We Know A Person's Heart!

But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.” Matthew 15:18-20 NIV

You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Matthew 12:34 NIV
 

A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:45 NIV

I am so tired of people saying--in defense of trump--"we don't know his heart" and all who are saying this, profess to be Christians, with supposedly--a knowledge of God's Word. Really? They don't know his heart? Perhaps, it's because they are not Christians, but hypocrites who have their heads so far up Dooflebutt's behind they can hardly breathe. IF YOU BELIEVE THE BIBLE, YOU KNOW TRUMP'S HEART! PERIOD!

I challenge any and all so-called Christians to deny this truth--based upon The Word, not my opinions or theirs--whatever comes out of trump's mouth is a demonstration of what's in his heart. What we hear him say or see him tweet that fits the pattern demonstrated for a long time now, is who he is--a bigoted racist--and no matter how many photo ops are arranged with people of color surrounding will ever change who he is. He's a con man, a manipulative gaslighter, and a pathological liar. If you think I'm wrong, prove it with something other than--your feelings. Document it.

Quick Review:

Obama wasn't born in America and maligned him until Obama produced his birth certificate to shut him up and that didn't work.

There is documentation of his racist views in denying people of color to occupy his apartments.

There is the documentation that he wanted 5 men of color executed--for no reason (after they were exonerated) other than their skin color.

He called Black NFL players SOBs because they dared to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem in protest of the racial injustice in this country. Note: The Black NFL players know the lyrics to the song--trump doesn't and that's documented as well.

He's offended Gold Star families (Khan and Johnson).

He's maligned a Congresswoman--Fredericka Wilkerson.

He belittled a judge because of his Hispanic heritage.

And with the latest comments--calling countries and the entire continent of Africa--s**thole countries, but wants immigrants from Norway (predominantly white nation), Everybody with a functioning brain--knows his heart--because whatever is in there--consistently--comes out of his mouth or his fingers. He loves the support he gets from his white supremacist base and that's not going to change. Only people with low-functioning intelligence will continue support this hateful bigotry residing in the White House. But then, if people are supporting him and his racist agenda, it tells a lot about them.

It's time to get real folks! We don't need the rest of the world being contemptuous of us because of the malignancy haters elected with the help of Russia.

Get educated about all candidates in all elections.

Know the difference between factual information being presented and fake/constructed information--designed to con and manipulate emotions and actions.

Do the research and stop relying upon Fox Entertainment Network--no real news is coming from them--they entertain their audience with hateful rhetoric and scorn truth when others dare to present it.

Get out and vote! Complacency never experiences victory--only passion wins the day and people driven by passions, are driven into action.

 

How We Treat Others Matters!

Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh. Romans 13:8-14 NIV

What are those desires of the flesh that keep us from loving? Jealousy and hatred--once the seed is planted and nurtured by failure to accept responsibility for self--leads to actions ignited by our fleshly desires to avenge perceived (even if the perception is wrong) injustices.

Where the Spirit of the Lord is--there is liberty and love. Where there is no love, there is no perceptible presence of Christ. For when the heart of a person is filled with love, there is no room for hatred and bigotry and racism doesn't stand a chance. When we acknowledge that none of us are perfect and are all in need of a perfect Savior, we open the door and prepare the soil of our hearts to receive His love and allow it to be nurtured by continuing our lives, loving others. This is how we ought to treat one another. For if we know we love one another, we will not plot to do harm to one another. We will not set traps in hopes that others will fall into them for we realize the traps we set--we're liable to fall into ourselves--realizing the Hamanesque effect.

How can we claim to be Christians--followers of Christ--if we don't know Him for ourselves? To know Christ is to know His Word and to know how He lived among men and to do likewise. Jesus was not silent when He saw injustice, but rose up mightily to condemn it and so should we. He was the ultimate rebel in tearing down religion and religious leaders who only wanted to control others, not live for God. All that He did, He did with love at the forefront of His life so we might understand that we can do all things and should do all things in love for Love--for He is Love.

Again, I say, where there is love, there is no room for hate and where we find hate, we must drive it out with love, not more hatred. Those who think they are superior to others do not know Christ for we are told in His Word that we ought not to think more highly of ourselves than warranted. God is not mocked nor fooled by superficial acknowledgment of who He is. He looks upon the hearts of all and sees the discernible difference between the light of love and the darkness of hate. He knows! We cannot fool Him with mocking rhetoric that sounds like being a Christian.

Unfortunately, for those who think they are mocking God, He will have the last word when we stand before Him and He tells some, "Depart from me, I never knew you." Those are not the words I want to hear from God when I stand before Him, so I'll keep promoting truth, integrity, honor and love and where there is opportunity to rise up against hate and bigotry, I will rise to the occasion and never back down.

I'm Mary Hall-Rayford and I approve this message of love and hope you will, too!

White Privilege in America!

White Privilege In America!

 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. Romans 12:2-5 NIV

(Originally posted on Medium October 29, 2017--6 minute read). 

 

When I first heard this term, I admit it didn’t make sense for it to have a negative connotation considering who has access to White Privilege. I still don’t understand the angst that White people have against those who either seldom or never had — access to what they’ve always had. If anyone should be angry, it’s people of color who have been denied, denied, denied — access to equal education, housing, and use of necessary facilities, hotels and restaurants. Before anyone gets fired up by what I just said — keep reading. If you’ve ever experienced what is said, please feel free to comment. If you haven’t — try walking in our shoes before complaining about what you don’t have, when you’ve had it all along.

Does anyone remember when white people in America were held in bondage — shackled and forbidden to travel from place to place without a note from their “master?”

Does anyone remember when white people in America were forced to work in unbearable heat, whipped, beaten and killed if they looked a white man/woman in the eyes?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had their babies yanked from their arms and sold into slavery?

Does anyone remember when white people in America where denied the opportunity to learn to read and if they did, were beaten for the attempt?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were kept segregated in cities and denied home-ownership or land ownership?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were kept from receiving a quality education in public schools — having to use — discarded used textbooks?

Does anyone remember when white people in America when traveling, had to take their own food and drinks with them and use “nature” for a bathroom because they weren’t allowed to use the facilities?

Does anyone remember when white people in America could entertain in local establishments but couldn’t sleep in the hotel where they were entertaining?

Does anyone remember when white people in America could only be buried in certain cemeteries because of the color of their skin?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were dragged out of their houses and lynched or tarred and feathered because of lies told by others?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were spit on, set on fire, or had to stand in line in a store and just wait — until someone decided to serve them?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had a local store where they could only buy rotten, spoiled meat and didn’t dare complain about it?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were only expected to clean for others and barely earn a living wage?

Does anyone remember when white people in America were denied a college education when it was affordable and they proved themselves worth it?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to fight for the right to be considered human beings and treated as such?

Does anyone remember when white people in America couldn’t walk on the sidewalks if a person of color was walking down the same sidewalk?

Does anyone remember when white people in America couldn’t look at a person of color without being beaten and arrested for doing so?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to sit in the back of the bus, couldn’t eat in the dining car of a train, and didn’t dare sit if a person of color was standing?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to train their sons to not look at a police officer if stopped while driving white?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had to warn their daughters about the hazards of life while living white?

Does anyone remember when white people in America had their sons shot down like dogs and accused of doing all manner of illegal activity — especially if they were wearing a hoodie?

This list could go on and on, but the point is clear — White People in America — no matter what their background — have always had access to all things Black people did not from the beginning. And now, since Black people have proven themselves worthy and capable and doing all things they were denied or kept from doing, while Black; the White folks who didn’t take advantage of everything they had access to are crying foul and seem think that Black folks are infringing upon their White Privilege.

All the haters in the “White Lives Matter” movement which are really racists bigots — need to get over themselves. If you are not where you wanted to be in life — it’s because you didn’t want to do what was needed to get there. Stop blaming Black People for your insecurities, lack of education, or poverty. You are your own worst enemies. You had more opportunity than most will ever have, but you chose to squander the opportunity just to have a chance to complain and blame.

Don’t get me wrong — I have nothing against White People any more than I do against Black People — I can’t stand stupid no matter what color it comes in. What I hate is people blaming others for their inability to see what is right in front of them. Life may not be fair (and hasn’t been for most Black families), but it is what we make it.

So stop blaming the Black folks, White Lives Matter and realize you haven’t gotten anywhere because you didn’t want to go anywhere. You had open doors of access while most Black folks had to build the wall in which to place the door and prove they were worthy to walk through it.

If you’d rather march and complain and blame — that’s your business. What you should have been doing from the time you could was to go to school and learn something other than hate. It’s not our fault your ignorance rises above your heads every time you open your mouths. The fault is not ours that we know how to protest racial injustice and we can document it all, yet move on and become “the people you want to become” but are afraid of making the effort. It’s so much easier to hate and blame than try and achieve — we get it. Now you get this — you can scream blood and soil until your vocal cords dry up; you can think deportation until the mountains fall into the seas, but you’ll never be able to understand what it means to say, “I’m Black and I’m Proud” and we’re not going anywhere.

After all, if anyone should leave the shores of America, it should be those who came here from Europe, killed off the Native Inhabitants who helped them to survive here, and then were too lazy to cultivate the land and too cheap to pay for the labor, so they went to Africa (we didn’t come on our own) and bought slaves, forced them to work the land and bear the babies of the slave masters who wanted to increase their slaves without paying for more, and now have the nerve to be angry with us!

The haters claim they want a pure white race? Their ancestors should have thought about that before raping their black slaves. The “impurity” is all on them! I’d suggest that everyone involved in “White Lives Matter” have their DNA checked. They just might be surprised by the DNA they carry within and having carried all this hate against themselves.

As long as there are people who think they are superior to others, everyone in America will have problems getting along with one another, but that can change and it should change now. None of us is superior — we all bleed red when sliced open and we all belong to the same race — the human race! Now, how about that — for privilege!

Rumors!

Do not lose heart or be afraid when rumors are heard in the land; one rumor comes this year, another the next, rumors of violence in the land and of ruler against ruler. For the time will surely come when I will punish the idols of Babylon; her whole land will be disgraced and her slain will all lie fallen within her. Then heaven and earth and all that is in them will shout for joy over Babylon, for out of the north destroyers will attack her,”  declares the LORD. Jeremiah 51:46-48 NIV
Jesus said to them: “Watch out that no one deceives you. Many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and will deceive many. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains. “You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them. And the gospel must first be preached to all nations. Mark 13:5-10 NIV

Have you heard the latest rumors? Some pertain to the latest gossip about celebrities, some pertain to the latest innuendo about the nation, and some pertain to rumblings of dissatisfaction in White House Administration. Who do we believe?

I have no time to devote to rumors and salacious gossip about celebrities and with all that's happening in the nation--the NFL, the NBA, hockey, movie producers, mass murderers--it's just too difficult to keep up. However, when it comes to the manipulative moves by the resident WH idiot, I tend to pay more attention to what's being said. Why? It's really very simple. I'm running for President in 2020 and I don't want to make the same mistakes I see being made on a daily basis by not understanding the power of words.

Though some of the religious wing-nuts--such as Pat Robertson--are claiming the natural disasters on same-sex marriage and even saying, the Las Vegas massacre is a result of our sinful acts. I happen to understand the ramifications of climate change and the need to change how we live in order to save our planet and in the need for common sense gun control legislation. I refuse to join the hateful rhetoric designed to stoke fear by lying on God and what His Word says. In fact, the more people lie on God, the more inclined I am to distance myself from those pseudo-Christians and concentrate on my personal relationship with God and in promoting love. Since God is love, it is far more important for me and true Christians to promote love, not condemnation. When we can bring others to Christ by the love we show them, we can also bring them into a place where God's love will ignite a change in them to want to please Him, not people.

And pleasing people seems to be the catalyst that will eventually lead to the ruin of a nation. Our current Congress appears to think it is more important to keep "campaign promises" that were lies to begin than in listening to those who elected them. It would appear--that those who invaded and infiltrated the Republican party--have forever decimated the mission and have caused many to flee the party. I've never seen so many Republicans plan to not run in coming elections simply because of the invaders who are detracting from the party's stance. No longer is the Republican party the party of "moral authority" or "family values" since they have demonstrated they have none. They nominated a foul-mouthed, womanizer who thinks of only himself and denigrates women and minorities at every turn. They knew he was not a Christian, but promoted him as one and now they wonder why their party is falling apart.

Did not they not read the Word or understand The Word when told that God hates liars? Did they not understand the lake of fire was prepared for all those who lie and promote lies? Did they think that God was not going to take His hands off situations and allow the consequences of all the lies to fall upon those who perpetuated them?

This is what happens when people promote--rumors--the lies people spread about God choosing the most inept, incompetent, racist bigot to be president. If those who promoted the lie haven't figured it out, yet-I suggest they find a quiet place, with no distractions, and seek God for themselves. God didn't tell anyone that He chose trump to be president; that was a rumor perpetuated by those who merely wanted to gain control of the White House and Congress to force their beliefs on others. And now, because of their lies we now face the drum roll announcing rumors of war and discontent with other nations because the WH idiot acts more like a school yard bully than an aging adult. He can't help it--he never matured and is totally incapable of acting like an adult--no empathy, no compassion, no heart. And for those who think he has compassion because of his ability to read a speech others wrote--same the violin strands for someone else. He's a phony, just like the pseudo-Christians who promoted him.

But let's get back to the rumors of the end coming. We're told in God's Word that there are things which must happen before the end is yet and one of those things is that, the Gospel must be preached to every nation. The Gospel hasn't been preached to every nation, so we still have time to get living right and that means, stop spreading rumors which are lies. Before the 2016 election many of us experienced being inundated with false propaganda we now know was perpetuated by the Russians and promoted by so-called Christians. The pseudo-Christians never thought about seeking God and His wisdom before promoting photo-shopped videos, manipulated videos, and false advertising--deliberately created to undermine Hillary Clinton. I never believed the lies and did not promote them and tried to convince others that the lies were just that. But when people think they are so righteous they cannot or will not hear truth, they become the impetus of the rumor mills and they just keep the lies going.

With the upcoming elections, the rumors will get started again. I won't participant in spreading them and I pray everyone reading this won't either. But if you do, know that God will have the last word about your life and you will stand before Him in the end. I know that to be true and I only plan to hear Him say, "Well done, my good and faithful servant."

As a good and faithful servant--one who knows how to serve others--let me start this very true rumor--I will run for president in 2020 and I plan to win! For all who are familiar with my stance on the issues that matter to most Everyday Americans, join me and help me to Raise The Standards for all. Spread The Word!

Who's Really Free?

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:1-6 NIV

The debate about whether to stand, kneel or sit during the a presentation of the National Anthem has become a contentious discussion. Now, it would seem that everyone wants to chime in and have an opinion and most seem to think their opinion is the only one that counts. Before anyone's opinion can be counted, everyone must understand what the debate represents. Kneeling during the anthem is a protest against the injustice suffered by those in the Black community because of police brutality--unarmed Black males being killed.

Now, whether people understand the angst felt in the Black community or not really is not debatable.  Unless a person is Black, they would not understand why some of us feel so strongly about the deaths of young Black males. To fully understand, one must understand the discrimination we've suffered for a very long time. And just to make sure, the message is understood, I encourage everyone to review the history of Black people in this country.

We were imported as slaves, treated like animals or worse, denied the rights provided every human being, babies taken from mothers, families separated, lynched, burned, wrongfully jailed and executed without recourse through any judicial system because the laws were against us, not for us. It was not until 1968 that most of us had the right to vote because we didn't count. Most people don't realize the electoral college was established for those who owned slaves--so they wouldn't have an advantage over those who didn't. (14th Amendment, Section 2) Slaves were set free in 1863, but were still treated like third-class citizens or worse. We had been denied the right to pursue an education, kept of out certain careers and even though many Black men fought in wars "for this country" they were still denied the same rights as others.

There is a stanza of the anthem--written as a poem in 1814--that most are not aware of and it embellishes slavery rather than denounces it and hence--the kneeling during the anthem--is about systemic racism; not about patriotism!

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn's early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam,
In fully glory reflected now shines in the stream:
'Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution!
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war's desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav'n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: "In God is our trust":
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

When we understand that this country has diminished the rights of Black people and still does not respect us as human beings, we protest and with a peaceful protest where no one is harmed or violated--there should be no dissension or debate about the right to do so.

When trump disrespected Black football players by calling them SOBs, he demonstrated his racism and all who applauded him and encouraged his racist rhetoric demonstrated where they stood.
Systemic racism is still a problem in this country and there is no denying it. The fact that over 70% of all football players in the NFL are Black speaks volumes and the fact that the biggest fans are white also speaks volumes--we are still seen as being nothing more than "entertainers" for those with "white privilege."

I'm taking a stand against those who claim the football players are arrogant, spoiled brats and should be "grateful" for the opportunity to become rich. Do those who make these statements say the same thing about "White Players" or is it just a condemnation of the Black players? Every Black and White football earned the right to play by their relentless pursuit of excellence in playing the game. They were not given spots on a team, they earned them. 

For decades--probably to the chagrin of many people who said, "Black people were inferior to White people--we have proven time and time again, we are not an inferior race of people, but those who are fearful and bigoted have not stopped thinking they are the superior race. Well, I have news for all--there is only one race of people--the human race and none superior to another, but if people want to deal with facts and not fiction, they only have to understand where man originated--on the continent of Africa--and if there was a superior race--it would be the African race--where life began.

If we ever get to a place in society where we can see people and not color, we'll all be better off. We can live in peace and spend our time--collectively trying to find cures for cancer and other debilitating diseases, establishing lifestyles that will preserve the planet for the benefit of all, and keeping the human race--alive, prosperous and vital for the next millennium.

The truth of the matter is--until we are all willing to discuss--rationally--the social injustices that exist with the systemic racism--nothing will ever change. We must come together and understand "the reasons" for the divide and then pursue unity as a whole--for all Americans.

What We Need Is Love!

It has given me great joy to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as the Father commanded us. An now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love. I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully. Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not take them into your house or welcome them. Anyone who welcomes them shares in their wicked work. 2 John 4-11 NIV

John's letter is just as clear today as I'm sure it was to the church when he wrote it. If we claim to know God the Father and Jesus the Son, we must walk in love. For Jesus said, "Love the Lord thy God with all your heart soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself." These are His commandments. If we have not love, we are not walking in love and cannot love others.

I've said this before and I'll say it again, over and over until we get it or my fingers stop working or my lips are sealed in death. IF WE DO NOT LOVE OURSELVES, WE CANNOT LOVE OTHERS!

If we do not recognize that hate is taught--planted in the hearts of people from an early age as demonstrated by those around them who say hateful and bigoted things about other people simply because they do not look like them, act like them, or worship like them. Here's my question for all who think they have a "moral right" to tell other people anything: Who did you die for that we might have access to the kingdom of heaven?

I'm not saying we shouldn't teach God's Word--accurately and coherently--I'm saying none of us--imperfect beings that we are--can take a moral high ground if we don't know love. There have been times in my life when I allowed my "emotions" to overrule logic and it brought disastrous results. We cannot allow our fickle-ever-changing emotions to dictate our lives and expect peace and harmony. It won't work.

What will work--for every human being on the planet--is for us to take the time to seriously do some introspection into what makes us who we are. Are we so bound to tradition and feelings that we cannot accept truth about ourselves and no matter how many times we are proven wrong, we continue in the same path? We have to be honest with a critical assessment of our ability to love self--accept our shortcomings without blaming others for what we don't have or can't do. We have to acknowledge that our lives are the end result of what we have put into them. If we put nothing into a bank account, we cannot withdraw from it (legally). The same is true of our lives--whatever we want out of it--must align with what we're willing to put into it. If we all we do is nurture hate--that seed that was planted before we were able to recognize it--then all we'll get out of life is refutation and rejection.

Most people who honestly care about where they are in life have sat down and realistically assessed their lives and how they got there. I've heard of so many people who were taught to hate, come to a place in their lives where they realize hate never solves any problems and they changed. They began to love themselves, seeing themselves in another light--a beacon that could pave the way of success for others.

What we need--more than anything else in this world right now--is to learn to love self so we can love others. For when we love others, we only want the best for them and we work together to accomplish that end. Knowing that love trumps hate is not just a slogan or buzz words. Love truly conquers hate in every imaginable way. It may not happen over night, or in a month in the next two years, but we have to start somewhere. And now is the time.

Let's work on promoting love, eradicating the hate that resides in the hearts of so many. If hate can be learned, then so can love and love is far more pleasant experience. When we see hate being promoted--we must stand firm and call it what it is--no using any euphemisms to disguise it--just call it what it is: hate, racism, bigotry, misogyny, xenophobia and whatever else destructive attitudes and actions can be called--CALL IT OUT AND THOSE WHO PERPETUATE IT!

Since we only have this one planet that is considered fit for human habitation, we might as well learn to live together in harmony before we decimate the human race because of hate. Love is the answer and it has been from the beginning and forever will be.

I'm Mary M. Hall-Rayford and I approve this message and will be moving forward in my bid for president in 2020. I hope you join me in promoting love and not hate. www.facebook.com/YesIAm2020 browse and like my page.

https://youtu.be/YUaxVQPohlU

Can We Talk, Again?

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.No one should seek their own good, but the good of others.  Eat anything sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience, for, “The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.” I am referring to the other person's conscience, not yours. For why is my freedom being judged by another's conscience? I Corinthians 10:223-26, 29 NIV
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 2 Corinthians 3:17 NIV
A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 22:1 NIV

I have been paying attention to probably far too many news items and commentaries, but what I've seen grieves my spirit. For in this country, we are supposed to have certain guaranteed rights, and as long as we don't infringe upon the rights of others--those rights should be respected, not vilified.

We have freedom of speech--but that doesn't mean we should have a foul mouth and express hateful rhetoric towards others or about others. So, when the QB of the San Francisco 49ers decides that he doesn't want to stand while the National Anthem is playing, that is his right and since he is not infringing upon the rights of others--none of the rest of us should anything to say. Why is it that there are those who think they have a right to impose their consciences upon others in judging what we do?

Speaking of which--the imposition placed upon Black Americans--and how we're labeled has become a topic of conflict. On more than one occasion and in more than one venue, I have seen people complain about the use of a hyphen in the African-American identity. One person went so far as to say, the use of the hyphen is the cause of all the racism in this country. I beg to differ with them. No hyphen was used when we were classified: slave, or colored or even the hated "nigger" or a number of other hateful terms, when referencing who we were. Racism has its roots in the hatred of people of color and the fact that White people have long held beliefs they are superior to any other race of people. We see that in the treatment of Natives of the Land, and with all other minorities--and other immigrants who came to this country. While there are many people of color who have a preference to what they are called or how they are identified, I simply choose to be a Black American until "we are all considered Americans."

What is astounding to me is that while people are clamoring about other people coming into this country to "take jobs," not many are saying anything about those who came into this country and "took land" from those who were already living here. Who were those who came here--European immigrants--the colonists--who established themselves as the only right-living group of people and called those who were already here--savages--because they did not do things they way they did them.

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-tost to me,
I lift my lamp beside the golden door!"

The inscription on Lady Liberty--our gift from France--across the Atlantic from which many came was a recognition that many would come and we should welcome them, not debase them. And the only group of people that have been denied this liberty expressed are those who were "forcefully brought to this land" without having a choice in the matter.

And with all of the hateful rhetoric being stoked right now--by those who proclaim to be Christians, where exactly is the "spirit of The Lord" dwelling? Certainly not in the hearts of all those who hate and promote hatred. Not in the hearts of those who manufacture lies to make themselves look better. Not in the hearts of those who manipulate others into buying into their lies. Not in the hearts of those who crave attention and will do anything to get it.

How do we know? For where the Spirit of The Lord dwells--there is liberty and love--no hatred. Whatever abides in our heart will come forth like a mighty rushing river and pour into our immediacy and people will see and hear what is hidden in our heart--whether it is the Love of God or evil.

If we never learn to live God's Word the way He intended us to live--loving all unconditionally, we don't deserve to be called Christians. In fact, if we are not living The Word, we make a mockery out of being Christians because we are not following Christ when we choose to impose our consciences, our way of doing things upon others--negating their right to do things their own way. This is the "religious way of doing things" and Jesus called out the Pharisees for doing this.

I believe it's reckoning time. We need to look at ourselves in the mirror and ask God to show us who we really are, accept it and be willing to allow Him to change us--being who He wants us to be, not what we have constructed ourselves to be with all of our built-in hate and animosity.

Until we get to this one point--there is only one race of people--the human race and like I said to someone yesterday who claimed the use of a hyphen is keeping us separated, it is not. "Until America accepts Black Americans as Americans, we will be always be a separate class of people. It is not the Black American who is creating a racial divide, but the White race who lives out their superiority complex and treats us as second class citizens.

My commentary today is not an indictment against all White people or all Black people or any other group of people, but it is a warning about where our country is headed if we don't realize what we're doing to one another. As a nation, we cannot afford to be divided in our purposes and intent for all Americans to be treated with equality. And if we exist as a divided nation rather than a nation unified with common goals, we will be captured by the evil that exist--inside and outside--our borders.
History has a way of repeating itself--especially if we refuse to learn from it. I suggest we all review the history of the land, recognize the wrongs committed and determine not to repeat them--again, and again, and again.

We don't need a nation of people who are religious; we need a nation of people who are in relationship with God, living His Word,  and following His lead in all things.

Where Our Allegiance Lies...

For the king of Babylon will stop at the fork in the road, at the junction of the two roads, to seek an omen: He will cast lots with arrows, he will consult his idols, he will examine the liver. Into his right hand will come the lot for Jerusalem, where he is to set up battering rams, to give the command to slaughter, to sound the battle cry, to set battering rams against the gates, to build a ramp and to erect siege works. It will seem like a false omen to those who have sworn allegiance to him, but he will remind them of their guilt and take them captive. Ezekiel 21:21-23 NIV

When our allegiance is criticized by those who have not lived our experiences, it warrants a deeper discussion and understanding of the values held and the need for those values to be respected, regardless.

Children are taught to "pledge allegiance to the flag" when they are young--at least that was true in yester-years. Now, I'm not sure what they're taught considering the fact that there are movements determined to teach children in kindergarten about homosexuality, bisexuality, transgenderism and only God knows what else--and school districts are allowing this rather than acknowledging a parent's right to teach their children about any type of sexual behavior. So much time is spent teaching children things that have nothing to do with academics that it's no wonder our children have difficulty focusing and passing standardized tests--unless the answers have something to do with sexuality.

So, if no one is teaching the children about what allegiance means--as it pertains to the American flag--why would anyone be upset about the "physical position" one takes when facing the flag? Stand or sit--what is the big deal? In the case of the football player, Colin Kaepernick and his "sitting" protest--why is it a "terrible thing?" He is not the first to adhere to the "standards" set by others in acknowledging the flag when the national anthem is presented and he won't be the last. In America--the flag is supposed to represent the fact that we have rights and choices and none should be objectified when exercising those rights--especially since there was no desecration or mockery involved.

What I see--is people so blinded to their ideals of American political partisanship, that those complaining have forgotten about "what freedom means" for all. If students cannot be compelled to recite the pledge nor punished for not doing so--why are we vilifying an adult--is it because he is a black male professional athlete? Or is it that the last part of that pledge does not include him with regard to "freedom and justice for ALL?"

“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Liberty--synonymous for freedom sees to evade people of color--from times past to the present.
Whenever there is supposed to be freedom--it gets ignored and criticized unless one happens to be a funny-faced man with money who has trampled on others with his freedom to speak racist remarks and yet--he is promoted and touted as a "great man" by his subservient supporters. This is not to say he hasn't been called on the carpet for the foolishness that keeps falling from his lips, but since it does keep falling--he should have been "sat down" some time ago and banished from the public view.

And before anyone criticizes what was just said, think about what the funny-faced man said about Kaepernick--"go find another country" as if someone made him king. He hasn't even been elected and thinks he has a right to stick his nose in places it doesn't belong--or rather tweeting about things that don't concern him, but making it about him and politics. What a waste! Telling someone to "go find another country" proves the point about him being racist.

If one person's freedom is not recognized then none of us have freedom or we shouldn't especially when some use their "freedom of expression" to belittle and humiliate others. Either we're all free or the "allegiance pledged" means nothing for anyone. We cannot have it both ways.

If our true allegiance was to Jesus Christ--none of what is happening would be happening, but most of those who claim devotion to Jesus--lie every day with their actions and loose lips. When our allegiance lies with the ability of a mere mortal to do more than God, we get what we deserve--and then we become captives of the Babylonians (those who never worshiped our God)!

Life, Light and Love!

This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 1 John 1:5-7 NIV

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person.But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did. 1 John 2:3-6 NIV

No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister. For this is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another. 1 John 3:9-11 NIV

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.  Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit.1 John 4:7-13 NIV

There is no improving upon God's Word and when and if we ever learn to take it to heart, studying for understanding and acting with the Wisdom received from Him, we will understand Love and live--loving all as He loves us.

Where there is no love, darkness and hatred reign, but light dispels the darkness and there can be no light without love.

Isn't it time, we walked in the light of love towards all people--regardless of their religious beliefs or the color of the skin or their ethnicity? Until we learn to love, the world will never know peace. Until we learn to accept the fact that no one group of people is superior to another, we won't love as God loves--unconditionally.

Talk is cheap--and by the multitude of words is a fool known. Let's stop talking about love and start living love so the entire world will see God in everything we do!

Enough said!

Remain and Maintain!

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. John 15:4-10 NIV

To remain somewhere or in something means to stay there. To maintain something means to keep it up--don't depart from it.

If we remain--stay with God and allow His Word to stay in us, we will bear much fruit with Him and without Him, we accomplish nothing.

If we stay with God and stay with His Word we can ask whatever we want from Him and He will do it--according to His Word.

If we stay in His love as we maintain our walk--keeping His commandment to love,  we will continue in His love.

Notice--this is about love--not lust as some have ignorantly claimed in order to justify their perversion to keeping God's Word.

We must make a decision and then stick with it to do as God directs us, not man and to love others as we obey God.

Now, this might seem a little tricky to some, but it isn't when we know that God's love for us is unconditional--regardless of our race, nationality, ethnicity or religious beliefs--He loves us all and is waiting for us to love Him as much as He loves us. Loving others unconditionally does not mean we condone wrong doing or blatant sin, but we care enough to keep praying and seeking God for direction. We do not have to agree with others in order to love them and we certainly do not have to live in opposition to God's Word to prove our love for others.

True love of God--means we stand firm on what's right and sometimes--we love from afar--maintaining our stance in our determination to live according to God's Word.

Love can change people, but in order for the change to make an impact--we must clarify our position in living for The Lord--not for political correctness. This does not mean we hate or demonize or rant about others with who whom we disagree--it means we simply give no place for wrong to influence our determination to obey God.

Throughout this day and for the rest of week--let's practice how we remain in His Will and determine how we'll maintain our position of faith in Him and our determination to love--no matter what!

No Ethnicities In Christ!

"Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all." (Colossians 3:9-11 NIV)

"Liar, liar pants on fire." Remember that one? Usually the target of this phrase had just been caught in a lie, but what does one say to self when we lie to ourselves? Is there a voice telling us, "liar, liar, pants on fire" or are we just deceiving ourselves into believing a lie? If the enemy is telling us that God doesn't have a problem with sin--ANY SIN--then we need to remind him, that he's a liar, the father of liars and there is no truth in him.

For if we have put off--literally shed the skin and practices of the old man--the one who didn't know any better before receiving Christ into our lives, then we are brand new--with a new attitude and a new wisdom regarding the attributes of Christ. We can walk in our newness by facing the fact that God is color-blind, has no respect of persons, and LOVES US ALL THE SAME! When we sin--after knowing how He wants us to live right before Him--He still loves us, but He's not happy with our choices.

When children disobey their parents, most parents--at least those with a little common sense and love of Christ in them, don't kill or maim their children because they're upset. They don't like the disobedience and there is usually an unpleasant consequence the children have to deal with. Since God is our heavenly Father, Jesus our Lord and Savior, and Holy Spirit our counselor and comforter, we have no excuse.  We cannot claim not to know--when we have received Him into our lives, giving Him reign over our lives and allowing Holy Spirit to do His job. He never stops loving us, but there is a consequence for our actions for He has said, "the wages (the payment/the penalty) of sin is death" and for some a spiritual death is worse than a natural death. For if we die naturally, then sin has no more authority over us; however if we die spiritually, we continue in our sin and eventually see no wrong with what we do.

Now, the real problem for many is that they like to make distinctions between who is in Christ or who is not based upon one's proclivity to categorize people--in an effort to be superior to them. I've heard so much garbage lately, that it is really sickening and saddening to know just how much racism and bigotry there is yet in the world. God knows no distinctions between any people--we are all the same in Him--so why must we use misrepresented information to try to make others feel inferior? Ham's curse--as related in Genesis--was not about his descendants being black! That is a misconception taught by those who think they are superior to others. The first man--Adam--was a person of color--his origin of creation on the continent of Africa. People did not begin to "pale" until they started migration into colder climates.

Really? Can this be true? Don't take my word for it--check out the history of man's migration from Africa--Asia--and other parts of the world. None of us are superior to others--by race, gender, ethnicity, or education. In Christ we are all one blood, one world of human beings and we need to start acting like it!

None of us has ever walked this journey in life in perfection. All of us have fallen short--sinned in some manner and many who claim to know Christ are still living in sin. It's time we stopped lying to ourselves and realize we all need the Risen Savior, Jesus Christ and Holy Spirit guiding us in all we do--according to God's Word--not according to our own limited knowledge of anything. There are no distinctions between people in Christ; we are all one--loved by Him who is Love, saved by Him who is the Savior, and guided by Him who is--the guiding Spirit of Christ.

Now that we know we are one--let's love one another--casting away our old nature and walking in the new with Christ Jesus!