The Literal Manifistation

The Holy Bible says that God instructed ancient Israel to kill all men, women, children, and sometimes animals of certain towns in accordance with His Promise to Abraham (Deuteronomy 20:17).  Jesus, the Prince of Peace Himself, told His disciples that He in fact did not come to bring peace to earth but to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34), which would imply the direct opposite of peace.  Strange talk from the two figures most tag as being all-loving, and for the young Christian or the person who just acknowledges God's existence, this can be extremely confusing.  To better understand this, it's key to investigate the Scriptures thoroughly to understand the intent of God.  Only then, we find that the Almighty never meant for violence to play a roll in the earth.  Yet once the Fall explained in Genesis 3 (the event that allowed sin to live in the world), violence became almost a necessary evil.  Even more morbid is the fact that millions of people would and do suffer death, sometimes violently, to ultimately be with God or to influence others to do so.

From the Christian Raiders Fan

To the One, the true God who is the Creator of all things new and perfect.  You have seen my faults and instead of death, You gave me life through the death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ, Your Son.  For that, I am eternally joyous and I worship You in loving sincerity.

This was supposed to be a special season...

Slack Lifting

In the classic fashion of the wealthy ignorant, Donald Trump reiterated on the Today Show this past Monday that "poor people don't have any role models."  Obviously, saying that to a woman who is a teacher in South Richmond's Oak Grove community, and a man who works with health providers in North Richmond's Gilpin Court community garnered a less than warm reception.  Hearing foolish comments as such makes me think of the tens of thousands of men and women who work in the fire to help the burning; whose demeanor, dialect, and dress are positive and unique examples to those who may not have seen (I'll just say it) young blacks carry themselves the way they do, in person.  But, as Redman said, there is a dark side...

Don't Have To...Not Like They Do

Praise God that I am once again in a position where I must prepare for Sunday worship throughout the week.  Long removed from the days of being just a congregant, on Monday (and the rest of the days) I am among a group of friends that are carefully seeking Him and moving on His direction to set the tone of worship for the upcoming Sunday.  Aside from the fact that Melicer and I arrived at church two hours earlier instead of our usual one hour so I could ensure technical efficiency [in the youth media/music ministry], things seemed pretty usual.  I was quickly reminded however that the large majority of our teenage congregation are Highland Springs High School students, who had suffered the tragedy of a classmates' sudden death just days before.  The thick air of grief rested heavily on them.  Although they are kids who have a relatively good understanding of the difference between natural and spiritual death, the truth was that this moment was not a lesson--it was life.  However, our church has great young people and even greater leaders.

Designed to Win

The following is for the active Christians.  If you're not one, then be one...

Regardless of the testy events of the previous day, despite the redundancy of an uninspiring job, even with the recurring nightmare that torments an otherwise good nights' sleep; each morning should be filled with refreshed excitement towards life the moment you are able to recognize your surroundings.  Yes indeed the cliches' here are real: we need to be overly grateful that we woke up healthy and mobile' because that's not guaranteed at any age.  We should be full of thanks that we can still perceive logically as many young adults function like senior citizens due to the same impurities we put in our bodies while having "fun".  And the most amazing part of it all is that we are part of a select group of humans that start each day with a Kingdom-sanctioned promise of success.