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

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!

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.

We Must Continue The Fight!

Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the LORD will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.” Joshua 10:25 NIV
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12 NIV

In the bible there are records of many battles, most of which are led by men, but some only by direction of a woman, Deborah. For those who are foolish enough to believe that a woman shouldn't be in the White House as president--they might want to revisit the bible they claim they believe as it pertains to their faith in God. God will use whoever is willing to be used.  With that framework in mind--willing to be used--we know God did not choose trump since he is neither willing to be used by God, nor interested in being president for all Americans.

But we cannot afford to stop fighting for justice for all--now is the time to gear up and prepare for the long haul. Hatred and no one who promotes hatred--regardless of the "words" they say, will not reign in America as long as Americans refuse to allow it reign.

This country--(reminder) was inhabited by the Natives when the first settlers arrived. The Natives helped them to survive their first winter and what did the settlers do to show their appreciation? They fought against them, killed them and took their land. That's how they showed their appreciation.

Then the settlers (from Europe) imported slaves because of their greed and they were too lazy to do the work themselves and too stingy to pay others to do it. So, they paid for slaves and forced them to work, treating them worst than some of their animals and when Lincoln finally acknowledged they were just as human as their white counterparts and declared so--legally--the haters--the white haters still found every justification to rape, lynch, burn the people and cheat them out of land.

We know that hatred abounded then and now with the Jim Crow laws that kept Black people segregated and limited their use of bathrooms, water fountains and hotels and restaurants. White people lied about Black people and justice was a joke since a jury--if used--was all white and usually, the white people just decided to lynch a person "accused of doing wrong" whether evidence proved it or not.

And now we're dealing with the haters still--those white people who claim they're afraid their race will be diminished by people of color. So to make sure their race "remains pure" they're plotting to kill every person of color in America because they think--people of color have somehow kept them from--jobs, happiness, whatever--I don't know how they justify their false premises--since they have always had opportunities to do things denied people of color.

Hatred is ugly and despicable. It's roots are found in a person's insecurities and in those who know how to manipulate others into believing a lie. The leaders of hatred and bigotry really hate themselves and because they feel impotent, they plant and nurture seeds of hatred until people begin believing that everything they don't have is the fault of a person of color.

There is only one planet that we know of so far that is habitable for human beings--earth. We're all here--one race--the human race--bleeding the same color. Though there are those who will continue to hate no matter what because it's easier for them to do so, I will continue to love because it's easier for me to do so. I hope others will continue the fight against hatred and bigotry everywhere they go.  We know The Word tells us that whatever is in our hearts is what will rise to the surface and overflow from us. Love makes more sense and so much easier to do than hate. We must continue the fight against hate.

My fight to eradicate hate will continue all the way to the White House as I encourage people daily to look within and recognize truth, not enabling lies nor allowing anyone else to pacify or enable false premises. We must be willing to accept truth about ourselves before we can speak truth to others. I am willing to be used by God and willing to serve all Everyday Americans and I will continue to seek support for my run to the White House.

Thank you for considering all that I've said over the years and for your willingness to support a True Believer and a True Patriot who wants what's best for all Americans and one who promote peace and harmony for all other countries as well.

Never Giving Up!

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. Nehemiah 6:9 NLT

This is what I feel watching GOP attempting to dismantle the ACA and risking the lives of millions of people. They are consumed with a 7-year promise to repeal ACA (out of hatred for President Obama) and not even paying attention to their constituents who now understand that the "hated Obamacare" is the needed ACA that many depend on to use. This is what happens when people lie and allow hate to reign rather than wisdom and the love of Christ. GOP--with Mitch McConnell leading the way was determined to obstruct President Obama and make sure he was not able to accomplish anything--from day one. In spite of the obstructionist attitude and behavior--President Obama was able to accomplish much and all of it--the GOP are now determined to rollback, throw out, and eliminate--because of hatred.

The GOP hated Obama, trump hates Obama and with all that hate--there can be no room for love--just hate and hate as we all know destroys utterly and completely. The GOP will be destroyed utterly and completely if they don't wake up and pay attention to their constituents and not the crazed idiot in the WH (I cannot bring myself to call him a "man" because he has not demonstrated that he is one. So, if you're upset with me now, you're going to be upset with me for a long time).

In spite of the hatred against ACA and Democrats in general, I will continue to pursue the path to the White House, never giving up, no matter what the idiots do.

My family's history--has provided a record of endurance, courage, boldness and determination. They were brought across the ocean, ripped from their families and only known culture. They were denied identity other than what the "white man" wanted them to have. They were treated like sub-human beings, forced to work on empty stomachs, never consideration. They were freed by the signature of Abraham Lincoln, but kept entangled and bound by fear and hatred by Jim Crow laws.

Civil rights laws have yet to bring an era of true freedom for the Black Community and with the GOP in position of the majority in Congress, we are taking a regressive route in the 21st Century rather than seeing forward movement as it pertains to positive race relations in this country. Hate crimes are on the rise against anyone with "brown or black" skin tones, different religious beliefs, and misogyny is also on the rise. All of this is a result of gullible people (with hidden hatred of those who are different than them) who voted for the greatest fraud and con artist who ever lived--trump.

Though many may feel there is no hope--I will never give up and I will continue the good fight of faith--in service to my country and fellow True Patriots who understand that every American deserves equal treatment in all things. We will Raise the Standards for all Americans.

Counting on fellow Americans who think like Christ to support my bid for president in 2020. I'm not seeking financial support at this time, just your vote to guarantee we will have a voice in Washington representing the Everyday American.

We Are Family!

But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks. Psalm 107: 41 NIV

Last night, I was reminded of the importance of family at a reunion at which I was reacquainted with family members I had not seen in years. To say, it was a bit emotional for me would be an understatement. Not only was every person there recognized for something, but a presentation was made about all who are no longer with us.

This reunion was about our genealogical connection, "blood family" and all connected by marriage. Our family matriarch--as far as anyone could remember, was Polly McDowell--born in 1848 into slavery. Her son, my great grandfather, James McDowell was born in 1867, just a few years after the Emancipation Proclamation was signed, freeing the slaves.

Because of a desire to know more about my ancestry, I recently had my DNA tested and discovered I am a descendent of people from 8 different countries in Africa, Scandinavians who migrated to Scotland, and Indigenous Native Amazonian--who migrated from North Asia and then to North America (Native Inhabitants). What a heritage! But let me get back to James McDowell. He was the only grandfather I had known and he died when I was 12 years-old. But I was told something last night that I never knew. He was coal-miner in Powellton, WV and raised his 8 children with this thought, "If you don't do anymore than I've done, then you haven't done anything." That struck a particular chord within me because I remember my great aunts training me to do day work when I was 5 years-old. Some might think that was child abuse now, but at the time, since there was very little opportunity for a Black woman to do much else, they did what they thought was needed in order to prepare me for life.

I'm sure, Polly McDowell would be proud of her descendants and I'm equally sure that my grandmother--Isabelle Woodson and my mother, Mary Mosley, would be just as proud of me. Without knowing what had been instilled in them, I have always wanted to explore my potential in a number of areas. Academically, I have exceeded the expectations of many and I can't imagine what Polly would have thought if she knew there would be a writer in the family since she had been denied the opportunity to read and write. All of this was brought home to me last night--the importance of knowing family. The last surviving child of James and Isabelle (his wife) is my Aunt Maxine McKinney--who is now the matriarch of the family and is 89 years-old. She narrated our family history and it was recorded by her daughters to share with the rest of us. While I can't speak for the rest of the family, I was moved to a heightened awareness of pride in family and inspired to keep motivating others to pursue greatness.

It's not just the "blood" family that we need in our lives to keep us connected; it is the Blood of Jesus Christ family that we need to keep us connected and moving forward in this life, being a comfort to others, encouraging others to be all that God would have them to be, and to remind each other always of this great heritage we have in Christ.

I had not planned to make an announcement about my potential candidacy, but after hearing more about Polly McDowell and what my grandfather said, I couldn't let the opportunity get past me. I'm absolutely sure, great, great-grandmother Polly would be surprised to know one of her descendants had the audacity to seek being the President of the United States--when she was born a slave in this country.

Now, it is more important than ever for me to succeed in my quest because this is not just about me or what I think I can do for Everyday Americans, but it now becomes the motivation that fuels me to show the world that how we arrive in life, should have no bearing on what we can accomplish in life.

So, to both "blood" families I thank you for the opportunity of being connected and in the hope of seeing all achieve all that God has put into your hearts to achieve, no matter what your age is, no matter what obstacles have attempted to impede your progress in life, when we know we can depend on family, we can make it.

Remember the name--Mary Hall-Rayford and be prepared for the run to the White House in 2020--honoring family.

Remember!

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble; May the name of the God of Jacob defend you; May He send you help from the sanctuary, And strengthen you out of Zion; May He remember all your offerings, And accept your burnt sacrifice. Selah May He grant you according to your heart’s desire, And fulfill all your purpose. We will rejoice in your salvation, And in the name of our God we will set up our banners!
May the LORD fulfill all your petitions. Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed;
He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses; But we will remember the name of the LORD our God. They have bowed down and fallen; But we have risen and stand upright. Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call. Psalm 20:1-7 NKJV

We all remember things--the good, the bad, the ugly, the happy, the sad, the mournful, and as long as we live--we shall accumulate memories. What shall we remember?

Will we remember the history of the land and how we came to be?

Will we remember fighting for independence from England in the Revolution?

Will we remember fighting for freedom for those taken from their native land and kept in slavery? Could we forget how the natives of this land were treated--murdered, and cheated out of the very land in which we live?

Will we remember the hate that lynched and burned crosses, burned down houses and the rape of women of color who gave birth to a lighter race--sometimes exalted, but yet hated because their color was a constant reminder of the father who raped?

Will we remember the laws passed to separate and keep a person of color from quenching their thirst from "any and all water fountains" or having to use the great outdoors because they were not allowed to use the "indoor facilities" because of hate?

Will we remember how school systems deplored and denied a quality education for all, but gave the schools of color the leftovers--battered and torn--barely able to use?

Will we remember the protests and fights for equality for women as well as the men of color who others hated and feared?

Will we remember the injustices suffered with no recourse to legal remedy by those who were treated like they were less than human beings?

Will we remember how just about every invention, considered a convenience, was created by a black man or woman, but never acknowledged until recent years?

Will we remember how this country prospered and grew under the hands of those who yielded a whip and kept men, women, and children starving in order to enrich themselves?

Will we remember how political parties shifted and evolved--first Republicans agreeing that slavery and all that hate was wrong, but now has turned full circle and we're back to where things used to be?

Will we remember how insolence and arrogance laid the foundations to bringing down buildings--the towers in New York, brought damage to the Pentagon, and how the capitol was saved with the sacrifice of the lives of others who said, "they would rather go down dying than see our country destroyed?"

Will we remember the invasion of another country, Iraq--ignited by lies and vengeance--that has led to thousands of lives being lost and nothing really gained?

Will we remember that trickle-down economics (attempted before under Reagan) has never worked well for anyone other than those who are already rich?

Will we remember when Republicans left the White House and the country in a mess, and Democrats went in--cleaning up after them--making tough decisions for all--in spite of opposition?

Will we remember a time when there was a surplus in the treasury, when Bill Clinton left office, but soon after the surplus was emptied and a war started and now the country is still in trillions of dollars of debts?

Will we remember how the economy was headed off a cliff and somehow--though most of the haters won't agree, President Obama stepped in and helped to save the auto industry, jobs and families?

Will we remember the progressive changes that most of us won't condone, but understand in the end--God will judge each of us for what we do--not others?

Will we remember the hatred and disrespect displayed towards the first Black President, who was elected by all races of people?

Will we remember the snide and nasty comments directed at his wife, First Lady Michelle Obama who never did anything other than help a nation overcome adversity with obesity?

Will we remember--all the thoughtless things said and done to undermine the President's ability to help the nation, but was obstructed by a Congress who hated because of his color, and were jealous of his intelligence?

Will we remember--when we had a chance to elect a woman--hated by many for no reason, but who could have turned things around for the better for all--many chose to elect ignorance and arrogance, narcissism and racism, hatred and bigotry in the megalomaniac who does not understand government or protocols established to keep our nation safe?

Will we remember--when others tried to warn us of impending danger, but we chose to ignore it and allowed the state of the country and the fate of all its people to be decided by a group of people who only plan to pursue their own agenda to take us backwards instead of forward and will do nothing but encourage more hate?

Will we remember? Well, will we?

If we do not learn from the mistakes of the past, we are doomed to repeat them and it would appear that we are about to enter the phase of repetition where only the rich and white will prevail.

I'm thanking God for being the God of all creation, no matter the color our skin or what language we speak or what religion we believe--for not being a man that He should lie and we know--we can count on Him to bring us through to the other side. I'm thanking Him for the angels of protection He has already assigned and for keeping them watchful and alert, ready to warn of dangers seen and unseen. I'm thanking Him for victory in the name of Jesus and all that's holy for keeping us in the fight for justice and equality for all.

No matter what happens with all there is to come--Jesus is the answer--and we know from deep within, victory is ours and when we call upon Him, He will answer. God is love and love trumps hate--every time!

Don't Let Rumors Discourage!

Sanballat, Tobiah, Geshem the Arab, and the rest of our enemies found out that I had finished rebuilding the wall and that no gaps remained—though we had not yet set up the doors in the gates. So Sanballat and Geshem sent a message asking me to meet them at one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But I realized they were plotting to harm me, so I replied by sending this message to them: “I am engaged in a great work, so I can’t come. Why should I stop working to come and meet with you?” Four times they sent the same message, and each time I gave the same reply. The fifth time, Sanballat’s servant came with an open letter in his hand, and this is what it said: “There is a rumor among the surrounding nations, and Geshem tells me it is true, that you and the Jews are planning to rebel and that is why you are building the wall. According to his reports, you plan to be their king. He also reports that you have appointed prophets in Jerusalem to proclaim about you, ‘Look! There is a king in Judah!’ “You can be very sure that this report will get back to the king, so I suggest that you come and talk it over with me.” I replied, “There is no truth in any part of your story. You are making up the whole thing.” They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. Nehemiah 6:1-9 NIV

POLITICS ALERT!

While reading this I realized that though there are few things that change over the course of history, not many things change. Way back then, we see the "politics" of people who don't know God and how they attempt to deceive those who do.

What's the best way to ignite emotions in people? Starting rumors to make them fearful. And in this election cycle, we see how rumors can and have ignited emotions in people like never before. We see one candidate being castigated for lying about one thing or another over what previous positions entailed and yet the other candidate lies every time they open their mouth on a daily basis and the words they use at rallies do nothing other than increase racial tensions and bigotry.

What is more amazing to me is that those listening to the republican nominee actually believe everything he says without having factual evidence of his telling the truth, but they are quick to spread the rumors in an effort to denigrate the other candidate.

How do I know? A number of supporters apparently repeat what they consider part of the script from the playbook of destruction--their philosophy--if you repeat enough, it becomes true. In reading articles about the election and the comments made, many copy and paste the same lies in every post. And for evidence the point to biased news media articles and the Internet. I guess they believed the lie, "if it's on the Internet, it has to be true. But then they also believe whatever is on YouTube because they're not aware of the fact that videos can be manipulated by those with agendas to destroy.
For the record--let me say this: the experts who have investigated Hillary Clinton have debunked every allegation that exists.  Therefore, there is no need for anyone to repeat those allegations about her being corrupt, a murderer (delusional thinking), and a liar (except for the fact that all politicians lie about their promises). Benghazi--investigated and resolved (understanding of military protocols help to understand this). The emails--investigated and resolved. The Clinton Foundation--investigated and there is NOTHING CORRUPT about it. There is no pay-to play aspect of what they do--they accept donations to help others. This is just rumors to undermine the candidate, while ignoring the blatant remarks of Trump.

Twice--with his own words--Trump has suggested that someone should take Hillary out (kill her)--without no justification or excuse for what he said. Plotting to kill someone is a crime. "Maybe the second-amendment people will do something about her" (after the election). "Her security team should disarm and see what happens to her."

He has woefully misrepresented the Black Community by saying things like--"they're in the worst shape, ever, ever, ever." He obviously missed his history classes and forgot about slavery and the Jim Crow Laws and the fight for Civil Rights (we still don't have). His influence at his rallies even have some believing that President Obama is the cause of racism. A lady was interviewed in Ohio recently and said that, "while I was growing up in the 60s, racism didn't exist." My response to that was, she had to be living in a cave or a tunnel with no connection to the outside world to believe that. Racism in this country has always existed and until people see "all people" as human beings rather than judging them by their skin tones, it will continue to exist.

I've gotten fired up just thinking about how rumors destroy--but then, isn't that the enemy's job--to destroy? It has been how he (Satan) operates from the beginning and will be until the end of mankind. We simply have to be smart enough to recognize his handiwork--designed to destroy and work to provide truth to all willing to hear it.

WE NEED TO DO SOME RESEARCH FOR OURSELVES--FROM CREDIBLE SOURCES AND SEEK GOD'S WISDOM IN ALL THINGS. If we just listen to the candidates--without a biased ear--we'll know who should be president of this already great America. Don't let the rumors discourage continued work to make it even better.

Live Godly Lives!

"Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." (1 Peter 2:11-12 NIV).

Though there are many unbelievers and naysayers about the foundational beliefs of this country, those of us who know God's Word, know the Constitution of the United States paraphrases the very Word of God with the intent to provide order and justice so all can live in peace and harmony.

And though founding fathers supported the practice of slavery [as used by the sinners to influence how Black Americans think], they did so out of ignorance of the inhumanities that would be employed by other human beings and to support an economy of free labor. I do not support the practice of slavery of any kind, but I do understand that people are enslaved--and not just by other people--but carnal desires--sex, drugs, and greed.

Although America is supposedly the "land of the free" where liberty and justice can be found for all, that does not appear to be the case for Believers--who understand our foundational beginnings and uphold the Word of God as a blueprint for living--establishing order and peace for all. Believers everywhere are now--the "foreigners" in the land even though it was because of a desire to worship God--separate from government control--that led to the establishment of this country.

But we should not think our beliefs are as foreign as those who were responsible for "taking over" the land from the Native (those born here originally) Americans. We changed their names and stripped them of their dignity, forcing them to comply with our traditions because we were afraid of theirs--and restricted where they could live--all so we could make ourselves look better than them.
That same spirit--that "take over mentality" now exists in the mindsets of gay-advocate groups all over the land. They are determined to take-over and vilify every Believer who dares to speak out against sin. It is a plot of the enemy to destroy mankind and they who have been influenced, don't even see it.

So, in the sense that Believers "appear" to be losing ground in the face of enemy's agenda, we are admonished in the Word, to live Godly lives in the presence of the unbelieving, so that our good deeds are seen. In other words, we are to live as God wants us to live--in spite of the turmoil and chaos that has infected the land--from those who have been bitten with the venom of sin to those in the Supreme Court who have allowed the poison to infect their judgment--creating confusion in the masses and we know--God is not the author of confusion so that leaves only one spiritual force who is--Satan.

We know that the chaos, confusion, and turmoil in the earth is caused by Satan because those who are influenced by him, deny the existence of any spiritual forces. If people deny Satan's existence, they can easily convince themselves that God--who is Spirit and must be worshipped in spirit and in truth--doesn't exist either.

But we who know--that spiritual forces do exist in the atmosphere, should be mindful that we are submitted to Holy Spirit and will give the demonic spirits no place in our lives. As ambassadors for Jesus Christ, we must say what He says and represent all that He is in our own conduct. We do not have to resort to name-calling, using profanity, or any other method of ridicule as those who follow Satan do, to live the life that God wants us to live.

Indeed, our response to the negativity shown towards us should simply be to promote the Gospel, share God's love and keep it moving. And while we are promoting the Gospel for the sake of those who have not acknowledged Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, we should also support those who are willing to stand firm in their beliefs and faith in God. There are many more Kim Davises in the world--and they should all have our prayers and support in their endeavor to live Godly lives, no matter how many fiery darts the enemy launches against them. Live to please God and not man and receive God's reward of eternal life with Him.

Right in God's Sight!

"A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice." Proverbs 21: 2,3 NIV

In this world--societies of men determine what is right and what is wrong--sometimes these determinations are made with the guidance of God's Word and sometimes, men fall prey to the dictates of other men and decide that was wrong is now right and what was right is now wrong.
The real challenge is knowing--whose "right" is right! Can what man says ever be right over what God says? Not for those who believe God's Word. For us, His Word settles all questions that may arise about right and wrong, good and evil, and judgment for saints and sinners alike.

Looking back in history, we know that man has constantly abused other people by putting them into bondage and making them build civilizations with blood and sweat and sometimes their lives. Though some think that slavery began with people being exported from Africa to other nations, slavery began in the history of man, when one group discovered they could manipulate others.
Though usually as a matter of who won a battle in war, some people were enslaved out of manipulation and deceit (African transports). What has always been amazing to me is the fact that a minority group of people can terrorize the majority into doing their bidding. We see this dilemma played out again and again in history and what happens eventually is rebellion of the masses, leading to bloodshed and more change.

This appears to be the cycle of mankind whenever we attempt to change or deviate from God's Word. Deliberate misinterpretation of God's Word leads people to believe they are the superior race over others and they have a right to mistreat others. Foolishly have some believed that the Ham's curse was that his descendants were black people. A closer study of man's beginnings would bring understanding of the fact that the first man--Adam--was a person of color since all life began on the continent of Africa. Migration--moving away from hot climates into colder ones, led to the change in skin color--not superiority of one race over another. Who decided man's skin color from the beginning? God--when He created man from the dust of the earth. Who decided the nature of man from the beginning? God--when He created them male and female.

What changed things? Superiority and avarice changed things for mankind from one continent to another and has not changed since the beginning with the first act of disobedience. When man thought he knew better than God, change in the atmosphere led to manipulation and deceit which is why we are where we are today. Manipulation of a minority of people who have changed the atmosphere of doing right in God's sight into doing whatever they want to do--has led to controversy, hatred and turmoil. Persecution of Christians is on the rise because a minority feel their rights override the rights of Christians. Believers are being sued because they stand on their faith in God. Hatred is running rampant and the minority is leading the pack--claiming their "right" supersedes God's right. 

In the final analysis--all who have eyes and ears will see and hear that God's right is always right and His wrong is always wrong. But since Satan has blinded those who believe they can call God's wrong, right, they will reap the benefit of not heeding God's Word and be cut off and remembered no more; their deliverance from their enslavement--created by the minority--will end with the deaths of the minority since their seed ends with them.

We must--in order to sustain our civilization of mankind--understand that only God is right and what we do in His sight, will ever be accounted right.

We Cannot Take Credit!

"God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God." (Ephesians 2:8 NLT)

How many times must we be told that it is not because we are so good that we are saved, but because He is so good?

Our works--do not get His attention in order to save us--we are saved, because of His unmerited, unearned favor--when we believe that He is and forever will be--the Savior of the World.
However, His grace--as Paul explains in his letter to the church in Rome--is not a pass to willfully sin.

Our works--should be a demonstration of our faith in Him--looking after those who are incapable of taking care of themselves, interceding on behalf of others, supporting the Kingdom work at all times, encouraging others to receive the good news of Gospel of Jesus Christ, and repenting from sin.This is the work that demonstrates our faith. We are not saved by our works, but by the grace given to us by Him who sends out to carry the message of the Good News.

God's grace--His unmerited favor which we cannot earn--is sufficient to keep us from harm and keep us on the right path, doing all things to His glory. Without His grace, the world would be lost because we would only receive that which we deserve, but because He loves us--we are given chance after chance to get it right.

Even though our God is so forgiving and merciful, at some point in time, He will take His hands off our lives when we choose to ignore Him.

Whew! He allowed those who refused to obey Him to be held captive by their enemies in times past and we are seeing a repeat performance of history right now. When we allow the enemy of God--Satan--to influence what we do--we are being held captive by him. Captivity--is not always a physical bondage or inability to move at-will; the enemy captures our minds and keeps our focus off of Him who gives life and plans for us to live in abundance. When our minds are held captive to the negative forces in life and in opposition to what God has said, we become slaves to our flesh--captivated by what we think we know when we think we know more than God.

Our lives and how we live it and what we receive from it are a choice--we choose to accept His grace or we choose not to accept His grace. Whatever our decision is--we cannot take credit for the things His grace accomplishes in our lives.

Fear Leads to Hate!

There's a reason why God didn't give us a spirit of fear--He know that when we become fearful--we develop hate for that which we hate and that includes--people--for any reason.

I just listened to a very interesting message from Jesse Duplantis on the background of black folks and the song, "Amazing Grace" in which some--had very negative comments to make. Jesse was commending the ability of black people to sing in the midst of all the horrible things that were done to them and the tragedy that befalls many black people today because of "hatred within the race" and violence perpetuated against them.

This is my response to those who think that "the white man" is the problem black people have to overcome. We must overcome our tendency to fear and hate people for no reason other than--they are different.

The "white man" is not the only race or group of people who have been influenced by Satan and his attempt to rid the earth of all mankind.

Some black folks think that it was the "white man's" greed that started slavery. That's because they either do not read or cannot read. Slavery was a way of life in Africa, but the slaves were treated more like family than like animals. Their worth was appreciated by those who kept them--fed, and from harm. But the reality is--it was the Africans who sold out those who captured and into a different kind of slavery and then the same ones who thought they were profiting from the sale, also found themselves in captivity.

Some black folks think that the black race is the only race that was ever mistreated--in this country. Historically, we know that the human race began on the continent of Africa and no matter what the actual skin color was--people were not "white" as we know white and could not have been because of the climate of that region. So whether they were "black" or brown or red or yellow--makes no difference--people who were different and are different--from those in positions of power have always been treated badly.

Every tribe of mankind has contributed to mistreatment of others in one way or another. Beheading people is not new--it is ancient form for execution. Raping innocent women and children--nothing new. Lynching people and burning them, tarring and feathering, drowning, crucifying them--nothing new. It has all been done before--to the Jews, the Gentiles, Africans, Native Americans, Black Folks and White Folks, women, children, men, and boys, of every ethnic group--and since we seldom learn from History, we are going to repeat the atrocities committed against those who had no real standing in society, but they were feared because they were different. Fear of them,led people to hate them and for those who were already in positions of power--their fear was not only unfounded, but ludicrous.

Why should anyone fear others when the "others" have no real power?  Satan speaks a word of encouragement to fear--to the hearts of those who are fence-straddlers and easy to influence and then it is game on--he who fears the most, commits the most heinous crimes against those he fears.
We know that fear is a tool of the enemy because God is love and love casts out fear. Remember that one?

If you're reading this and you're black, you may resent the implication--the use of the bible that some now say is the "white man's bible" and black people were told a lie about God all along--especially Jesus. This is why we had a radical movement that promoted a "black Jesus" over a white one. How did that happen? A few radicals went to college and got a little bit of education and decided that everything they had been taught by God was a lie. They ridiculed their mothers and grandmothers, and fathers, and grandfathers for believing a lie and after all--they had to know more than those who were not allowed to read or learn in higher education--they had been to college.

Well, to those who think they know it all, let me give you a clue. You could read every book ever written in every language ever known and still not know it all. The source of all knowledge has escaped you because you're relying upon your own ability to comprehend what you read, but really do not understand. True wisdom comes from God and understanding His Wisdom only comes with relationship with Him--not books or hatred or fear.

I was not alive when Jesus walked the earth and it really doesn't matter because no one reading this was either. I'm not going to get into any foolish debate about His race, skin color or anything else because it matters not. What matters is that when He hung on that cross, His blood was shed for me and that settles the matter--for me.

We should all be more concerned with saving the human race than in promoting hatred and fear because in my limited tenure here on earth I've discovered a few things: We all bleed when we're cut open, we all hurt when we lose a loved one, and one day--we will die. While we're living--we all--every race, ethnicity, nationality--whatever--have stupid, ignorant, vile, hateful people living among us and that is their choice. We do not have to cave to their stupidity and in fact, we should be empowered by their stupidity to really show them the love of Jesus that resides within those of us who know Him.

I know it's been said before, by many and I will say it again and I know, someone else will say it as well--LET'S GET OVER OURSELVES AND STOP HATING ONE ANOTHER, LYING UPON ONE ANOTHER, AND LIVING IN FEAR OF ONE ANOTHER! We all belong to "one race" no matter what our skin color is and that is--the greatest creation God ever created--His Pride and Joy--the Human Race.

Now, can we stop making Him regret He ever decided to create us and all of our monstrous behaviors towards one another? God is love and He can do nothing but love us--and shake His head in sorrow while He watches us--destroy ourselves out of fear and hate!