Are You Ready To See The Bigger Picture? Focused Eyes Pt 2

  Mankind is ready to see the paramount picture. It's time for us to get a grip! It's time to let go of old sentiments, veiled references, and crumbs that fell from the table. Embrace a greater hope and a brand new day!  -Dr. Nathaniel Duffey III  

   

Pour Into Your Spirit Man

 God will never be real to you and I until we come face to face with Him through His perfect and permissive will over our lives--that allow us to be totally free.  This is accomplished by studying the scriptures with a critical, logical, and open minded approach.  "Then we will know and can boldly proclaim, 'In all the world, my God, there is none but Thee, there is none but Thee.'” (Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, accessed November 17, 2011, http://utmost.org/).

 

"Study to show thy self approved."

Only through an in depth scriptural study that establishes an intimate relationship with The Creator through His Christ and the prophets He sent which is supported by daily study, application, prayer, and mediation does one begins to gain a deeper "Spiritual Aptitude."  Through this process we become logically and strategically grounded in our beliefs and we do not get caught up into group think or traditional thinking.  We can no longer solely rely upon Sunday School, Saturday Temple, Jummah prayer or what "Reverend Chicken Wing said."  We fall into a comfort zone of "Spiritual Stagnation," when we do so, based upon long held beliefs or traditions that have prevent us from growing and seeking a higher knowledge and realm of God.

We must grow from the baby stage of spiritual development into a mature stage of spiritual development.  In that we are active participants in every part of our daily faith walk with God.  We are no longer a heard of cattle or bodies in a pew, we now learn to aim for new spiritual heights because we are no longer the same.  We are now renewed and transformed.  We are always on our Post!

Much of our stagnation and confusion along our faith walk surrounds the birth, work, identity, purpose, and mission of The Messiah, Jesus.  There is no doubt in my mind that Jesus is the only begotten 'Son' of God in the "intended intrinsic sense and Will of God," (a human being [man] who is in relation to and in unity with the direct Divine Source or Originator of creation--who is God), i.e., hence Jesus saying "I and my Father are One."  Moreover (A thing or essence of, the intrinsic [Belonging naturally; essential] nature or indispensable quality of something or someone, that determines its character.  Regarded as representative or symbolic of something or someone else, i.e. God.  One thing conceived as representing another; a symbol: i.e., Jesus implies and invokes God qualities or is a sign of God's qualities.  (Stand as a name or symbol for, God).   (Definitions adapted from the Farlex Free Online Dictionary) (*See Scriptural and Literary Support below for an in depth explanation)

Jesus' attributes also reflect the 'Sun' metaphorically speaking (The star around which the earth orbits. The sun is the central body of the solar system.  It provides the light and energy that sustains...) of God, i.e., "I am The Light, The Truth, and The Way," or as Minister Farrakhan suggests "Jesus is a light giving Son and Sun."

Jesus the Lamb of God

Jesus was the Divine Spiritual Representative of God between God and man during his physical presence on the planet.  Furthermore, Jesus is God's Divine Reminder and Mediator through the Holy Spirit (The Comforter), scriptures affirm that he Yeshua/Isa (Jesus) was sent for a sign like Musa (Moses) to deliver a specific message and do a prophetic and practical work.  Moreover, the Bible and Ouran line up, they both describe him (Jesus) as the Messiah (The Promised One or Deliverer), whom was above all prophets and messengers.  Moreover implying that his Divine power(s) and authority were given by God, The Father.

"'How can anyone serve God in ignorance?' the Minister asked. “Ignorance is the enemy of God. Knowledge will make us the friend of God and it will allow us to befriend one another, therefore all of the prophets taught us to get knowledge,” -Farrakhan

One falls into spiritual confusion when we place Jesus on the same level as God or suggest that Jesus is God.  Clearly throughout scripture this is not the case and out of Jesus' own mouth he declares so on several occasions. “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you" (John 17:1 NRSV, *See more scriptural support below).

We whom follow Christ must come to this conclusion through much deeper and very surgical scriptural study and examination.  Coming to this conclusion does not belittle or diminish Jesus' divine intrinsic value, purpose, or presence.  What it does do, is, allow us to follow him right and exact; therefore giving us the chance to understand more profoundly his divine intrinsic value, purpose, and presence without making him an idol of worship besides God or devaluing his reason for being sent.

As I have noted in previous writings--Jesus is indeed worthy of our admiration, honor, deference, and praise.  But he never expected or taught us to worship him, however he did teach us to follow him!  “If any of you want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matt 16:24 NRSV)

To God Be The Glory!

We are now preparing ourselves to become more equipped take on this new spiritual paradigm shift with a renewed faithfulness and excitement, in that we are growing and becoming more like Jesus.  We can now do that greater works that Jesus proclaim that we would do.  We are in the spiritual game of chess, which is warfare.  A spiritual warfare that requires our full attention, detail, and participation.  We are now free from the cowardice and stagnation that has made us timid to question or go against the grain of what we have been traditionally taught.  You and I are now able to be true followers, disciples, and students of Almighty God and His Christ.  No longer bowing down to or selling out to the powers or forces of this world.  But completely surrendering ourselves to do the Will of Almighty God, in Spirit and in Truth.  "To God Be The Glory!"

This type of thinking upsets the world of traditional religion as we know it!  It turns Satan's world upside down because he is the author of the confusion that has the whole world of religion in chaos today and has mankind not being the best examples of the Almighty that we can be! To God Be The Glory for this kind of teachin' -n- preachin'!!!  -The Brotha

Scriptural and Literary Support:

Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire other than you.
My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.-Psalm 73:25-26 NRSV
 
I say, “You are gods,children of the Most High, all of you; -Psalm 82:3 NRSV 


Listen, children, to a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight; for I give you good precepts: do not forsake my teaching.  When I was a son with my father, tender, and my mother’s favorite, he taught me, and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.  Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget, nor turn away from the words of my mouth.  Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you. The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever else you get, get insight.  Prize her highly, and she will exalt you; she will honor you if you embrace her.  She will place on your head a fair garland; she will bestow on you a beautiful crown.”-Proverbs 4:1-9 NRSV *Also see Proverbs 4:10-27 


For your immortal spirit is in all things. Therefore you correct little by little those who trespass, and you remind and warn them of the things through which they sin, so that they may be freed from wickedness and put their trust in you, O Lord.-Wisdom of Solomon 12:2 NRSV

“If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? -Matthew 16:24-26 NKJV also see *Mark 8:34–37; Luke 9:23–25

“Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” -John 14: 1-7 NRSV

Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it. -John 14:8-14 NRSV
 
“Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son so that the Son may glorify you, since you have given him authority over all people, to give eternal life to all whom you have given him. And this is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent. I glorified you on earth by finishing the work that you gave me to do. So now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had in your presence before the world existed. -John 17:1-5 NRSV


“I have made your name known to those whom you gave me from the world. They were yours, and you gave them to me, and they have kept your word. Now they know that everything you have given me is from you; for the words that you gave to me I have given to them, and they have received them and know in truth that I came from you; and they have believed that you sent me. I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours." -John 17:6-10 NRSV

I ask that when I am present I need not show boldness by daring to oppose those who think we are acting according to human standards. Indeed, we live as human beings, but we do not wage war according to human standard for the weapons of our warfare are not merely human, but they have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every proud obstacle raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. We are ready to punish every disobedience when your obedience is complete.-2 Corinthians 10:4 NRSV

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. -2 Tim 15:4 KJV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. -2 Tim 15:4 NRSV

God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds; who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, as He has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels did He ever say: “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”? And again: “I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son”? -Hebrews 1:1-5 NRSV    


*Side Note: When the scripture above says "'You are My Son, Today I have begotten You? And again: 'I will be to Him a Father, And He shall be to Me a Son'”? Bears witness to what I explained in the second paragraph above. Furthermore, Jesus is the begotten Son of God not in the literal sense of a male and female bringing a child into existence through sexual intercourse but in the "intended" intrinsic sense of the God's thought through His perfect and permissive will that gave rise to, or brought about the existence of Jesus through the womb of Mary and her encounter with the Supernatural as noted in both the Bible and Qur'an. (*See attached scriptural notes for further reference): [Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit]. -Matthew 1:18 NRSV  


[She (Mary) said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me, and man has not touched me? He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is]. -Our'an 3:47 Surah Ale-'Imran (The Family of 'Imran)
 
“See, I am coming soon! Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book." I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things. And when I heard and saw them, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed them to me; but he said to me, “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you and your comrades the prophets, and with those who keep the words of this book. Worship God!” -Rev 22:7-9 NSRV

Allah (God)! there is no god but He the Living the Self-Subsisting Eternal. It is He Who sent down to thee (step by step) in truth the Book confirming what went before it; and He sent down Law (of Moses) and the Gospel (of Jesus) before this as a guide to mankind and He sent down the Criterion (of judgment between right and wrong). Then those who reject Faith in the Signs of Allah will suffer the severest penalty and Allah is Exalted in Might Lord of Retribution. From Allah verily nothing is hidden on earth or in the heavens. He it is Who shapes you in the wombs as He pleases. There is no god but He the Exalted in Might the Wise. -Qur'an 3:2-6 Surah Ale-'Imran (The Family of 'Imran)
 
We ordained therein for them: "Life for life eye for eye nose for nose ear for ear tooth for tooth and wounds equal for equal." But if anyone remits the retaliation by way of charity it is an act of atonement for himself. And if any fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed they are (no better than) wrong-doers. And in their footsteps We sent Jesus the son of Mary confirming the law that had come before him: We sent him the Gospel: therein was guidance and light and confirmation of the law that had come before him: a guidance and an admonition to those who fear Allah. Let the people of the Gospel Judge by what Allah hath revealed therein. If any do fail to judge by (the light of) what Allah hath revealed they are (no better than) those who rebel. -Qur'an 5:45-47 Surah Al-Ma'idah (The Table Spread)

“No human should be afraid to know more. No human being should feel threatened by one who possesses knowledge,” said Min. Farrakhan. “So much ignorance exists that all of us who know whatever degree of knowledge we have, we have a responsibility to those who do not know to share that knowledge not seeking to make them our followers or slaves but share knowledge to improve them spiritually (and) mentally that they may improve themselves socially, politically, economically and otherwise,” he said. *Excerpts from Holy Day of Atonement Speech 2010  

"Jesus was not Christian! He didn't come to start a religious institution. The religious idea of Jesus came later. Jesus came to destroy that system, and let the Idea of God out of the psychological box that self-righteous men had placed Him in, and the world perceived Him in. -Dr. Nathaniel Duffey III

Baby Spritual Food Vs. Mature Spiritual Food Pt 2: Beware!

 "For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous 
wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock." Acts 20: 29 NRSV

False Teachers, Prophets, & Messengers are among us in this so called liberated & enlightened context.  Beware!  Recognize the real even if it is alternative to how you were raised as a child.  We can no longer stay on the baby food of spiritual study & discernment, we have to grow up and nourish ourselves on a whole grain spiritual diet.  We must come to know the True and Living God and His Christ, as well as study and understand The Book from the Abrahamic faiths prospective, which will take us into the study of Torah (Tarvrat or Septuagint) (The Law), Gospel (Injeel) (The Teaching) along with the Apocrypha "(Biblical or related writings not forming part of the accepted canon of Scripture)" and Qur'an (The Last Message of Allah [God]) reveled.  Those among us whom are traveling brothers and sisters towards the east--know just what I am speaking of.  We cannot be afraid to grow and step out of our spiritual comfort zones, we must come to know and understand the complete picture God is trying to show us.  I am not satisfied with being the same ole' Believer that I was 10, 15, or even 20 years ago.  Spiritual stagnation cannot hinder us any longer, as long as spiritual stagnation continues to hinder us; we will continue to wonder in the contemporary proverbial desert like the Children of Israel.  Thus resulting in us being afraid, not alert, unaware, and lazy, Believers.  

All three Holy Books describe the human family as "The Glory of God," but how can we truly be the Glory of God if we continue to allow spiritual stagnation to hinder us?   If we truly say that we are followers of Jesus Christ, then we will not be afraid to do what Jesus did, say what Jesus said, and pick up our cross.  "Even though humans are referred to in the scriptures as 'The Glory of God,' many fail to recognize the divinity that exists within. 

 God has never created anything that is mediocre, The Qur’an and the Bible says everything that God creates glorifies Him, but man and woman are referred to as 'The Glory of God.' That’s who you are, but you have not recognized how great you are.  Everything that God has created is marked with excellence. Then how could we be 'The Glory of God' and not have within us gifts from Him that will manifest His presence?” 

-HMLF

Into God's Hand

The time has come for us to take our own spiritual growth and development into our own hands--like never before.  We are responsible for own personal relationship with God and His Christ, not some man or woman standing in a pool pit.  There is no question that some great men and women have stood in the pool pit of spiritual enlightenment but the responsibility of heeding the Word has always been on us whom receive it.  It is our responsibility to exhibit the faith in our everyday lives not just when the cameras are rolling but more importantly when they are not rolling--that is the true test of our spiritual exhibition.  Moreover, it is obviously apparent that we are in very perilous times and that a much special and deeper spiritual focus, discernment, and responsibility are needed in order to survive, what is on the horizon.

Divine Spiritual Source

To be led down the path of the false hope and security of financial and material mammon is totally off base.  If one thinks by obtaining the riches of this world will be their security blanket, that will protect or save them and not put the "Lord of All the Worlds," first as one's foundation and source--he or she is sadly mistaken.  We as society have been misled in this very manner.  The concept of prosperity is not misleading but the idea of prosperity being one's ultimate source of survival is the misleading factor.  Prosperity is due to us all, in fact Jesus said the one of the reasons that he came is so that we could have life and have it more abundantly.  But he also warned us of the thief who comes to kill, steal, and destroy!  So, we must constantly be aware of the great arch deceiver who is the sender of these false prophets, teachers, and messengers.  You will know them by their fruits!  And the only way we will be able to discern is by stepping up our spiritual game.  We have to get off of the checker board of spiritual aptitude and get on the chess board of spiritual aptitude; so that we can stand against the wiles of Satan and all of his ways; allowing us to be prepared for when the wolf comes.  

“When we walk God walks. When we talk God talks. When we fight God fights—if you are connected to God. And the aim of the enemy is to disconnect the people from the source of their power, their strength, their wisdom, their knowledge and their life,” -Farrakhan

Scriptural & Literary Support

For from the least to the greatest of them, everyone is greedy for unjust gain; and from prophet to priest, everyone deals falsely.  They have treated the wound of my people carelessly, saying, “Peace, peace,” when there is no peace. - Jeremiah 6:13-14 NRSV

During the time that they lived in it, they laboriously served the Most High, and withstood danger every hour so that they might keep the law of the Lawgiver perfectly. -2 Esdras 7:89 NRSV

“It shall be that all who will be saved and will be able to escape on account of their works, or on account of the faith by which they have believed, will survive the dangers that have been predicted, and will see my salvation in my land and within my borders, which I have sanctified for myself from the beginning. -2 Esdras 9:7 NRSV

“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.  You will know them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorns, or figs from thistles?  In the same way, every good tree bears good fruit, but the bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  Thus you will know them by their fruits. -Matthew 7:15-20 NRSV

I know that after I have gone, savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Some even from your own group will come distorting the truth in order to entice the disciples to follow them.-Acts 20:29-30 NRSV

For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “All things are put in subjection,” it is plain that this does not include the one who put all things in subjection under him.  When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to the one who put all things in subjection under him, so that God may be all in all. -1 Corinthians 15:26 NSRV 

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. -2 Tim 15:4 KJV

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. -2 Tim 15:4 NRSV

But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive opinions. They will even deny the Master who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. Even so, many will follow their licentious ways, and because of these teachers the way of truth will be maligned. And in their greed they will exploit you with deceptive words. Their condemnation, pronounced against them long ago, has not been idle, and their destruction is not asleep.-2 Peter 2:1-3 NRSV

Children, it is the last hour! As you have heard that antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have come. From this we know that it is the last hour. -1 John 2:18 NRSV 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; for many false prophets have gone out into the world.  By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ (Yeshua) has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus (Yeshua) is not from God.  And this is the spirit of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming; and now it is already in the world. -1 John 4:1-3 NRSV

And the devil who had deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet were, and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever. -Rev 20:10 NRSV

And do not mix up the truth with the falsehood, nor hide the truth while you know (it).  -Surah 2: Ayat 42

And most certainly We gave Musa (Moses) the Book and We sent apostles after him one after another; and We gave Isa (Jesus), the son of Marium (Mary), clear arguments and strengthened him with the holy spirit, What! whenever then an apostle came to you with that which your souls did not desire, you were insolent so you called some liars and some you slew. -Surah 2:87 

When the angels said: O Marium (Mary), surely Allah (God) gives you good news with a Word from Him (of one) whose name is the '. Messiah, Isa (Jesus) son of Marium, worthy of regard in this world and the hereafter and of those who are made near (to Allah).  And he (Jesus) shall speak to the people when in the cradle and when of old age, and (he shall be) one of the good ones.  She said: My Lord! when shall there be a son (born) to I me, and man has not touched me?  He said: Even so, Allah creates what He pleases; when He has decreed a matter, He only says to it, Be, and it is.  And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Tavrat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel). -Surah 3:45-48

And say: The truth has come and the falsehood has vanished; surely falsehood is a vanishing (thing). -Surah 17:81

That is because Allah (God) is the Truth, and that what they call upon besides Him -- that is the falsehood, and because Allah (God) is the High, the Great.  -Surah 22:62

Baby Spritual Food Vs. Mature Spiritual Food Pt 1: It's Time for You & I to Spiritually Man Up!

  “We have more millionaires, and a few billionaires and more members of the Black middle class, yet the masses of our people are slipping further and further behind and are deeper and deeper in the valley of poverty and want,” -Min. Farrakhan

The Great One's

There have been many "Great One's" whom have come among us and we as a whole do not reflect the lessons they have tried to teach us.  We have dropped the ball of our collective growth and development economically, socially, spiritually, and morally as a people.  For every step of progress we have made over the past fifty years or more, it seems as if we have taken ten steps back, sort a like a free fall.  Today we are being forced to take a razor sharp focus and laser sharp approach at looking at our collective selves.  For one to stop and say that the African American community is in peril today would not be an understatement.  It is quite obvious and there is no doubt and one does not have to go into grave detail or provide significant statistical evidence.  Because all you have to do is look around you and see "What's Going On," as the late great singer Marvin Gaye suggested.

Our level of of cultural, moral, and spiritual discernment as a people has suffered significantly over the past thirty years or so.  We have allowed the ills and vices of this world to literally destroy our advancement(s) as a people.  In every area of human life we are currently at the bottom or very near the bottom.  The current context of our existence cannot continue down this path.  It is time we put an end to the madness that is plaguing our communities.  We have had several opportunities to make things right over these years but we continue to drop the ball.  As noted earlier we have made some progress.  We have more African Americans in positions of power and influence than at any other time in our history, here in America.  But as a whole we do not reflect that progress that the few have had.

When one enters the Black community today a number of factors are very noticeable as to why we are in the peril we are in.  The one that has been most devastating is that we control and own very little in our own community.  Every other ethnic group is presently doing business, commerce, and earning a profit in our community besides us.  We have become the minority in our own neighborhoods when it comes to business, commerce and earning a profit today.  And it is nobody's fault but our own!  Our dollars do not even reciprocate among us--not even once!  The Harvest Institute (www.harvestinstitue.org), a Washington, D.C. Black think tank that addresses how money circulates in various communities noted:

•Money circulates in the White Community unlimited times

•Money circulates in Jewish Communities over 12 times

•Money circulates in Asian Communities over 9 times

•Money circulates in Latino Communities over 6 times

•Money circulates in the African-American Community 0-1 time

Sure forms of discrimination and disenfranchisement still rear their ugly heads but we have always faced obstacles in our path towards progress.  So there is no excuse especially in today's context where we have some of the brightest and smartest people, that our race has ever produced.  Problem is we have been hit in our "Umoja" and "Ujima" heads resulting in us forgetting our collective obligations as a people.   

When will the sleeping giant awaken to claim what is ours?  As suggested earlier we are being forced to rise now and do for our selves.  Things are are not getting any better under this current system of things as a whole but in particularly for Blacks and Latinos.  A paradigm shift is urgently needed.  We have to get up off of our collective bottoms and go for self.or else we will slip deeper into the abyss.  We have to awaken from the amnesia of our moral, cultural, and spiritual discernment in order to save ourselves and our community.  In this war, we have to be ready to accept that everyone will not want to come along or, further more can be saved.  There will be casualties and collateral damage--this is just a fact we will have to endure.  But the good news is that we can achieve our collective goals as people if we are untied for the common good. 

We have to get off of the baby milk of our individual and basic progress as a people and set our systems up to accept the whole nourishment of our collective advancement.  We can do this by supporting initiatives like Empowerment Experiment, Less Talk and More Action Empowerment Tour, and Three Year Economic Savings Program.  All of these can be achieved but the question remains are we going to continue to take forever in do so.  We are indeed in perilous times and we must put our best foot forward to make a change.  We must rely on our God first then ourselves to help us to "See It Through."  

Study Torah, Injeel, and Quran: Three Course Meal

On a spiritual note, we must honestly question ourselves and not be afraid to go into much deeper spiritual discourse and discernment when looking at our plight as a people.  We have to put down the basic notions of our collective needs like continuing to advocate for "jobs and justice," or looking for reparations.  It is apparent that we need jobs and reparations but we must begin to create the jobs we need for ourselves versus expecting and putting the sole onus on the federal government, to do so   The onus is on us now for the economic repair, growth, and development, that we seek.

We have to study the history of the Scriptures in both the historical and contemporary context.  Especially the story of the "Children of Israel."  We cannot simply be satisfied with basic scriptural truths and then run from or dodge the more deeper and difficult scriptural truths.   We show a lack of spiritual maturity and discernment when we do this--which are offensive and disrespectful to God.  Furthermore our lack of spiritual maturity and discernment under-develops our faith and convictions in God and His Christ, and our ability to make proper choices and decisions.  Hence, which is why we have been asleep and not been awake on our post of active and consistent advancement as a people.  As noted above one can tell our spiritual condition and age upon entering our community.  We have been wondering in the contemporary proverbial desert trying to find our way into the "Promised Land."  The responsibility of feeding ourselves proper spiritual food and doing for self cannot continue to allude us.  To continue down this path will keep us in the abyss of spiritual weakness and inability.  Resulting in us continuing to look towards someone else to provide for us the things we should be providing for our selves.  As the great Hon. Marcus M. Garvey declared "Up you mighty people! You can accomplish What you will!"

More Web Sites of Interests upon the Subject Matter:

PowerNomics

FraserNet-Urban Professional Empowerment 

The eSecret 

Business Challenge For:2010 

'Wake Up or Die in Your Sleep'

UjamaaDeals.Com

Scriptural & Literary Support:

You must observe them diligently, for this will show your wisdom and discernment to the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, “Surely this great nation is a wise and discerning people!” -Deuteronomy 4:6 NRSV

They are a nation void of sense; there is no understanding in them. If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern what the end would be. -Deuteronomy 32:28-29

Yet among the mature we do speak wisdom, though it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to perish. But we speak God’s wisdom, secret and hidden, which God decreed before the ages for our glory.  None of the rulers of this age understood this; for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. -1 Corinthians 2:6 NRSV

until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ.  We must no longer be children, tossed to and fro and blown about by every wind of doctrine, by people’s trickery, by their craftiness in deceitful scheming.  But speaking the truth in love, we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love. -Ephesians 4:13-16 NSRV

About thisb we have much to say that is hard to explain, since you have become dull in understanding.  For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic elements of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food; for everyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is unskilled in the word of righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, for those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish good from evil.  -Heb 5:11-14 NRSV

Therefore let us go on toward perfection, leaving behind the basic teaching about Christ, and not laying again the foundation: repentance from dead works and faith toward God, instruction about baptisms, laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.  -Heb 6:1-2 NRSV

and let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.  -James 1:4 NRSV

And He will teach him the Book and the wisdom and the Tavrat(Torah) and the Injeel(Gospel). -Surah 3:48

And when he had attained his maturity, We gave him wisdom and knowledge: and thus do We reward those who do good. -Surah 12:22

This is of what your Lord has revealed to you of wisdom, and do not associate any other god with Allah lest you should be thrown into hell, blamed, cast away. -Surah 17:39

And (as for) Lut(Lot), We gave him wisdom and knowledge, and We delivered him from the town which wrought abominations; surely they were an evil people, transgressors; -Surah 21:74

And when he attained his maturity and became full grown, We granted him wisdom and knowledge; and thus do We reward those who do good (to others). -Surah 28:14

He it is Who created you from dust, then from a small lifegerm, then from a clot, then He brings you forth as a child, then that you may attain your maturity, then that you may be old -- and of you there are some who are caused to die before -- and that you may reach an appointed term, and that you may understand. -Surah 40:67

“What is the purpose of education? Are we just in school to get an education so that we can go out and get a job and make some money, ride in a car, live in a nice home, abandon the ghetto and leave your brothers and sisters behind and think that we’ve made progress in the world? Is this what God intended when he asked us to go after knowledge from the cradle to the grave?” -Farrakhan

Ode To Marcus Garvey

What Are You Afraid Of?

"All of our fears are sinful and cowardly, and we create our own fears by refusing to nourish ourselves in our faith. How can anyone who is identified with God and His Christ suffer from doubt, fear, or recreancy! Our lives should be an absolute hymn of praise resulting from perfect, irrepressible, triumphant belief.". -Oswald Chambers & The Brotha

Yeshua

Who are we fooling we when we say that we believe but then turn around and become afraid, fearful, or ashamed of who and who's we are.  We turn our backs on The Creator when we do not allow him to totally dwell in us in every aspect of our lives.  If shirk in the face of the powers and pressures of man; Are we truly being the witnesses that God has commissioned us to be?  Are we truly reflecting and relying on the Spirit of God and the example of the Son of God to be our salvation, protection, and guide?  The answer is an emphatic no!   When we allow fears to creep in, we become weak and afraid to say, Thus says the Lord because we do not want offend anybody--we rather play it safe.  

Power

"We should battle through our moods, feelings, and emotions into absolute devotion to The Most High and His Reminder.  We must break out of our own little world of experience into abandoned devotion to Him."  Yeshua (Jesus) was God Incarnate when he came on the scene 2000 years ago, he was able to be himself on the bases that he was sent from the Father.  Which is why he could pronounce "My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.  I and the Father are one" (John 10:30 ESV).  Which denotes that his power and authority are in unity with and come from The Father.  Furthermore whom in which The Father has given power and authority to shall never avoid or be afraid of the powers and forces of the world-- thus we cannot be afraid to suffer in God's name.  Therefore we must always consistently put our trust and faith in God and His Christ--not in some fictitious mysterious delusional god who never is tangible.  Even if you suffer for doing what is right, God will bless you for it.  So do not worry or be afraid of their power.  Instead, you must worship God as The Most High God of your life.  And if someone ask you about your faith in Him always be ready to bear witness--just as Jesus did.

We should never be afraid of our relationship with God and His Christ.  And if we are criticized, treated unfairly or even threatened because of our belief in God and His Christ, we should respond with deference and never become defensive.  You should never be afraid to represent Him and "Accept Your Own" and "Be Yourself!"  It is better to suffer for the cause of God than for the cause of God to suffer because you are too afraid and weak to stand up in His name!

Peace & Understanding, The Brotha

Also see *http://thebrotha1.blogspot.com/2010/08/why-suffer.html -Why Suffer


Scriptural & Literary Support

Later the LORD spoke to Abram in a vision, "Abram, don't be afraid! I will protect you and reward you greatly."  -Gen 15:1 CEV


Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. -Duet 6:4 NIV

He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him." -John 3:2 NIV

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. -John 14:12 NIV


"You heard me say, 'I am going away and I am coming back to you.' If you loved me, you would be glad that I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I. -John 14:28 NIV

what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, 'I am God's Son'? -John 10:36 NIV

that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. -John 17:21 NIV

"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. -Acts 2:22 NIV

But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV

The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. -2 Corinthians 4:4 NIV

Say: O Allah (God), Master of the Kingdom! Thou givest the kingdom to whomsoever Thou pleasest and takest away the kingdom from whomsoever Thou pleasest, and Thou exaltest whom Thou pleasest and abasest whom Thou pleasest in Thine hand is the good; surety, Thou hast power over all things. -Surah 3:26

When Allah will say: O Isa (Jesus) son of Marium (Mary)! Remember My favor on you and on your mother, when I strengthened you I with the holy Spirit, you spoke to the people in the cradle and I when of old age, and when I taught you the Book and the wisdom and the Taurat (Torah) and the Injeel (Gospel); and when you determined out of clay a thing like the form of a bird by My permission, then you breathed into it and it became a bird by My permission, and you healed the blind and the leprous by My permission; and when you brought forth the dead by My permission; and when I withheld the children of Israel from you when you came to them with clear arguments, but those who disbelieved among them said: This is nothing but clear enchantment. -Surah 5:110

And when Allah will say: O Isa son of Marium! did you say to men, Take me and my mother for two gods besides Allah he will say: Glory be to Thee, it did not befit me that I should say what I had no right to (say); if I had said it, Thou wouldst indeed have known it; Thou knowest what is in my mind, and I do not know what is in Thy mind, surely Thou art the great Knower of the unseen things. -Surah 5:116

And among men is he who says: We believe in Allah (God); but when he is persecuted in (the way of) Allah (God) he thinks the persecution of men to be as the chastisement of Allah (God); and if there come assistance from your Lord, they would most certainly say: Surely we were with you. What! is not Allah (God) the best knower of what is in the breasts of mankind. -Surah 29:10

The great fearful event shall not grieve them, and the angels shall meet them: This is your day which you were promised. -Surah 21:103




"Your gonna die anyway, you might as well die standing up for the truth and liberation of your people." -Farrakhan


"If your afraid to stand up for truth and liberation, then get outta the damn way!" -Farrakhan

"Even when our situation looks difficult, we can trust that God is leading. He already knows what we’ll need when we get there." -Excerpt from Our Daily Bread 11/12/11

I know not by what methods rare
The Lord provides for me;
I only know that all my needs
He meets so graciously. —Adams

"Facing an impossibility gives us the opportunity to trust God." -Excerpt from Our Daily Bread 11/12/11

Do You Know What You Are Smoking, Man?

With so many voices and opinions out there, sometimes all you need is the knowledge to make your own decisions. -Go to link: Above The Influence

Say No

I was never one to fully engage in smoking weed as a teen, I just got high of contact *(Smile :-)!  Seriously, the older dudes I hung out with in my hood made me put the joint down because they said it wasn't me--even though they were straight up "weed heads"!  They may not be aware of what they did for me, but I am deeply indebted to those brothers because since that day I have never picked up a joint again!

This is just an observation:

Today's youth are becoming more an more engaged and are not as lucky as I once was to have guys I looked up to guide me on the right path.  The marijuana the youth are smoking today is not like the ganja folk had access to back in the day.  It doesn't even smell the same.  Today, the marijuana they have is being spiked with a variety of chemicals or as the teens it is being "stepped on."  The chemicals they are putting on the weed is causing a type of "slow death" to sort of speak and they are getting addicted to it--something unheard of in my day.

Purple Kush

Young people today have become so addicted to marijuana and in order to just function on a daily bases they have to do what is called a "wake & bake."  They have come up with all type of interesting names for the marijuana according to the affect it has or high it makes them "Kush," "Reggie," "Loud," and "Purple" to name a few.  This trend will eventually lead them to much harder drugs causing an even deeper problem and epidemic.

The so called "War On Drugs," has decimated both Black and Brown communities through mass incarceration in particularly young males.  The "War On Drugs," was the pretext to take young Black and Brown men off the streets at an alarming rate.  Many of the arrests and jail time given have been unjust.  However so, we have been responsible for our own demise by continuing to engage in such behaviors that are adverse to our productivity.  We cannot continue to tread down this destructive path or else we will surely continue to pay a devastating price.

Tragedy at State College

'This is a tragedy,' Paterno says. 'It is one of the great sorrows of my life. With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.'  (Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2059268/Penn-State-scandal-Matt-Millen-breaks-air-number-victims-DOUBLES.html#ixzz1d4Gw7D)

As a former collegiate football player and currently a HS football coach, I have nothing but respect and admiration for Coach Joe Paterno affectionately known as "Joe Pa."  For his impeccable 46 year coaching career to come to an abrupt halt like this is totally unthinkable.  Joe Pa has been a model coach known as a father figure and philanthropist by many he often garnered due honor and respect.  Now the question is raised whether or not this inexcusably repulsive act allegedly committed by former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky will tarnish his legacy.  The question is raised rightful so amidst the current climate.  I believe to an extent it will publicly but on an individual bases I believe not.  I will still hold the same respect and admiration I had before for Coach Joe Pa  as a football coach even though from a moral stand point he should have done more.  Which is why ultimately the school board had to make the very tough decision to fire him.  Some critics like Stephen A. Smith suggest that he should have went months ago but it appears the powers that be conveniently waited until he passed Eddie Robinson's coaching record for most wins.

However so, the elephant in the room is the abomination allegedly committed on his watch, which raises public concern of could he have done more than just reporting it to school's AD at the time.  Because this alleged crime involves sodomizing young boys is the part that one cannot stomach.  Like former Penn State stand out and current ESPN analyst Matt Millen put it "'I get mad,' Millen said as he broke down in tears. 'It's pretty disturbing. It makes you sick to see that this could happen to this level.'" Sure coach could have taken it further but I'm sure he felt he did the right thing by going to his AD, as it was the AD's job to take it further.  In my humble opinion that is who dropped the ball here and he was rightfully let go, as well as the school's President.  The former grad assistant Mike McQueary who supposedly reported the infraction also thought he did the right thing by following the chain of command.  I respect chain of command no doubt but I as a full grown man witnessing an act of the sort would have done more than follow chain of command.  My moral obligation radar would have caused me to take action into my on hand.

The other elephant in the room, that plays a major role is the fact that most of the young boys allegedly assaulted were African American.  I do not want to play the race card here but one must pose the question is this why, this story was not broken much sooner.  I'm sure the chain of command knew that the majority of the boys were African American. This incident was swept under the rug initially an it implied that young African American males are not valued in this country.   At the end of the day as my mother would always say "what ever is in the dark will come to the light, you just watch, wait and see."  Her words are forever true and as time goes all the information about this case will come to the light.  

My thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their families because they are going through a very difficult time to say the lease.  I pray justice is served justly and that all parties involved are held accountable.  We just have to sit back and watch as this thing unfolds and not let emotions take over good common sense and decency.  As for Joe Pa, I know he will be able to move forth and find a way to be of service to all involved for the benefit of the common good--a trait that he has exemplified throughout his long coaching career.  It is indeed a tragedy but time heals all wounds.

It's Not About You or Me...

If we want an increase of God & His Christ, there must be a decrease of self. -The Brotha & ODB (Our Daily Bread)

The duty of a true believer is to know the difference between God's interests and one's own personal (self) interests so that we do not confuse the task(s) that The Creator has charged us with.  Moreover so that we do not block or hinder our blessings and be of no use to God as witnesses of His love, glory, and omnipresence to mankind.  The believer has to get to a place along the journey where he/she becomes totally selfless.  As the great contemporary public intellectual Cornel West suggests "You cannot serve the people unless you love the people."  Thus denoting we must all become servant leaders.  God puts us in certain circumstances by His will and we must act accordingly.  Acting accordingly means that it is all about Him and not us, if we approach it in the opposite, we are hindering the Spirit of God from doing the work through us in the most effective and proper manner. 

"An attitude of humility should also characterize us.  Rather than desiring attention for ourselves, everything we do should bring glory to our God."  “He must increase, but I must decrease.”  It is all about God as suggested above when we realize that "He is using you now for His purposes throughout the world as He used His Son for the purpose of our salvation."  We have to be good stewards over our respective purpose(s) that The Creator has given us.  "If you seek great things for yourself, thinking, 'God has called me for this and for that, you barricade God from using you.'  As long as you maintain your own personal interests and ambitions, you cannot be completely aligned or identified with God’s interests..." -(Paraphrased from Our Daily Bread 11/10/11 & My Utmost for His Highest 11/10/11)

God uses us from His great personal perspective and we must be spiritually open and aware to willingly trust Him and Him alone.  Christ gave us a great example of this when he took to the desert for 40 days and 40 nights.  Jesus relied not on his own admission but on the omnipotent admission of The Father by totally trusting Him and by being in accord with Him as his guide and aide when devil tried to tempt him.  As Jesus so profoundly put it "One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God."  "The Lord, your God, shall you worship and him alone shall you serve." (Duet 10:20)

Our duty is to follow and abide by the same source that Jesus so aptly did.  When we continuously allow God to do His work within us through His Holy Spirit then and only then are we truly being the dutiful servants that we should be.  We are then able to be the representatives on earth that are needed for the time.  We resist the various temptations and moral repugnance that permeate the current climate.  We thus put on the whole armor of God and stand against the wiles of Satan.   -Peace (Shalom or Salaam alaikum) Be with You, or Unto to You

Not I but The Creator (God) using us as His servants be honored, loved, exalted;
Not I but The Creator be seen, be known, be heard and be obeyed;
Not I but The Creator in every interaction or endeavor;
Not I but The Creator in every thought, word, and deed. —The Brotha