Chain Reaction

In the Bible, Genesis 3:1-24 is a good example of how one person can mess up for everyone. Adam & Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit. God told them they could eat from every tree except the Tree of Knowledge Of Good & Evil. Adam tried to put it on Eve by saying, "This woman you gave me; she made me eat this fruit." Adam and Eve had dominion over the entire garden so it was Adam's job to remember God's order and heed it. Eve allowed the serpent to deceive her into thinking they would become like Jesus if they ate the fruit. Eve deceived Adam into disobedience, and when God found out, he punished both. The evidence of their disobedience to God is what's going on today. Moral of the story: Like it or not, your actions have an indirect/direct effect on others.

God's Goodness

Knowing God will bring me out with double, keeps my faith strong. Is it easy? No, but neither are most things in life worth fighting for.

Positive Black Imagery

Some black people complain (I've been guilty of this myself) about the lack of positive black imagery in the media, but I've had to catch myself and realize that positive black imagery doesn't generate ratings. The media's job is to generate ratings through negativity, sad but true. For every positive story about blacks, it's overshadowed by 5 images of negativity. I wish that weren't the case, but it's true.

Are Black Churches In The Hood Making A Difference?

Forgiveness & Race

This Amber Guyger trial has social media on fire. Everyone is speaking their minds on the trial, and it's good because some issues need to be talked about, such as forgiveness and race. If there's anything good that came out of this trial, it's the power of forgiveness. Botham Jean's brother forgave Amber Guyger for killing his older brother, then went as far as to give her a hug. Some people are slighted by that show of forgiveness because this lady took the life of his brother, and for him to extend grace on that level, it was almost like Jean's family gave her a pass. I can see how some people would be outraged. I see things from a Biblical and secular standpoint. From a Christian standpoint, the Jean family was following God's mandate of forgiveness. When someone sins against you, you are required to forgive them even if they don't ask or show no remorse. That brings me to this topic of race and forgiveness. It's no secret of the atrocities that blacks endured during slavery. Yes, blacks have gone through hell related to slavery, but why are we expected to overlook White America's sins against us? It's like blacks are supposed to be doormats for others to walk on. The moment blacks start fighting back, here come the titles of Angry Black Woman or Angry Black Man. Considering what blacks have gone through, they have every right and then some to be angry. Black people always have to be the ones to turn the other cheek, we have to be the ones to extend the olive branch, etc. I feel like this: Forgiveness is tough because some offenses are so grave that you can't let slide that easy. 

Considering all that blacks have been through, I think we're a forgiving people. Are we too forgiving? Sometimes, but I believe it's because some blacks understand that holding a grudge doesn't do any good in the long run. It doesn't hurt the offender, it hurts the victim because they're carrying around all that animosity towards someone who doesn't have one care of how they hurt them.

Something Is Seriously Wrong

It's Coming

Help me stay ready, so I don't have to get ready.

https://t.co/A1eYJF5n7G via @pinterest

— Florida Made (@RichardMIATL) October 2, 2019