REDEMPTION SONG by Bob Marley

(One of my all time favorites. Brings the big baby tears every time.)

Old pirates, yes, they rob I;
Sold I to the merchant ships,
Minutes after they took I
From the bottomless pit.
But my hand was made strong
By the 'and of the Almighty.
We forward in this generation
Triumphantly.
Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our minds.
Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them can stop the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look? Ooh!
Some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fullfil the book.

Won't you help to sing
This songs of freedom-
'Cause all I ever have:
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs;
Redemption songs.

Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery;
None but ourselves can free our mind.
Wo! Have no fear for atomic energy,
'Cause none of them-a can-a stop-a the time.
How long shall they kill our prophets,
While we stand aside and look?
Yes, some say it's just a part of it:
We've got to fulfill the book.
Won't you have to sing
These songs of freedom? -
'Cause all I ever had:
Redemption songs -
All I ever had:
Redemption songs:
These songs of freedom,
Songs of freedom.

I Am In Your Debt Lord

Thinking back on my childhood, I don’t believe I dreamed about the future very much. My imagination wandered to less important things, like cartoons and music videos; He-Man and Rap City on repeat. There was no speculation, really, because I wasn’t forced to contemplate any eventualities. Or rather, those eventualities extended to only two outcomes: not going to prison and getting into college. Maybe I thought of it in comparison to other male figures such as my uncles or even my father. Many of my uncles on my mother’s side of the family had been to prison. Some were drug abusers as well. My father’s brothers didn’t seem to be much to look up to, either. Some just ran the streets, Olympian hoodlums, with several children, all born out of wedlock.

Remarkably, as I sit here, I am convinced that each and every person in my life has helped guide my life in a direction that lead me towards Christ Jesus. Though I have been an atheist and a Muslim, I am certain that they were but stepping stones to what I am today. The cause leads to an effect, see? To see the world as my enemy was probably something engrained in my psyche, so much that I rebelled against anything that was thrown at me, causing my beliefs to evolve. I grew up as a Baptist, in a Pentecostal Church, my grandmother singing in the choir and my great granny smacking me in the head so I could wake up and listen to the sermon.
I found most of the congregation to be hypocrites and lip professors that praised the Lord by day and slithered like snakes through the night. Bad juju. It was there that my faith was altered. Still, I inquired of my baptism to which my mother responded that she had not done. I took it upon myself one day to be baptized, at the age of 12, at a church that I knew little of. Their earnestness intrigued me, and I couldn’t refuse salvation, could I? That baptism was a blessing and I thank God for putting those people on my path.

I am almost 33, the supposed age of Jesus when he was crucified and I believe this will be a year of “resurrection” for me. Changes have destroyed me, built me up and rearranged everything I thought to be right and exact. But change, change is the only thing other than God that is constant in this world. I don’t expect my God to change because he is already perfect, but I know he expects me to change. This is why I don’t get that people go through life thinking that “this is how I am and I will not change, so don’t expect anything to be different”. Honestly, God requires a transformation of us, for it shows that we are new creatures in Him, right? Our hearts and minds are renewed by the coming of His Spirit.

Why would you want to remain as you are for the rest of your life? Why would you want to be stagnant and not grow up in the Faith? These years since I have left my undergrad I gained a great amount of wisdom through my experiences. My life is changed because of what I have gone through. I am stronger because of what God has allowed me to experience. It’s hard to regret anything because I love who I am. And with all my faults, I find that it compels me to try harder to be a good man. A good brother. A good son. A good lover.

I am on my way, Lord. Thanks for giving me another chance. Thank you for your Grace and Mercy. Thank you for your Love. I am in your debt.

IS GOD REAL?

How do you know God is real?

Step outside. Notice the sky. You may or may not see clouds, but you can see how vast it is, how beautiful it is to know that people you’ve never even met are possibly looking up at that same great space. Whether night or day, it is an awesome feeling. Look at the trees, and how they grow tall and strong. Green leaves that filter the air so that we may breathe it. The birds chirp, wolves howl. The sun beams and the moon glows. There are stars so distant that if we ever made our way to them they would have already burnt out, twinkling and shimmering like diamonds.


Look in the mirror. Do you ever notice how unique you are, that your composition is different than anyone who has come before you? Even if you are a twin, you know that you are different. It’s a feeling you have inside that says “I am more than my physical appearance” leading you to believe that no one can duplicate who you are. Your hair, your teeth and your very fingerprints are all different from anyone else ever created. It is remarkable that we exist here, on this planet, in families that love and care for us.

You can see pictures of the world we live in. From the Amazon Rain Forest to the Grand Canyon, it is all so amazing. The oceans are teeming with life, some of which have not even been discovered. We have food in abundance, grown from the very ground we stand upon. There are great monuments that have been built, such as the Giza pyramids that cannot be duplicated by any scientific means. We are a diverse species whose distinct characteristics complement the environments we originate from, yet we are intelligent enough to find a way to live in any area of the globe.
This is NOT by chance. There is a reason for all that we see and hear and do. I know God is REAL because I feel it deep down in my soul every time I look at my sisters and brothers. Each time I kiss the woman I love, I feel his presence. When I talk to my granny, I know he’s present. Hugging my father, I can feel his arms around us. Looking in my mother’s eyes, I can see God looking back at me.

See, for me, belief is not a choice. Atheists talk about not being able to believe in something they can’t see, but that’s foolishness. I guess you don’t believe in air, then? Or, how about microwaves or radio waves? Do they not exist just because we can’t see them with our eyes? Why is it that some human beings can’t stand not being able to know everything? Why can’t you just be humble enough to say, “Well, I don’t know everything. I guess God could exist.” There’s no shame in that. Matter of fact, that’s a more intelligent affirmation than, “I don’t believe in what I can’t see.”

You know what? I believe as human we expect everything to be laid out for us. We think it all has to be simple and understood and there’s no deviating from the reality presented to us. I recall reading in my history books as an adolescent that man was convinced the earth was flat for a long time. Then, someone proved them wrong by sailing around the globe. Now, if someone were to say that the earth was flat they would be regarded as ninnies and dummkopfs. All I’m saying is think about it: how could all this exist without a benevolent creator. A creator with a grand design for us. A design we can’t fathom, but must have faith to follow.

Sins of Man

"Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And the LORD was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart." (Genesis 6:5-6).

Sin is an inherent characteristic of man. We are born into it and will die with, as well. Yet, God promises us salvation if we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. The Bible says that we will be forgiven if we confess our sins unto him and are truly of a repentant heart. The Lord knows we are not perfect beings, and instead of destroying us he has offered to grant us a way into his graces. This chance is available to anyone who believes that Christ died for the sins of man.

I see how wicked we are as people, and it grieves me, too. It is terrible that we get caught up in the world and all its foul ways, seeming to conform to what is in front of us. We are all guilty of this, for it is easy to become lost in what the world considers acceptable. We want to confront the Lord on our own terms and make excuses for what we do, simply because everyone else is doing it. This is a disastrous error and if left unchecked one could be lost in his own recidivism.

The darkness is growing. We need warriors to combat what is happening out there, in the world. We need great leaders to stand up for what is right. I use my words to reach people but words are never enough. Action must be presented to make the words meaningful. I urge everyone to look within themselves and test the heart, so that God may show you the way towards your salvation and turn you away from the path of destruction.

Love y’all.

God, Father, forgive us for our sins. We ask that you continue to build within us a gracious and humble heart, so that we may follow you. Let us also lead our families by example. May we be slow to anger and quick to love, showing that our blessings are not taken for granted. Thank you for being God all by yourself. You don’t need any help. If we weren’t created, you would still be just as awesome.
In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

The Book of Eli

I had the honor of seeing the new Hughes Brothers sci-fi epic, The Book of Eli, and I was truly impressed. Denzel Washington is a notably excellent actor, deeply respected by his peers and a recipient of numerous accolades, including an Oscar. In this movie he plays the role of Eli, a post-apocalyptic nomad on a mission to deliver a very important book. He believes his mission to be God inspired, and he is prepared to do anything in his power to make sure his package arrives safely.

I was surprised by the action sequences, mostly because I am not used to seeing Denzel doing any fight choreography where scenes involve martial art type movements. It was truly impressive, in my opinion.

I won’t go into too much detail about what happens in the movie, but I will say that it caused a dramatic resurgence in my faith as a Christian. I mean, I was actually in tears at some points in the movie because I so empathized with the character. Here we have a man on a quest who doesn’t even know where it is going to lead him, walking by faith alone. “We walk by faith, not by sight…” Yeah. I cried.
I cried because I have been so out of touch with God these past few months that I was taking it all for granted. I mean, I was truly reminded that this is WAR. Seriously. Every day is a battle, where we are caught within the world and its dangerous plights while trying desperately to cling to the tenets of our faith. The Eli character did this remarkably well, and showed strength in the face of monstrous and unbelievable conditions.

I wish to be like that. I want to be able to walk tall and stand proud in the affirmation that Christ saved me from myself. I know this isn’t written as well as it is supposed to be, but I hope God can see its sincerity. I hope that you all get a chance to see this movie. Maybe it will change your life as it did mine.

So we are always of good courage. We know that while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to vplease him. 1For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil. -2 Corinthians 5:6-10

The Battle in the Mind

“He will guard the feet of his saints, but the wicked will be silenced in darkness. It is not by strength that one prevails.” (NIV) -1 Samuel 2:9

I appear to be a strong man. I left weights every day. I push my body to endure things normal men wouldn’t. I am physically stronger than the average man my age and height. Yet, there are times I feel immensely weak. There are days I feel like you could knock me over with a feather.

Yesterday I felt impossibly confused and somewhat angry as to what God intends for me. I see things change these days and I wonder what lies ahead, after all I have done. Yet it appears I have not done enough in God’s eyes. So I will take my mind away from this situation and place it on Him so that He will strengthen my resolve, calm me and take away my fears.

I firmly believe the victory is first obtained in the mind. By keeping God close and the faith in him paramount, it pushes the physical capabilities even further. What we contend with these days are not just physical problems but spiritual and mental. We must continue to strengthen our minds against those who would intend to harm the faith that we hold dear. One of my favorite quotes is “the mind is the sword.” Truly, it is the most powerful weapon we have, yet we misuse it every day, wasting our thoughts on miniscule matters that will have no consequence in the betterment of our lives and others.

Thank you, Lord, for today. It is especially awesome that you have come to my aid in the days I have thought I would falter. You have given me mental strength in the midst of my own shortcomings, though I don’t utilize the full force of it enough to have an impact. Thank you for your forgiveness.
So once again, I hope to honor you with these words that flow from my heart like water through a sieve. Praise be unto the Most High, Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. In His name, I pray…

My God, my pen, ‘til this world ends.

Live to Learn/ Another Answer

The axiom “Live and learn” holds so true. How amazing is it that God allows us to live here and experience the trials and tribulations that the Earth has to offer. On this great ball of water and dust, spinning through space at thousands of miles an hour, we are afforded the blessing of love and family, of an amazing God that loves us despite our sin nature. We travel through days, quickly, learning all we need to survive on along the way. It can’t be a coincidence that we are here, at this time in history. We are witnessing a change that is profound.

Yet, amidst the beauty there is a great ugliness that sits upon the world like an ink blot on a white sheet of paper. A stain so deep I wonder if we can be cleansed of it. Then I think, “It’s not for me to wonder”, for God will answer all in time. He will address the horrors that we cower from when he comes back. No matter when that is, I am comforted by the fact that I will be with God in the afterlife. I am ever faithful, because I know that in the end He is all that can save me. He is all that I have. When all else fails me, He is there. So I am happy to look to Him in times of great happiness and pitiful sorrow.

Walk tall and proceed as warriors. There is no room for weakness anymore. Protect your faith and guard your heart, for the Bible says it is the most precious of all. Pray for me as I pray for you.

The Straight Path, Re-Visited

"Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator."
-Colossians 3:9-10


Thank you God for giving me another chance.

I know so much has happened in the past year, but I continue to be hopeful. You have made a way for me when I literally had none. I can remember when I was at work in Washington, not knowing where I was going to sleep that night, lo and behold you sent someone that gave me a place to lay my head for not one night, but three. Lord, I was actually homeless for those days, and I realize that you wouldn't let me fall too far, as long as I had you on my mind and in my heart.

I thank you for just being God all by yourself. You don't need any help to make the stars shine and the planets move. I am humbled by your grace and in awe of your majesty. I ask that you continue to build in me the great human being you have asked me to be. I know I have my flaws and I fall short of what you want me to be, but you love me anyway. Thank you.

I ask that you take care of my loved ones. I want you to watch over them and keep them safe, Lord. My friends, all those near and far, keep them close to you so that no harm may befall them. I ask that those things or people you don't want in my life Lord, remove them with grace and expedience, Father, for I must not tarry. Liberation is near.

My true goal in life was to just be free. I know it sounds simple and maybe even crazy, but freedom is elusive. Highly sought, but rarely found. Help me find my way, Heavenly Father. This is my prayer to you, for I am but a lowly servant, a man trying to be a warrior. Put me on the straight path, so that I may lead by example.

In Jesus name I pray to Thee, Amen.