Love Conquers Hate

It was refreshing to watch Black America Since MLK And Still I Rise on PBS. I’m impressed with the way the Black Panther Party organized to protect black people from the police and to address the social ills in the Black community. They were united in purpose as they provided feeding programs, protection, sickle cell screening, school breakfast programs… Wouldn’t it be nice if our churches would exhibit that type of unity in the community? The young people during that time were more radical than Dr. King and his nonviolent protesters. Hmmm… looks like that’s right where we are today. With the proliferation of guns in this society, I pray for the preservation of life, economic empowerment of disenfranchised people, and respect for the rich legacy of a people who learned to keep hope alive. People who know not that we were all created in the image of God need to hear the truth and understand it well. HATE directed toward black people is misdirected. Why not hate the living God who decided to deposit more melanin in us for his own divine purpose? Take your complaint to Him. In his book, Black Like Me, John Howard Griffin (a white man who dyed his skin), proved that he was hated just because of his skin color. How sad!
Here’s a word of encouragement for those who are experiencing fear: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you, he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deut. 31:6). It’s easy to LOVE when you come to the realization that all that you are and all that you have are gifts from God that can be taken away at any moment in time.
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Post Election Encouragement

Look at the division in America: What happened to “One nation, under God, indivisible…”? Hmmm… It looks like the country is split down the middle. I’m reminded of President Abraham Lincoln’s famous speech in which he quoted Mark 3:24: “If a country divides itself into groups which fight each other, that country will fall apart” (GNT). I say we pray. Surely we don’t want to self-destruct while the world watches. 

The post election marches remind me of the 1960s. I don’t blame these progressive young protesters for not wanting to go backwards. Millennials have grown accustomed to living, working, and studying together.

It seems like evil personified has been unleashed to destroy whatever gains African Americans made during the past 50 years. Women are being disrespected with “locker room” talk. People are being threatened with deportation. Fear is running rampant. Racism is at an all- time high. Respect for the Church has been lost because many Christians supported a candidate who claimed to be “very religious” but epitomized everything contrary to biblical truth. Dashed hope for a bright future has young people weeping. Hate, spewed out like water from the lips of one who won by hook or crook, has saturated society. Perhaps America should accept Queen Elizabeth’s offer to restore British rule after 249 years of independence. (Just teasing.)

The Bible gives a warning to those who are confused about what is right in God’s sight: “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight” (Isaiah 5:20-21).

But there’s hope…prayer and repentance can reverse the curse. O Lord, send a revival! God gave the children of Israel the promised land but they had to FIGHT to take possession of it. Hmmm…Will we have to fight all over again? Here’s a message from our pastor friend in Narobi, Kenya.

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From Bloody Sunday to Victory

Did you know that Bloody Sunday occurred on March 7, 1965 when people were attacked for seeking voting rights? The voting rights march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama (about 50 miles) began with only 600 demonstrators but reached 25,000 by the time they reached the capitol. Each one of the marchers added to the strength of the movement that resulted in passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6, 1965.

Well, just like the number of marchers multiplied between March 21-25, 1965, may the number of voters going to the polls to cast their one vote increase over the next two days. The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution gives citizens the right to vote regardless of race, color or previous condition of servitude. African-Americans can now cast their ONE vote without having to pay a poll tax as some were required to do in the past.

May God bless America. 

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Is Democracy Dead?

We shall soon see if the next president of the United States will have to work with elected senators and members of congress who get paid for NOT doing their job. Is there another country where people are paid to shut down the government and thwart the plans of the country’s leader? I can only imagine what President Obama might have accomplished had he gotten the cooperation of elected officials who faithfully served their country rather than a political party or self-interests. Politicians, of all people, should know that Republican U.S. president Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

It’s time to start doing what is best FOR the people in this country. President Lincoln also said, “And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand” (Mark 3:25 KJV). That famous quote came from the Holy Bible. The verse before it is likewise apropos:
“If a country divides itself into groups which fight each other, that country will fall apart” (Mark 3:24 GNT).

http://michaelbaisden.com/rolling-stone-named-president-obama-one-of-americas-most-historically-successful-presidents/

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Queen Elizabeth’s Witty Remarks

While the world is anxiously watching and waiting for the outcome of America’s presidential election on November 8, 2016, Queen Elizabeth II has made an offer that proves she has given careful consideration to United States politics.  Will America accept her offer to restore British rule so history can repeat itself? That remains to be seen.

The monarch’s reign of more than sixty-three years is a good indication that a woman (even a nonagenarian), is quite capable of leading a nation.

When casting your vote, here’s something to think about: “We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall” (Proverbs 16:33 NLT). Let’s vote and then trust God to decide the outcome.

Happy election day!

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/borowitz-report/queen-offers-to-restore-british-rule-over-united-states

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Resist Voter Apathy

A nonagenarian said she started not to vote at all in this upcoming election. That was until she recalled the blood, sweat and tears of persons who sacrificed that she might have the privilege of casting her vote at the ballot box. I believe the saying, “Speak now or forever hold your peace” is appropriate here. Hold your peace means the same as hold your tongue: “to keep silent or to not say anything about something.” It’s commonly heard in traditional marriage vows: Should anyone here present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace. Well, kudos to all of you who have been speaking out. This is not the time to be silent. A quote by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. sums up this matter of complacency. “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter.”

Here’s a message that I’ve been ruminating on: “As a poll worker you shall see how the fervor of zealous voters impact an election. However, you shall also see how complacency abounds even in the midst of fear and agitation. How sad to know that people, even believers, have little or no fight in them.” (Received 9/12/16.)

 http://blackgirlsrun.com/blogs/black-girls-run/18547253-our-lives-begin-to-end-the-day-we-become-silent-about-things-that-matter.

 

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Can You Imagine That?

Have you ever wondered how some people landed certain gigs?  I challenge you to imagine doors opening for you that you never dreamed possible. Then see yourself walking through those doors into a world that you previously could only imagine.  Let Carmen Twillie, a professional singer, inspire you.

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Davida’s Abortion Story

Davida’s abortion story is based on a true story. Both males and females need to know the truth about abortion and other contributors to the breakdown of the family. Fathers, you have no idea how much pain a woman often silently suffers following abortion of your baby. May each of you make an informed decision about abortion.

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Boost Your Brain, Boost Your Life

Did you know that you don’t have to suffer memory loss or have unsightly wrinkles as you age? Suzy Hanna and Dr. Joy Bozzo along with others share life-changing testimonials.

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Prostate Cancer Survivors Speak Out

Two prostate cancer survivors chose different treatment options to reach the same result- their healing. This message encourages men to get their prostate (not prostrate) checked. There’s no need to wait for September–Prostate Awareness Month.  Act today. Women, please help the man in your life to handle his business.

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