I promise to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth!
As I write this painful memories from my son's birth all the way through his year and a half of being on this Earth come to mind. I missed his umbilical cord being cut, his first cry, his birth certificate being signed, his first doctor's appointment, and even his first birthday party! As a matter-of-fact I did not know he even existed, but that all changed the day I met him.
The first time I held him he just grabbed my finger and cried; he would not even look at me. I was heartbroken and blamed myself because he did not even recognize the young man that was holding him. All that changed when he looked deep into my eyes. He just stared at me and smiled. I knew from that day that I was going to change our circumstances and I immediately began proving myself to his family.
I remember vividly the first time I stood at a toy store trying to figure out what to buy a baby I barely even knew. I solicited help from the assistants and I even kept my receipt just in case I completely failed, but lo and behold I still have little toys I bought him almost two years ago that barely cost me anything. I have learned that, it's not the extravagance of the gift, but the spirit in which it was given.
This little guy has completely changed my life. When I preach, he is right there. When I sing he is right there. When I run on the treadmill at the gym, he is right there watching cartoons complaining about how bored he is. I could not have imagined that a selfish, lost, playboy like myself would have ever put anything before myself, let alone a child, but I did and I have no regrets from it.
I am not perfect, I am still paying back child support, and I do submit this poor child to the intricacies of my ministry but I have learned that I am not a burden on him. He is greatly a part of everything I do. Before I make a decision, I think about his well-being or the impact it will have on him. I have been offered the chance to go places, make lots of money, and be free as a bird to take over the world but I will go nowhere unless this little booger is coming right along with me.
I say all this to let men all over the world know that YOUR PRESENCE is indeed A PRESENT to your children. No matter how broke, how inexperienced or how messed up you are as a man, imagine those same effects on a child who does not even know you exist. Get yourself involved in their lives. If you begin to prove yourself to the families involved and they decide to not let you come into their lives, that is what the court system is for. Use it to your advantage. Do not let the excuse that you're a black man facing paternity or custody issues hamper your efforts in being a part of your child's life.
I am a witness that if you walk into a court respectively and let your character speak for you, no judge in this world will deny you the chance to step up and prevent your child from being a statistic. Because face it, not only will your child become a statistic, you will become one too, so make sure the statistic is a positive one that will forever reflect on the dynamics and generational lay-out of your future blood line.
You can run all you want to, but you will never be able to hide the fact that your blood is still inside a child's veins and what you do now WILL affect them later. No matter what happens to my son, he will never be able to say daddy was not there. No matter what crazy decisions he make, he will not be able to say I am at fault for them. No matter how my son raises his future family, he will not be able to forget or deny the blueprint I am laying out for him.
I say all of this to simply state: Your seeds you lay will indeed sprout up producing either good fruit or bad fruit but you will never even witness or toll the watering and harvesting of the fruit if you are not there. The bible says it best, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." Ephesians 6:4
Father where art thou?
Um Excuse Me? After All I Am the President!
The reason I have decided to undertake the writing of this particular blog is because I am embarrassed and bewildered beyond measure by the treatment and response to our President, Mr. Barack Hussein Obama’s recent State of the Union address conducted on last night. This address, once again provides another excellent example of why he is such a superb President. His work ethic, genuine concern, and leadership towards all citizens will forever set him a part from many of our previous Head of States.
A quick run-down of this message saw the POTUS focusing on Income Equality. He passionately reiterates his stance against the rich doing really well, while everyone else is not even given a fair shot at doing the same. After his stance against the Buffett Rule, where wealthy Americans can enjoy a lower effective tax rate than those in the middle or lower class is taken, President Obama proposes that anyone making over 1 million dollars will be required to pay a tax of at least 30%. At the same time, deductions would be eliminated on Americans earning more than one million. This would make a major tax hike for the wealthiest citizens, which by the way, only boils down to common sense fairness.
THIS HOWEVER IS NOT THE FOCUS OF THIS BLOG. The focus is being placed on how individuals in visual or vocal positions, approach the President and how they speak of him. This blogs focuses on college educated media representatives who lack tact. This blog focuses on the Bad, and The Ugliest of Politicking.
First, House Speaker John Boehner said he was expecting a speech that would propose “more spending, higher taxes, more regulations,” something he called “pathetic”. CNN writer, Charles Riley, from whom the majority of the facts in this blog is attributed to, even notes that these comments were “unusually strong for a member of the Congressional leadership”, and goes on even further to state what has all but become obvious, that the White House will face all out difficulty and little cooperation in passing any legislation.
So wait, the President is being hindered from doing his job because of jealousy, insecurities, and lack of common sense from the GOP as well as the Democratic Party? Mitch Daniels' Republican response to Mr. Obama’s first four years in office is that, “He has shown himself to be a divisive failure that has chosen class warfare and stifling big government.” So caring for the overall benefit of the people takes precedence over the government. Duh!
This all translates to pure, blatant disrespect and unprofessionalism. To hear America’s leaders, politicians, elite newscasts/media, and distinguished publications refer to Mr. President as “Barack” or “Obama” as if he was a musical artist, entertainer, or Pop-culture icon instead of the acclimated leader he is, is embarrassing and as Boehner aforementioned, “pathetic”.
Obama is not God, and he is not above any one man, boy, or girl, but he IS the Occidental College, Columbia University, and Harvard- educated leader of these United States of America, whose countless hours, sleepless nights, unprecedented work ethic, and dedication to the lowest of the lows, as well-as-the highest of the high American citizens merits respect on these credentials alone.
My status as an imperfect human with a very once in awhile tendency to have emotions, would even go as far as to say that his credentials should DEMAND the respect he is not given, but that is what makes Mr. Obama so unique. He maintains his integrity and coolness under pressure and he never changes his morals and bearings to reflect the lack of those around him.
Now the reasons for this disrespectful lack of morals and jealousies will be saved for another blog and another day but just know that John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness hasn't overcome it.” Obama is indeed this light that will always overcome the ever-present darkness of this world of politics and government.
So I Thank You
It is 6am and my heart is racing and I am wide awake so you know what that means? Blog time! On this particular morning I arose with a potent song on my mind and in my heart. I have no idea why this song is so heavy on me, so after sifting through the lyrics, I've been inspired to construct this blog titled, "So I Thank You".
Singer Estelle might have hit the jackpot with her recent hit single, "Thank You". It is a powerful, emotionally-driven song dedicated to a past ex or exes, who thought they had her destroyed or broken; but instead of complaining about it, instead of taking to Twitter and Facebook like thousands upon thousands do, instead of slashing his tires, she simply.......THANKED HIM. Wait, wait, whoa! What do you mean? What can she possibly thank him for, seeing as he allegedly ruined his chance with her, and almost ruined her heart in the process? And that's just it, she is thanking him for messing up and hurting her because had he not, she would not be the strengthened, better woman she is today. So the song got me to thinking, how can I twist this song and throw some church on it?
When was the last time you thanked your enemy? When was the last time you thanked an ex-mate, friend, co-worker, or even family member, who thought they had you defeated? Most importantly, when was the last time you thanked God for that pain you experienced. Had you not been broken, how else would God have been able to pick you up in your pieces, put you back together, and allowed you to be stronger than ever?
Look at your life as a process similar to a worthy invention, or a new and improved creation, daily. Whenever engineers, or makers deem their latest project complete, they must first test it, and 9 times out 10, they usually find something that can be bettered, so it is back to the drawing board they go until they KNOW their work is ready.
Isn't that how God is? We know that we were fearfully and wonderfully made in His image (Ps. 139:14). We know He is God and He does not make mistakes, but has it ever occurred to you that maybe God is just continually taking you back to the drawing board to improve you and ensure that you're ready? Paul reminds us that His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinth. 12:9), and when we find ourselves weakened by life's many, many, did I mention, many trials, or malfunctioning due to sin, that is just an even more perfect opportunity for God to strengthen us and remind us that without his grace, we'd be in big trouble!
The line that sticks out to me the most in the song reads, " These tears I cry, sure won't be the last, They will not be the last .. no. Because this pain inside, never seems to pass, It never seems to pass me by. So I thank you, said I thank you, yes I thank you, for making me a woman (or man)", and that is just it! God, I may cry at night but I thank you. This pain may be hard to bear, but in you I have a refuge I can hide, so I thank you. I continually stumble, and mess up, but yet You still love me in my mess, so I thank you. People hurt me and betray me daily, but You promised You'd stick closer to me than any brother, so God I thank you for making me the vessel I am today. Have you thanked Him lately?
Folks love God, love people, and then repeat!
Get Up Off of That Thang! Part One
This is Part One in a series I am developing. I am writing this in a time of confusion. A time of intricate thinking, and a time of uproar after a major criticism of our President, Mr. Barack Obama. Apparently, it seems he is not doing enough to create jobs in this economy.
Mr. Terence P. Jeffrey writes. "Pointing to double-digit unemployment rates among African Americans and Hispanics, Rep. Michele Bachmann (R.-Minn.) said on Friday that President Barack Obama “has failed” both these communities."
According to Rep. Michele Bachmann herself, “This president has failed the Hispanic community. He has failed the African-American community,” said Bachmann. “He has failed us all when it comes to jobs.”
Now wait one moment! Hold up, time out! Flag on the play! Since when did Obama become the CEO and spokesperson for Jobs For Everyone and Their Momma Inc.? Yes he is the national leader, yes he did say he will create jobs but where does the part we play come in? Last I checked we all had to fill out applications, dress for interviews, and jump into the job pool time and time again.
Now we all know times are hard and life is not fair. Plants have closed, corporations are laying off seemingly at a high rate, and companies are seemingly not hiring, but this has happened countless times before and will continue to happen. Nothing is promised to anyone but what is promised is that the Lord is still our shepard and we will never need to want nor lack anything. (Psalm 23 and James 1:4)
James 1:4 reads, "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." When times get rough keep moving, when you get laid off keep going, when you've been looking for your dream job for months or even years, keep striving because your perseverance will not be in vain in the end but never expect the President or anyone just to hand you a job. You can't blame anyone for your frustration. We all get fed up but the race is not given to swift nor the strong but those who endure to the end so get up off that thang and keep moving until things get better!
Praise Him for Your Pain!
James 1:2 reads, ..count it all joy when you fall into various trials. In this life things will happen, it's inevitable and there is NO way of getting around it. All of the great men and women of the Bible faced trials, I mean even The Great I Am himself faced an ultimate unjust trial when he done nothing wrong, so the trials will come.
Now I'm not knocking anyone's theology or beliefs, but I hear song after song, quote after quote, where people say that it's only test that you're going through and that's true because these trials are tests of your strength, faith, and character but people hinge on the belief that these tests come exclusively from God! My question is that since God knows you and created you why would he feel the need to test you? What does God need us to prove by testing us. God knows that we will fail, he knows we will continually sin and that is why He is our God. That is why he sent His Son to pay the ultimate sacrifice for us because he knew that we would continually fall short of His glory.
Instead of feeling like God is playing with you, learn to count it all joy. When David was going through, he encouraged himself, when Job lost everything but his right mind he desired a response from God, but he still kept his faith, repented and found his joy. Hannah was barren and ridiculed in the temple, at church! But she still counted it all joy. This goes on and on.
So you see where I'm going here? You have to learn to praise him through the pain. Learn to rejoice through the questions, doubts, and fears that will flood your mind. If anybody is testing you it's really that rascal devil because he wants you to blame God and switch sides! The mothers of the church sings, "Nobody told me the road would be easy, but I don't believe He's brought me this far to leave me.." And that's just it, why would he create you just to leave you? If anything when you're enduring life's suprises, trials, and tribulations find joy in it and keep going because guess what?! Weeping may endure for a night but joy WILL come in the morning! -Psalm 30:5. It may not be the next morning, or the next but joy will come!
So when life takes that turns for the worse or the unexpected, I dare you to go to your secret closet and tell God, " I'm enduring a setback, but I believe in you to continue to propel me forward. I know I'm in pain now but you'll convert that to just another testimony. You're not a man that you should lie so I'm depending on you to allow me to count all my trials joy."
If you learn to count the things that you think will break you as joy, imagine how you're going to praise him when he blesses you with the breakthroughs and earthly successes. Remember our ultimate goal is heaven and "in my Father's house are many mansions, if not I wouldn't have told you so"-John 14:2 so all the things you're enduring here on Earth is just setting you up for your Mansion, so praise him for your keys!
The Real Fake Housewives of America
So finally I am writing my first blog and my first thought is, "Where do I start?!" So many things are going on in this crazy world we live in, what can I possibly say to avoid "beating the dead horse" that bloggers, journalists, and all other writers of today continually do day in and day out? Well, it finally hit me! As long as there's news, the dead horse will continually be beat because hey, we all have opinions and there's self-gratification somewhere in expressing one's thoughts, or views so hey I might as well enlighten you all with mine!
Now I'm sure unless you haven't had access to basic cable, or just live under a rock, that you have caught a glimpse of the new phenomenon of "The Real Housewives of....(insert city here)" where you get to witness the lives of dozens of women which somehow gets summed up in all of 8 hours, or 15-20 if you buy the season DVDs with behind-the-scenes footage. In these shows the families showcase their strengths (which are very minimal), their weaknesses (which are very apparent), and all that's in between. I am going to focus on the Real Housewives of Atlanta.
Now the city where the show is cast, itself should come as a shocker. With a show set in Atlanta, Georgia you can only expect to be introduced to some characters and plenty of train wrecks. From the drivers to the random people wandering down the street, every person highlighted in this show seems to be extravagant and over-the-top which adds up to one heck of a show. I'm pretty sure that when they were casting their work was cut out because in Atlanta, you never know what to expect or what you'll see! Now I'm not bashing Atlanta because I love Atlanta but nothing suprises me in that city anymore.
First off, the show is obviously scripted. In order to keep viewers the producers have no choice but to go to the ends of the world to find the most jacked up, desperate D, E, and F-list celebrities and turn them into actors. Every now and then decent, upstanding individuals will make it through i.e. Eric Snow's ex-wife Deshawn and Lisa Wu-Hartwell, but as you can see they are no longer a part of the show and they are probably better off enjoying having actual credibility. I mean why would a TV show want to show successful, nice women who are actually wives, yes actually wives.
Minus Cynthia Bailey who just got married, and Phaedra Parks, no one is actually married anymore. How can you name the show The Real Housewives but the majority of the cast isn't even married or can't keep a husband or has someone else's. This is the picture they want to paint of marriage. The sanctity of marriage has been compromised and sold-out and millions and millions of viewers are being disullusioned by these extravangant characters.
The basis of the whole show is to show irate women fighting, lying, and clawing their way just to forgive and make-up later on which in reality is the Christian thing to do because hey tension overtakes all of us at one point or another but to base a whole show on just the theme of drama shows the level of lowness that American mass media has taken to attract attention, but here's the kicker; people actually glorify the foolishness of the women instead of the message that is really being portrayed.
My Twitter feed runs rampant with people updating Twitterland on the happenings of the show but not one positive aspect is pointed out from the show, just the negativity. So my question is where are the people who see right through this show, If 15 million people watch this show a week just for the drama and foolishness where are the viewers who actually are concerned about the well-being and actions of these women that our young ladies are looking up to. Yes this show may be for adults only, but I'm going to bet that the majority of women watching this show are watching it right next to their daughters.
