Mid Term Election Upon Us!

The Twenty-Sixth Amendment provides, “The right of citizens of the United States, who are 18 years of age or older, to vote, shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or any state on account of age.” It prohibits states from discriminating among voters based on age, for people who are at least 18 years old, and grants Congress power to “enforce” that prohibition through “appropriate legislation.” The Twenty-Sixth Amendment is the last in a series of amendments enacted over more than a century expanding constitutional protection for voting rights. Like many other amendments, it was enacted as a direct repudiation of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling.

We can see with our own eyes (even though the orange menace in the WH told his base, not to believe what they see, hear, or read--cult mentality) that the Republican party is doing everything it can to keep citizens from voting.

In North Dakota--they've come with a "legal street residence requirement" for Native Americans who live in rural areas where no streets have been established. It is designed to keep them from exercising their right to vote. Fear of them voting for Democrats--is the real reason since most usually vote for Democrats.

In Georgia--Brian Kemp is afraid of losing to Stacey Abrams--a Black woman who is the Democrat challenging him. Right now--Kemp--is the Secretary of State in Georgia--has over 53,000 voter registrations sitting on his desk because--get this--the signatures don't match "exactly" those already in their data files. Realistically, if I signed my name three times within three minutes, they won't match exactly. This excuse is just that--another attempt to suppress the Black vote in Georgia by Republicans.

In North Carolina--the Republicans shut down "Sunday Voting" in counties that are predominantly Black--to keep the citizens from exercising their right to vote.

In Michigan--just weeks before the election--the Republicans changed the rules about "straight party" voting by excluding it. Their hope is that most of the residents won't take the time to complete their ballots.

All across the nation--wherever Republicans are in charge of the state government--they are enacting "cheating rules" to control how people vote. This is a gross violation of every citizen's constitutional rights. The word, "abridged" means no state or the nation has the right to curtail, get in the way of anyone of legal age to vote.

So, America--we don't have to let Republicans get in our way, but we do need to understand that the only way Republicans win--in any election--is by cheating and we have a record of that--in recent elections starting with George W. Bush with the "hanging chads" in Florida where his brother was governor. Fearmongering is another favorite tactic used by Republicans as Laura Ingraham so aptly demonstrates on Fox News by warning their viewers they must vote for Republicans or the Democrats will "replace them with immigrants." That is fraudulently false that she should be sued for it, but apparently, all's fair in war and politics--use of the first amendment that is.

Well, I'm exercising my 1st amendment rights in every blog I write and today, this is dedicated to every person eligible to vote, but is hesitating because of lies promoted by Republicans through a number of means--including videos produced by right-wing entities like Prague U and Carol Swain (The Inconvenient Truth About The Democratic Party). What Swain does is to take the viewer of the video to a specific point in history--prior to the Republicans and Democrats--switching their philosophies and platforms--and leaving it there. That was the late 19th Century and Early 20th Century history of the political parties. This is the 21st Century and I guarantee everyone reading this--The Democratic Party is the only political party that cares about "all the people" and not just some as we see in the Republican party (tax cuts for the rich, loss of services for everyone else who now pay higher prices for everything).

 

Okay, so I know this is a lot to read, but check out my YouTube Channel--Everyday Americans 2020--and listen to the videos I've produced to encourage all to vote.

https://youtu.be/8Op8DgkPgsA


And for the Black Community--don't be mislead and tricked into voting for people who really don't care about you and their very recent legislated policies--prove it. Republicans don't want people to have access to affordable healthcare, education, veteran's benefits, clean air, water and non-toxic soil from which all of our food production is dependent. Listen, remember, research and then march to the polls on 11/6/18 and vote like your life and our democracy depend on it because they do.
 
https://youtu.be/Nk_gKzZpsks

If you still don't see the need to vote and to vote for every Democrat on your ballot--I'll have to assume you've partaken of the orange shake and incapable of rational thinking--especially if you're paying attention to the daily news--which demonstrates how our democracy is at risk. The Republicans won't exercise their constitutional right to "check" all the nonsense trump does and some have even considered, rewriting the Constitution to eliminate terms for a president--that is a dictatorship--when one party rules and keeps others from exercising any choice. Don't believe me--research it for yourself!

Until then, remember--we only have a little over two weeks before 11/6/18 and the outcome will be a reflection of who we are as Americans--whether we are True Patriots--ready to live out the inscription on the Statue of Liberty--

"Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,
With conquering limbs astride from land to land;
Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall stand
A mighty woman with a torch, whose flame
Is the imprisoned lightning, and her name
Mother of Exiles. From her beacon-hand
Glows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes command
The air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.
“Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!” cries she
With silent lips. “Give me your tired, your poor,
Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,
The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.
Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

or whether we are just inclined to go along with a party--no matter how much it could endanger us. Elections have consequences and see that every day since the 2016 election. Let's not be foolish and repeat the mistakes of the past election. We deserve better and it's up to us--to make sure we have what we deserve--freedom to choose and the right to exercise our choices in government with our vote.

I'm Mary M. Hall-Rayford and I approve the message of the content of this blog.

Kanye West Should Be Ignored!

In his most recent attempt to have something intelligent to say, he failed miserably. But this was not the firs time!

https://youtu.be/f4QJSmgYJCY

Detaining Children Is Immoral and Inhumane!

Contact Sec. Azar, Sec. Nielsen, VP and Jeff Sessions and tell them to reunite the children with their own parents. 

https://youtu.be/OvCRbk_fQD8

Why We Must Vote!

Subscribe to my YouTube Channel for more engaging videos! 

https://youtu.be/Nk_gKzZpsks

Who Has Bewitched You? (Part 2)

 Still talking to preachers!

           Paul addresses the issue of sin, grace, and the law quite adequately without there being a need for me to be redundant, but I have to say, that Paul was a very wise man—knowing exactly how “mankind” would oppose themselves to God.  Paul knew the law; he was instructed in the law and promoted because of his understanding of those things not permitted under the law.   But when he met Jesus, he gained even greater insight to understanding God and grace.

            When he wrote his letter to the church at Galatia, he was appalled at those who had been introduced to the gospel of Jesus Christ and had accepted Him as their personal Savior and yet denied the power of The Spirit to guide.  He had to remind them of a number of things and they are revealed in Galatians.  He’s concerned that the enemy (anyone opposed to God) has enticed them by witchcraft or cast a spell on them with their attempts to keep people under the letter of the law.  He reminds them that those who understand what Jesus did on the cross and the power He gave to those who believed by His Spirit had no need to live under the letter of the law because the Spirit who dwells within guides and corrects.  The letter of the law entailed man conducting certain rituals—things they did using their hands (flesh)—to indicate compliance with the law to others in position of authority. We know no longer have a need to have ritual practices of anything in order to be declared loved by God.  The one thing we must do is to obey—love Him, love others—and when we truly love, we cannot sin.  

“You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched (charmed, cast a spell over you)?” (Galatians 3:1a,b NIV)  “Are you so foolish (unwise, showing a lack of sense)? After beginning by means of the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by means of the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3 NIV)

     
       Ouch! Not only does Paul ask them if they’ve been bewitched, but then he asks them “have they lost their minds?” (my words). This is what happens to people who are misled and deceived by the enemy.  They are confused and appear to lack common sense (which is certainly not so common any more). But Paul didn’t stop with the Galatians, He turned up the heat in his letter to the Roman church when they decided that grace gave them license to sin and be forgiven.

“The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness “ Romans 1:18,

“For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God, nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.  Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like a mortal human being and birds and animals and reptiles.

Therefore God gave them over in the sinful desires of their hearts to sexual impurity for the degrading of their bodies with one another. They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. Because of this, God gave them over to shameful lusts. Even their women exchanged natural sexual relations for unnatural ones. In the same way the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed with lust for one another. Men committed shameful acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. Furthermore, just as they did not think it worthwhile to retain the knowledge of God, so God gave them over to a depraved mind, so that they do what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they have no understanding, no fidelity, no love, no mercy. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them” (Romans 1:20-28 NIV).

After reading and re-reading this passage of scripture, I find it very difficult to believe that anyone who claims to be a Christian and especially those to claim to be preachers of The Gospel could possibly believe that God is not concerned with our behavior and our “sins”.  And for the record, even though most discredit Paul for everything, this is New Testament admonition—after Jesus returned to the Father.  If we truly understood everything said—we would know that God is not pleased with our opposition to His instructions, but He allows it to happen and then sits back and waits for the consequences of our actions to fall upon us—and they do.

Change Our Thoughts!

As I was looking at the news this morning, my heart was heavy as I heard about:  rapes, conspiracies to murder, murders, robberies, and adultery.  These are the travesties that only we, as human beings, can control.  How can we control them?  We must change how we think!

Paul admonished the church at Philippi to "think on those things that will bring honor and glory to God" (paraphrased summary).  Okay, let me break it down this way. "Whatever is true, right, pure, lovely, noble, admirable and praiseworthy, think on these things" (Philippians 4:8)

If every human being on the planet would simply change their thoughts, change how they view other people, change their perceptions of living in harmony and peace, change how they think about what is right in God's eyes, and change their view of God's Word (endeavoring to use it as a model for living in peace), what a wonderful world this would be. We must remember we cannot change what we do until we change how we think!

God cannot bless "stinking thinking" and I'm sure there are many whose thoughts are perverted since I see the results on the news.  Can we change the outcome and not see so much human carnage?  We can pray that God will cause situations to occur in the lives of people to make them "think" differently, think more like Him, and to always consider the consequences of their actions.  Will God make them change?  No, the change must occur when the individuals want it.  That is why I said, pray that God will create a situation for people to see the need to change the way they think.

Why do I care about what people are thinking? I care because there are people out there in the world that I love.  I would hate to hear about a tragedy occurring to them simply because someone did not know how to think. I care because I am instructed to love and in that instruction, I must pray for everyone to align their thinking with God's.  I care because I'm tired of hearing about murders, rapes, robbery, adulterous affairs, sexual perversion, and all things ungodly.  I care about humanity.  I pray that everyone who knows God, cares as much as I do.  We are all in this world together.  Life won't change until we change how we think--especially as it pertains to others and our love for them.

Father, in the name of Jesus, help us to care enough to want to see people change--their way of thinking, their lifestyles, and their attitudes towards others.  Speak to our hearts and point us in the right direction for change.  Create in us--thoughts of love, purity, and all those things worthy of praise, not destruction.  Help us O God to guard our thoughts from the influence of the enemy who wants to destroy mankind.  Help us to love another and want Your best in the lives of all who trust You.  In Jesus' name we pray and thank You, Amen! 

God vs Idols!

"Present your case," says the LORD. "Set forth your arguments," says Jacob's King.  "Tell us, you idols, what is going to happen..."(Isaiah 41:21,22 NIV).

For just a moment, imagine we are spectators in the court of life and we hear Isaiah speaking for God to the lost--those who have turned their backs on Him.  In earlier verses, God has already declared what He will do--make the barren places come alive with growth, provide for the poor and the needy, so they will know that it is Him who is their provider.  And now, it is time for the people to explain what their idol gods will do.

The case being made here is that any idol (anything we worship over God) can do very little on its own.  No statute, no beads, no job, no car, no amount of wealth (anything we make with our own hands or a facsimile thereof) can operate on its own and will do nothing to benefit mankind. The children of Israel had been warned time and again about what would happen to them if they put their trust in man.  I can imagine--when put to the test and if they had been smart--they would have immediately destroyed all the idols--the gods they worshipped in the hills or sacrificed children upon--would no longer exist and they would have benefitted from God's mercy and love.

But what did they do?  They ignored the warnings--the reminders of what God had done in the past for them and the prophecy of what He would do in the future.  In fact, they detested what God had to say so much that they later sawed Isaiah in half--thinking that would stop God from talking.

God has always and will always have someone willing to speak on His behalf.  He will never be silenced and as He has proven in the past, if we will not speak for Him, He'll use an animal or have the rocks cry out in praise of Him.  For whom will you be a witness of today?  God or the idols?  I refuse to have use an animal or stones to speak when I have a tongue and a voice that I can raise loud and long in praise of Him, who has done all things marvelously well, on my behalf.  Glory to God!  Hallelujah!

"f" free language!

Can we talk?  For real?  Without using language that offends the sensibilities of most civilized human beings?

I am so sick and tired of reading "sample" books with so much profanity that I would certainly never purchase the book.  Every other line is laced with an "f" or "mf" or such base language describing bodily functions that I'm embarrassed for the author.  I mean really, why do some have to write such garbage? Is this the only language most people can relate to?  If it is, I'm certainly on the wrong planet.

Now, here's the kicker!  Most of the books I'm referencing are obviously not written by true believers in The Word.  If they were, they would be too intimidated to write what they write.  But it is these same people who would criticize most Christians for their belief and faith in God!  Who knew?  Wow!  What a revelation!  Most people (not all) who have a relationship with God respect the relationship with Him and other people; those who don't, don't.

But this can all change.  Can we please elevate the thinking, speaking, and writing for all to enjoy?  Is that so hard to do?  It is up to those of us who write--fiction, non-fiction, poetry, song lyrics, etc. to raise the standards of using appropriate language.  If we change what we do; society will change what it does.  Try it and see!

Communication He Hears!

Father,

In the midst of our pain and joy, we praise You.

When we see chaos and confusion all around us, we praise You.

When all seems to be lost, we praise You for Your goodness and mercy.

When we fall short of all that You would have us to be, we praise You for forgiveness.

When sickness and disease attack our bodies, we praise You for the healing virtue that flows into the very core of our beings because You sacrificed Your Son and by His stripes, we are healed.

When the enemy attacks our minds and tries to make us think that we are not loved, not wanted, not worthy, we praise You because we know and understand Your Word that says we are loved, we are never alone and it is because of us--that Jesus was willing to die just for us--that we might have eternal life.  It is because of Your Word that tells us no weapon formed against shall prosper that we can move forward each and every day.  It is because of Your word that we know Your desire is for us to prosper as our soul prospers.

It is because of Your Word that we know we are not defeated because we are more than conquerors and we praise You.

When there is nowhere to run and hide from all of the ugliness in the world, we praise You because we know You are a strong tower and we can hide in the shadow of the Most High.
And because we know that You know our thoughts from afar off, we praise You because we have no need to articulate every little need we have because You know and hear the prayers of the righteous.

And for hearing and answering our prayers, we praise You, the only wise God, creator of all things that were ever created and without You, nothing was created.

For Your Word states that whatever we ask of You in the name of Jesus, we shall have it and we declare it done--all of our needs are met.

In Jesus' name we pray and thank You, Amen!

The Promise to Generations

"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39)

What promise is to us, our children and all who have not even been born, for anyone that God shall call?

The promise of the gift--The Holy Spirit and abundant life is accessible to all who believe and receive (read vs 38).  There are two things here that should be brought back to our remembrance.  First, Jesus promises us the gift of the Holy Spirit (upon His return to heaven) who will remind us of all we have been taught and show us things to come.  It is with the remembrance of what we have been taught--no weapon formed against us shall prosper, God's Word will be fulfilled in our lives, by His stripes we are healed, we are more than conquerors, we are victorious in all things, we are loved and never alone (this list could go on, and on).  Secondly, the Holy Spirit (by divine design) can show us those things to come (giving us insight) if we are open and willing to allow Him to do so.  Nothing that ever happens--good or bad--should ever surprise a believer who has a strong relationship with God.  He does not intend for us to live our lives--unaware--which is why He has forewarned us through His Word of all we can expect. When we do as we are told, we can have the abundant life that Jesus promises.

Is the promise for just a few?  No, the promise is for anyone who believes that He is and He will do all He said He will do.  The promise is for our children who have been trained up in the way they should go and do not depart from their training.  The promise is for anyone God chooses to call unto Himself--no matter their gender, their nationality, or ethnicity--it is God's choice.

He chooses whom He will call and we choose whether we accept His call into our lives.  I choose to receive the promise and to make sure that others who come behind me, know that the promise is also theirs.

How Compassionate Are You?

"He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD [is] gracious and full of compassion" (Psalm 111:4).

God has made all of His wonderful works--new mercies every day, unmerited favor everywhere we go, re-uniting us in right relationship through the sacrifice of His Son--and we should remember these each and every day and be thankful.

Can we practice to do what He has done for us?

Can we be gracious towards others--instead of grumbling and always complaining about them or something they did?  Can we be full of compassion--showing others just how much we sincerely care about them or their situation?

If God were not compassionate towards us, where would we be?
We would not be recipients of His mercy, grace or love.  He would not have come to earth in the form of sinful flesh, be persecuted, crucified and willing to die for "our sins".  

He has shown us how compassionate He is towards us.  How much compassion do we have towards others?

Help us O God to care as You care!

Who Believes Us?

"Who has believed our message?  And to whom is the arm of The Lord revealed?" (Isaiah 53:1)

When I think about what Isaiah was saying about himself and the other true prophets of God, I can't help but think we are still where they were--who believes us when we tell them about the goodness of God?  Who has God really revealed Himself to that any should believe?

Although I may sound a bit redundant (I'm sure I've said this before), knowledge of God doesn't come through religious doctrine; it comes through relationship with Him.  If we don't have a relationship with God, how can we truly tell anyone else about Him?  What could we say anything good about Him if He is not active in our lives?  Can we convince others to believe God (not in Him) by quoting scriptures?  I think not--if that was all it took many more would believe Him.  Can we convince others by where we attend worship services?  Not so--especially since so many churches are under the gun because of evil influence, starting from the pulpit and inclusive of those standing at the door.

No, the only we can convince anyone to believe God is by sharing what He has done for us and through us and that can only happen when we are in relationship with Him.  When we have a relationship with people--especially with those we care about--we seek to do things to please them.  When they care about us, they seek to do things to please us.  If everyone's needs are considered and provided for through us or for us, we maintain a good relationship with that person.  The same is true of God.  When we have a relationship with Him, we want to please Him and when we please Him, He said, "I'll give you the desires of your heart" (Proverbs 37:4 paraphrased). When people see us living our lives as "living epistles" they may just believe our message.  It's not so much what we say about who we are as it is about how we conduct ourselves; especially among the unbelieving.  Has anyone believed your message?

Beginning today, let's live the message-the good report--that Jesus saves, delivers, heals, forgives, and lives on the inside of us and watch Him reveal Himself to others.  Hallelujah!  I thank God for saving me!

Preserve Us, Lord!

"The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul" (Psalm 121:7).

Who shall preserve us from all the evil that surrounds us?  The Lord--strong and mighty.

Who shall keep us from becoming ensnared with evil wrapped in a cloak of false righteousness?  The Lord--strong and mighty.

Who shall keep us from having evil thoughts that would be perpetuated against others for no reason?  The Lord--strong and mighty.

Who shall keep us from conspiring with evil people to maintain chaos and confusion in the land?  The Lord--strong and mighty.

How will The Lord preserve us from all evil?

When we submit to God (and all that He desires us to do) and resist the devil; the devil will flee from us!  Submit to God!  Submit to God!  Resist the evil influences conspired by the devil and put him on the run!  When we do what is required of us by God, He shall preserve us from evil!

Lord, I submit to Your every Word, trusting You and You alone.  I will not be found in the company of evil, nor will I partake of any evil that enemy has conspired to influence me to do. I will put away the works of darkness and do only those things that can be done in the light--having full exposure of all who see me. I shall hear the voice of The Lord and submit to His leading.  Thank You, Lord for preserving us from evil!

O Lord Our God!

"O Lord our God, other lords have ruled over us, but Your Name alone, do we honor!" (Isaiah 26:13 paraphrased)

God is known by many names, but has had only one primary role in the lives of Believers--The creator of all things and without Him, nothing was created.

A lord--is a ruler over others, mandates what others may or may not do in order to keep peace and harmony in the midst of people.  English Lords ruled over land and the people worked the land; usually for the benefit of all, but of course there were some greedy lords who only thought of themselves.

When settlers first came to what is now known as America, some of those same traditional thoughts presided in the minds of those who wanted to live like the very people from whom they had left in England--the lords who wanted to rule everyone else.

Think about this--we understand the lordship of people over other people, so why don't we understand the Lordship of God over us who believe?  Everything we have, we have because of Him; everything we are able to do (constructively and productively), we are able to do because of Him.  But do we honor Him as Lord? 
Today, let's make a decision to honor The Lord, who is Lord over all and live like we love Him!  Hallelujah!

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Can You Hear Him Singing?

The Lord will rejoice with singing over His children when He delights in them. (Zephaniah 3:17 Paraphrased)

Can you hear Him singing with joy over the things you do?
If He is singing with delight, we must be doing the right thing--loving Him and others. If we cannot hear Him singing with delight, maybe we should take another look at what we're doing. Could it be that our behavior is not pleasing to Him? Could it be that our speech is not pleasing to Him? Could it be that our complacent attitudes are not pleasing to Him? Just what is it that is keeping us from hearing Him rejoicing over us?

If we don't have the answers, we must assume the position of prayer and seek Him to determine why we cannot hear Him singing with joy over what we do or say and make a change, today!

If we can hear Him singing--Hallelujah--keep up the good work and know that His love is everlasting and He never gives up on us and neither should we! I can hear Him singing right now!

Already Promised

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, [there] ye may be also" (John 14:3)

Jesus speaking to all generations: "If I go and prepare, I will come and receive"

He has gone back to the Father and is sitting at His right hand.
He has prepared a place for us to dwell for all eternity.
He will come again.
He will receive us in the air upon His return so we can reign with Him.

Generations speaking to Jesus: "Nevertheless, come quickly Lord!"
Save us from ourselves and all the wickedness that invades our thoughts as only You can!

Testifying Today!

"Praise The Lord, my soul, and forget not His many benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals your diseases" (Psalm 103:2,3 NIV).

1) Praise Him for all He has done, is doing and will do for us simply because He loves us and His mercy endures forever.
2) Don't forget His many benefits--giving us victory over everything the enemy plots against us, gives us favor with men (and women), loves us unconditionally, grants us new mercies every morning, forgives our sins and tosses them into the sea of forgetfulness, gives us chance after chance after chance to get living right for Him, and then He heals all our diseases--either miraculously or through the wisdom He has poured into physicians to accurately diagnose and treat whatever ails us.
3) Live for The Lord, obey His Word, Testify of His goodness and Walk worthy of the calling He has placed upon your life.

He is God and He is Good for He can do nothing else but be Himself!

Understand The Name

There is a name that is highly exalted--a name above all others--a name by which no other can save, deliver, heal, and forgive--that name is Jesus! If there was ever a time for us to call upon Him, that time is now. It is not the time to murmur or complain, but to call upon Him to do what no other can do--speak to the hearts of those who are in authority and make this place a better place--for all who love the Lord and choose to live for Him. Pray for the ungodly, the unlovable, the foolish, and the wise that we may become more like Him every day--learning to love and do all He has required of us.

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