If it then ended, snuffing out
The last of the embers and ash
Working past the present mind and
Collapsing in on a deserted future
I wouldn’t be angry. “I thought you’d be
Different. You were so unlike the others.”
Yet recall your suppositions came before you
Really knew me, hardly knew yourself, not remarkable
And thick-headed enough, your skin soft
And my demeanor rough
The prey and the dragon like a tragedy told
The beautiful maiden, the serpent and gold.
I began free and I leave the same
If you must remember me, forget my name.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
LIBERATION!
There is hope. There is always hope to become greater and better than one is; to move beyond what you have been to what you can be.
If any of you have ever watched the NBC comedy, “Community”, you may have seen the black guy named Troy. His real name is Donald Glover, and I think he has single handedly restored my faith in my abilities as an artist.
One of my friends (GC lePresh) had me check out someone called “Childish Gambino” and to tell me what I thought about him. Lo and behold, it was Donald Glover’s rapper persona. Seems this guy has been rapping for a few years now, apparently just for fun. What’s even more interesting is that he doesn’t even need the money. He just does it because he wants to; because it makes him happy. He has about 3 EPs (one actually named, “EP”) and 3 albums under the Childish Gambino moniker. He also produces beats under the name mcDJ. One of the albums he produced is called “Sick Boi”, in which is raps sounding congested or like he has a cold. How refreshing is that? Who does that? Even more amazing he made it sound dope.
His creativity is what amazes me most. I think I have been stifled so much that I was reaching to be like someone else. Glover is not trying to be anyone, as I see it. It’s more like he is experimenting with what he thinks is cool. He's experimenting with himself. I can really relate to that. And yesterday, as I sat and thought about who Donald was and what he’s done, I again began to believe that I have an ambition that urges to burst forth.
I was trying to paint something to look like him or so and so, and not really expressing the full scope of my creativity. I sat at my easel yesterday tentatively painting and struggling through my newest creation, and I it suddenly became apparent that I was the one in control of the piece. At once I understood that every stroke was completely my own and no one can say that they have done what I did. The work belonged to ME and ONLY ME. In that moment tears welled up in my eyes, and I wept uncontrollably. It was like I had been in a darkened room and someone flipped the light switch on. Such an overwhelming emotion it was, that I stop working and thank God for his insight and love.
Childish Gambino. His free spirit freed my own. I need to thank this dude somehow. I am self-realized and liberated. Now and until I die.
If any of you have ever watched the NBC comedy, “Community”, you may have seen the black guy named Troy. His real name is Donald Glover, and I think he has single handedly restored my faith in my abilities as an artist.
One of my friends (GC lePresh) had me check out someone called “Childish Gambino” and to tell me what I thought about him. Lo and behold, it was Donald Glover’s rapper persona. Seems this guy has been rapping for a few years now, apparently just for fun. What’s even more interesting is that he doesn’t even need the money. He just does it because he wants to; because it makes him happy. He has about 3 EPs (one actually named, “EP”) and 3 albums under the Childish Gambino moniker. He also produces beats under the name mcDJ. One of the albums he produced is called “Sick Boi”, in which is raps sounding congested or like he has a cold. How refreshing is that? Who does that? Even more amazing he made it sound dope.
His creativity is what amazes me most. I think I have been stifled so much that I was reaching to be like someone else. Glover is not trying to be anyone, as I see it. It’s more like he is experimenting with what he thinks is cool. He's experimenting with himself. I can really relate to that. And yesterday, as I sat and thought about who Donald was and what he’s done, I again began to believe that I have an ambition that urges to burst forth.
I was trying to paint something to look like him or so and so, and not really expressing the full scope of my creativity. I sat at my easel yesterday tentatively painting and struggling through my newest creation, and I it suddenly became apparent that I was the one in control of the piece. At once I understood that every stroke was completely my own and no one can say that they have done what I did. The work belonged to ME and ONLY ME. In that moment tears welled up in my eyes, and I wept uncontrollably. It was like I had been in a darkened room and someone flipped the light switch on. Such an overwhelming emotion it was, that I stop working and thank God for his insight and love.
Childish Gambino. His free spirit freed my own. I need to thank this dude somehow. I am self-realized and liberated. Now and until I die.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Meditation (Selah)
“Thus meditating you will no longer strive to build yourself up in your prejudices, but, forgetting self, you will remember only that you are seeking the Truth.” - James Allen
I don't know about you, but meditation has become a daily practice. It is part of my daily discipline now because it allows me to focus inward instead of outward, so that I can leave the worries of the day and give myself sometime with God. Truly sitting down and having "quiet time" as my pastor says, is a form of meditation, but I take it a step further. I meditate like a Buddhist would...
I will tell you why. Even though I am a Christian, I find that there are things that can be utilized from all sorts of cultures that are effective tools to foster spiritual growth and development. Meditation is no different. If you recall, Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. What do you think he was doing when the devil came upon him? He was meditating on the Word of God.
Many people may think this is mysticism but I see it as nothing more than a process that invites me to a special relationship with Jesus. To commune with the One True God and feel his presence all around is a fantastic experience!
Check out the book called, Spiritual Liberation by Michael Bernard Beckwith. He gives some pretty good instruction on how to utilize your true being and find peace within God's presence. I can't say I agree with all his points, but I do find much of what he says very useful in growing and maturing spiritually.
If you read Psalms, you will see the word "selah" throughout (71 times to be exact). It likely means, "pause and calmly think on this" or "meditate on this" (it is defined as other things, because it is not a very proper translation in Hebrew). The power of meditation is known in the Bible and throughout the world. Don't be afraid to sit and be quiet for a little bit each day and just give God thanks. I mean, doesn't He deserve that time and appreciation? Don't you deserve to be closer to Him?
Psalms 62:8
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
I don't know about you, but meditation has become a daily practice. It is part of my daily discipline now because it allows me to focus inward instead of outward, so that I can leave the worries of the day and give myself sometime with God. Truly sitting down and having "quiet time" as my pastor says, is a form of meditation, but I take it a step further. I meditate like a Buddhist would...
I will tell you why. Even though I am a Christian, I find that there are things that can be utilized from all sorts of cultures that are effective tools to foster spiritual growth and development. Meditation is no different. If you recall, Jesus went into the wilderness and was tempted by the devil. What do you think he was doing when the devil came upon him? He was meditating on the Word of God.
Many people may think this is mysticism but I see it as nothing more than a process that invites me to a special relationship with Jesus. To commune with the One True God and feel his presence all around is a fantastic experience!
Check out the book called, Spiritual Liberation by Michael Bernard Beckwith. He gives some pretty good instruction on how to utilize your true being and find peace within God's presence. I can't say I agree with all his points, but I do find much of what he says very useful in growing and maturing spiritually.
If you read Psalms, you will see the word "selah" throughout (71 times to be exact). It likely means, "pause and calmly think on this" or "meditate on this" (it is defined as other things, because it is not a very proper translation in Hebrew). The power of meditation is known in the Bible and throughout the world. Don't be afraid to sit and be quiet for a little bit each day and just give God thanks. I mean, doesn't He deserve that time and appreciation? Don't you deserve to be closer to Him?
Psalms 62:8
"Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."
Monday, March 7, 2011
Can't Force It
All the love I wish to know, I have known long enough to know
That deserved love is not earned love and sometimes it won’t show
What you can’t get or don’t want or wish from the other
You can attempt to borrow from the affections of another
You can fuss and cuss, stomp and fight or throw fits
Still won’t be able to get back all that was missed
The love goes on, with or without lips to kiss or hands to hold
Love will sometimes burn itself into your very soul
A sacred scar that you will carry for the length of your years
To be tormented or uplifted, you will not escape the tears
So listen to the words I give, I hope you understand too
Even though you love someone you can’t make them love you.
That deserved love is not earned love and sometimes it won’t show
What you can’t get or don’t want or wish from the other
You can attempt to borrow from the affections of another
You can fuss and cuss, stomp and fight or throw fits
Still won’t be able to get back all that was missed
The love goes on, with or without lips to kiss or hands to hold
Love will sometimes burn itself into your very soul
A sacred scar that you will carry for the length of your years
To be tormented or uplifted, you will not escape the tears
So listen to the words I give, I hope you understand too
Even though you love someone you can’t make them love you.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
The Standing
Something darker than this I've seen
warped bits of a dream
a black man now shamed
once thought of as kings
these days glorified thugs and thieves
like we trying to steal
what was stolen 400 years past
Darker dreams that still persist
where a black family can't be just that
Love and care; all that were wished
Inflated thoughts that have fallen flat
Being a man I am black, so I feel so beside myself
I can't turn back pages lost,
pages burned,
can't read the words to tell you
what I've learned.
Something darker than this I've seen
Oh, now he's a man. "what do you mean?"
I don't know if I do enough, still in between
a woman I love, a promise, a ring
Still can't give you everything.
I fight for a day to be understood
that though I'm black, I certainly ain't hood
I want a love, a life afforded all that I should
but if I didn't fall down how would I know that I stood?
warped bits of a dream
a black man now shamed
once thought of as kings
these days glorified thugs and thieves
like we trying to steal
what was stolen 400 years past
Darker dreams that still persist
where a black family can't be just that
Love and care; all that were wished
Inflated thoughts that have fallen flat
Being a man I am black, so I feel so beside myself
I can't turn back pages lost,
pages burned,
can't read the words to tell you
what I've learned.
Something darker than this I've seen
Oh, now he's a man. "what do you mean?"
I don't know if I do enough, still in between
a woman I love, a promise, a ring
Still can't give you everything.
I fight for a day to be understood
that though I'm black, I certainly ain't hood
I want a love, a life afforded all that I should
but if I didn't fall down how would I know that I stood?
Friday, February 11, 2011
The Book of Law
Joshua 1:8
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate in it day and night,
that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.
For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)
So here it is. How to be prosperous and successful in good old black and white (or whatever color font you want to view it in, I suppose). This Book of Law is the Bible, and God asks that we meditate on the laws enclosed therein, so that we may receive the best of what he has in store for our lives. Sometimes we operate and live outside of the Laws and we experience hardships. To be honest, we may do good within our lives and still experience tough times. However, it is not guaranteed that we will not fall upon harsh trials; it is a fact of life.
If we meditate on these laws, we will find that our problems are lessened and our stresses alleviated. Since we are in the World, we cannot completely remove ourselves from what happens to others. We are affected by one another as we move about and we have families that we must interact with. Bad things will happen to good people.
To be fully prosperous, we all must come into agreement and follow the laws of the Bible. We are a diverse race and full of opinions and ideas, and we disagree more than agree. Imagine what we could do if we all moved on one accord? But the devil exists and continues to thwart our best intentions, sowing seeds of discord throughout time. We are still suffering for what Adam and Eve did, you know?
Since we can only hope to control our own actions, we must make our own way by doing what God expects, and then our actions can influence others. When others view the example that we set and notice how we prosper because of the laws we follow, we are giving glory to our Lord.
This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth,
but you shall meditate in it day and night,
that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.
For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (NKJV)
So here it is. How to be prosperous and successful in good old black and white (or whatever color font you want to view it in, I suppose). This Book of Law is the Bible, and God asks that we meditate on the laws enclosed therein, so that we may receive the best of what he has in store for our lives. Sometimes we operate and live outside of the Laws and we experience hardships. To be honest, we may do good within our lives and still experience tough times. However, it is not guaranteed that we will not fall upon harsh trials; it is a fact of life.
If we meditate on these laws, we will find that our problems are lessened and our stresses alleviated. Since we are in the World, we cannot completely remove ourselves from what happens to others. We are affected by one another as we move about and we have families that we must interact with. Bad things will happen to good people.
To be fully prosperous, we all must come into agreement and follow the laws of the Bible. We are a diverse race and full of opinions and ideas, and we disagree more than agree. Imagine what we could do if we all moved on one accord? But the devil exists and continues to thwart our best intentions, sowing seeds of discord throughout time. We are still suffering for what Adam and Eve did, you know?
Since we can only hope to control our own actions, we must make our own way by doing what God expects, and then our actions can influence others. When others view the example that we set and notice how we prosper because of the laws we follow, we are giving glory to our Lord.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Wanna Be Rich
1 Timothy 6:17
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor
to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,
who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (NIV)
Interesting how this verse actually reflects the inverse of what really appears to be the status quo in the World. We have a lot of arrogant rich people living their lives in abundance but with no real understanding of its implications. Eventually there will come a time when the money will not be enough, the material items will not satisfy and your mind will be unsettled and wary about what actually matters in this world.
There are those pastors who preach “prosperity gospel” about how God does not want his people to be poor or to suffer. However, suffering is a part of life, and is guaranteed to happen. As Christians, it is not something we can avoid. I don’t understand why Pastors stand in the pulpit and tell people that God will make them “prosperous” or “wealthy”. I don’t think material gain is what God was speaking of at all, but that seems to be the context to which they apply the scriptures.
Here is one of many verses about suffering:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” —1 Peter 4:12-14, 16
Do not be fooled by promises of riches that are dependent upon your actions and how much money you give to the church. Leading a “good life” does not guarantee a place in Heaven, only belief in the Savior will set us free. The Bible does say that what is given will be given back to us, but don’t take it out of context. This giving is to be from the heart, not for the hopes of gain in any way. Whoever does so is asking to be condemned.
Be careful folks. Use wisdom to discern your path for yourselves and do not be lead astray by false teachings.
God Bless.
Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor
to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God,
who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. (NIV)
Interesting how this verse actually reflects the inverse of what really appears to be the status quo in the World. We have a lot of arrogant rich people living their lives in abundance but with no real understanding of its implications. Eventually there will come a time when the money will not be enough, the material items will not satisfy and your mind will be unsettled and wary about what actually matters in this world.
There are those pastors who preach “prosperity gospel” about how God does not want his people to be poor or to suffer. However, suffering is a part of life, and is guaranteed to happen. As Christians, it is not something we can avoid. I don’t understand why Pastors stand in the pulpit and tell people that God will make them “prosperous” or “wealthy”. I don’t think material gain is what God was speaking of at all, but that seems to be the context to which they apply the scriptures.
Here is one of many verses about suffering:
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.
Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name.” —1 Peter 4:12-14, 16
Do not be fooled by promises of riches that are dependent upon your actions and how much money you give to the church. Leading a “good life” does not guarantee a place in Heaven, only belief in the Savior will set us free. The Bible does say that what is given will be given back to us, but don’t take it out of context. This giving is to be from the heart, not for the hopes of gain in any way. Whoever does so is asking to be condemned.
Be careful folks. Use wisdom to discern your path for yourselves and do not be lead astray by false teachings.
God Bless.
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