Exceptional I am...

It is ingrained in us that we have to do exceptional things for God—but we do not. We have to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life, and holy on the ordinary streets, among ordinary people—and this is not learned in five minutes..." All of God’s people are ordinary people who have been made extraordinary by the purpose He has given them. -Oswald Chambers

The idea a being exceptional in the sight of God is an honorable and noble thing to achieve for those whom believe. Some of us think that achieving this feat requires us to go above and beyond the call of duty--when in fact it doesn't at all. It requires us to be exceptional in the ordinary things of life--the things we take for granted and look over because they are ordinary and plain. Are we exceptional only at Friday prayer, Sunday service or Wednesday bible study? Unfortunately for many believers we exhibited our exceptional behavior only when in front of the camara to sort of speak. But it's when the camara is off--whom and what we truly are as believers of Almighty God!

The walk of the righteous is not filled with the pretentious behavior that some of us tend to display as followers of God. Jesus (PBWH) said it best "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." WOW! A life in service to Almighty God is plain and simple but yet exceptional in that it is a life that totally deviates from the norm of what is deemed as exceptional in this world. The world has its set of rules and God has His--which one do you choose? Service in the sight of God is a daily operation for the the steadfast believer, he/she never waivers in their duty for they are always on their post!

Dear Father, above grant me the foresight and understanding to always be consciousness of my duty to serve you. Keep my thoughts, actions, and behavior consistent not just in times when I think the camara is on me but when no one is looking. Help me to be an constant and exceptional example like Jesus and all the prophets whom you have sent in your name. To God be the Glory! Amen!


Scriptural and Literary Support:

I will break down your stubborn pride and make the sky above you like iron and the ground beneath you like bronze. -Leviticus 26:19 NIV

He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. -Psalm 25:9 NIV. For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation. -Psalms 149:4 NIV

The arrogance of man will be brought low and the pride of men humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day, -Isaiah 2:17 NIV

Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land, you who do what he commands. Seek righteousness, seek humility; perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger. -Zephaniah 2:3 NIV

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. -Matt 11:29 NIV. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." -Matt 19:26 NIV
 
But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. -Jude 1:20 NIV

And seek assistance through patience and prayer, and most surely it is a hard thing except for the humble ones, Who know that they shall meet their Lord and that they shall return to Him. (2:45,46) Al Quran

"And remember your Lord by your tongue and within yourself, humbly and with fear and without loudness in words, in the mornings and in the afternoons, and be not of those who are neglectful.'' (7:205) Al Quran

Surely (as to) those who believe and do good and humble themselves to their Lord, these are the dwellers of the garden, in it they will abide. (11:23) Al Quran

And whatever creature that is in the heavens and that is in the earth makes obeisance to Allah (only), and the angels (too) and they do not show pride. (16:49) Al Quran

Surely the men who submit and the women who submit, and the believing men and the believing women, and the obeying men and the obeying women, and the truthful men and the truthful women, and the patient men and the patient women and the humble men and the humble women, and the almsgiving men and the almsgiving women, and the fasting men and the fasting women, and the men who guard their private parts and the women who guard, and the men who remember Allah much and the women who remember -- Allah has prepared for them forgiveness and a mighty reward. (33:35) Al Quran 

 

The Dating Game...

The Black dating dilemma... What is the reason(s) many Blacks choose to date outside their race? Money, education, incarceration, psychological effects of slavery, etc. Why?  Whatever the reason(s) many seem to think that it is a dilemma and perhaps it is.  Dating in general is very perplexing to most but in the African American community it seems to unvail various social-psychological factors that hender the process on a more broader level.  The opinions of why there is a Black dating dilemma can invoke a variety of emotions and cause much heated discussion.  Nonetheless, the dating game continues...  http://atlantapost.com/2010/10/03/as-black-income-rises-so-does-our-break-ups/

5 Simple Rules to Have Joy...

1. Put God first.

2. Free your heart from hatred.

3. Free your mind from worries.

4. Live simply.

5. Give more.

Chicago Senior citizen shoots 12yr old boy...

I'm not mad at Ms. Matthews for defending her livelihood... I'm upset with the community--that this senior citizen had to "go there," in order to see some justice done.  Where are the men in the community who stand up for folk like Ms. Matthews.  There are to many people like her who are sick and tired of being harrassed and embarrassed by the actions of unruly youth and adults in our community!  And they're not going to continue to stand there and just take it!  We're tired of the dope dealing, gun play, and violence that has overtaken our community and City!  This must end now! Or else we will see a Nat'l Guard on the streets laying down martial law...and that will be complete choas!  Elderly woman shoots...

The Bishop Eddie Long scandal ... Only God can Judge him!

The scandal of Bishop Eddie Long has brought up many questions, opinions, and thoughts that have invovked heated debates all over the Black and religious community.  Those in leadership and especially those whom have a high-profile tend to be looked upon closely through a microscope evenmore.  Whether he is wrongfully accused or not, it something that has to be addressed but addressed with caution and clarity.  We must deal with it truthfully and honestly with unabashed emotions if at all possible.  Moreover, we must not address this situation lightly just because Bishop Long is prominent to the community.  Nonetheless, I say this with total deference to the victims and families, for the pain and emotion(s) that they have to endure, is not to be marginalized. 

As critics, our critical examination has to be thorough in it's assessment and not juxtapose critical examination for contempt that is derogatory and disrespectful despite how we may deeply feel regarding the matter.  As inexcuseable as these accusations may be, we must allow for things to take there proper course.  In having said that, I'd like to offer some of the dialog that has been taking place between myself and others pertaining to this matter.  I leave you with these words... ...“He who experiences the unity of life sees his own Self in all beings, and all beings in his own Self, and looks on everything with an impartial eye.” -Budda

Bishop Long addresses his congregation...

The Journey of Preparation: "I've been there and done that before..."

The experiences, trials or tests in life we as human beings face help us through the journey at hand.  They are a fact of life that we must learn from and endure.   They provide us with a blueprint that we can study over and over again that prepare us for what may come.  In addition, we all have moments when the blueprint feels like "deja vu."  We say things like, "I've been there and done that before" or "it's no big deal cause stuff happens,"  or "there's nothing new under the sun."  However true, we must never allow life's experiences, trials, or tests make us become immune and dull individuals just because "stuff happens.'"  Why? Because, "It is dangerous to become settled and complacent in our present level of experience."  We must always have a keen sense when it comes to the experiences of life we face because they are on-going. 

Striving for a life of high moral standard and continual growth requires rigorous preparation and them some.  The spritiual journey which is an intricate part of the overall journey teaches us to never become settled, complacent, or dull with our present level of experience and development in life.  It forces us to become fully aware that life's experiences, tests or trials prepare us continualy inspite of the fact.  It doesn't allow the notion of "just because we have been through some things," keep us from reaching higher levels of continual growth.  In other words, "they keep us on our toes!'" 

The spiritual journey requires preparation and more preparation because, those who choose to serve God and live righteously, know that being under complete subjection to the Almighty is the order of the day here.  And it is a position that we can't escape!  Well, I suppose we can escape if we choose to, and we often do throughout the process because of our humanness.  Nonetheless, the fact that one's spiritual journey will require preparation and more preparation is wholeheartedly true because ultimately, our experiences, trials, or test will automatically hold us under complete subjection.  Because they are the keys that prepare us rigorously, that produce continual growth, which also give us a keen sense beforehand that we must endure the experiences, trials, or tests to the end and fight the good fight! (2 Tim 4:7-8)

God puts this charge before us and, we know that our spiritual journey is on-going because God is using us as He pleases.  He is the "best Knower", and He understands our nature fully, He knows what we are capable of through Him and without Him (Holy Quran 67:14).  When we allow Him to be the Head of our exsitence, our life's experiences, trials, or tests will never be in vain because we are in total submission to Him and His Christ.  We never dismiss His authority over us because He is Lord!  Through our experiences regardless if they have been painful, positive, or negative--God always gets the Glory!  Because, He substains us in advance with His mercy, grace and peace always!  For He knows the journey that is to prepare us... so continue to Fight the Good Fight and See It Through so you can receive your Crown!  For God is Love!

Scriptural and Literary Support:

Ps 1:6 (NIV)  For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. Ps 25:8,12 (NIV)  Good and upright is the LORD; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways... Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.  Ps 32:8 (NIV) I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.  Ps 37:39-40(NIV) But the salvation of the [consistently] righteous is of the Lord; He is their Refuge and secure Stronghold in the time of trouble.  And the Lord helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they trust and take refuge in Him.  Ps 73:24 (NIV) You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

Prov 15:3,9 (NIV) ³ The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good.  The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness.

1 Nah 1:7 (AMP) ⁷The Lord is good, a Strength and Stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows (recognizes, has knowledge of, and understands) those who take refuge and trust in Him.

1 Cor 8:1-3 (NIV) ...We know that we all possess knowledge.  Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up. ²The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know. ³But the man who loves God is known by God.  1 Cor 9:25 (NIV) ²⁵Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

1 Tim 6:11-16 (NIV) ¹¹But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. ¹²Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

2 Tim 2:21 (NIV) ²¹If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.  2 Tim 3:10-17 (NIV) ¹⁰You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, ¹¹persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. ¹²In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, ¹³while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. ¹⁴But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, ¹⁵and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, ¹⁷so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.  2 Tim 4:7 (NIV) ⁷I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. ⁸Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.

James 1:2-4, 12 (NIV)  ²Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. ⁴Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  ¹²Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

Holy Quran (2:12) The life of this world is made to seem fair to those who disbelieve, and they mock those who believe, and those who guard (against evil) shall be above them on the day of resurrection; and Allah gives means of subsistence to whom he pleaseswithout measure.  Holy Quran (2:142) The fools among the people will say: What has turned them from their qiblah (Kabba) which they had? Say: The East and the West belong only to Allah; He guides whom He likes to the right path.  Holy Quran (2:231) ...and do not take Allah's communications for a mockery, and remember the favor of Allah upon you, and that which He has revealed to you of the Book and the Wisdom, admonishing you thereby; and be careful (of your duty to) Allah, and know that Allah is the Knower of all things.

Holy Quran (4:70) This is grace from Allah (God), and sufficient is Allah (God) as the Knower.  Holy Quran (4:172)The Messiah (Isa/Jesus) does by no means disdain that he should be a servant of Allah (God), nor do the angels who are near to Him, and whoever disdains His service and is proud, He will gather them all together to Himself.

Holy Quran (5:72)  Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah (God), He is the Messiah, son of Marium; and the Messiah said: O Children of Israel! serve Allah (God), my Lord and your Lord. Surely whoever associates (others) with Allah (God), then Allah (God) has forbidden to him the garden, and his abode is the fire; and there shall be no helpers for the unjust.  Certainly they disbelieve who say: Surely Allah (God) is the third (person) of the three; and there is no god but the one God, and if they desist not from what they say, a painful chastisement shall befall those among them who disbelieve.

Holy Quran (67:14) Does He not know, Who created? And He is the Knower of the subtleties, the Aware.

My Utmost for His Highest; Online Ed. Sept 24, 2010 http://utmost.org/the-go-of-preparation/

Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experiences of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired and success achieved. -Helen Keller

The words printed here are concepts. You must go through the experiences. -St. Augustine

A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad consequences of his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme abode. -Chanakya

Life is a series of experiences, each of which makes us bigger, even though it is hard to realize this. For the world was built to develop character, and we must learn that the setbacks and grieves which we endure help us in our marching onward. -Henry Ford

     The most instructive experiences are those of everyday life... -Nietzsche

Trials teach us what we are; they dig up the soil, and let us see what we are made of; they just turn up some of the ill weeds on to the surface. -C.H. Spurgeon

When you're up against a trouble,
Meet it squarely, face to face;
Lift your chin and set your shoulders,
Plant your feet and take a brace.
When it's vain to try to dodge it,
Do the best that you can do;
You may fail, but you may conquer,
See it through!

Black may be the clouds about you
And your future may seem grim,
But don't let your nerve desert you;
Keep yourself in fighting trim.
If the worst is bound to happen,
Spite of all that you can do,
Running from it will not save you,
See it through!

Even hope may seem but futile,
When with troubles you're beset,
But remember you are facing
Just what other men have met.
You may fail, but fall still fighting;
Don't give up, whate'er you do;
Eyes front, head high to the finish.
See it through! -Edgar A. Guest

TGIF!!! The path we all must take...

The path of life from the time we are born and until the time we die--is a very interesting quest that we all will walk regardless of race, creed, color or culture.  Throughout life we will learn many lessons from the places, people, and things that we encounter along the way that help influence that path(s) we choose to take, whether positive or negative.  Moreover, the path(s) we choose for better or for worst are usually correlated to how we think, feel, or act in our everyday life.  Futhermore, the path(s) we choose may cause conflict between those who care for us such as our family and friends--especially when those path(s) oppose how we were brought up or taught.  Essentially, everyone around us may not agree with how we choose to live our lives.  And in some case their disagreement may be rightfully so but, as individuals we are entitled to make our own choices and decisions. Nonetheless, for better or for worst the path(s) we choose and there consequences are reflections of one another.  So, one must careful of the path(s) he or she walks upon!

In the life of a God fearing person regardless of what monotheistic religion one studies or practices.  The duty of every believer of Almighty God is to walk a path of righteousness that is morally upright in accordance to God's law and commandments.  Moreover when one lives a life that adhears to the moral principles of God their life is fullfilled in accordance to God's promise.  However, when we choose not to adhear to God's moral principles, we ultimately choose a life of pain and suffering.  


Now, one might say but "we'll go through pain or suffering whether we choose to live upright or not." True indeed we all do!  But for those who choose to live the life of righteousness--the pain and suffering that life tends to bring will be less detrimental.  Less detrimental from the stand point that God will always deliever and restore us with His grace, mercy and peace.  In which our lives then become, true proof that God loves those who truly believe in Him.  This is why we sing songs like "I've Got a Testimony" and "Helen's Testimony aka Praying Grandmother," because they are the living proof that God indeed does deliever us from our pain and suffering.

Choosing to walk a righteous path may cause you to seem peculiar in the eye's of some but do understand that this comes with the territory.  When we look at those whom have lived a life based on high moral standards throughout history--they all have been seen as strange or odd in some type of way and the world opposed them vehemently in every aspect of their walk.  But they kept on going; living a life of high moral principle(s) inspite of the pain and suffering they endured.  This was reflective in the eyes and spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he gave his last speech in Memphis, TN, "I've been to the Mountaintop."  In doing God's Will, we need not worry because although everyone in your life may not understand or support the path you walk, do know that God does!  Your journey is not for man to understand for it is between you and God! Keep on rising to the top! God's gotcha!

The little choices we must make
Will chart the course of life we take;
We either choose the path of light,
Or wander off in darkest night. —D. De Haan

Scriptural and Literary Support:


What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the LORD our God is near us whenever we pray to him? And what other nation is so great as to have such righteous decrees and laws as this body of laws I am setting before you today? Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them. -Deuteronomy 4:7-9 (NIV).  And if we are careful to obey all this law before the LORD our God, as he has commanded us, that will be our righteousness. -Deuteronomy 6:25 (NIV)


The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. -1 Samuel 26:23 (NIV)


The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to my cleanness in his sight. -2 Samuel 22:25 (NIV)


What pleasure would it give the Almighty if you were righteous? What would he gain if your ways were blameless? -Job 22:3 (NIV).  I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. -Job 27:6 (NIV)


For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. -Psalm 1:6 (NIV). The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.He makes me lie down in green pastures he leads me beside quiet waters, he restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies.  You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever. -Psalm 23 (NIV).  Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! -Psalm 32:11 (NIV).  The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. -Psalm 33: 5 (NIV) .  The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry; -Psalm 34:15 (NIV).  The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. -Psalm 34:17 (NIV).  A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all; -Psalm 34:19 (NIV).  The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. -Psalm 145:17 (NIV).  The LORD gives sight to the blind, the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous. -Psalm 146:8 (NIV)


Thus you will walk in the ways of good men and keep to the paths of the righteous. -Proverbs 2:20 (NIV). Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. -Proverbs 10:2 (NIV). The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked...Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. -Proverbs 10:3,6 (NIV). The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil. The righteous will never be uprooted, but the wicked will not remain in the land. -Proverbs 10: 29-30 (NIV). Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath, but righteousness delivers from death. The righteousness of the upright delivers them, but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires. The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead. -Proverbs 11:4,6,8 (NIV)


So I reflected on all this and concluded that the righteous and the wise and what they do are in God's hands, but no man knows whether love or hate awaits him. All share a common destiny—the righteous and the wicked, the good and the bad, the clean and the unclean, those who offer sacrifices and those who do not. As it is with the good man, so with the sinner; as it is with those who take oaths, so with those who are afraid to take them. This is the evil in everything that happens under the sun: The same destiny overtakes all. The hearts of men, moreover, are full of evil and there is madness in their hearts while they live, and afterward they join the dead. -Ecclesiastes  9;1-3 (NIV)


Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. -Matthew 5:6 (NIV). Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. -Matthew 5:10 (NIV). This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous -Matthew 13:49 (NIV)


For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith. Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them. -Romans 1:17,32 (NIV). This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, -Romans 3:22-23 (NIV). "because the carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be." -Romans 8:7 (21KJV)


Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. -James 4:4 (21KJV)


For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." -1 Peter 3:12 (NIV)


And convey good news to those who believe and do good deeds, that they shall have gardens in which rivers flow; whenever they shall be given a portion of the fruit thereof, they shall say: This is what was given to us before; and they shall be given the like of it, and they shall have pure mates in them, and in them, they shall abide. -Holy Qur'an 2:25


Indeed there have been examples before you; therefore travel in the earth and see what was the end of the rejecters. This is a clear statement for men, and a guidance and an admonition to those who guard (against evil). And be not infirm, and be not grieving, and you shall have the upper hand if you are believers. -Holy Qur'an (3:137-139). But as to those who are careful of (their duty to) their Lord, they shall have gardens beneath which rivers flow, abiding in them; an entertainment from their Lord, and that which is with Allah is best for the righteous. -Holy Qur'an (3:198)

"And verily, this is My straight path, so follow it, and follow not (other) paths, for they will separate you away from His path". Holy Qur'an 6:153


And He answers those who believe and do good deeds, and gives them more out of His grace; and (as for) the unbelievers, they shall have a severe punishment. -Holy Qur'an 42:26


And when Isa (Jesus) came with clear arguments he said: I have come to you indeed with wisdom, and that I may make clear to you part of what you differ in; so be careful of (your duty to) Allah and obey me: -Holy Qur'an 43:63