The Right Fight?

Since the arrival of the first Africans to the New World in Virginia in 1619 it seems that there has always been something for African-Americans to fight for.  Although, the Emancipation Proclamation and the Civil Rights Act have granted certain civil liberties to African-Americans, racial equality and justice have always felt like an unobtainable goal to many in the African-American community. This seems to be the case even more so now, in the wake of newly elected President, Donald Trump.

President Trump has accordingly  shown behavioral tendencies that exemplify racism.  While many would say, this is just the fabricated argument of the African-American community, many credible mainstream media outlets have labeled our President as such.

Dana Millbank of the Washington Post has called Donald Trump a “bigot and a racist”[1]

New York Times editor Jill Abramson states there is “plenty of evidence” to show that Trump is both a “Demagogue and a Racist.”[2]

Lydia O’Connor and Daniel Marans of the Huffington Post cited 13 examples of Donald Trump being a racist. [3]

Fortune 500’s Michael D’Antonio cited several cases of racial tendencies and quotes of Donald Trump dating back close to thirty years[4]

In contrast, President Trump has of late has gone out of his way to meet with popular African-Americans celebrities like Steve Harvey, Kanye West, Jim Brown and Ray Lewis.  Not to mention several African American clergymen prior to the U.S. Election.  According to Harper Poling, Donald Trump received 18 percent of the African American popular vote, which is more than Mitt Romney in the prior election.[5]

So, the question needs to asked, what is the African American fight for  at this present time? Should African-Americans trust Donald Trump?

Has any other President since the Post-segregation era displayed such racist tendencies as our current President?

Should African Americans begin to look in the mirror and start to evaluate their citizenship? Is there enough data to show that any elected official white or black has the best interest of the African-American community in mind? Should African-Americans feel threatened by police officers or by their own neighbors? Should we vote, and if so Democratic or Republican or Independent.

One could make the argument, that the current climate in the United States has the feel of an imminent social attack on the African-American Identity and Culture.  When viewing the statistical data that reflects the enormous amount of crime, imprisonment, police brutality and poverty in various urban African-American communities, Africa-Americans cannot afford to take their rights for granted.  Every African-American citizen must consider every aspect of their existence in this country. Not only, should African-Americans evaluate their politics but also assess their faith, family values, finances and future.

[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/donald-trump-is-a-bigot-and-a-racist/2015/12/01/a2a47b96-9872-11e5-8917-653b65c809eb_story.html?utm_term=.1587c6982b5a

[2] https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/feb/29/donald-trump-us-election-2016-demagogue?CMP=share_btn_tw

[3] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/donald-trump-racist-examples_us_56d47177e4b03260bf777e83

[4] http://fortune.com/2016/06/07/donald-trump-racism-quotes/

[5] http://harperpolling.com/docs/default-source/default-document-library/16-10-pa-statewide-poll-crosstabs.pdf?sfvrsn=0

 

Seasons

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:” – Ecc 3:1

Time is one of the most powerful components of our existence. A prayer of the great leader Moses shows that the ability to know and understand how time interacts with our lives has to be taught and applied to wisdom.

Because life is so short but so impacting, it is very important that we understand the various seasons that take place in our lives.

A season is an appointed time; A space of time that is given for a particular event and/or activity. It is a set time, according to the scriptures.

Everything has a set time, at time we are uncertain when seasons in our lives will change.  It requires wisdom to discern and see the signs of what they are so we can operate effectively.

Imagine if baseball players played in the winter or football players played in the summer? How erroneous would it be if farmers planted all their crops in the winter waiting for a harvest in the cold when the field will not yield and produce life?
In the same way, knowing how to act during appointed times in our lives requires understanding from GOD and direct fellowship with his word.

YAHSHUA (The Messiah, the Christ) made a statement saying “O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?” (Matt 16:3). The Greek word for discern is diakrino which means to mentally separate, or distinguish. So we must be able to observe and distinguish various seasons in our lives.

YAHSHUA saw a fig tree afar off having leaves. When he came near the tree hoping to find fruit, the only thing that he found were leaves. YAHSHUA proclaimed “No man eat fruit from the tree hereafter and forever!”  Not even 24 hours later the tree was dried up from the roots and withered away, much to the astonishment of the disciples of YAHSHUA.

Our existence is often predicated on our ability to operate effectively according to the  set appointed time in our lives.  There are times where we must learn, take information gather knowledge from the experiences that GOD has created for us to gain insight into our calling. Then there are times that we must be more productive, teach, show initiative, take the lead and display our gifts.

So many young men and women fail because they wish to gain so much being young without growing and developing. Young men and woman that are exposed to intimacy before emotional maturity often causes them to have children before they have experienced the necessary lessons of life that teach responsible parenting. Men suffer midlife crisis because they do not embrace the wisdom that life’s experiences teaches. Then eventually they live in regret because they have wasted their youth in folly.

So we understand why the Prophet asked GOD for wisdom to number our days. Meaning not to just count them but the Hebrew word is manah to allot, assign, to prepare, appoint and constitute over.

Seasons are not a term that should be used designed for blessings only,  but  should stand as a reminder that our lives and experiences are temporary. When times are good we must enjoy but prepare and consider. When times are bad, we must endure and anticipate the victory that is on the horizon and rejoice in the character that is being formed in us.

Our life is a season. It has a set time. We have a start date and an end date and within this time we must gather the character and knowledge that will allow us to inherit our eternal position and purpose.

Time is the tool that GOD has used to measure our lives. We do not have one second to waste by being idle or failing to occupy. Every day has purpose. Every day there are experiences that will contribute to the hope of our calling; every day provides us the experiences that we need to become what GOD has created us to be. There is a set time appointed for every work under the Sun, our job is to seek and trust the Creator of all things for wisdom for proper success and development.

*Scripture References*
Psalms 90:12
Ecc 3:12
Mark 11:14
2nd Peter 2:10
Ephesians 1:18
Daniel 2:20-21
Hebrews 9:15

Own Your Vision

 What Leaders can learn from the Patient Protection & Affordable Health Act

 

The United States of America unlike many other countries have never had a government provided affordable Health Care.  Many Presidents have attempted to bring about free Health Care for its’ American Citizens going as far back as President Roosevelt; President Obama, however through much adversity was able to put the Act into effect that would give every American  Health Care as of March 30^th 2014.

President Obama has not been reluctant to share that this act was inspired by his mother who passed away from Cancer.  This is something that our President has advocated since coming into office and has work diligently with lawmakers to create the Act.  The fact that many people term the act “Obama Care” shouldn’t be an insult. The Home Affordable Modification Loan programs were also given the term “Obama Loan Modification Programs.”

What this teaches us is that our goals, programs, and project are often inspired by our personal experiences. Our lives often create and promote visions, plans and dreams that carry us, motivate us and push us to be successful. When we share our ideas, creations, goals and visions they become synonymous with our identity. 

When I began to work in management, one of the first things I was taught to attach my name to my work. Any document, idea, spreadsheet or modification.  Not as a way as a patent or to take credit but as a way to identify your accomplishments. 

I was one of the first people in my building that was able to incorporate and import statistics into excel spreadsheets years ago. It was to my surprise that years later when I met with some managers, my spreadsheets and formulas were still being used. Of course, my name was still at the bottom of the work.

Every visionary must be responsible for their vision. A vision must be owned and managed because it is a possibility that it will never leave your name.  Whatever you believe about government or politics or politicians, regardless of whom you support or what you support about what can be done. One thing we can learn is that our President did not take a hands-on approach with his vision.

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Seblius, acting administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Marilyn Tavenner and White House chief technology officer Todd Park were given the responsibility to ensure that citizens could enroll effectively and that the guidelines were upheld for enrollment.

When the website went live for citizen enrollment, a number of problems began to take place. Users could not log on, many could not keep their previous Health Care Plan, the website was freezing and now there are new found reports that security of the website has a risk of comprise.

When the Seblius, Tavenner and Park appeared before Congress, many played the blame game, citing the lack of knowledge about the website while  many of the website contracts claim that this information was given before the launch date.

Now of course, the country shifts the blame  back to our President as well as the media and those that oppose the Affordable Health Care Act, all pointed to our President. I’m sure our President does not have a great deal of proficiency in web design, maintenance or Information Technologies.  However, it is his name and his vision and everyone looks to the visionary often as much as the vision.

More often than not, the implementation of the idea is just as important as the idea.  The tools we use that can stem anywhere from our vocabulary to our software play a major role in how we show our vision to the world.

It is written “Write the vision and make it plain.”  (Hab 2:2)  In other words, not just record it, but make it relatable. Ensure those that partake of what you are showing are able to also comprehend and partake in what you showing. If not, you do a disservice to yourself and your vision.

Are visions and goals are too powerful, too important to us that we should let them die or be derailed by the hands of those that don’t share the same passion.  We must make sure that we have our hands on the details of the visions. This is not to day we should be subject matter experts on every aspect of implementation but we should be experts on the effective communication of our thoughts and ideas so that our dreams are deferred by circumstances or bad decisions.

Pride is needed for successful work. Pride however cannot replace passion or purpose. When we ensure these are a part of what we do, we stand to make great things happen to the benefit of ourselves and all those that are involved.

 

 

 

 

Maturity (part 1 )

The Word mature comes from a latin word maturus which means to ripe. The root word ma also means good. The latin word marturs denotes ripened at a good time. The word is also used to mean morning. Mature by English definition is –

a having completed natural growth and development :ripe;: having undergone maturation

b having attained a final or desired state

c having achieved a low but stable growth rate
d: of, relating to, or being an older adult :
e: of or relating to a condition of full development
f: characteristic of or suitable to a mature individual

Because the word “maturity” comes from a word meaning to be ripened it stands to say that to be mature stems from growing and developing from a root. If we use the example of a plant or a fruit, anything that matures must go through a growth process that involves the participation of elements other than itself. The seed that grows must be rooted in good soil, receive water and sunshine that will contribute to its growth.

Every man must go through a maturation process. A man does not mature by celebrating a birthday every year, growing hair on his arms or getting taller. A man must receive the necessary elements in order to develop and mature.

It has become more and more apparent that young men in today’s’ society lack the maturity to make sound decisions for the benefit of themselves and their families. Many young men run from responsibility, lack accountability, work ethics and dedication. All are qualities of adulthood that are learned over time. Every man needs the patience to be able to make a commitment. Patience is learned through experience; Knowing and understanding growth, vision, taking advantage of time to prepare and understand various task at hand. Because we live in a world that will sacrifice quality for time it is difficult to understand the role of a maturation process.

Nothing grows fast naturally. The order our Creator set in place that is that greatness starts small and has a course. Over time we use time to grow and develop. When the time is right, all of our hard work and dedication that were incorporated into our growth will take effect.

When we look at the growth of a seed, its growth is not determined by the seed at all. The fact that a seed exist does not mean that it of itself will grow. How the seed is watered, and the nutrients it receives from the sun and soil determines its growth. A seed must be planted, tended to, paid attention in order for the maturation process to take place. In the same token there are many factors that contribute to the maturation process of a young man. His environment, his parents, his education, discipline but most importantly his decisions all bear influence on a young man’s ability to mature.

A man does not look for maturity, life itself ensures that every man to go through the maturation process. It is up to a man whether or not to comply by gaining understanding and wisdom to make the right decisions so that he might be successful in life.

It is written in the scriptures

“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child. but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
1st Cor.13

The Apostle states that his comprehension and rationale were different between adulthood and childhood. When he “became a man” the writer states that he had to “PUT AWAY” childish things. This word put away does not remove as in forget what it is like to be a child or to remove any memory of behavior of childhood but the word comes from the greek word katergeo which means to render idle, make inactive and inoperative. Meaning the effect of his childhood whether good or bad will not weigh on the necessary demand of manhood.

Most psychologist resort to the childhood of an adult to find deep rooted problems. The ability to mature stands in the fact that a man is able to rise above any of the experiences of his childhood and render them powerless to the path of his destiny regardless of what things took place good or bad.

Life presents every man with the task to mature. As we age we learn more, experience more, increase in knowledge and become aware of many things. With this mindset must come the courage to make decisions based on what we know and learn and understand guided by Holy Spirit and the WORD OF GOD.

A man makes a decision to grow up, embracing what life has to offer and developing within life’s circumstances. The tears, the pain the laughter, and the joy all lend to a man growing up and taking on the character that will one day allow him to reach his ultimate potential and destiny.

*Scripture References*

Romans 5:4
James 1:4
1st Cor. 13

The Vision Statement

According to Business Dictionary.Com, a vision statement is defined as  “an aspirational description of what an organization would like to achieve or accomplish in the mid-term or long-term, future. It is intended to serve as a clear guide for choosing current and future courses of action.”

 No organization should start without a Vision Statement. It is a statement that must exemplify the purpose and aspiration of your organization. A mission statement shows what you are while a vision statement shows what you would like to do. Not every organization has a vision statement, just those that are forward thinkers.  An organization according to Business Dictionary an organization is defined as an administrative and functional structure.* The Kingdom of GOD is indeed an organization filled with power administered by The Most High, accompanied by an innumerable host that all work together to ensure that you receive the rightful position that you were created to obtain.

When GOD made man, he left a Vision Statement on record saying –

“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over ever creeping thing that creepeth upon earth.” Gen 1:26

The same way that every part of an organization is dedicated to the fulfillment of its mission statement, the Kingdom OF GOD through the strength and power of the Almighty is  dedicated to fulfill its vision to make man into the Image and Likeness of his make. Daily our experiences are strategically dictated by the Hand of the Almighty to build in us the character to become the Sons of GOD. Within our lives, there are dark days, sad days, bumps and bruises that often discourage us to believe things are not working out.

It is written

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called” Romans 8:28-30

Fulfillment of any vision demands that one stay focus on the end result and not the current circumstances. No one would look at an embryo and assume it would develop into a man or women but being we know the outcome, we can anticipate the joy of the delivery in spite of the labor pains. What we are right now is no indication of the greatness that we will become through the will of of our Creator who has subjected the hope of creation to wait for our manifestation. Life is subjugated to GOD’s vision to make us into the Image of his Son, who is the expressed image of the Almighty GOD.  Whatever we are experiencing is not to break us but to fortify us. Any vision without the statement of GOD’s vision is subject to failure.  Without it, we are guaranteed to perish.

We are the workmanship of GOD. No artist, builder, architect or visionary starts anything without the preconceived notion of the finished product. This is why we were foreknown, justified and predestined. Our failures, weaknesses and insufficient characteristics are apart of the formulating, shaping and molding in the hands of a wonderful potter. You are the recipient of a master plan taking place, the benefactor of the wonderful operation that is the hope of all Creation, the manifestation of the SONS OF GOD!

Every day we should hold fast to this vision and fixate our perspective on the purpose that we have been created for.  The GOD of Heaven and Earth who is YAHWEH is not into hobbies. He has a direct purpose for every individual.  Our experiences have been ordered for us to develop the characteristics suitable for the position of destiny that we have been created for.
It is written

“Beloved, now we are the children of GO, and it has not appeared as yet what wewill be. We know that when he appears we shall be like him!” 1^st John 3:2

*Scripture References*

• Gen.1:26
• Rom.14:17
• 1st Chronicles 29:11-12
• Heb. 12:22
• Romans 8:28-31
• Psalms 8 4:9
• Hebrews 1:14
• Gal 4:19
• Heb 1:3
• Col 1:5
• Eph. 2:10
• Proverbs 29:18
• Zech 4:10
• Jer. 18:1-10

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