SPIRITUAL EROSION

Many marry but are they good marriages?  I’ve seen a lot of marriages end up shredded upon the rocks of a turbulent relationship, but in the same breath, I have also seen some marriages stand the test of time.  Marriage can be so HARD but it can be so good too!  Walking with Christ can be so HARD but it can be so good too! 

When you are in a good marriage, there is nothing that you would trade it for; not even when bad times do occur.  When you are walking with Christ, there is nothing that you would it for; not even when bad times do occur.

The same can be said of those who follow after Christ.  I have seen some people live in Christ and they have been blessed beyond that which is measurable to the natural eye, but spiritually I can see that they had some rough tides to enter into their relationship, but they were blessed during those times to come out with a faith that had been strengthened in the fight.

Only those who choose to enter into the relationship can understand what marriage and walking in and with Christ is like.  It’s both good and bad – BUT ALL GOOD.  Our walk with Christ is not perfect but it is perfect all at the same time.  Even when it’s not good, things are working out for OUR good, and in OUR favor and to the Glory of God.  The only ones, who can relate, are the ones who are committed.

I want my relationship with my husband even when he doesn’t do things my way and when our situation and circumstance doesn’t seem to be in the direction that I would like for it to go. 

If you are having trouble in your marriage; likewise if you are having trouble in your daily walk with Christ – “Remember why you first fell in love”.  “Remember why you chose this particular person to share the rest of your life with”.  What made you say, “Til death do us part – to your spouse and to Christ”?  Death is final and you wanted your final moments to be with your significant other.  When we accepted Christ, we affirmed that we wanted to walk with him in this life and be resurrected with him after death”. 

Time erodes everything – eventually. 

Erosion affects all that we do and everything that we are associated with: our bodies, minds, relationships and surroundings.  Only God can replenish what has been lost and restore what has been eroded away from wear, tear and usage.  

BLACK GOLD BULLION and THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A PEOPLE... An Ode to the Professional Black Athlete

BLACK GOLD BULLION and THE RECONSTRUCTION OF A PEOPLE…

An Ode to the Professional Black Athlete

What is it about gold that is so ubiquitously captivating to people?  People just like to possess it!  Is it the warm glow of its golden amber color? Is it in its qualities of being a precious metal? Is it the smoothness of its texture or is it really not admiration at all, but only its raw value?

Everybody raped her, whether it was intentionally or indirectly; sorrowful before or after the act, nevertheless – the raped still occurred.  Everyone involved in the rape is culpable and implicitly guilty of orchestrating her shame.  Her beauty is what drew them all to her.  Beauty can oftentimes be both a gift and a curse.  Sometimes you can be too beautiful for your own good.  Sort of like in today’s time – a Stripper.  Most wouldn't flock to a strip club if the women weren't desirable. 

Africa was her name and people came from near and far to bask in her beauty.  People had been telling her all of her life how beautiful she was.  She was a catch because she was not only beautiful, but wealthy!

Her rape wasn't private, and to add to her shame, everyone knew about it.  They knew about the “train” that got ran on her.  They left her depleted; and for dead.  She began prostituting only as a means of survival and then it became her only tool for survival.  She had every attribute: beauty, culture, well-traveled and buxom in all things affluent.  The rape was systematic and a long drawn out process.  Rape affects the victim over and again both mentally and physically. 

No one came to her aid, the ones who had committed the rape knew what condition they had left her in and some even felt remorsefully sorry regarding her state, but how do you apologize and give recompense after such violent exchange?  Because rape is violent!  They thought that time would heal her old wounds, not knowing that the original wound had fissured over the years and now grown into canyons of grand proportion.  Some wounds are left to fester and never heal because they were left untreated for such an extended period of time.  Her original intent was to be a self-made Madame and work for herself.   She soon found herself outwitted because she was dealing with an institution that was one of the oldest professions in existence in the world and found herself in over her head. She was losing more than she was gaining.  Soon after she was bankrupt and left in ruins and shame.

Africa decided that she had no choice than to get herself hooked-up with a pimp.  His name was America.  He was the most dominate pimp around and he said that he would “take care of her”.  He told her at first that he loved her and that he just needed her to sleep with a few people he knew and they would have a Bonnie and Clyde – Ride or die - relationship.  She fell for the line because she wanted to be loved, and to be a part of the country she had relocated to.

America put her to work over in his neck of the woods, where the pickin’ was good, down South and because she was still so beautiful, and fertile.  She was fruitful even in times of lack and war.  Regardless of all that she had been through, her beauty still showed through.  It was her spirit is what drew them, is what they never seemed to figure out.  Her spirit showed tenacity, fortitude, strength and perseverance. 

America was jealous of her, because he could never break her spirit and he could not for the life of him understand why!  He didn't understand why Africa wouldn't give up, why she would sometimes run away or why she would continually fight for her freedom, even if she sometimes was faced with death or brutal punishment.

One day Africa was out working the streets and America came looking for her.  He asked her straightforward, “What is it about you that people want and desire to be around?”  She replied, “I know my worth.  I might have endured a violent past and despicable things may have befallen me but upon this earth, I am Black Gold Bullion.  I am the most influential and valuable commodity upon the face of this Earth.  I survive, reinvent, replenish, subdue and take dominion because it is the full embodiment of who I am.”

“Our bodies and minds, physical prowess and determination become fruitful, even in dry and barren places. I will always be impactful to any society that I become associated with and grafted to; economically, socially and politically.”  

We are the people who bring dread and fear because we can’t be conquered. 

(Professional Athletes) are the modern day slave but they shouldn't take that comment negatively.  We survive as a people because each generation has casualties and this time around, it’s Professional Sports turn to bear the cross, and the brunt of the load – to tell Pharaoh to “Let My People Go!”  It’s a privilege to be chosen to participate in your own emancipation.  The feeling of exhilaration must be overwhelming and empowering to know that you, not anyone else, negotiated your own freedom from oppression and an impoverished cycle of life, not just a lifestyle; because poverty is running generationally rampant.  Reconstruction after the Civil War took time and so will our transformation.  

Sit Down

I've been working since I was 14 years old (by choice).  And in that time I have had several job changes throughout my years (by choice).  Every time I got “itchy” I thought that a job change would be the scratch needed to settle me down.  However, many who read my post know, and for those who are learning of me for the first time, allow me to enlighten you - it’s what I despise THE most – it’s the thought of 30 years of incarceration on ONE JOB – RETIREMENT!  The word in and of itself sickens me; it’s like waiting 30 years on death row, only to die.  If you going to kill me – get it over already! Don’t drag it out.

Soon after each manufactured shift, the newness of the job would wear off and the reoccurring feeling of hopelessness would reappear like a bad rash left untreated. 

The job I currently hold isn't so bad and had it been any other job, I would have probably shifted already and moved on, but this time, ”I” decided to stay and sit a spell.  Have I wanted to walk out the door and remain gone? Yes, of course, to be honest – since the first day that I walked in it.  It’s a trap, like a zoo.  The surroundings are meant to make you believe that you are somewhere else, your natural habitat, but it’s all manufactured.

It finally dawned on me that God has been trying to rid me of my flightiness and being quick to move on from one thing, person or place - to another.  It’s about learning to stick tough times out that aren't pleasing to me at the time.  Everything that God allows me to go through won’t always feel pleasurable but I can’t run away from ALL challenges.

As usual, God sprouts many branches from one Vine.  Learning to sit still on a job, has afforded me the stability to stay faithful in my marriage and to other commitments I have committed to in life, both relational and professional.

Being flighty doesn't mean that you are actually making progress, in fact, it’s on expending the mental and spiritual energy needed to really bring the promises of God to fruition.

God is saying, “Sit Down!” 

Sitting still and waiting on God, and being lethargic in your faith are two different scenarios.  If you trust in God, your sitting isn't in vain.  When it’s time to move, God will spur you on to your next destination; he won’t allow you to miss your exit into the Land of Promise.

Be Honest

I might not be worthy; matter-of-fact, I know I am not worthy to ask for anything more than I have already received, but I won’t allow that knowledge to keep me from the wisdom of asking God for what I both “want” and “need”.  Why? Because it’s the “asking” that keeps us HONEST! 

As the saying goes… “Honesty is the best policy”

Jesus said, “We have not because we ask not”.  When we ask, we are saying to God, “I want to believe, but help my unbelief”, and by continually asking, we are continuously being confronted with the truth.  And that truth is that every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord, and we leave it up to him how he dispenses it, and rest in knowing that it will bless us when it is all said and done.

It keeps us honest by reminding us each and every time that we ask that it is in God in whom we live, move and have our being.  It keeps us honest by reassuring what we believe – that God does answer prayers and gives us the dreams of our hearts, and brings our minds back to reverence that who he is as the Creator. 

Asking is an act of “faith” that God will be God!   And faith is what moves the heart of God on our behalf… So, whatever you do – don’t stop asking the Lord for _______.  Only you can fill in that blank.  Never leave the space blank for very long.  If you keep on asking, you will keep on believing and if you keep on believing, you will undoubltly keep on receiving.  Just being honest!

Hall of Fame

To be inducted into the Hall of Fame is more than just being a Perennial Pro-Bowl attendee or All-Pro player.  It indicates that you were more than just a role player and you are being recognized for your commitment and achievements to the game itself. 

Role players far exceed those going into the Hall of Fame, but the Hall of Fame outlasts the players and the days on a team.

Our time spent in and with God will far exceed and outlast our days here on this Earth; however, I don’t just want to be a Christian Role-Player.  I want to be inducted into the Hall of Fame of believers like those in Hebrews 11.

Being a Christian isn’t a game, but it is to be SERIOUSLY!  I don’t want to leave anything on the field of play called - LIFE.  

L.E.G.A.C.Y. –  LEAVING.  EVERYTHING.  GOOD.  AND.  COGENT.  YEA!

Get Used To It!

To quote something that my husband always says regarding things we see in the media that we can’t believe is taking place; such as Trayvon Martin or Sandra Bland cases.  “Are you going to believe me or your lying eyes”? We see the injustices right there LIVE and IN HD (not just in color), so it’s clear and shut case – or so we assumed – and no charges are brought.  WE KNOW THE TRUTH, regardless of the blatant injustice.   The world says that to trust God is foolish – blatant disrespect to the word of God. 

It’s the same thing that God is asking us, “Are you going to believe me”?  We already know that the “just shall live by faith”, and that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen”.  Faith cannot be seen by natural eyes, so why then do we find it so hard to believe God and to take him at his Word?  WE KNOW THE TRUTH – GOD IS TRUTH AND EVERYTHING ELSE IS A LIE THAT COMES AGAINST HIS WORD.  He told us to trust, to believe and we would see his hand in our favor.  Therefore, “I believe”.

Why is it so easy to believe that a situation will never change for the better, than to believe that God will cause all things to work out for our good?  We want his blessings, but seemingly appear to be shocked when he does what we asked him for – INSTEAD of standing sure-footed on his word.  We’re taken aback, and instead of getting used to him being as good as we “say” he is, we find it hard to trust and believe, when it comes to standing still and seeing the salvation of the Lord.  Faith is an action word and ONLY God knows whether we are truly standing or cowardly crouching.

God is probably shaking his head in dismay toward us and saying, “Get used to it!”

One thing that he didn’t say was to take him and his blessings for granted.  There is a difference between being taken for granted and being counted on to keep your word.  Anyone in a relationship will tell you that they don’t want to be taken for granted, but that same person will tell you that they like being counted on and trusted while in that relationship.

 When it comes to being relational, God is like us, or rather – we are like him.  God wants to be appreciated, but never second-guessed about his intentions towards us.  He’s saying that we must FIND a way to keep trusting regardless of the situation – for him to be GOD.

Unshackled Freedom

I don t know… I guess I felt like doing a little thinking this morning.  And I was just pondering the idea of why Obama might have become the first black President.  Perhaps it could’ve been the fact that he never grew up with the inherited burden that most blacks have to learn to grapple with – Where do we hail from?  From the time Obama was birthed, he knew who he was and where he came from.  He was able to trace his lineage.  His dad was right off the boat, so he knew where the boat carried him from – exactly where he/his people came from.  Not the normal hang-ups that you and I have learned to digest forcibly like a child forced to eat spinach.  As like with spinach, and yeah it’s good for you.  Learning that we are descendants of slavery is as hard to swallow as spinach - but it’s good to know, although still hard to get it to go down – regardless of all the benefits. 

Obama had the normal issues of growing up as many of us do, quite possibly 99 problems, but knowing who he was wasn’t one of them.  Not the normal licking of Civil War wounds, fears, frustrations, and the collective baggage that comes with growing up Black in America.

He was free to use and open his mind to other possibilities and not have the insurmountable hurdle that many can’t get around or over – being Black!  We run up to the hurdles of being black and just don t know how to attack it.  A hurdle is what it is… something impeding your way and there is only one legal way to topple it – face it head on. 

He has never been the typical NEGRO OR NIGGER/NIGGA.   He wasn’t imbued from conception with the bad habit of “stinking thinking”.  I cannot help but to wonder if that is what helped him to get into office in the first place.  Even the run of the mill Klu Klux Klansman knew that they couldn’t hold that platitude over Obama’s head.  He could dodge that bullet every time.  How wonderful that must be to not be a Nigger and not ever have to quibble about whether you should or should not put on that title – whether it is a Nigger or Nigga – Either way – you are still associated and identify as such.  The memory of being a Nigger is a shackle that has to be broken mentally.

So, when I see Obama get his pimp walk on and don’t have a nigga care in the world, I can’t help but to attribute that confidence and fleetness of foot as he jaunts down the stairs of Air Force One; I think to myself that he is one of, if not the blackest man I know.

I pray to one day as a people that we find ourselves to know that type of FREEDOM.