that. See, there is something about my son, something amazing, something that no one can explain that draws people to him. Seven years ago his birth brought so many people together, praying, believing, and encouraging. Seven years later, those same people were brought together today to see their prayers answered, their believing brought to pass and the encouragement they now have when they see what God has done for my son.
Never doubt, with all the troubles you may endure, and all the hardships you go through, what God can and will do. Prayer, believing, and encouragement goes along way, and God's word will always show Himself to be faithful. If you ever get to see my son, know that you are seeing a miracle and remember that God is able. What He did for my son, He will also do for you. If I am bragging...it is because not only am I so proud of my son, I am more proud that God loves me and my son that much.
Today, October 19th, we spent the day celebrating my sons 7th birthday. Now to most, this is something we all do with our families and friends on regular basis, so it seems that is really nothing to get caught up in and we should just prepare for the next and the next...etc..etc.. This may very well be true, however this day was a special special day in my life and the life of all those affected by the birth and life of my son.
Seven years ago, on October 9th, we were told after arriving at the hospital with complications with the pregnancy that we would have to stay at the hospital and they would try to keep my son from being born at this time. The reason? He was not due until January 16th (give or take a few days) For two weeks, we were instructed to pray for the best and prepare for the worst. As time progressed and we realized we would have to go ahead and deliver him, we were told he would not make it. He was too little and his lungs had not developed enough, even with help. October 19th at 7:01am...time stood still as he was born and rushed off to the specialists to try and do what they could. After about 1 month in a place they keep pre mature babies, the doctor came to me and explained to me how when pre mature babies are born, they stop growing for a period of time because they do not have the resources to help them grow and develop. He explained to me this process and continued by telling me that he is not sure how or why, but (quote) "your son has not stopped growing since he was born." Now at this time, I was so mad at God and so un in love with God I had no idea what He was doing. My only talk with God was to just save my son and I would be alright. I wanted God to leave me alone. Just save my son. For the next two months, my son grew and grew strong and was ready to come home. What an exciting day!!
At the 4 month mark, with life getting on as usual....the ball dropped. One morning, my son started to have a seizure and was rushed back to the hospital. Once we arrived at the hospital, we were told that at no point would he wake up and (quote) "he will not make it, we will do everything we can, but he will not make it. There was too much damage from the seizure." 3 days later, he woke up. 3 weeks later he came home. Again. Now, we understood his life would be a little different with the damage from the seizure, but God had done what was asked. Even from someone who was mad at Him and wanted nothing to do with Him.
Over the next 6 and a half years, I have watched my son push through and accomplish things he should not be able to do, according to the past instructions. I have watched him grow and become a young man who absolutely loves life and loves his family. I have watched him study people and do what they were doing and not stop until he does it just like they did. We have been instructed by doctors that his abilities will be limited at times and he will not develop at the rate of any normal child and put him as a special needs child. Through the years, as a father, it has been so hard to deal with those words..."special needs" because of all the dreams I have for my children and all the things I want them to accomplish. It has been hard to receive and even angered me at times because when I look at my son, I don't see special needs...I see my hero. I see a young man who WANTS to do all the things the other kids do and does. I see a young man who speaks to his family and tells them what he wants and doesn't want and when he wants it. I see a young man who learns daily how to operate through life and does not think of any difference that may exist between him and other kids. I see a young man who has changed the lives of so many around him from family to friends and beyond. He has brought people together and made so many smile with his amazing smile. I remember a few years ago at church as I was walking up the parking lot in to church, I was approached by a lady who introduced herself and her family and told me that my son is so amazing, she said (quote) "there is something about your son that just makes people flock to him and want to see him and touch him. He is so beautiful and there is just something about him that draws others." After hearing this, I took a moment to reflect and in church I sat and prayed to God for what He had done...despite my ignorance that cost me greatly. God let me know that when he was born, he didn't stop growing because God kept him growing and after the seizure, God kept my son sleeping for 3 days to talk to him. Ever since....my son has grown in ways that he was not suppose to. He plays basketball, football, volleyball (like his big sister) and baseball. He loves to fish and ride four wheelers and play with all his cousins. He loves to read and watch movies and play with his family all the time. He is a clown and shows that every day. He loves to be outside and helps with chores and cleanup. He loves life, and he is his daddy's hero in so many ways.
Seven years ago, we were told that none of this would happen, that we should prepare for the worst. Seven years ago, when I walked away from God, God walk to me through my son. Seven years ago, this birthday party we celebrated today was never suppose to happen...but it did. Seven years ago, I, as a father, cried out of fear for what I was not sure of...today...after the party....I cried for what I know and will never forget. The scripture at the top refers to the miracles God does and every day when I look at my son..I am reminded of those miracles and the miracle He did with him. Seven represents completion in biblical terms and today starts year number 8 which represents new beginnings. My sons life is in God's hands and I have never been more thankful for that. See, there is something about my son, something amazing, something that no one can explain that draws people to him. Seven years ago his birth brought so many people together, praying, believing, and encouraging. Seven years later, those same people were brought together today to see their prayers answered, their believing brought to pass and the encouragement they now have when they see what God has done for my son.
Never doubt, with all the troubles you may endure, and all the hardships you go through, what God can and will do. Prayer, believing, and encouragement goes along way, and God's word will always show Himself to be faithful. If you ever get to see my son, know that you are seeing a miracle and remember that God is able. What He did for my son, He will also do for you. If I am bragging...it is because not only am I so proud of my son, I am more proud that God loves me and my son that much.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Can You.....?
Can You…..?
By Jeffrey Regge
Do you here that…
The hushed whisper of the past
Do you hear that?
The silence of the years of struggle never seeming to end
Do you hear that?
The endless cries of past pains
The screams of the silent..now heard
Do you hear that?
Do you feel it?
Do you feel the past coming full circle for us to look face to face with the dreams
The Dream screamed from the hills of the mountains that never seem to move
Do you feel it?
The pain felt by hundreds of thousands, millions of Americans slain in hate
Killed by the hands of those they would soon join
Do you feel it?
The words, the actions, the thoughts, the ideas, the desires, the requests, the hopes
Hope
Do you hear the feeling of the past Americans that have brought us to this point seemed to far to attain
The blood of those who shed it to lay the path for us to take
The tears that filled the rivers of hope that allowed us to flow along to a better place then they
The screams that are carried, still, in the wind, that whistles by our ears to remind us to never forget….never forget
So many years and so many deaths to bring us to a place in history never seen before and a time that will cause us to stand still
Allowing every breath breathed to witness the beginning of the results that began years ago by a people that were not suppose to create change
This moment in time is a result of the protests, marches, walk outs, stand ins, sit ins, street preaching, dream having, visionary believers of the past that positioned themselves to allow us to stand on their shoulders to continue to achieve things even greater.
Here we are….
Standing before the dawn of a new day in history
Have we forgot?
Have we moved past?
Have we pushed aside the pictures, movies and the scars that we see and feel that remind us how special this moment really is…
This moment that can never be duplicated and surely not over looked..
This moment where we have the opportunity to elect for our next President of the United States of America
The first African American man put in this position to win
As we watch his speeches
We can’t help but get the chills
As we witness him debate on the highest of levels
We can’t help but stand up with pride
As we become apart of this historic event
We can’t help but think of the endless possibilities.
Barack Obama is standing on the shoulders of those before him
The shoulders of those that died, that stepped up in the battle for equality and rights
Those that fought endlessly to end segregation
Those who bled to save the lives of others worse off
Obama stands on the shoulders of those who made it possible for equal education
Those who made it possible for the employment of Blacks
Those who made it possible for Blacks and woman to vote
Those who made it possible for Blacks to have a voice and for it to make impacts
He stands on those shoulders and is positioning himself for others to follow to stand on his shoulders as well.
Those same shoulders are the shoulders we stand on
The same shoulders that made it possible for us to have our voice heard and our votes count
The same shoulders that made it possible for us to debate the facts and push to fulfill the dreams
We have a chance to create history and it comes at a time when America is ready and in need
It comes at a time when the voices are being heard
The cries have not been forgotten
The screams are being heard by the passing wind
The blood shed is being resurrected in strength and passion
The opportunity to continue the push is upon us
We must not forget
We can’t forget
This moment has been far too long
Far too painful to achieve
But achieve we have….we have just started
We have just opened the door
Stand tall on those shoulders….breathe in the freshness of the past
Breathe in the pain of the past
Breathe in the cries of the past
Breathe in the dreams of the past
The time is now..
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
By Jeffrey Regge
Do you here that…
The hushed whisper of the past
Do you hear that?
The silence of the years of struggle never seeming to end
Do you hear that?
The endless cries of past pains
The screams of the silent..now heard
Do you hear that?
Do you feel it?
Do you feel the past coming full circle for us to look face to face with the dreams
The Dream screamed from the hills of the mountains that never seem to move
Do you feel it?
The pain felt by hundreds of thousands, millions of Americans slain in hate
Killed by the hands of those they would soon join
Do you feel it?
The words, the actions, the thoughts, the ideas, the desires, the requests, the hopes
Hope
Do you hear the feeling of the past Americans that have brought us to this point seemed to far to attain
The blood of those who shed it to lay the path for us to take
The tears that filled the rivers of hope that allowed us to flow along to a better place then they
The screams that are carried, still, in the wind, that whistles by our ears to remind us to never forget….never forget
So many years and so many deaths to bring us to a place in history never seen before and a time that will cause us to stand still
Allowing every breath breathed to witness the beginning of the results that began years ago by a people that were not suppose to create change
This moment in time is a result of the protests, marches, walk outs, stand ins, sit ins, street preaching, dream having, visionary believers of the past that positioned themselves to allow us to stand on their shoulders to continue to achieve things even greater.
Here we are….
Standing before the dawn of a new day in history
Have we forgot?
Have we moved past?
Have we pushed aside the pictures, movies and the scars that we see and feel that remind us how special this moment really is…
This moment that can never be duplicated and surely not over looked..
This moment where we have the opportunity to elect for our next President of the United States of America
The first African American man put in this position to win
As we watch his speeches
We can’t help but get the chills
As we witness him debate on the highest of levels
We can’t help but stand up with pride
As we become apart of this historic event
We can’t help but think of the endless possibilities.
Barack Obama is standing on the shoulders of those before him
The shoulders of those that died, that stepped up in the battle for equality and rights
Those that fought endlessly to end segregation
Those who bled to save the lives of others worse off
Obama stands on the shoulders of those who made it possible for equal education
Those who made it possible for the employment of Blacks
Those who made it possible for Blacks and woman to vote
Those who made it possible for Blacks to have a voice and for it to make impacts
He stands on those shoulders and is positioning himself for others to follow to stand on his shoulders as well.
Those same shoulders are the shoulders we stand on
The same shoulders that made it possible for us to have our voice heard and our votes count
The same shoulders that made it possible for us to debate the facts and push to fulfill the dreams
We have a chance to create history and it comes at a time when America is ready and in need
It comes at a time when the voices are being heard
The cries have not been forgotten
The screams are being heard by the passing wind
The blood shed is being resurrected in strength and passion
The opportunity to continue the push is upon us
We must not forget
We can’t forget
This moment has been far too long
Far too painful to achieve
But achieve we have….we have just started
We have just opened the door
Stand tall on those shoulders….breathe in the freshness of the past
Breathe in the pain of the past
Breathe in the cries of the past
Breathe in the dreams of the past
The time is now..
Can you hear it?
Can you feel it?
Monday, October 6, 2008
Love is Always First...
As a parent, there are so many challenges we face when it comes to raising our kids. Our goal as parents is hopefully to give our kids a head start in life and place them in a position ahead of where we started to continue an upward climb. We, at times, try hard to protect our children and keep them from the dangers of the world and guide them safely to a better outcome. Sometimes, the obstacles that our children endure, unfortunately come from our own failures and shortcomings. These downsides do affect our children greatly and sometimes we miss it and don't either pay attention, or dismiss it as "life."
As a child growing up, there are so many things in my past I could point to as the reason or a contributing reason as to why I have gone through some of the challenges I have and for some of the failures I have experienced as a parent. I could create a dynamic case as to why I have had so many shortcomings and that my experiences have lacked an example of what a parent should be like. Not even in the slightest of ways. Even now, when it comes to situations that arise with my children, and not knowing how to address it, going to my parents is not an option for advice. I am sure many can relate. I have been a product of a divorced household as a child, thus creating a changed dynamic to my childhood and my future. Again, so many things I could point to and would justify my previous actions and processes. Now, as a parent, I have done what I feared the most and made my children products of that same divorced household. These are just some of the obstacles we create for our children in our efforts to protect them. Unlike my parents, I, as the father take full responsibility for the fall of my previous marriage. It was not a matter of what I did wrong, it was more so what I did not do right. I lost my battle. Watching my kids through it and since has been a painful experience that I have endured but nothing compared to what they have gone through. Divorce creates so many "other" obstacles for our children and a single family home, even if never married does the same.
Now remarried and trying to establish a foundation for my children, the process has started to make every effort to help heal the pain that was caused. My wife and I had a conversation the other night and we were talking about how God heals us. She talked about a Pastor she heard speak about how when God heals, we will be left with scars to remind us. I quoted a scripture in the Book of Isaiah, 43:25 where God says "I am He that forgives and forgets all sins". To know this scripture is to know that there are no limits to Gods ability. We started to talk about this healing God provides. Do you have scars at times? Yes, you may, but do not limit God's ability to heal and erase. The scripture tells us He forgives and Forgets. To forget is to not have memory or recollection of what happened. Thus not having scars as reminders. In that, I look at my past and the events that have happened and I have some scars for some things and no scars for others. Now because we are not God, we may not be able to forget, but when what happened does not direct your actions going forward, it has been removed. As I watch my kids, I pray daily that I am able to help them get rid of the scars. In talking with my daughter the other day, I shared with her that I know I have not always been the best or done the best as a daddy but everything I do is with her and her brother in mind. I have tried to be the father I didn't have, and be a husband I never witnessed. In that conversation, I truly believe my daughter understood. As my wife and I talked about parenting and what to do to help my children in certain areas as it relates to study habits and helping my daughter with school, I became frustrated. I told my wife that I don't know how to create the environment needed to nurture a healthy study environment that can help her study and encourage a good work ethic. My experience as a child was a do or die situation and I wanted to be the best. I have placed my children in a place where it is not do or die but help is always right there. How do we create something for our children when we don't have experience to fall back on? This is the dilemma of parents every where. How do we avoid creating more obstacles for our children then they already have to endure? How do we mend the scars and re-establish the path we all want for our children?
Simply put, God. As parents we try so many other outlets to find answers and solutions to our problems and situations. God is the creator of all things, and the foundation that parenting is built upon. He loves us without regard to what we do wrong or how far we stray. He is always there and allows us to come to Him no matter what. This is our example on how to be with our children. Love them with out regard to what they do or how often they do it. Going to God for help has changed my whole outlook on parenting and I believe has started the healing process of my scar in that area. I hear so often about parents abusing their kids and the kids who get left for dead, or killed by their parents and I can not understand for the life of me how this could happen. When I physically discipline my children, I get physically ill and hurt because of the pain, fear, and hurt I know they feel. Remember as a child when you were physically disciplined? For that moment, you did not have control of what happened to you. Imagine now as an adult not having control of what is happening to you physically and imagine how a defenseless child feels. When I discipline my children, I take about 10 minutes to re group and go back to them to hold them and talk to them. The discipline may lack effect, but I have to let them know love is first.
So as parents, when we get to that place where challenges knock us off our paths and we realize we don't have the answer to solve the issue, go to God. He will provide the answer, He will create the environment needed to nurture the growth we need. He will also remind us that when we failed Him, He disciplined us, but immediately came back to us to embrace us to show us that love is always first.
As a child growing up, there are so many things in my past I could point to as the reason or a contributing reason as to why I have gone through some of the challenges I have and for some of the failures I have experienced as a parent. I could create a dynamic case as to why I have had so many shortcomings and that my experiences have lacked an example of what a parent should be like. Not even in the slightest of ways. Even now, when it comes to situations that arise with my children, and not knowing how to address it, going to my parents is not an option for advice. I am sure many can relate. I have been a product of a divorced household as a child, thus creating a changed dynamic to my childhood and my future. Again, so many things I could point to and would justify my previous actions and processes. Now, as a parent, I have done what I feared the most and made my children products of that same divorced household. These are just some of the obstacles we create for our children in our efforts to protect them. Unlike my parents, I, as the father take full responsibility for the fall of my previous marriage. It was not a matter of what I did wrong, it was more so what I did not do right. I lost my battle. Watching my kids through it and since has been a painful experience that I have endured but nothing compared to what they have gone through. Divorce creates so many "other" obstacles for our children and a single family home, even if never married does the same.
Now remarried and trying to establish a foundation for my children, the process has started to make every effort to help heal the pain that was caused. My wife and I had a conversation the other night and we were talking about how God heals us. She talked about a Pastor she heard speak about how when God heals, we will be left with scars to remind us. I quoted a scripture in the Book of Isaiah, 43:25 where God says "I am He that forgives and forgets all sins". To know this scripture is to know that there are no limits to Gods ability. We started to talk about this healing God provides. Do you have scars at times? Yes, you may, but do not limit God's ability to heal and erase. The scripture tells us He forgives and Forgets. To forget is to not have memory or recollection of what happened. Thus not having scars as reminders. In that, I look at my past and the events that have happened and I have some scars for some things and no scars for others. Now because we are not God, we may not be able to forget, but when what happened does not direct your actions going forward, it has been removed. As I watch my kids, I pray daily that I am able to help them get rid of the scars. In talking with my daughter the other day, I shared with her that I know I have not always been the best or done the best as a daddy but everything I do is with her and her brother in mind. I have tried to be the father I didn't have, and be a husband I never witnessed. In that conversation, I truly believe my daughter understood. As my wife and I talked about parenting and what to do to help my children in certain areas as it relates to study habits and helping my daughter with school, I became frustrated. I told my wife that I don't know how to create the environment needed to nurture a healthy study environment that can help her study and encourage a good work ethic. My experience as a child was a do or die situation and I wanted to be the best. I have placed my children in a place where it is not do or die but help is always right there. How do we create something for our children when we don't have experience to fall back on? This is the dilemma of parents every where. How do we avoid creating more obstacles for our children then they already have to endure? How do we mend the scars and re-establish the path we all want for our children?
Simply put, God. As parents we try so many other outlets to find answers and solutions to our problems and situations. God is the creator of all things, and the foundation that parenting is built upon. He loves us without regard to what we do wrong or how far we stray. He is always there and allows us to come to Him no matter what. This is our example on how to be with our children. Love them with out regard to what they do or how often they do it. Going to God for help has changed my whole outlook on parenting and I believe has started the healing process of my scar in that area. I hear so often about parents abusing their kids and the kids who get left for dead, or killed by their parents and I can not understand for the life of me how this could happen. When I physically discipline my children, I get physically ill and hurt because of the pain, fear, and hurt I know they feel. Remember as a child when you were physically disciplined? For that moment, you did not have control of what happened to you. Imagine now as an adult not having control of what is happening to you physically and imagine how a defenseless child feels. When I discipline my children, I take about 10 minutes to re group and go back to them to hold them and talk to them. The discipline may lack effect, but I have to let them know love is first.
So as parents, when we get to that place where challenges knock us off our paths and we realize we don't have the answer to solve the issue, go to God. He will provide the answer, He will create the environment needed to nurture the growth we need. He will also remind us that when we failed Him, He disciplined us, but immediately came back to us to embrace us to show us that love is always first.
Are you Ready for Change?...
In less than one month, voters will go to the polls to cast their vote for the next President of the United States of America. Over the past year plus...we have seen the candidates go back and forth, submit their ideas and plans for a better America and how they would conduct their administration if they were elected by the people. In looking at these two candidates, Sen. John McCain and Sen. Barack Obama, you find a tremendous difference in the character and history of these two and you see the obvious differences. In Sen. McCain is an older, white, upper class citizen and Sen. Obama is a younger, black, upper class citizen. These are the obvious and I am sure you are wondering what is the point I am trying to make. I am so glad you asked.....I will try to answer.
The not so obvious picture these two candidates represent is this....Sen. McCain is from an older generation of whites that have a certain and specific value system and tend to, by facts and history, not like change. He represents a class of Americans that are what we call..."Old School" and tend to follow the status quo. Sen. Obama represents a younger generation of Americans who like to challenge the status quo and he doesn't just represent the Black Americans some would expect. He represents an America that is pushing towards the future. Younger Americans that challenge and change the "same ol' " traditions that tend to get....well...old. Most of us don't like change but yet we know change is good and important. One of the things as a Christian that is greatly important is what the scripture says about change. In 2 Corinthians it states that "once you are in Christ, you are a new creation" meaning you have changed, it is required to walk with Christ. In America it is required to change to keep up, to stay in competition with the world and it is required to reflect the society that is being served. Sen. Obama represents a great shift in our Country that is taking place even now. Our country has been a "white majority" country since the beginning and the population shift has been taking place for years. In the next 15-20 years, the population will change and whites will not be the majority any longer. With this shift, it creates automatic change in our society and the needs of our country. Does this mean that we HAVE to elect Sen. Obama just because of our changing country...no, of course not. What it does mean is that it is required change that is going to happen sooner or later. We have a tendency to try and push things to the limit. For example, our economy. We ignored it until this point and it is harder now to fix then it would have been 6 years ago. Global Warming is an issue and if we keep ignoring it, it will become harder to fix and more costly. Electing Sen. Obama is another opportunity we have to get it right up front and not wait until it is more costly and a greater challenge in the future. The cost of not electing him is too great and the wonderful thing is it has nothing to do with his race and every thing to do with his policies and plans. So in this election, you have a win win situation. He represents the change we are all facing and supporters of McCain and the generations he represents are, in most ways, scared of that change. Scared of some thing new, scared of what they do not know. Media has done an amazing job and creating the perception that all blacks care about is sex, music, sports, and crime. They have been extremely successful in getting this image out there and creating the fear of an "angry black man" or black women. The sound bites and the pictures all paint a picture of trouble. The news reports daily of missing white children and the details of criminal activities of sports figures and musicians who happen to be all black in the news flashes. They exhaust money on endless stories of the abductions of white woman and children from across our country and parade the stories of O.J. Simpson, Michael Vick, the Janet Jackson Super Bowl "show" and many other stories like this. Poor white America and bad bad Black America. The media is so quick to call out a political figure or anyone for using the "race card" when the media has pulled that card and left it out in use for years. The latest is the V.P. Debate that took place last Thursday and wanting to ban the facilitator (an African America woman) because she has wrote a book about the historic events to include Sen. Obama's run for President saying she would be bias to the Democratic party in lieu of her book. If it was a white commentator, would this be a story? Does the movie out about President Bush influence our society to feel sorry for him and the party and submit a pity vote? Either way, it is up to America to sort through the rhetoric and see the truth. There is a change taking place in our Country and it is time to except that change. Do we follow our past and go against this change, continue to follow the status quo and avoid what we don't understand or know out of fear? Or do we embrace this change and except it and follow the flow of our country and where we are going. Do we elect someone who represents the future of our country and represent the generations that will carry us in to that great future. Where we are going in our future of change is far better than where we have been or where we are now. We are a country of people who believe in a greater purpose, a greater cause. We question the very foundation we stand on as a country, but those questions are not to knock our past, but to ensure the foundation we stand on will stand strong in our future of certain change and will carry us through the transition.
No matter who you vote for, please vote. Too many people have died as a price to gain the right we all have. Do not let their deaths be empty, rather a representation of the "change" that needed to and did take place. Change!!
The not so obvious picture these two candidates represent is this....Sen. McCain is from an older generation of whites that have a certain and specific value system and tend to, by facts and history, not like change. He represents a class of Americans that are what we call..."Old School" and tend to follow the status quo. Sen. Obama represents a younger generation of Americans who like to challenge the status quo and he doesn't just represent the Black Americans some would expect. He represents an America that is pushing towards the future. Younger Americans that challenge and change the "same ol' " traditions that tend to get....well...old. Most of us don't like change but yet we know change is good and important. One of the things as a Christian that is greatly important is what the scripture says about change. In 2 Corinthians it states that "once you are in Christ, you are a new creation" meaning you have changed, it is required to walk with Christ. In America it is required to change to keep up, to stay in competition with the world and it is required to reflect the society that is being served. Sen. Obama represents a great shift in our Country that is taking place even now. Our country has been a "white majority" country since the beginning and the population shift has been taking place for years. In the next 15-20 years, the population will change and whites will not be the majority any longer. With this shift, it creates automatic change in our society and the needs of our country. Does this mean that we HAVE to elect Sen. Obama just because of our changing country...no, of course not. What it does mean is that it is required change that is going to happen sooner or later. We have a tendency to try and push things to the limit. For example, our economy. We ignored it until this point and it is harder now to fix then it would have been 6 years ago. Global Warming is an issue and if we keep ignoring it, it will become harder to fix and more costly. Electing Sen. Obama is another opportunity we have to get it right up front and not wait until it is more costly and a greater challenge in the future. The cost of not electing him is too great and the wonderful thing is it has nothing to do with his race and every thing to do with his policies and plans. So in this election, you have a win win situation. He represents the change we are all facing and supporters of McCain and the generations he represents are, in most ways, scared of that change. Scared of some thing new, scared of what they do not know. Media has done an amazing job and creating the perception that all blacks care about is sex, music, sports, and crime. They have been extremely successful in getting this image out there and creating the fear of an "angry black man" or black women. The sound bites and the pictures all paint a picture of trouble. The news reports daily of missing white children and the details of criminal activities of sports figures and musicians who happen to be all black in the news flashes. They exhaust money on endless stories of the abductions of white woman and children from across our country and parade the stories of O.J. Simpson, Michael Vick, the Janet Jackson Super Bowl "show" and many other stories like this. Poor white America and bad bad Black America. The media is so quick to call out a political figure or anyone for using the "race card" when the media has pulled that card and left it out in use for years. The latest is the V.P. Debate that took place last Thursday and wanting to ban the facilitator (an African America woman) because she has wrote a book about the historic events to include Sen. Obama's run for President saying she would be bias to the Democratic party in lieu of her book. If it was a white commentator, would this be a story? Does the movie out about President Bush influence our society to feel sorry for him and the party and submit a pity vote? Either way, it is up to America to sort through the rhetoric and see the truth. There is a change taking place in our Country and it is time to except that change. Do we follow our past and go against this change, continue to follow the status quo and avoid what we don't understand or know out of fear? Or do we embrace this change and except it and follow the flow of our country and where we are going. Do we elect someone who represents the future of our country and represent the generations that will carry us in to that great future. Where we are going in our future of change is far better than where we have been or where we are now. We are a country of people who believe in a greater purpose, a greater cause. We question the very foundation we stand on as a country, but those questions are not to knock our past, but to ensure the foundation we stand on will stand strong in our future of certain change and will carry us through the transition.
No matter who you vote for, please vote. Too many people have died as a price to gain the right we all have. Do not let their deaths be empty, rather a representation of the "change" that needed to and did take place. Change!!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A Choice to Sin.....
OK...here we go.
Leviticus 18:22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination
Clay Aiken held a press conference to address a group of reporters and fans, to let them all know publicly for the first time that he is gay. He said during his speech that he is "a gay daddy". (quote/end quote) On CNN.com they had a story addressing his news conference and also a story on Lindsey Lohan and how she is and has been dating a woman as well. As I saw these two articles and the knowledge of many many more, I asked the question I hope many others ask when they see something like this...."who cares?" How is this news?
This entry will be rather short because this issue is actually very simple. Over the years, gays have protested, rallied and stood on the steps of our government, demanding rights and equal and fair treatment. They have parades, magazines, and many other outlets to promote their lifestyle. What blows my mind is the comments from the past that their struggle for rights is the same as the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans. This is the most outrageous and ridiculous claim I have ever heard. Being Black is not a choice it is who they are. It is the ethnic heritage and cultural make up of that person and their past. Being gay...is neither a cultural make up or ethnic heritage...it is a choice. Some feel that they are born with this and that may be true since we are all born in to sin, but the choice to remain in that state is just that...your choice. Now please don't misunderstand me, I believe that ALL and EVERYONE should have equal rights and be treated fair. That is the fundamental basis that our country was born on, however gays already are treated fairly. Gays have the same educational opportunities, job opportunities, they live in the same communities, shop at the same stores, and are offered the same options as any and every one else in this country. The fact that they are gay does not entitle them to any additional rights above any one else, nor does it give them special consideration when it comes to overtaking the national news as oppose to more important issues that are going on...such as the war, poverty, abuse, economical issues, homeless concerns, health care, and the fact that our country has fallen in ranks compared to the rest of the world. All of this and we are forced to hear about who is and is not gay? Where is our priorities? The crazy thing is this is not the main issue I have.
What does it mean to be gay? It means simply this...you have a personal and private preference when it comes to your sexual behavior. that is it!! You are the same as any other American with the same jobs, options, etc.. You just have a preference for your sexual behavior. When you see gay protest, parades, or any other type of promotion, all they are promoting and or protesting is their sexual preference. The Civil Rights Movement was about equal rights for all races, not preference to what you want because of your race. You did not have a choice to who you are, yet gays are marching for equal rights they already have because of their sexual preference. This does not entitle you to extra benefits because of your choice. If I choose to be poor, does it give me a right to demand the government give me money and benefits when I made the choice? If a straight man or woman, marched and walked on the steps of our Capital and promoted their preference for some particular sexual act, they would be arrested for indecent behavior and charged. Yet they are merely promoting what they prefer sexually as do gays. Your sexual preference is your own personal choice and not public information, nor does it gain you extra rights or the right to throw it in the face of those who have a different preference. If a black wants to date a white , or a Latino and an Asian, an Italian and a Austrian, a Russian and an African, a Puerto Rican and a Middle eastern, and so on, this is their personal choice and considered a preference. What it is not, is news nor a right to claim other rights above any one else. It is their preference and according to the Word of God, not a sin. However, the personal choice and preference to be with someone of the same sex...is just that...a sin. Your choice.......
Leviticus 18:22Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination
Clay Aiken held a press conference to address a group of reporters and fans, to let them all know publicly for the first time that he is gay. He said during his speech that he is "a gay daddy". (quote/end quote) On CNN.com they had a story addressing his news conference and also a story on Lindsey Lohan and how she is and has been dating a woman as well. As I saw these two articles and the knowledge of many many more, I asked the question I hope many others ask when they see something like this...."who cares?" How is this news?
This entry will be rather short because this issue is actually very simple. Over the years, gays have protested, rallied and stood on the steps of our government, demanding rights and equal and fair treatment. They have parades, magazines, and many other outlets to promote their lifestyle. What blows my mind is the comments from the past that their struggle for rights is the same as the Civil Rights Movement for African Americans. This is the most outrageous and ridiculous claim I have ever heard. Being Black is not a choice it is who they are. It is the ethnic heritage and cultural make up of that person and their past. Being gay...is neither a cultural make up or ethnic heritage...it is a choice. Some feel that they are born with this and that may be true since we are all born in to sin, but the choice to remain in that state is just that...your choice. Now please don't misunderstand me, I believe that ALL and EVERYONE should have equal rights and be treated fair. That is the fundamental basis that our country was born on, however gays already are treated fairly. Gays have the same educational opportunities, job opportunities, they live in the same communities, shop at the same stores, and are offered the same options as any and every one else in this country. The fact that they are gay does not entitle them to any additional rights above any one else, nor does it give them special consideration when it comes to overtaking the national news as oppose to more important issues that are going on...such as the war, poverty, abuse, economical issues, homeless concerns, health care, and the fact that our country has fallen in ranks compared to the rest of the world. All of this and we are forced to hear about who is and is not gay? Where is our priorities? The crazy thing is this is not the main issue I have.
What does it mean to be gay? It means simply this...you have a personal and private preference when it comes to your sexual behavior. that is it!! You are the same as any other American with the same jobs, options, etc.. You just have a preference for your sexual behavior. When you see gay protest, parades, or any other type of promotion, all they are promoting and or protesting is their sexual preference. The Civil Rights Movement was about equal rights for all races, not preference to what you want because of your race. You did not have a choice to who you are, yet gays are marching for equal rights they already have because of their sexual preference. This does not entitle you to extra benefits because of your choice. If I choose to be poor, does it give me a right to demand the government give me money and benefits when I made the choice? If a straight man or woman, marched and walked on the steps of our Capital and promoted their preference for some particular sexual act, they would be arrested for indecent behavior and charged. Yet they are merely promoting what they prefer sexually as do gays. Your sexual preference is your own personal choice and not public information, nor does it gain you extra rights or the right to throw it in the face of those who have a different preference. If a black wants to date a white , or a Latino and an Asian, an Italian and a Austrian, a Russian and an African, a Puerto Rican and a Middle eastern, and so on, this is their personal choice and considered a preference. What it is not, is news nor a right to claim other rights above any one else. It is their preference and according to the Word of God, not a sin. However, the personal choice and preference to be with someone of the same sex...is just that...a sin. Your choice.......
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
A Father's Prayer......
I remember the day my daughter was born as if it was yesterday. May 8th, 1996 at 10:01pm. Never in my life have I felt so much excitement combined with so much fear all in one. I waited all day at the hospital since arriving at 845am for this moment. My journey to this point wasn't your typical journey and one that shows the lack of maturity I had at that time. As I held my daughter for the first time, I remember signing to her softly as I walked back and forth in the room. She stared at me the whole time, taking in her new surroundings and this new face. As she stared at me, I began to pray a prayer that only a father could pray, and ever since that day, I have continued to pray that same prayer.
God, thank you so much for this gift you have given to me when I know I am not worthy or even ready in the way I know. Thank you for allowing me to hold my child in my arms and talk to YOU about her. I have no idea God what to do, my examples of parenting on earth have not been the examples I wish to follow but I believe God you will show me what to do and how to do it. This beautiful, amazing little girl is going to look to me for everything and I hold that responsibility as an honor and privilege and will be the type of father that is a praise to You. You have blessed me with an angel that will drive me to make the changes I need to make and be the man I need to be, more so the man You have called me to be. Thank you for my daughter, thank You for blessing me with a chance to start a better future. I will provide for her at all costs and love her greater than any one person could ever love another. I know I did not do this according to your will and plan and I am sorry for that, please forgive me for failing You but God please don't punish my daughter for my failures, I will except the burden and carry that cross for it is my fault. God she is so beautiful and You have seen fit for me to be her daddy. The man she will always look to in trouble, the man who has to remind her how important and valued she is before any one else. The man who will be the example of who she is to look for in a husband. Yes God, that is it. I am not now, but I will be that example of the type of man she should marry and settle for nothing less. Thank you God for her, thank you God...I love You so much and I love this little girl, my daughter so much and I don't even know how to express it all. I will not let you down God, I will step up, I will be a great daddy. Thank you...AMEN.
For years I have said that prayer, and for years to come I will continue to say it. As a Father, there are so many fears that fill me when it comes to my children. I am not a father who sits back and lets other do what it is I am suppose to do. I am not a father who will allow others to come at my children when I am there to protect them. This prayer has been modified for my son when he was born as well, and will continue to be for any new children God allows me to gain. I have still not done it all according to His will and plan, but He is such an amazing God, He forgives me and loves me anyways. To watch my children daily is a constant reminder of how great God is and how blessed I am to be a daddy. As my daughter has grown, our relationship has as well. We have faced challenges and overcome the obstacles. The thing that amazes me the most with both her and my son is the love we share and the bond that can never be broken. As a father, so many stresses can overcome our lives and bring us to our knees. I have learned that is exactly where God wants us, to submit it all to Him and let Him take care of the challenges we can not take. As parents, we should always be praying that regardless of our parents or lack of. Regardless of how good we have had it growing up or how much we suffered growing up. Regardless of our failed past and challenging future, we should all pray and walk out being the best parents we can be. That means so much more than anything else. How do we be better parents? By raising our kids. Not allowing society to raise them. Not leaving them to the T.V. to be raised or depending on our government to create a better home for us. Make better decisions and whatever choices you have to make, it should never be your child that suffers because of it. I have made some terrible choices and suffered dearly for it, but with all of my ability I have tried to keep my children from it. We have to want to be the type of father our daughters want to marry or the type of father and man our sons want to be. Are you? What do you do to make sure you are?
As my daughter closes in on her teenage years, at night while she goes to sleep, I still go in to her room and put my arms around her like the night she was born and hold her close to me. (of course she moves around a bit as it interrupts her sleep) I hold her and whisper in her ear. Sometimes I whisper the prayer, sometimes I whisper a song. Sometimes I whisper how much daddy loves her and adores her and I thank God for her. I give her a kiss on her forehead and do the same with my son. As I walk out of the room, I smile, remembering at the same time the night and morning they were born and the responsibility I have as a father and I feel joy in my heart for the honor and privilege it is to raise my 2 amazing gifts from God. A fathers prayer has a love like no other and a strength that can not be shaken. I hope that in the end, I am the father I prayed I would be and they and any future children can look back and say that they had the best daddy ever. To God be the Glory!!
God, thank you so much for this gift you have given to me when I know I am not worthy or even ready in the way I know. Thank you for allowing me to hold my child in my arms and talk to YOU about her. I have no idea God what to do, my examples of parenting on earth have not been the examples I wish to follow but I believe God you will show me what to do and how to do it. This beautiful, amazing little girl is going to look to me for everything and I hold that responsibility as an honor and privilege and will be the type of father that is a praise to You. You have blessed me with an angel that will drive me to make the changes I need to make and be the man I need to be, more so the man You have called me to be. Thank you for my daughter, thank You for blessing me with a chance to start a better future. I will provide for her at all costs and love her greater than any one person could ever love another. I know I did not do this according to your will and plan and I am sorry for that, please forgive me for failing You but God please don't punish my daughter for my failures, I will except the burden and carry that cross for it is my fault. God she is so beautiful and You have seen fit for me to be her daddy. The man she will always look to in trouble, the man who has to remind her how important and valued she is before any one else. The man who will be the example of who she is to look for in a husband. Yes God, that is it. I am not now, but I will be that example of the type of man she should marry and settle for nothing less. Thank you God for her, thank you God...I love You so much and I love this little girl, my daughter so much and I don't even know how to express it all. I will not let you down God, I will step up, I will be a great daddy. Thank you...AMEN.
For years I have said that prayer, and for years to come I will continue to say it. As a Father, there are so many fears that fill me when it comes to my children. I am not a father who sits back and lets other do what it is I am suppose to do. I am not a father who will allow others to come at my children when I am there to protect them. This prayer has been modified for my son when he was born as well, and will continue to be for any new children God allows me to gain. I have still not done it all according to His will and plan, but He is such an amazing God, He forgives me and loves me anyways. To watch my children daily is a constant reminder of how great God is and how blessed I am to be a daddy. As my daughter has grown, our relationship has as well. We have faced challenges and overcome the obstacles. The thing that amazes me the most with both her and my son is the love we share and the bond that can never be broken. As a father, so many stresses can overcome our lives and bring us to our knees. I have learned that is exactly where God wants us, to submit it all to Him and let Him take care of the challenges we can not take. As parents, we should always be praying that regardless of our parents or lack of. Regardless of how good we have had it growing up or how much we suffered growing up. Regardless of our failed past and challenging future, we should all pray and walk out being the best parents we can be. That means so much more than anything else. How do we be better parents? By raising our kids. Not allowing society to raise them. Not leaving them to the T.V. to be raised or depending on our government to create a better home for us. Make better decisions and whatever choices you have to make, it should never be your child that suffers because of it. I have made some terrible choices and suffered dearly for it, but with all of my ability I have tried to keep my children from it. We have to want to be the type of father our daughters want to marry or the type of father and man our sons want to be. Are you? What do you do to make sure you are?
As my daughter closes in on her teenage years, at night while she goes to sleep, I still go in to her room and put my arms around her like the night she was born and hold her close to me. (of course she moves around a bit as it interrupts her sleep) I hold her and whisper in her ear. Sometimes I whisper the prayer, sometimes I whisper a song. Sometimes I whisper how much daddy loves her and adores her and I thank God for her. I give her a kiss on her forehead and do the same with my son. As I walk out of the room, I smile, remembering at the same time the night and morning they were born and the responsibility I have as a father and I feel joy in my heart for the honor and privilege it is to raise my 2 amazing gifts from God. A fathers prayer has a love like no other and a strength that can not be shaken. I hope that in the end, I am the father I prayed I would be and they and any future children can look back and say that they had the best daddy ever. To God be the Glory!!
Monday, September 15, 2008
Breath of Life...
A Writer...but first....I'm a Poet. This is for those who enjoy spoken word and the art of Poetry and for those new to it....embrace. A break from the every day hustle!!
Feelings flowing inside my soul like the wind through the tree tops as a storm approaches
Thoughts brewing inside so fresh and ready to be poured out a funnel will be needed to contain the words to a smooth pour
Pouring in to the eyes of those that read that it may manifest itself deep in the hearts of those that believe and those that need to know there is some thing greater then that which we have tried to this point
Allow these words to reach in to the places in your soul that have yet to be tapped and yet to be danced with.
Let the virgin areas of what you have yet to experience be entertained by the heart that flows out in to this poem
See...for a while I have been put up
Haven't wrote poetic words for a season as God began to move my life in to a direction I had not been prepared for yet He prepared me
Moved me in a direction that I have never known
Yet He knew before I was born out of the womb
See, as a poet..I breathe in the words that God exhales out to my life so that I may continue to flow of what it is He has planned
So often in life as God exhales opportunity in to our lives,
We hold it in like a hit
Not wanting to let go
Not wanting to share
And at the point we do...the air is distorted and polluted with the waste that sits inside of our minds and bodies
Missing the chance to share the breath of life with others who need it
Missing the opportunity to grow in the areas we have yet to mature
So many things going on around in the world we use the excuse that we just got "caught up"
Using the excuse that we are only human...we can't help it
We sit back and let those who have held in God's breath far too long run around and cause wars
economic depression
Family separation
Putting those of us who can't find the breath to act out of desperation
Reaching out in selfish manners to accommodate fixes that will never be satisfied
Putting our lives in situations that we can't even breathe out our own breath as God begins to take air away do to the waste we have caused
We push family away
Disown friends
Can't breathe?
We leave the church
Quit jobs
Can't breathe?
People murdering children
Killing each other and self
Shooting up schools
Can't breathe?
Taking God out of everything we once leaned on Him for
Losing generation after generation of children
Lost to drugs, gangs
Can't breathe?
So many words of breath to breathe out I can't contain them,
Words that will need a funnel to contain them as they pour in to the eyes of those who read
Flowing in to the mind and down to the heart
Dancing around like a leaf in the wind from the trees that blow from the wind that God blew across the sky so that we may have breath to inhale and exhale out to the next that God put in your life
But if you hold your breath you hurt yourself
Causing death to fall all around you
Learn to breathe the breath God gives you
The breath of life so that you may blow life in to someone else after He restores it in you
Inhale...lets fix the issues that surround us on all sides
Exhale.....so that others may see them and help with new life
Inhale....take back the generations that have been lost
Exhale.....so those generations can learn of the God that saved them
Inhale.....allowing yourself to catch "God's" breath
Exhale....let's get started
Can you breathe?
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Our Historic Struggle to Change...
Here it is....2 months or so from the election that could very well change the face of America forever...either direction it goes. On one side...you have a man who served this country in uniform for 22 years and has since served in our Government to try and make some changes in America for better or worse. You have a man that does...no matter your personal feelings or ideology, loves this country and cares for it. On the other hand...you have a man who has grown up in the heart of this country, from the ground floor up. He dealt with the harsh realities of racial divides and racial inequalities as he pushed his way through school and has become a great success at the hands of those who supported him and his own hard work. In this fashion, he has served his country in the example he has led. Like the other...he too loves his country. So which way do we go? So many things to consider...but consider this.
There is a historical piece to all of this we all are aware of with Sen. Obama becoming the first African American to become President of the United States of America. Some like to label it the first African American President, however that would only speak to a smaller group of Americans. Sen. Obama is facing history and he knows it, we all know it, but because the stakes are high, we have not forced it on the rest of America and this is good. Here is the undiscovered piece to this situation. We, as Americans face a pivotal time in our Nations history. Regardless of your party lines...Republican or Democrat, the truth is the last 8 years under President Bush has not, in any area, gone good. We have suffered great loss across the board. Economic downfalls to deaths from a war that is questionable to say the least. We have come to a point now, with this election, where we are faced with an extremely difficult task. Vote McCain, who is not a BAD guy and risk 4 more years of loss since he may follow Bush tactics, though he may want to make changes. Vote McCain because he has a bit more experience in the areas of concern and knows the Government. OR...Vote Obama because he too, knows the issues first hand and the items he has addressed to correct some issues have gone well. Vote Obama, though not as experienced, has shown tremendous success right away and is an extremely great leader and knows how to appoint people in the right places to take care of the needs he has addressed. Voting Obama also means obvious change from the last 8 years....but there is something else. (yes...I will explain!!)
There is a historical piece to all of this we all are aware of with Sen. Obama becoming the first African American to become President of the United States of America. Some like to label it the first African American President, however that would only speak to a smaller group of Americans. Sen. Obama is facing history and he knows it, we all know it, but because the stakes are high, we have not forced it on the rest of America and this is good. Here is the undiscovered piece to this situation. We, as Americans face a pivotal time in our Nations history. Regardless of your party lines...Republican or Democrat, the truth is the last 8 years under President Bush has not, in any area, gone good. We have suffered great loss across the board. Economic downfalls to deaths from a war that is questionable to say the least. We have come to a point now, with this election, where we are faced with an extremely difficult task. Vote McCain, who is not a BAD guy and risk 4 more years of loss since he may follow Bush tactics, though he may want to make changes. Vote McCain because he has a bit more experience in the areas of concern and knows the Government. OR...Vote Obama because he too, knows the issues first hand and the items he has addressed to correct some issues have gone well. Vote Obama, though not as experienced, has shown tremendous success right away and is an extremely great leader and knows how to appoint people in the right places to take care of the needs he has addressed. Voting Obama also means obvious change from the last 8 years....but there is something else. (yes...I will explain!!)
Should you vote for Obama because he is Black? Vote for him because of the historical piece to this whole election? To be a part of history. Your first answer would probably be "no". That you would not vote for him or are not voting for him based on his color or the history it will make. You are probably voting for him because of his policies and methods to accomplish those changes he speaks about. Whatever the reason is, it is a reason to vote...either way. Here is the bigger picture I see. Voting for Barack Obama and putting him in the White House would not only be a significant moment in history and a great accomplishment for him and the progress of African Americans and Americans alike, it is also the beginning of a new day for our country.
Our country right now, is in a critical stage and has suffered for so many years in so many areas. From Economic downfalls, unemployment rate, our debt, homeless, education, health care, and going even further back...racism, hate, killings, rape, teenage pregnancy, underage drinking and deaths, drugs, and drug dealings. There are many more things America has had to endure for decades, going back to the beginning of this Country. These problems have never gone away and Americans have reached a point of complete frustration because of the dependency we have on the rest of the world yet consider our self a World Leader. We have truly fallen to a place where the rest of the world, for the first time in our Nations history, does not respect us the way they used to. We have lost our Leadership and respect from the majority of the World in a great way. Look at our statistics...Education, we are ranked around 40th in the world. Economic....25th, Health Care, and many other areas we are far below #1. We used to be, and should be #1 in all areas based on our abilities but so many other things take over. Our Country is in need, and she has been for a long time and we have suffered enough. The reality is we need a change and we need it now.
How does this election change that? Unfortunately it is not a simple solution and no, voting for Obama does not erase all these issues and turn it all around, however, there is a start we need to make and if Sen. Barack Obama becomes our President...if Americans feel that the old way and traditions have not done the job and are tired of going back and forth, if Americans realize that doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result is signs of craziness, and if Americans are ready to really..REALLY, start to right the wrongs of the ship we call America and make changes to secure a better future, then he is the obvious pick. If Americans elect Obama to be President, he will, yes, become the first African American to be President of the United States and this will begin the healing process of our Country that dates back to the beginning. We can begin to heal, showing that we have, for the most part, moved beyond racial lines and are more concerned about our collective futures and the collective future of our children and our country than our own selfish agenda. Americans standing together to make a change and not except old ways and broken promises is the strongest way we can begin to change the face of our country. The World is full of trouble and we can help however if we don't take care of home first....the World will. We have too much here in our own Country to deal with, too much pain to overcome....to much loss to gain back....to much suffering to make better. If we continue down the same path...the same result. Is Obama the best answer...only God knows, but what he IS, is a choice that shows we are ready to move on and up. He is the metaphoric rock that can shatter the glass window of our hard past and limited future. He is not the answer to all....he is the answer to the history of separation that has existed in this country for far too long. He is the answer to the question we have all asked, regardless of race, are we getting better as a people. He is the answer to Martin Luther King's dream of letting Freedom Ring in our choices and our paths we choose. Judging by the content of character...not skin. Our country is in need for a change. I have shared in conversation with many about the community to which I lived and reach out to. As we look at the complaints of injustice and un equal opportunities which are a real thing, we look to give, give, give, in to the community and hope it will help. My issue with that is this....if we don't change the mindset of the community, the community will never change. If you give a poor person $10,000 dollars today...it will be gone by tomorrow and he will be back on the street because he doesn't know what to do with the money or where to go to make it work for him. Change the mindset of the community....the community will change. Our community is America right now and the mindset has yet to change. Voting for someone who brings history to the election will show our mindset has changed....the community of America will surely follow.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Every now and again with this blog...I will try and take you to a place of reflection at the place you are in right now. I was listening to a song by Marvin Sapp called "Praise Him". The song starts simply by saying, "I've had my share of ups and downs, times when there was no one around, God came and spoke these words to me, 'Praise will confuse the enemy'." The song is talking about Praising God even before the storm is over...even before the storm begins and despite your situation, you will not allow what you see to hinder what you believe. WOW.
Have you ever been in a place where you can relate to this? Let me bring it closer to our hearts. The last time you had a situation in your life where you felt like giving up, a relationship that fell apart or struggled. The time you lost your job and finances were not there to support your life and family. The time you child ran astray and you had no answer or plan to guide them back and didn't know how to approach it. The time your family hurt you and sent you back wondering how family could do this to family. The time your efforts went un-noticed, un-appreciated, and your work was disrespected by others. The time your spouse wasn't there when you really needed them. The time they didn't make you feel like a man or feel secure as a wife. The time you needed someone and all your friends seemed way to busy. (am I there yet?) What ever your situation is or was, it broke you down and you questioned way more than you should have. We have all been in that place and if you have yet to get there...hold on...you will.
We get so caught up in our circumstances at times, we lose sight of the vision God and only God can give us. Even as a Christian, failure is a sure thing. "Praise Him in advance" What does that really mean? It seems so simple that it becomes a challenge we, more than not, lose. I can not begin to tell you all the things God has done for me, and all the times He has carried me and all the times I have still failed Him. What I can tell you is that in the midst of my failures, He restored me, redeemed me, and placed me back in His hand to comfort me in my storms. If you think about those situations I have mentioned before or your own personal circumstance and realize that through it, you are still here...reading this blog...then praise should flow from your lips for what He has already done and knowing that makes it that much easier to praise Him...in advance.
I know life is hard...we deal with so many things and we are a "right now" people. We want results and rewards "Right Now". Imagine that for a moment....if we got everything we wanted or felt we needed..."right now", where would we be? What would we do? Would we really appreciate all that God has, is, and can do? Would we even go to Him? Or would we feel we didn't need Him? When we receive things in a "right now" fashion...several things can happen. We either don't need it right then, can't use it, don't know how to use it, or stop using it because we don't see the benefit of having it and the joy the gift brings. When we want something...we want it for our own selfish needs, not because God has it for our purpose.
So how do we praise God in advance? Simple, you walk out your life according to His plan, you thank Him for the storms that water your life and the joy that comes in the morning of growth. You love Him because He loves you so much He provides all your needs and all you have to do is ask. You Praise Him by excepting the storms, excepting the hurt and struggles despite your own plans and remember that you gave your life to Him, for Him to take care of and provide the path you have failed to create on your own. You except His plan for you because you were created with a plan and for a purpose. Do not be discouraged by your set backs, be encouraged that you are not alone in them and God trusts you to handle them. If you look at the scenarios above or put your specific situation in there...each time is a time when you are...or feel alone, lost and with out an answer and that is the place God wants you so He can speak to you with out distractions. That is the place God will restore you and remind you that "Praise...will confuse the enemy."
Have you ever been in a place where you can relate to this? Let me bring it closer to our hearts. The last time you had a situation in your life where you felt like giving up, a relationship that fell apart or struggled. The time you lost your job and finances were not there to support your life and family. The time you child ran astray and you had no answer or plan to guide them back and didn't know how to approach it. The time your family hurt you and sent you back wondering how family could do this to family. The time your efforts went un-noticed, un-appreciated, and your work was disrespected by others. The time your spouse wasn't there when you really needed them. The time they didn't make you feel like a man or feel secure as a wife. The time you needed someone and all your friends seemed way to busy. (am I there yet?) What ever your situation is or was, it broke you down and you questioned way more than you should have. We have all been in that place and if you have yet to get there...hold on...you will.
We get so caught up in our circumstances at times, we lose sight of the vision God and only God can give us. Even as a Christian, failure is a sure thing. "Praise Him in advance" What does that really mean? It seems so simple that it becomes a challenge we, more than not, lose. I can not begin to tell you all the things God has done for me, and all the times He has carried me and all the times I have still failed Him. What I can tell you is that in the midst of my failures, He restored me, redeemed me, and placed me back in His hand to comfort me in my storms. If you think about those situations I have mentioned before or your own personal circumstance and realize that through it, you are still here...reading this blog...then praise should flow from your lips for what He has already done and knowing that makes it that much easier to praise Him...in advance.
I know life is hard...we deal with so many things and we are a "right now" people. We want results and rewards "Right Now". Imagine that for a moment....if we got everything we wanted or felt we needed..."right now", where would we be? What would we do? Would we really appreciate all that God has, is, and can do? Would we even go to Him? Or would we feel we didn't need Him? When we receive things in a "right now" fashion...several things can happen. We either don't need it right then, can't use it, don't know how to use it, or stop using it because we don't see the benefit of having it and the joy the gift brings. When we want something...we want it for our own selfish needs, not because God has it for our purpose.
So how do we praise God in advance? Simple, you walk out your life according to His plan, you thank Him for the storms that water your life and the joy that comes in the morning of growth. You love Him because He loves you so much He provides all your needs and all you have to do is ask. You Praise Him by excepting the storms, excepting the hurt and struggles despite your own plans and remember that you gave your life to Him, for Him to take care of and provide the path you have failed to create on your own. You except His plan for you because you were created with a plan and for a purpose. Do not be discouraged by your set backs, be encouraged that you are not alone in them and God trusts you to handle them. If you look at the scenarios above or put your specific situation in there...each time is a time when you are...or feel alone, lost and with out an answer and that is the place God wants you so He can speak to you with out distractions. That is the place God will restore you and remind you that "Praise...will confuse the enemy."
Thursday, August 21, 2008
A Child-Like Mind
I was speaking to a group of youth a few weeks ago at my church and the topic was prayer. I asked the group of young elementary students a question and the answer stunned me for a long time. I asked them, "when you pray for something, whatever that may be, if its to get something, or for something to happen, what do you do if God does not get you that something or do what it is you asked Him for?". Two answers were given. 1. You keep praying. 2. Wait for God to give it to you later.
This was a group of kids 5Th grade and under. The answer did not shock me because that's what they feel, it shocked me because we as adults don't even understand that concept. "Keep Praying" and/or Wait for it. Psalms 69:13 says "but I keep praying to you Lord, hoping THIS time you will show me favor. This passage indicates that a prayer was submitted for something and it was not granted so they kept praying for it. Isaiah 64:4 says, "for since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who WAIT on Him." This shows that God works for those who wait and are patient. He blesses according to His time and a great reward is there for us who wait on Him.
Young children gave this answer....so why can we not, as adults, grasp this concept? We say we will wait, but let's be honest, have you? Or did you take the task in to your own hands and try to accomplish what it is you asked God to take care of? Relationships, jobs, money, homes, cars, all other material needs, children, family, and friends. All basic things we all submit in prayers to God. We have wants we call needs that we ask for from Him and when it doesn't happen when we want it to, we take back control and try to accomplish what we have already given to God. When it doesn't go the way we thought it should, we get mad, upset at God and discouraged. We even get so caught up, we leave church's and walk away from God. We stop praying and fasting and start questioning ours faith and the faith others have. We are suppose to know better but we don't. Children seem to have a better grasp of this understanding and the question is How? or Why? I can also ask the question of when or where do we lose it? The faith and our belief in what we know to be true.
I believe on one end it is as simple as a young child's understanding of this concept with out knowing the scripture. As a parent, there are a million things my children ask me for on a daily basis. Daddy this....daddy that. Can I get this..can I get that. I hear this and sometimes I get or do what it is they are asking at the time and other times I don't. I may get it later or not at all. A child understands this of their parents. Sometimes they ask and they get...sometimes they ask and don't get it...sometimes they ask and get it later. The enlightening part about it is they don't know why we do it, they just learn to except it. WE KNOW WHY!! We do it for various reasons. They don't need it, we don't have it at that time, not what we want to do right now, or it was something you were going to get for a special occasion and if they do get it now, it is because they deserve it. All the reasons indicate your love and desire for them. Is this not the exact words God gives to us? We do it with a Godly method and way and yet we don't want to allow God to do us that way. Further more, if our child is 16 and ask for a new car, if we don't get it right then for whatever reason you choose, does your child run out and get it on their own? or do they wait until they are able to or we provide it? Now I know there are some that would go out and get a job, save the money and eventually try and buy it cash. Here is the beautiful, Godly notion behind that process. Through their efforts, they are learning so much with being employed, discipline, appreciation for the efforts, and a sense of worth and growth. Add to that this...as parents, we see the efforts of our children through this, we admire and enjoy what they are learning and how they are growing so what do we do? We match them or just bless them with the car since they have shown the work ethic to accomplish what it is they want and we appreciate the commitment. Isn't this how God is? Taking care of those who take care of themselves? Providing a way for us when we have proven ourselves to Him? As adults we read scripture and hear preachers preach this type of Godly methods and we are old enough and wise enough to discipline ourselves to follow....but it is the children that exercise the faith and belief that their parents will provide and will take care of them. They trust their parents to love them and take away the burdens and pains. This profile of parenting comes from God. He has laid the foundation and the older we get, the more we try to take off on our own. Don't we get upset when our children grow up and act like they don't need us any more?
So you see, we are following the example that God has provided and have messed it up. When we pray, and God has told us to pray, what ever we ask for or whatever we feel we need, we have to trust God to provide what we really need. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He has provided for you before, He has answered your prayers before and shown you why you didn't get something you have asked for. We say we trust God, but do we really? Do we trust Him the way our children trust us? If we don't, is it because we are not acting in a way that our children could or should trust us and we feel guilty? The bible says that "as a child, we do child like things but when we get older, all childish things are put away" (paraphrased) however God wants us to love him in a child like manner. This is why we refer to Him as "Father" and we are the children of God. He wants us to go after Him in a child like behavior, so even as we grow up, just like with our earthly parents, we still love them as their children, we are to love God as His children and submit to Him that way. Go after God like a child, trust Him like you want to and know that when you submit a prayer to Him, remember like those elementary students at my church know, if God doesn't answer you or grant you what it is you pray for, either 1. Keep Praying or 2. Wait on the Lord. He has reasons for what He does and it is not for us to understand...just for us to trust His love for us.
This was a group of kids 5Th grade and under. The answer did not shock me because that's what they feel, it shocked me because we as adults don't even understand that concept. "Keep Praying" and/or Wait for it. Psalms 69:13 says "but I keep praying to you Lord, hoping THIS time you will show me favor. This passage indicates that a prayer was submitted for something and it was not granted so they kept praying for it. Isaiah 64:4 says, "for since the world began, no ear has heard, and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who WAIT on Him." This shows that God works for those who wait and are patient. He blesses according to His time and a great reward is there for us who wait on Him.
Young children gave this answer....so why can we not, as adults, grasp this concept? We say we will wait, but let's be honest, have you? Or did you take the task in to your own hands and try to accomplish what it is you asked God to take care of? Relationships, jobs, money, homes, cars, all other material needs, children, family, and friends. All basic things we all submit in prayers to God. We have wants we call needs that we ask for from Him and when it doesn't happen when we want it to, we take back control and try to accomplish what we have already given to God. When it doesn't go the way we thought it should, we get mad, upset at God and discouraged. We even get so caught up, we leave church's and walk away from God. We stop praying and fasting and start questioning ours faith and the faith others have. We are suppose to know better but we don't. Children seem to have a better grasp of this understanding and the question is How? or Why? I can also ask the question of when or where do we lose it? The faith and our belief in what we know to be true.
I believe on one end it is as simple as a young child's understanding of this concept with out knowing the scripture. As a parent, there are a million things my children ask me for on a daily basis. Daddy this....daddy that. Can I get this..can I get that. I hear this and sometimes I get or do what it is they are asking at the time and other times I don't. I may get it later or not at all. A child understands this of their parents. Sometimes they ask and they get...sometimes they ask and don't get it...sometimes they ask and get it later. The enlightening part about it is they don't know why we do it, they just learn to except it. WE KNOW WHY!! We do it for various reasons. They don't need it, we don't have it at that time, not what we want to do right now, or it was something you were going to get for a special occasion and if they do get it now, it is because they deserve it. All the reasons indicate your love and desire for them. Is this not the exact words God gives to us? We do it with a Godly method and way and yet we don't want to allow God to do us that way. Further more, if our child is 16 and ask for a new car, if we don't get it right then for whatever reason you choose, does your child run out and get it on their own? or do they wait until they are able to or we provide it? Now I know there are some that would go out and get a job, save the money and eventually try and buy it cash. Here is the beautiful, Godly notion behind that process. Through their efforts, they are learning so much with being employed, discipline, appreciation for the efforts, and a sense of worth and growth. Add to that this...as parents, we see the efforts of our children through this, we admire and enjoy what they are learning and how they are growing so what do we do? We match them or just bless them with the car since they have shown the work ethic to accomplish what it is they want and we appreciate the commitment. Isn't this how God is? Taking care of those who take care of themselves? Providing a way for us when we have proven ourselves to Him? As adults we read scripture and hear preachers preach this type of Godly methods and we are old enough and wise enough to discipline ourselves to follow....but it is the children that exercise the faith and belief that their parents will provide and will take care of them. They trust their parents to love them and take away the burdens and pains. This profile of parenting comes from God. He has laid the foundation and the older we get, the more we try to take off on our own. Don't we get upset when our children grow up and act like they don't need us any more?
So you see, we are following the example that God has provided and have messed it up. When we pray, and God has told us to pray, what ever we ask for or whatever we feel we need, we have to trust God to provide what we really need. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He has provided for you before, He has answered your prayers before and shown you why you didn't get something you have asked for. We say we trust God, but do we really? Do we trust Him the way our children trust us? If we don't, is it because we are not acting in a way that our children could or should trust us and we feel guilty? The bible says that "as a child, we do child like things but when we get older, all childish things are put away" (paraphrased) however God wants us to love him in a child like manner. This is why we refer to Him as "Father" and we are the children of God. He wants us to go after Him in a child like behavior, so even as we grow up, just like with our earthly parents, we still love them as their children, we are to love God as His children and submit to Him that way. Go after God like a child, trust Him like you want to and know that when you submit a prayer to Him, remember like those elementary students at my church know, if God doesn't answer you or grant you what it is you pray for, either 1. Keep Praying or 2. Wait on the Lord. He has reasons for what He does and it is not for us to understand...just for us to trust His love for us.
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