The Believer.

In the perpetuancy of ...... (our minds), we tend to believe in, and even fear, the powers of the enemy,  yet have trouble believing in the power of God. We worry about the bad and have trouble believing the good.   It just shows our perpetuancy to believe in the negative things of this life. I know it sounds bad this way, but if the enemy and his evil are real, then SO MUST BE God. God said, He hath created all things for Himself, .....yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. There is a prince of this world, and he does have power. Yet, There is a master of the universe, and He holds the dominion. There is no greater.
So why are we prone to believe in the lesser?

We choose who we will live or die to. (God is not mocked, whatsoever a man seweth that shall he reap). God's rewards are great. But the enemy's are Immediate.  We are humans, flesh, subject to weaknesses; this is what is catered to. Yes, it takes strength to be strong; the strong will suffer trial because they will endure it.  Strength is made, it's not a given, not for most.
So why are we prone to believe what's negative? Because our hearts and emotions will allow us to; it's easier; it's affordable; it's all around us. It's easier to blame racism, than to fight harder to get that job. It's easier to believe most men are dogs than to believe you might have a good one. It just makes sense.
But, God has said He doesn't see things the way we do, He looks on the heart. He sees the good coming long before it gets there.  This is the believer; Believing in spite of.  Because of God's love, He believes in us.
There is nothing wrong in believing....if you know in whom you believe.
It does take strength to believe in something contrary to popular opinion or to stand sure in the face of them who may not believe.  From the bible-Be ye strong in the Lord,  and in the power of His might.
It takes strength to be a believer,  separate from the ways of this world, ...and it's so easy to give in to the negative doubts and fears that haunt us.
Yes, it is a choice. You have to pick your path.
MLK - "There comes a time in every man's life when he must stand up and be accounted for,  and if he is filled with fear,  he can not do it."

One of my faves~ Buy the truth and sell it not. Prov. 23:23

II Tim 1:7

Feeling shapeless,.....undefined,..... empty,....no vision for yourself?..... Just know that, in the beginning, the earth was this way- without form,  and void,  and darkness was upon the face of the deep. But then..... the Spirit of God moved! And then there was LIGHT.
Yes,  there is hope for you.

Who Really Loves You, Dear Hip-hop. .

Dear Hip-hop Generation,

I love you, and although you may not want to receive these words, I pray sincerely that you will. I write you again because it is time, and it’s what I do. I write. And I read. And I reach out despite the risk of harsh and evil forces and opinions of opposition. Regardless of any that come against this, I write…and this is what’s on my heart – you. My love, I begat this conversation reflecting on an interview I read. The interviewed was a rapper; up and coming, just beginning to live out his dreams and goals; a rapper many admired and loved and urged on; a rapper…who is now deceased. His interview disturbed me. See, this particular rapper was shot once before, prior to his recent death. But he survived. During his interview, the young man stated that since the shooting, and the giving of a second chance, he had been going hard with the music. In fact, he acknowledged that because of the near death experience, he had committed himself to the music with more urgency and sufficiency than ever before! Like, because he’d lived, it was time to give his “all” to the music. Not to God and the real purpose on his life…but to the music. Why?  Because he felt that the music was all he had to do. As if, to write and perform hip-hop music to an already lost and dying generation was his calling. Sad. Sickening. Scary. His words – and now death – hurt my heart on a level that I can hardly express. To the core of my being, and from the Spirit which is my inner truth, I know full well that rapping derogatorily for fame, money, women, fun, and any other glamorous cause was not why his life was spared the first time. Perhaps, his life and others similar were spared initially because God loved them so much that he wanted to give him/them another opportunity…and more time to get it right. Not rap. Not hug and love their relatives. Not labor for notoriety and leave an imprint of “self” on the generation. But to simply get it right – as in, gain salvation. And make it into the kingdom of God. Period.

My hip-hop generation, so many people lie to you. They tell you that they love you. They tell you to jump on the bandwagon and “come this way…because our way is right”. They tell you that you can do exactly and whatever it is that you want…and it’s cool; all the sinning is okay with a holy God. They tell you how Jesus died for our sins, so therefore, do what you want. What they don’t tell you is how every time you willfully sin you re-crucify Christ and there is no longer any grace for that type of behavior. They skip telling you Hebrews 10:26 ~ For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sin.  They fail to mention how before Jesus went to the Cross in love, he preached repentance! People fail to share with you those truths – that truth that grandmothers and elders spoke of and experienced; that truth that you have heard of and reverenced since your youth. Now, they just glorify and worship the music – and usher you in that direction as if that direction is the way, the truth, and the life. You must recognize this. Remember, Satan was the most beautiful and alluring of all the angels…and he was over what?...music! So what makes you think he does not have his hand in all of this deception today? His plot is simple. He wants you caught up in delusion until – one day – that fateful day, when the lights go out, and your time is up. Then, it is too late. So hear now, and put your pride away, and really take a closer look – because Satan – through these high-ranking artists out here – he's blatantly telling you to bow down. He’s using them to cast spells on you that you cannot see or notice. But that is just one side of the game. On the other, there are those underground artists who really want to make it and become celebrities and stars or even just gain the fame of social networks or whatever their reason is, so they dismiss the truth and make up their own version of thetruth so that they can continue to serve their gods. They say things like, “I’m married to the music.” Or they say, “God did this for me.” And they’re serious. They cannot see or perceive that God is not of corruption; so if the music is corrupt then guess what…he ain’t feeling you! And, please know, he is not fond of you putting Him on hold so that you can pursue music… and he surely does not agree with you leading other souls to Hell. I’m sorry, but according to Scripture, God is not in that. The devil is. If you are not using your talent to lead souls to Heaven then you’re leading them to Hell. That’s how He sees it…according to the Bible – no exceptions. Again, people are lying to you. I tell you, they do not love you. If they loved you, they would tell you the truth. That truth being: Music is not your Savior. It can not block that bullet from taking your life. And it can not save your soul or your friends’ souls from eternal damnation. You have to understand, this generation now is the most deceived of all generations. And I wondered and I wondered and wondered why, so I asked God. Then I opened the Bible and the Lord showed me this Scripture… Thessalonians 2:10-11…

…because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie.

That’s deep.

My love, are not many proclaiming Jesus as their Lord but yet have not applied his Word to their hearts and his commandments to their lives? Do not many people feel they can serve two masters – both God and Satan? Are not many charming God with their mouths yet living the ways of sin and Satan with their lives? Has the enemy not deceived them so much – and God allowed it because of their inner rebellion and refusal of salvation – that they really truly cannot see and tell the truth? 

 …that they should believe a lie.

I add and close with this: My love, ignore the media and the spirits arising in many to portray the church as  fallen or as the enemy as to keep you away and send you into battle against Zion. For the spirit of the Anti-Christ is in the world. He has set up fake churches and preachers – wolves in sheep clothing – all of this to throw you off. All to stir hatred in your heart. All to harden your heart. But ask God for wisdom, because just like all black people are not bad as portrayed, neither are all churches. There are many churches who are right – and who are being forced into the underground – and for your sake, pray for their strength, because they…we…are the real Zion; the church that Jesus speaks of and dwells with, where souls are saved, and the gospel is preached, and blind eyes are opened, and the deaf do hear. Angels and miracles…things you've learned of since a child…they still do exist. These things are your inheritance. Not music. Not fame. Not self-gratification. But the Kingdom and the things of God, this is the gift to you from Him. 

Hold on to this message which I write you. 

And know, I write you always out of love. Real love…but, it’s for you to discern and receive.

Peace

Contest. What would you say back? "It's Not The Same- Jah Orah & KD Assassin ft MC923"

Thank you @Lizzie Vegas for taking the challenge and yet keeping it soft and in perspective.  Best one yet. Read the verse below in the comments.  Thank you for speaking.
updated 2/06/14. 




Do you have an ex? Old flame? baby....father?
This song is so dope, but there's two sides to every story.  Imagine if your ex was singing this song to you. How would you feel? What would you say back?  Listen to the song below and reply back to it.  Doesn't have to be negative. Just looking for the other side of the story. Best version. 
 

Feedback. black girls. dark-skinned.

Alright ladies (and gents listening), so here's feedback from a couple of our guys, substantial words to consider.  My word to the women.......we shall have our talk later. There is much that needs to be considered in light of ourselves. For now,  check out the feedback from these guys regarding dating (or not dating) black or dark-skinned women. 

 --- Personally I love dark skinned women...always have, just wasn't my 1st choice when it came to dating due to my following the 'trend' set by pop culture. During the civil rights struggle, Black was beautiful...til the powers that be did everything they could to prove otherwise, add to that the re-enforcement of the Willie Lynch syndrome and the invention of color TV. Change, if any, can come only by education of the youth on content of character, the origins of complexions, and love of self...who we were before we were slaves. Kids don't decide who to play with based on color...the hate is taught (https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=204340296416289&id=197764183740567&__user=100007076550857)

- - -  -- female beauty is highly valued, and beauty standards disproportionately (particularly on a global scale) favor white women.

I can only speak from the perspective of a black male who grew up in white suburbs and attended a predominately white/asian school, but I can tell you a bit about where this thinking comes from with that background.
If you grew up in a white community like I did, just about *everyone* puts white women on a pedestal. That means if you're a black male, all of your white and asian male friends talk about are  the pretty white girls in the school or the white female celebrities in the media. I'm going to argue that the few black males in my K-12 education have literally been brainwashed into believing that white females are the golden standard of beauty.
white women are seen as much intelligent, proper, elegant, classy than women of color, so snagging one is a positive reflection on black dudes because obviously this means they're not like those other hoodlums.
And having grown up in that environment, I was told all of my life that I was one of the “ intelligent, proper, elegant, classy” black males and not like those “other” black males who have weird names and talk “gangsta”. So it must have been only appropriate that I seek out and date white girls right? Now I **absolutely hate** that I used to think this way.
Long story short, a lot has changed in my psyche on this matter since attending college. I no longer date white women or any other race for that matter for reasons I will repeat from another comment I made:
[I do not date or sleep with white women either. It has little to do with attraction. I find beauty in all races of women, although I prefer black women. It has everything to do with culture and politics. The fact that I am, without apology, pro-black and the current state of race relations in this country does not justify a relationship with a white woman in my mind. Most of all, there is no greater supporter to black men than black women. And I will honor that.](http://www.reddit.com/r/blackladies/comments/1qi3g9/why_i_dont_sleep_with_white_guys/cdde6n0)

A couple of words that stood out~
from feedback (1) - "The trend set by pop culture" and  "change, if any, can come only by education of the youth on content of character, the origins of complexions, and love of self...".  Can't express enough to you how important the education of the youth is on these things that matter.

from feedback (2) - "it has little to do with attraction.  I find beauty in all races of women....  it has   everything to do with culture and politics" and "there is no greater supporter to black men than black           women. And I will honor that." Powerful realizations.  I cannot even expound on this statement because it is so full.  To understand the reality that attraction (to any race) doesn't determine the choice you take and the other factors to be considered.

Note:
I want so much to uplift our men, all of them,  but targeting our black men because they seem to be so lost, not all,  but a lot.  If we could get them to think smarter and more responsibly,  what a great difference this would make.  Am I delusional for wanting or even expecting this?  Can I get you to please understand some things....

Check out the answer back video to the first video "Look at me".
'Look at me: the answer back'

The struggle is heavy.   I. must. find. strength.

Look at me

....Stay tuned for the answer back video to this

There's something going on in the black community

     Black Guys are telling 'dark-skinned girls' that they don't date them, quoted,

 "I don't date dark-skinned girls". 

 I've heard this a couple of times from some younger girls that I know, several times on fb.  What is going on in the minds of these young black guys out here? Is it the perception out here?  Does it come from TV, or music, or is it word on the street? There's hardly any black girls on TV playing the role of "sexy girlfriend" or the "it" girl. Perhaps a sister or a mother or the silly best friend...but rarely ever portrayed as the image everybody wants.  What does this do for the self-esteem? How are dark-skinned girls supposed to view themselves as the goal to reach for? This saddens my heart. It grieves me so. We fought this battle before. Why, again, amongst our own men? This is not "sooo" much about black guys choosing to interracially date, but about the disdain of their own women. Something needs to be done about this? Can we promote something different? 

Why should it ever come out of a black man's mouth that he doesn't date dark-skinned women or that he "just thinks white women" are better. Something is wrong there. We need to get it back out there in the air that black women, and dark-skinned black women, are a beauty to be had. If we could just lift this standard up before our black men….in the TV, the radio, wherever perceptions are shaped. It may not be realized but it is an exhortation to black men.  

 This would weigh heavy enough on the hearts of all black women, but particularly young ones, who are going through tough enough adolescence and don't need the extra insecurities of feeling unwanted by their own men because of the shade of their skin.  How could they ever change that? This will surely pay a long-term effect.  What will they look to for husbands?

I feel we should promote our black men 

and the shaping of their minds 

so that they will understand where their perceptions should be coming from..AND that it is not "unusual" to date a dark-skinned woman or a black girl.  If there is something that they need from us maybe they can let us know. Maybe we can work on it. So desperately needed. 

Check out the video 

What is your best source of wisdom?

What is your best source of wisdom? 

Does it come from a book, a person, an old wives fable, tradition? Where do you go when you need insight of wisdom?

What in the world is going on?

Jada's controversial quote:
"We must not belong
 to the obedient… we must belong to our truth."

I remember how I felt regarding Malcolm X.
 I watched the bio and gathered my thoughts.  I have a lot of respect for Malcolm.  He was a devout man with passion and drive. Malcolm was sincere to his cause.  Though we don't serve the same God, I admire him.  

After watching the bio, I had a lingering thought----- If only a christian could have shown him first.
 Yes, I am aware that there were attempts. But, the difference is that the man who dealt with Malcolm's conversion took time to work with Malcolm.  Malcolm was no easy catch, because Malcolm was no "jive turkey", so to speak.  However, this man dedicated a part of himself to work through Malcolm's conversion. And what a conversion it was. Malcolm went from dating "white women" and burglarizing to a total mindset that doesn't allow it.  Why, because of his change of heart. Malcolm's understanding, which lies in the heart truthfully, had been enlightened.  Real conversion does just that; it changes the heart and the understanding. Thus, Malcolm became one of the most vital voices of his religion at that time. Wow! Admittedly, I wish it would've been a christian who had worked to rescue and convert Malcolm from his old thoughts....perhaps he'd have saw the loyalty and beauty he sought in Jesus.  However, it is with this thought in mind, that I must remember that the outward surface of a person, or initial rejection, does not determine where a person's heart truly lies.

Recently, there's a stir around Jada Pinkett Smith's facebook post, quoting, 

"We are born with our souls, but it is through our experiences in life that we are given the opportunity to discover the paths needed to develop the self. In order to do this we must not belong to the obedient... we must belong to our truth,"

The stir was due to the ending words of that statement. My interpretation of the statement, in one word..... REBEL (the verb). In other words, "don't just adhere to what you're told is right. DO (belong to) what you know is right (your truth).
This is a well thought out quote.  

While Christians may not like it, there will be a day when the things that are taught to be right will go against Christianity. Then, Christianity will be the rebel cause, because it is what we know is right. We have to think about these things.
 Problem is, this statement made by Jada has a false bottom.  It sounds good. It looks good.  But it won't hold up.  In other words, it won't ultimately work. For Christians, it is in error to the bible. The very statement of not obeying is defiant to scripture. The bible strictly teaches us to obey...... but, SOUND DOCTRINE..This is the key.
If everyone follows their own truth, how will we ever be right?

Suppose we not care about being right?
Suppose we not care about how we affect each other?
Suppose every man do what's right to him?

This could never be reality. What about Charles Manson, the suicide bombers, and people of the like? Weren't these people all doing what they thought was right? You may say, "well, those people are sick". I say, "well, aren't a lot of us?" Those people are us, left unchained; no internal governing power to prevent them from their deeds, which were evil. Left to do what felt right in their hearts. Left to their own truths.
Well, what if your heart is wrong?
What if your truth is wrong?
Who can correct you?
This is chaotic. Which is where we're at.
So, you want a choice? You want to choose? There's nothing wrong with that. A wise man looks well to his going.  God gives us choice and it is yours. Just know that all things that seem true, aren't true.  How can you put that much confidence in yourself? We NEED a higher power. We NEED something to obey.

So, to Miss Jada, I want to encourage you.  I like your statement because one day I may have to apply that advice. I may have to rebel.  I don't know the intent of your heart behind your post.  But it seems to promote a 'self-truth', however, life is so much bigger than ourselves. There can only be one truth. 
There is nothing wrong in searching out that truth, but once you find it...BUY IT. It is of precious life.


Buy the truth, sell it not. Proverbs 23:23



I will not appease the crowd by saying that there are all truths.