White people will not be saving Black People - Dr. George Fraser speaks at the Black BRAND Gala

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZI1VOHiZpSUBeX4QV2BcgqXxsJvnJxVm

Christmas onto your credit card might be the Anti-Christ - Seko Varner

To celebrate Christmas, many believers did something the Bible teaches it's readers not to do...... Go into debt. Putting Christmas onto your credit card might be the Anti-Christ.

!!! Happy New Year !!!

    I decided to wait to make this post until after the Holy-Day & Holiday season.Just a few weeks ago many placed themselves into debt to celebrate Christmas and gift giving. Credit cards and the ease of borrowing has made it easy for 'Christians' to use credit in a manner which is fundamentally obverse to the teachings of the Bible..... I've decided to call 'debt' the 'Anti-Christ'. Plainly put, the Bible and other Holy books of guidance direct their followers to avoid debt. Putting Christmas onto your credit card could be construed as doing the exact opposite of the holy teachings. Putting Christmas onto your credit card might be the Anti-Christ.

Let that marinate for about 11 months........I'll join you in that consideration. Why not take a look at the below Michelle Singletary video or visit Dave Ramsey's site while marinating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqjJZY7913g

     Last year my business partner Brian Cooper and I began a series of presentations called The Plan which was based upon our lessons from being agents of World Financial Group, our studies of Michelle Singletary and Dave Ramsey's plans, and other personal financial plans. In late February we will be releasing a FREE video of the entire presentation. Until then, enjoy below a slide from the presentation.

Here's more info':
http://www.creditinfocenter.com/wordpress/2013/10/14/avoid-christmas-credit-card-debt/

Happy Life !
Seko

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Seko Varner is from the Positive Vibes Financial team, a World Financial Group team of financial services agents. They specialize in debt reduction, investments, and insurances. Seko is also in high demand as a special events DJ and owns an event marketing service. Seko has diverse background in business, real estate, counseling and education. Seko is active with numerous Youth Mentorship programs and has a background in radio and television. Visit www.HappilyEverAfter.Be or call 757-248-3820 for more details.

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(Video) Not only that - More of the Dr. Martin Luther King we somehow miss....

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What Black Parents Must Do This Summer - Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu

What Black Parents Must Do This Summer - Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu
http://africanamericanimages.com/AAI/Black%20Parents%20Must%20Do.htm

There is a 3 year gap between Black and White students. Many people love to believe it’s due to income, fatherlessness, educational attainment of the parent and lack of parental involvement. I believe that a major reason for the gap is that we continue to close school for the summer - as if we were an agrarian economy. And I doubt that many Black youth will be farming this summer. If you multiply 3 months by 12 years you will see the 3 year gap. It is my opinion that Black youth would have fewer academic challenges if their schools remained open during the summer and/or their parents kept them academically engaged.

Middle-income parents who value education enroll their children in some type of academic experience during the summer. They also visit libraries, museums , zoos and colleges. Other parents allow their children to sleep longer, play more video games, watch more television and play basketball until they can’t see the hoop. These students will have to review the same work they had mastered in May, when the school year begins in September. 

Black parents cannot allow their children to lose 3 months every year. Black parents should not say they cannot afford to take their child to the library. It’s free! Most museums have discounted days. A male friend of mine shared his experience with me when he took his family to the museum. He wondered why so many people were staring at him. His wife and children had to tell him he was the only Black man in the building! I am appealing to every father to take his children to the library this summer, and to include a visit to the museum, and the zoo. And I am appealing to every mother to make other arrangements, if the father cannot or will not take the children. 

We need for every parent to make sure that their child reads at least one book per week and to write a book report. I am reminded of the formula Sonya Carson used to develop Ben Carson to become the best pediatric neurosurgeon. This low-income single parent, with a third grade education, had enough sense to tell her sons to turn off the television, read a book and write a report that her sister would grade!

I have a theory. I believe that I can go into your house and within 5 minutes tell you the type of student who lives there and predict his/her future. I believe that the items needed in the home of engineers, doctors, lawyers, accountants etc., are very different from the ballplayers, rappers, and criminals. I am very concerned that when I visit a house that has more CDs and downloads than books. My company African American Images has designed a special collection of books for boys. The specific set that I am referencing is titled, Best Books for Boys. We also have one for parents and teachers. We have found the sets to be very resourceful since research indicates that one of the major reasons why boys dislike reading is because of the content. 

Let’s work together to close the gap. I look forward to your children’s teacher asking them how they spent their summer,……and your children proudly answering by saying that they went to the library, museum, zoo, colleges and other great educational institutions. 

Enjoy your summer! 

Dr. Jawanza Kunjufu is the author of over 35 books including ,There is Nothing Wrong with Black Students and Raising Black Boys. 

http://africanamericanimages.com/AAI/Jawanza%20Kumjufu.htm 

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Return To Glory's Black History Links

• Definition and Critique of both Afrocentrism and Eurocentrism
• Table of Nations: Ham, Shem and Japheth (Noah's sons)
• Black History Collection of Documents and Artifacts
• The Lemba: The Black Jews of Southern Africa
• Ancient Egyptian Photo Gallery -- 230 Photos
• Badagry, Nigeria -- History of Slave Trade
• Why Do World Powers Decline and Fall?
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• Black Inventors and Inventions
• Tutankhamen and Akhenaton
• Joseph, Egypt & The Hyksos
• The "Common Eve" Theory
• Ancient Egyptian Religions
• Map of Ancient Africa
• The Pyramid Puzzle
• Rosetta Stone
• Ancient Nubia
• Adopt an African Village
• Frederick Douglass' July 5th Speech
• Abraham Lincoln's Gettysburg Address
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• Martin Luther King's "I Have A Dream" Speech
• Carter G. Woodson's original Negro History Week Letter

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Forward Ever, Backwards Never

"Forward Ever, Backwards Never."

(My father's favorite quote.)

Seko Benjamin Eric VArner
09/22/2010

It's one year later. I lost my writing voice a year ago. A "other-father" of mine read one of my blogs a few weeks ago and encouraged me to keep writing as he was touched by the sentiments. "It's publish-able; For-a-price publish-able." he encouraged knowing how money focused I can be at times. I couldn't raise the courage to admit to myself, or to him, that I lost my voice. I lost my voice when my Father passed.

As one who continues aspects of traditional Afrikan culture I've been 'Pouring Libation' for over 30 years now. When my friend Juan Orso passed, I poured libation. When Grover Washington Jr. passed I poured. When Sean Sharpe passed I poured. When Elder Clarence Motsongo Vincent passed I poured. In the shock of Mother Gloria's passing I poured. I actually pour libation daily. Sometimes frequently. When Dad passed I felt as if I were being poured. 40 days after Dad's funeral I visited his earthly womb. I poured. Today I just feel empty. I miss my Mother-Gloria, I miss my dad. I just feel depleted.

Today the Wifey and I were clicking away on seperate computers as the television that was watching us was showing Spike Lee's documentary about If the creek don't rise.." Last year Wifey and I returned from New Orleans on 9/21/2009. Dad crossed the bar on 09/22/2009. While I was emotionally battered from watching the difficult footage I remembered the depression that sacked me when Hurricane Katrina occurred.

When Katrina occured I became continually physically sick, was emotionally depleted, and felt such a loss of life. One of the sacrifices of having a connection with the ancestral world is at times I feel when people are sucked into that exsistence. I know my fellow Christians may not understand. I've come to believe that as one focuses upon Yeshua (Jesus), the ability to feel the connection to other aspects of the spiritual realm is removed. My fellow Conscious believers may understand. I simply felt those Americans, those African-descendants, those New Orleanians, those humans, those other parts of me being dragged 'unpeacefully' into the spiritual world.

As the television watched us the Wifey began reading out-loud, as she often does when she's on the computer, and I tried to begin to listen to her. She then stated "Papi' died on the anniversary of the Emanicipation Proclamation." I thought "He's finally free."

(photo - Untitled by Henry Louis Stephens 1863, A man reading the newspaper about the Emancipation Proclimation)

Yesterday I found a casette tape of a speech I did for Youth day at Providence United Church of Christ on 6/6/1993. The speech was called "What's the 411." In this speech I began by performing a public Libation ritual in the sanctury. I then discussed how as one becomes older one gets closer to GOD and one shouldn't be afraid of death. I actually stated "We should embrace death as that's when we become closer to God." Listening to the speech I laughed at the level of quasi 5% (Nation of Gods and Earths) Hip-Hop lingo I used to use, and how radical I must have seemed, and the level of devotion I had at that time to "improving the lives of people of African descent to improve the United States of America." I was a great speaker then. I was on the road to becoming a great person then. As I look at my current life, I feel empty. My passion is gone, Mother-Gloria is gone, my father is gone, my voice is gone.

Bless-fully I continued listening to the casette after my speech ended. After my message was the voice of my father. He prayed, sang hymns from the pulpit, and ended the Sunday service. T'was refreshing hearing his voice. T'was refreshing feeling his presence.

Today my father is free. A year ago he became free. I've learned that I needed to embrace his freedom. I needed to embrace his death as his freedom. I also sat down and cried like a baby after the Wifey stated "Papi died on the anniversaryof the Emancipation Proclamation." As I take my Mother to his gravesite today, as I pour libation today. I'll proclaim that he has been emancipated. He is free.
Fresh water keeps me well;

Fresh water opens the way;

Fresh water is my sustainer;

Fresh water is from above.

I thank GOD for Fresh Water.

Fresh water in life;

Fresh water in Yeshua;

Fresh water in the form of those who walked before us.

Fresh water in the form of Mother-Gloria,

Fresh water in the form of DJ Law (crossed 09/19/2010),

Fresh water in the form of my Father.

I prasie you, Almighty, for fresh water.

Ashee, Ashee, Amen.

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Postscript:

I think I found my voice again.

"Forward ever, backwards never."
As my father used to say.

Blacks in the Bible - God's Enemies

God’s Enemies by:

Professor Michael Ayers

http://www.thevanguardresurrectionschool.org/God_Enemies.htm

In my previous writing I have proven to you who God’s chosen people are. In this essay I will prove to you who God’s enemies are. So far, in the history of people, we have only talked about the descendants of Shem and Ham. These are the two primary bloodlines that God’s chosen are derived from as evidenced by two factors:

1) God’s promise to Abraham was concerning his seed (meaning his people), his seed (meaning an individual), his seed (meaning his bloodline).

2) The children of Ham and Shem intermarried before, during and after Abraham received his promise of being a father of a great multitude. As stated the promise was concerning Abraham’s seed/descendants (Genesis 12:2,7; 15:5,13,14,18; 17:8,15,16).

Reflecting back, we hear close to nothing about the interaction of Japheth’s children with the rest of the family throughout the Old Testament. So in our search to find the enemies of God, logic will tell us to start with the descendants of Japheth. As I stated in the essay titled “In the Beginning” all three of these men were Black or dark skinned-men.

It also makes sense that Japheth’s seed is mixed in with Ham and Shem as well. We have later evidence of this through the variations of skin tones within the Shemite and Hamite races. This is how the prophecy can be fulfilled that through Abraham

“All the families of the earth shall be blessed”. (Genesis 12:3)

In Genesis 1:2-5 it says that the sons of Japheth are Gomer, Magog, Madai, Javan, Tubal, Meshech and Tiras. Then it goes on to tell us who Gomer’s sons are; Ashkenaz, Riphath and Togarmah. And Javan’s sons: Elishah, Tarshish, Kittim and Dodanim. Verse 5 lets us know where they all dwelled, it says,

“By these (15 people) were the isles of the Gentiles divided (populated) in their lands…”

Next, let’s figure out three things:
1. How did these Black relatives become known as Gentiles?
When Japheth and his children left the Fertile Crescent region (Mesopotamia) they migrated northward into a region where the environment was very harsh. There were long rainy seasons, overcast skies and little vegetation. Due to a lack of sunlight skin tones lightened for generations until the people came to be what appeared to be “white”. Also due to the harsh climate the people’s nature changed causing them to be more aggressive and daring than usual. Hunting for food and shelter trumped the time that was usually given to spending time with and nurturing relationships with family, friends and God. Forgetting God caused them to be known as Gentiles/Goyim. The family of Japheth became estranged from the rest of the family due to an extremely long absence.

2. What did the ancients mean by “isles”?
They meant the people who lived along the coastslands of the Mediterranean Sea, Caspian Sea, and the Black Sea.

3. What is a Gentile?
The Gentiles or Goyim as they are referred to in the Hebrew language are the people who are referred to as the Heathens (Jer. 10:2, Haggai 2:22), nations (Oba. 1:2; Micah 5:15). They are also known as bruits (Jer. 10:22), the North (Jer. 50:41), Scythians (Col. 3:11) and they reside in the “seat of the image of jealousy (Eze. 8:3,5; Is. 14:12-14)”. They were also considered strangers (Deut. 28:43,44).

According to the Merriam Webster dictionary a heathen is an uncivilized person and/or a person who does not worship God of the Holy Bible, a pagan.

If we can go back to the meaning of the word “isle”, we see that the “isle” referred to the “coastslands”(KJV). Now the coasts were the lands that the Mediterranean Sea touched, their coasts. Those coastal lands included the north shores of Africa, the coast of Spain, France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, the island of Cyprus, Syria, Israel, Lebanon and Damascus etc.

It is believed that before the colonization of Africa the European man feared going into the interior of Africa known in biblical times as Cush, the Land of Ham and in recent times known as “The Sudan”. To the Gentiles/European it was known as the “Dark Continent” but that did not keep them from settling along the African coastal areas.

Now since the books of the Bible were originally written from the perspective of Black, Cushite, Hebrews (Jews), the foreigners (Japheth’s descendants), who dwelled on the coast had no idea of the culture or customs of the true Jews and were thus called Gentiles by the Hebrews.

Logic and history tells us that so-called “white” people were the dominant race in lands such as Italy, Spain, Greece, France, Russia and Turkey.

In the Smith’s Bible Dictionary, it states that in the New Testament the word Gentile is used in equivalency to the word Greek. Therefore, when you see the word Greek/Grecian in the bible it also means Gentile and as we have already learned Gentile is interchangeable with the word heathen.

So for a quick review Greek, gentile and heathen all mean the same.

Another point of interest to note is that a person who calls him or herself a Christian is a Gentile. The name Christian was used as a derogatory word and curses for the followers of Christ. It was first used at Antioch on the Orontes about 43 AD. Jesus never instructed his disciples to call themselves Christians, as he was a proud Jewish person. Read Isaiah 65:15; Acts 11:26. Jesus knew from whence he came and he knew his people. In the book of Jeremiah, we are instructed not to learn the ways of the Heathen.

In John 8:31-33, 37,39,43,44 Jesus is speaking to a crowd, possibly some are converts, and it reads as such:

“Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”

Well the people responded by saying,

“We are of Abraham’s seed and have not been in bondage to any man.”
Right here we know as well as Jesus knew then that they were not the “real Jews”. The “ruling kings” of Egypt had enslaved the real Jews some several hundred years earlier (Ex. 1: 8-14). Jesus goes on to tell them that:

“I know you are of Abraham’s seed.”

Now why would he say that if he knew they were lying? Remember I said earlier that in some small cases the children of Japheth intermarried with the children of Shem and Ham also? Here Jesus is giving credit to that, by marital relationship, that they too are the seed of Abraham. However, due to their unbelief and limited knowledge of the kinship of the real Jews they actually still belonged to their (spiritual) father the devil. You see these people whom Jesus was talking to didn’t even understand his manner of speaking (John 8:43) or the context in which he was speaking in, a real member of the family, a real Jew would know these things. Don’t you know your people? Don’t you know your family?

In Revelation 2:9 Jesus maintains this to the fake Jews
“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.”

Here’s how you too can know the truth of who the real Israelites are:

1. Read all of the prophecies that Moses and the other prophets said would happen to Abraham’s children if they didn’t stop following after other gods and continued in their contrary ways.

2. Read the list of descendants very carefully to find the names of which all the progenitors are of nations, countries and lands.

3. You can check to see what the ethnic and racial breakdown in the current day land of Israel is and cross-reference it with the list of descendants.

The Bible goes on to say to the Gentile:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light [Jer. 1:15]: Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”(I Peter 2:9,10)

The Gentiles/Heathen was given a task to do from God. They were to bring the chosen people of God into submission so that they would honor and respect him the way that they should. The affliction that was heaped upon God’s chosen is a result of disobedience. The Gentiles were given the power to strengthen themselves to subdue the Earth and bring it and everyone in it under their subjection; but they went too far and let Satan mess with their minds.

“And you shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord God shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name…” (Is. 65:15)

It is a well-known fact that African Americans do not go by their ancestor’s names; rather we continue to go by our oppressor’s names, i.e. Ayers, Smith, Drake, Hart, Jones etc. or names that were made up after they were freed (Freeman, Johnson, Cook etc.).

Also, Africa is not the original name of the continent that we all emerged from. It was changed to reflect the European conquest. Renaming things is a standard practice of those who conquer. The word Christian is not an original name. We do not know the original names of God’s people or his religion. When one does not know their origin the correct information needed for the journey towards ones destination is hindered.

Despite our shortcomings in the past God is still offering us redemption. His love for us is so great that he refuses to let us, his people, be deceived by the devil. Therefore, in the bible he reveals to us our great deceiver and enemies.

“And I am exceedingly angry with the heathen that are at ease: for I was but a little displeased but they helped forward the affliction with their evil intentions.” Zech. 1:15

“For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in”. Romans 11:25

“As concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the father’s sake.” Romans 11:28

In the beginning, man was one race. There was no color. Due to environmental circumstances, some of God’s children went through a metamorphosis and over a period of thousands of years became what we have come to know as “white”. Satan however used this change and isolation as an opportunity to work his evil plan (Is. 14:12-14) out on the children of God. Nevertheless, as always, God is the victor. He has taken what Satan has used for evil and turned it around to be for good, the way it started out in the beginning.

God is telling us, his people, that we cannot see what is going on until he finishes with the Gentiles. I believe that day has come. This is why we are starting to see the evil and atrocious things that the Gentile nation has been doing. The Gentiles were given a specific task and a time to do it in. They were to deal out God’s punishment on the Hebrew/Israelites for not following God’s word (Psalm 106:34-40; Hos. 4:7). Their reward was to reap the benefits of the kingdom (Matt. 21:43). They were to scatter us throughout the world and break our pridefull spirits down in hopes that we would turn back to God. Well for the most part they did that and more. They took the punishment farther than what it was to be (Zech. 1:15). We as a people have fallen so low that God himself is now working to restore us unto himself.

The devil has gotten such a strong hold here on the earth (Is. 14:13) that we, man, cannot fight him effectively by ourselves (Eph. 6:12). Only God can get to the evil that has rotted out this world. The Gentile nations have taken control of this world and are still treating God’s people unfairly but he says in his word that he will destroy the Heathen (Hag. 2:22). The majority of Japheth’s children, after knowing the truth has refused to restore God’s chosen to their original state of welfare and being. They have chosen to side with Lucifer thus becoming an enemy of God. For this they will share in Lucifer’s demise.

Just like the Hebrews are a special group of people out of God’s people so too are the enemies of God. Not all of Japheth’s children are evil. In other words, not all white people are the enemies of God. We have all been mixed in together as we once were in the beginning but now skin tones are different. There are black and white people who are on the wrong side of God’s wrath.

In Revelation 16:16 it is revealed that Jesus will gather them (God’s Enemies) together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon which is Mount Megiddo in present day Palestine.

In Revelation 20:8 it is revealed who will actually be gathered to do battle against God. It will be Gog and Magog. In Ezekiel 38:2 it states that the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal are included as well. The chief prince is called the Prince of Rosh. In the Smith’s Bible Dictionary Rosh is a proper name referring to the first of the three great Scythian tribes of which Magog was the head. Also in Ezekiel 38:2 Persia and/or Russia, the African country of Libya and other Ethiopian (Cushite) people will be with Gog. This gives credence to Eze. 38:21…

“…Every man’s sword shall be against his brother.”
During the events of 9/11 we found that there were “Black” people associated with the terrorist. In a recent Parade Magazine report we find that every race is listed pertaining to the worst dictators in the world. We also find that there are many other “black” people who are committing genocide against their own people in Africa and America. The sad part is that the devil has all of God’s children killing one another over religion, wealth, and power, none of which is given without the expressed permission or revelation of God. These things are not in man to give or take away.

The reason why God says that we wrestle not against flesh and blood is because:
1.We are one family coming from one common human being. Your not suppose to kill your family members.

2.The evil one in charge has “used” his earthly chosen to be destructive even toward themselves; he knows that if he gets his earthly chosen, whom are actually God’s children, to die while serving him then he has won their soul. Suicide is not acceptable by God. You cannot kill yourself or the people you come from that’s suicide! That is why God says, “Thou shalt not kill!”

3. It is those institutions and governments that we as single individuals, oppressed groups, and unprivileged people cannot access. They are in high places. Another high place that you cannot get to is an ideology, principle or systematic thinking. Once someone buys into these it is very hard to convince them that something else is better. This is why the bible says that in the last days Satan will fool/deceive many people of the earth even the elect of God.

4. Not all so-called “white” people are evil neither is all “black” people good. We all have the capacity to be swayed by Satan. The Bible shows us that. You must keep your mind on the Kingdom of God and how he operates. You must walk in that righteousness.

The easy part is pointing out the European people who will be God’s enemy. In the Japhethic line we see:
Gog, Magog, Meshech, Tubal, Gomer and Togarmah.
A key word in describing these people is the Scythians. These Scythians are referred to as the lowest level of humanity in the Smith’s Bible Dictionary. They are the barbarians of the biblical world.
The Scythians were nomadic (wanderer) peoples. They spoke an Iranian form of language. Between 800 and 600 BC they moved from Asia to S. Russia. The name Scythian often included all the nomadic tribes who dwelt mostly on the North of the Black and Caspian Sea.
Another name for Scythian is Ashkenaz.

Ashkenaz is one of three sons of Gomer who is the son of Japheth. The Smith’s Bible Dictionary list them as dwelling on the northern shore of Asia Minor and Europe as the Scandinavians better known to us as Vikings. They are also identified as the German race.

Ladies and Gentleman we are talking about all of Europe and Russia. Look at your atlas and see where the northern shores of Asia Minor (Eurasia) and the Black and Caspian Seas are located. What races of people populate this region? Look at your history books. What types of people have been barbaric in their treatment of other human beings of the Earth? Look at your prophecies. Who does God say is his and our enemies?

These particular people were once the underbelly of humanity. But because the Black/Jewish people were pulling away from God, God ordained these people to grow and become mighty. They will rule the Earth but only for a short time:

“For the Lord (God) will call all the families of the kingdoms of the north…and they shall set every one his throne at the entering of the gates of Jerusalem…And they shall fight against thee; but they shall not prevail for I am with thee.” (Jer. 1:15 & 19)

Question: Where is the “entering of the gates of Jerusalem?

Jerusalem is located inside of Palestine but remains under the control of the Israeli government of today.

Palestine is where Meggido is located, the place of Armageddon.

Since we know now that God’s enemies are coming from the inhabitants of Europe and Russia lets see if we can connect them back to Japheth’s children.
Gomer: Son of Japheth. Represents the Cimmerians an Indo-European people from S. Russia who settled in Cappadocia in Asia Minor: father of Ashkenaz or Scythians.

Magog: the second son of Japheth a country or people of which Gog was prince. The notices of Magog would lead us to fix our sights on a northern locality because in Ezekiel it says that he was to come up from the “sides of the north”, the same place where Lucifer proclaimed to set up his kingdom on earth (Is. 14:13). It is also a country adjacent to Togarmah or Armenia and not far from the “isles” or maritime regions of Europe. We may also conclude that Magog represents the important race of the Scythians.

Madai: The third son of Japheth. Progenitor of the Medes but probably all that is intended is that the Medes, as well as the Gomerites, Greeks, Tabareni, Moschi, etc., descendant from Japheth.
Javan: The fourth son of Japheth. Regarded as the representative of the Greek race.
Tubal: The fifth son of Japheth. Josephus identified the descendants of Tubal with the Iberians. Then land is situated between the Caspian and Euxine seas, which nearly corresponds to modern Georgia (Russia).
Meshech: The sixth son of Japheth: progenitor of the Moschi a people on the borders of Colchis and Armenia. They are regarded as the remotest and rudest nations of the world.
Tiras: The seventh and youngest son of Japheth. Closely related to the Thracians of the SE Balkan Peninsula divided between Greece and Turkey; also of the Etruscans of Italy.

The grandchildren of Japheth:
Gomer’s sons:

Ashkanaz: The Scandinavians and the peoples on the N. Shores of Asia Minor, the German Race.

Riphath: The peoples of the Carpathian mountain region in NE Darcia and/or SE. Present day Romania, inhabited by Thracian peoples.

Togarmah: Probably the ancient name of Armenia.
Elishah: Connected with the race of the Eolians, the island of Cyprus thus the Greeks.
Tarshish: Aegean people, The Portuguese, Spaniards & Russians
Kittim: People from the island of Cyprus; and the people who succeeded the Phoenicians.
Dodanim: Representative of the Greeks
Other names to note connected to God’s enemies:

The Medes: From Media a region SW of the Caspian Sea in the Zargos Mountains. They are north of Elam and west of Assyria. These are also Aryan people from the north and west of the Caspian Sea. These people spoke an Iranian language.

The Phoenicians: The same race as the Canaanites, descendants of Ham. They are also identified as a “black” people kin to the tribe of Benjamin of Israel. These are the Ethiopians and Libyans of Ezekiel 38:5 who will be caught up in the deception of the nations by Satan spoken of in Revelation 20:7-8; Also being caught up in this great deception will be the Edomites. The Edomites are compared with the Troglodytes or cave dwellers.

Satan has divided the religion of God and has set up a false kingdom in the Land of Israel today. For starters the people of the Land of Israel today are not the true descendants of the Jews of the Bible. We have been tricked into thinking that they are because of Satan’s tricks. The ethnic enclave of current day Israel is mainly made up of those cousins of ours from the North or “Isle of the Gentiles” too far removed from the family to be considered apart of the “chosen of God”. They are called Ashkenazi Jews. There are other ethnic Jews in the land but the Ashkenazi is in greater number. They make up 95% of the total population. The Ashkenazi is descendant from Ashkenaz one of the three sons of Gomer who is the son of Japheth (Gen. 10: 3). Their name is associated with Scandinavia (Norsemen or Vikings) and Germany. In Biblical times, they were also called Scythians. These people were regarded as standing very low in points of intelligence and civilization but were extremely skilled horsemen (Read Smith’s Bible Dictionary and Holman’s Concise Bible Dictionary). It is from these people that the notorious Aryan/Nazi nation arose.

You may be thinking, “Didn’t the Aryan/Nazi try to exterminate the Jews that are now in Israel?” Yes they did. “But aren’t they the same people/race?” Yes they are. “Then why did they do that that to themselves?” It is a trick of Satan to incite confusion; in this case, he did it with a civil war among his chosen so that the focus is taken off the demise and destruction of the real Hebrew nation. He also incited civil war in the United States causing many to be uprooted as well as lose their lives. Civil War caused many to hate the Black African slave as many saw slavery as the cause of the war.

(Satan has now instituted civil war among God’s chosen people. Africans and African Americans are killing each other by the hundreds of thousands every day. Since Satan has the world looking at us as animals, there is none that can help us but God.)

Remember the true Jews are of the seed of Abraham. Abraham is a descendant from Shem not Japheth. Remember Lucifer is cunning and subtle. Let me show you a subtlety that he has used:

And he (God) said unto Abram, “Know of a surety that thy seed shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation, whom they shall serve, will I judge…” (Gen. 15: 13,14)

Okay, we have been led to believe that the fulfilling of this promise was during the time that the Israelites where in bondage in Egypt. Well, it was not! The Israelites were not strangers in the land of Egypt. Abraham had been to Egypt with his wife Sarai (Gen. 12:11-14). Joseph, one of the twelve sons of Jacob the father of the Israelites, was made second in command of Egypt by the Pharaoh (Gen. 41:37-46). Some years later Joseph’s brothers came to Egypt, twice, to get corn (Gen 42:1-5) and Joseph recognized them but they did not recognize him (verse 8). After a while the family reconciled and Joseph had his family moved to Egypt (Gen. 46:2-27; Ex. 1:5). There they lived and did quite well for themselves (Gen. 47: 27). Now the story is tricked out even more here because the bible says that, “There arose over Egypt a king who knew not Joseph (Ex. 1:8)”. The Egyptians were very good record keepers. There is no way this King or his people could not have known Joseph. Joseph was the second in command over all of Egypt for many years (Gen. 41:37-40). Furthermore there is no way the Egyptians could not have known the children of Israel were related to them through Manessah and Ephraim for they were the only two sons of Joseph by an Egyptian woman (Gen. 41:45, 50-52). The only way a new King could not have known Joseph was unless it was a foreign king. If you ever get the chance study up on a group of people called the Hyksos. They are referred to sometimes a “shepherd kings”. It is also important to note that during Egypt’s history many other nations came up against the Egyptians and from time to time defeated the Egyptians. The Egyptians were by far one of the most resilient people of our history because for a long time they always found a way to regain their kingdom. Within the thirty or more dynasties of Egypt that were recorded, the land of Egypt was ruled by several nations including Gentile nations.

The prophecies of the so-called minor prophets is clear as to what would befall the true Hebrew/Israelite nation and the rest of the darker peoples of the region (see the coming pages). When you read these prophecies, it will become very clear to you that the people of the land of Israel today did not experience those prophecies. For instance what group of people is in a land today that was imported to that land for slavery by ships? The current African American people are descendant of such a people. Today we are fulfilling that promise to Abraham. The satanic devises employed against us are by design. We are the ones caught up in snares and hidden in prison houses and unable to get reparations (Is. 42:22).

Lucifer and the people of the North have caused God’s chosen to err in many ways. Lucifer has us eating the wrong kinds of foods, intermarrying with his chosen (not a color thing but a religion thing. Please keep reading.), serving their gods (Deut. 28: 64; Ps.106: 35-40) and a host of other evil deeds that today is popular and widespread. We take these things as God’s way or as if he would not mind us doing these things. My dear people God is very clear that his law will not pass away. Many of us believe that since Jesus has come that we are no longer under the law. Jesus has said that he did not come to destroy the law but to see it fulfilled (Matt. 5:17). However, the contender of Man and God had almost succeeded in totally brainwashing the true seed of Abraham through religion, affliction, racism, oppression, discrimination, omission and illiteracy.

God has sent many prophets to “raise up” the seed of Abraham but the adversary of God and Man is subtle, cunning, conniving, beautiful and perfect in wisdom, going about causing confusion and deception taking ones mind off the true seed of Abraham. Lucifer saw a great opportunity to turn man from God and used the degenerative skin color of our cousins from the North (Europe/Asia) to carry out his evil plan. He got them to see a difference in their cousins from the South (Africa/Ethiopia/Mesopotamia) and used the difference to incite and wage war among them. Lucifer used flesh to justify behavior, favoritism from God, slavery and colonization among the people of the world. He has used the color of the flesh to trick God’s very elect into giving up their birthright. He has used skin color to get the chosen of God to worship a false image of the Messiah in three different major religions.

Whether you want to believe it or not the true chosen seed of Abraham is of a much darker hue than what we are used to seeing in the present day land of Israel. It is not that far fetched that Black people are the true Hebrew Israelites of the Bible. Some notable historians such as Flavius Josephus, Tacitus and Plutarch thought that the original Jews were Black and contained Egyptian and Ethiopian stock (Freeman and Griffin, 2003). In Africa today there is a group of Black people called the Falasha. These are believed to be the last recognizable remnant of the original Hebrew Israelites.

I mentioned earlier that the dominant group of Jews in the world today is called Ashkenazi Jews. Another group of Jews is 5% of all the Jews that live in the world. They are called Sephardic Jews. Sephardic Jews are the descendants of the Jews who were expelled from Spain and Portugal after 1492. The name comes from the Hebrew word Sepharad which is a region in Assyria. It is believed that Jews lived in Spain since the time of King Solomon. While in Spain the Jews suffered hardship and persecution at the hands of Christians. In the year 711 C.E. their situation improved when the Moors (a common European name for Blacks) came into power. Together the Jews and Muslims (the Moors’ religious name) built a great civilization that lasted from the 8th century to the 11th century. In the year 1055 to 1147, another African people called the Almohads who were Berbers came into power and deposed the Muslim Moors. The Jews were able to continue living and working in a variety of professions during the Berber reign. For a while Jews, Christians and Muslims lived together in Spain all jockeying for power. In the middle to late 13th century, the Christians won that battle. Anti-Jewish riots broke out throughout Spain. In the 15th century, a Christian Priest convinced King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella that the Jewish community was dangerous to their efforts in Spain to convert new Christians and were expendable (regarded as worthless). In 1492, the King and Queen commanded that all Jews who did not convert to Christianity had to leave Spain within four months. Today that exodus is commemorated every year during Tisha B’Av. Many of the exiled Jews fled to Portugal (a country west of Spain) but in 1497 their king wanted to marry the daughter of Spain’s monarch and was granted permission if he also expelled the Jews from Portugal. If you look at a world map, look how close the lands of Spain and Portugal are to the Continent of Africa. Where do you think these Sephardic Jews went? Do you think they went back through Spain into Northern and Eastern Europe? Who did the Sephardic Jews enjoy the most success with during their stay in Spain? Why did the Black Muslim Moors enjoy so much success in Spain with these Jews? I also want you to note that fifty-eight years later in 1555 a “Spanish” ship called “Jesus” (pronounced: hey-soos) sailed to a British Colony in America with a group of Black slaves from the “western coast of Africa”.

What do you know about world history, Black History, and Biblical history. The comparison is quite compelling that the people in the United States, South America and the Caribbean closely resemble the people of Eden, Ethiopia, Mesopotamia and the Abrahamic promise.

All one has to do is read and study the word of God (II Tim. 2:15). It is past time that the darker-skinned people of the Earth woke up to the truth to whom we really are. Time is over for false teaching and ruinous beliefs among the children of God.

And there you have it, God’s enemies. Once again outlined and revealed for our knowledge to raise up and out of the evil snares of ignorance that the devil has used to trap us with for so long. I believe this is the “truth” spoken of in John 4:23 (compare with Revelation 4:2&3). I also believe that these people (the enemies) and their worldview of Jesus and God are the false images that we are warned of in Revelation 13:13-15: 14:11.

Check it out; man was created in the “image” of God and of his “likeness”. Man is told that he is to worship God and not false “images” of God. We are told in Psalm 82:6 that we are “gods” too and are children of the most high. God has given us his word (Bible) on who he is and what he looks like as well as what his son looks like. Certain people of the world have given us their “image” of what God and Jesus looks like.

To know God’s enemies just look at who is running the world right now and their religious “images” of God. The bible says God’s enemies will be given power to change times. Do we follow the same time as God did when he was creating the Earth? Do we use the same calendar of the Israelites? Who’s in charge of Daylight Savings Time? What is leap year all about?

Whether you are Black, White, Arab, or whatever you make yourself an enemy of God when you align yourself up with evil ways. Even when God ordains you to do something you are still at jeopardy of becoming an enemy when you overstep your boundaries. That’s what happened to Lucifer. That’s what is happening to a lot of so-called White and Black people. Some of us are following the wrong message.

Now that you know this truth will you RAISE Up?

If you desire to have me come out and present your group with a Black History Bible Study or Workshop just contact me at 832-443-0826 or e-mail me at prof_ayers@yahoo.com with your name, phone number and e-mail address.

The previous post:
http://blackimprovement.blogspot.com/2010/07/moors-in-holy-bible.html

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The African Joan of Arc

From http://www.theblackhandofgod.com/

Four hundred years ago, amidst magic, warfare, and the relentless thirst for slaves, an extraordinary African woman helped shape the New World thousands of miles away.
Where colonial priests perverted the Word of God, kingdoms imploded, crippled by greed, corruption, and a confused morality.

The African "Joan of Arc" reconciled indigenous spiritual beliefs with the Euro-centric teachings of the Christian Church and gave her people equality before God. She started a movement that helped millions face their coming hardships with dignity and grace.
Especially since so many American slaves came from the region where she lived, her teachings helped form an integral part of the American persona.

Kimpa Vita (Dona Beatriz)
Lebone Lumbu (formerly Elaine M. Lumbu), 2005Kimpa Vita c.1684 to 1706, Congo BrazzavilleDemocratic Republic of CongoNorthern Angola
In recent history Africa has been home to a number of Spiritual icons, who have inevitably changed the face of Christianity by creating Indigenous African Churches.
(Download a 13 page document detailing Kimpa Vita)

As our concern for satisfying our bodily needs grows day by day, it is almost unbelievable that we are primarily created soul. We are more than our bodies. Personally I derive proof of this as a result of learning about a truly remarkable African woman not so long ago by the name of Kimpa Vita (Dona Beatriz). Before I give a brief account of her life and history I would like to share one of her prophecies: She announced that she would return as a man in future and build a huge Church independent of Rome.

The 17th century gave birth to an icon called Kimpa Vita Dona Beatriz. She concerned herself with the restoration, spiritually and politically, of the Kongo Kingdom. Born in 1684 Kimpa Vita worked as a religious actor[kp1] and was mostly isolated from the rest of her peers. At the time when the Kongo was dominated by political unrest and civil war. Therefore Kimpa Vita’s religious ideology came as an answer to the prayers of many Kongolese people. In her message she combined traditional Kongolese culture with Christianity. Her first prediction (1703) was that God would punish the Kongo. Later she fell ill and claimed that the spirit of saint Anthony possessed her. Saint Anthony was a Catholic priest and miracle worker. She announced that the spirit of saint Anthony would allow her direct access to the other world and that she would die every Friday to be resurrected again on Mondays. During her time away she would receive instructions from God, which she relayed to the Kongo. Kimpa Vita denounced traditional ceremonies and ordered the burning of fetishes by the Kongo people. She said that sacraments like marriage, confession and baptism are meaningless to God because God knows one’s intentions.

She believed that the Christ who founded Christianity 17 centuries ago and his disciples were indeed Kongolese (Black Africans). She placed the birth of Jesus Christ within the Kongo and Sao Salvador as the biblical Bethlehem, claiming that God wanted it restored as capital. Her message became so popular it could be called a Spiritual renaissance. This threatened the influence of the Catholic Church amongst the African people. The Movement was called Antonian. Even though it integrated Kongolese culture with Christianity, the Catholic priests drove the supporters of Kimpa Vita away. Some were imprisoned and beaten daily for their convictions.

In 1706 Kimpa Vita gave birth to a son after two miscarriages. She continued to emphasize the closeness of God to the African people, which was a unifying factor amongst Antonians. The establishment of the Antonian movement and its consequent success led to the arrest of Kimpa Vita, her son and her associates. They were charged with heresy. The miracle working by Kimpa Vita was described as “kindoki” or the use of supernatural powers. Kimpa Vita and her infant son were burned at the stake as a “witch” under the watchful eye of a capuchin priest who helped in convicting her.

This brutal execution did not have the effect, which the Catholic community hoped for. Instead Antonianism spread from Sao Salvador to other provinces in the Kongo. Pedro Constantininho became the successor of the movement. The success of this movement is primarily attributed to the fact that Kimpa Vita was believed to reveal the original ethnicity of Jesus Christ and his apostles. She portrayed the Kongo as a place of Biblical importance.With the birth of Simon Kimbangu two centuries later one can almost say that Kimpa Vita is back. As a devoted Kimbanguist I learned that Kimbanguisme is based on the same principals, which Kimpa Vita expressed more than two hundred years ago. Simon Kimbangu also banned the old superstitious practices and dismantled the cults, which offered themselves as vehicles of spiritual contact. He encouraged people to pray to God through Jesus Christ, interpreted as a common ancestor and mediator. Both Kimpa Vita and Kimbangu preached a special relationship between God and the African people.

Beatrice Kimpa Vita was born in 1684 in the kingdom of Kongo. While still in her teens, she started a non-violent mission to liberate the Kingdom of Kongo and return it to its former glory. She fought all the forms of slavery, and tried to reconcile Christianity with African religions and beliefs, teaching people that black saints mingled with white saints in paradise. This was revolutionary, since Catholic priests in the area (Capuchins) taught that ONLY white saints could be found in heaven. Kimpa Vita led thousands of her people to rebuild and repopulate Mbanza Kongo, the capital of the once glorious unified Kingdom of Kongo. On July 2, 1706, she was burned at the stake for heresy. In 1710, the perpetrators sent a report of their "mission" to the pope, after having organized the persecution of her followers.

The Impact of Her Action

In 1739, some of her followers, sold as slaves in America, carried out the revolt well known as the "Stono rebellion" in South Carolina, and her teachings also may have inspired the action of former Kongo slaves, during the revolt which led to the independence of Haiti in 1804.

Dona Beatrice is today regarded as a prophetess and a symbol of non-violent resistance in Africa, inspiring many political and religious leaders in Congo and Angola. In fact, she is widely credited as being the founder of the first Black Christian movement in sub-Saharan Africa.

Importance and Interest of Her RehabilitationThe French people rehabilitated Jeanne d' Arc (Joan of Arc) five centuries after her death. She then became "Sainte Jeanne d' Arc"(Saint-Joan of Arc), in spite of the controversy around her life. Dona Beatrice Kimpa Vita was a victim of the religious intolerance and racism raging in her country and continent. Despite her accomplishments, Pope Paul VI rejected a request for her rehabilitation in 1966.

Informative Links About Kimpa Vita:

http://www.katinkahesselink.net/his/kimpavita.htmla.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kimpa_Vita

http://www.dacb.org/stories/congo/kimpa_vita.html

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Watch Night Service

WATCH NIGHT
If you live or grew up in a Black community in the United States, you have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year's Eve. The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year. Some folks come to church first, before going to out to celebrate. For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event.Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afrocentric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church. And yes, there is a history of Watch Night in the Methodist tradition. Still, it seemed that most predominately

White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs. In fact, there were instances where clergy in Mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year's Eve. However, in doing some research, I discovered there are two essential reasons for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations. Many of the Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve." On that night, Americans of African descent came together in churches, gathering places and private homes throughout the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation had become law. Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and according to Lincoln's promise, all slaves in the Confederate States were legally free. People remained in churches and other gathering places, eagerly awaiting word that Emancipation had been declared. When the actual news of freedom was received later that day, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God.

But even before 1962 and the possibility of a Presidential Emancipation, African people had gathered on New Year's Eve on plantations across the South. That is because many owners of enslaved Africans tallied up their business accounts on the first day of each new year. Human property was sold along with land and furnishings to satisfy debts. Families and friends were separated. Often they never saw each other again in this earthly world. Thus coming together on December 31 might be the last time for enslaved and free Africans to be together with loved ones.

So, Black folks in North America have gathered annually on New Year's Eve since the earliest days, praising God for bringing us safely through another year and praying for the future. Certainly, those traditional gatherings were made even more poignant by the events of 1863 which brought freedom to the slaves and the Year of Jubilee. Many generations have passed since and most of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night. Yet our traditions and our faith still bring us together at the end of every year to celebrate once again "how we got over."

Written by Charyn D. Sutton © 2004charynsutton@aol.com
Please contact Charyn Sutton at The Onyx Group if you are interested in a presentation on the history of Watch Night at your school or conference. This essay can be reproduced and used with proper attribution to and permission from Charyn D. Sutton.

Links:
http://www.claytonmuseum.org/blackfacts/WatchNight.htm

There are some who disagree with this opinion.
http://www.snopes.com/holidays/newyears/watchnight.asp

Watch Night Services Link Past and Future for Blacks
By THEO EMERY

Published: December 31, 2006

NASHVILLE, Dec. 30 — In the anxious countdown to New Year’s Eve, clubs inventory their stockpiles of liquor and champagne, party hosts check and recheck invitation lists, and frantic revelers cast about for the most promising party destinations.
But in many black churches across the country, midnight on Dec. 31 marks the culmination of a far different observance. In a tradition with roots in the Civil War and a nod to the days of slavery, many black Americans spend New Year’s Eve in church sanctuaries, awaiting the arrival of the new year with prayer and song.

“Bring in the new year on your knees — that’s what my mama used to say,” said the Rev. Kenneth W. Forte, the pastor of First Baptist Church Hopewell, which is on the eastern outskirts of Nashville.

Although it is not clear when Watch Night became a tradition within black communities, some historians and theologians say the services were started in connection with President Abraham Lincoln’s issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863.
Watch Night services have their origin far earlier, said Bishop Woodie W. White of the United Methodist Church, who is now bishop-in-residence at the Candler School of Theology at Emory University in Atlanta.

In the mid-1700s, John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, adopted a 17th-century covenant service to renew religious faith on New Year’s Day, Bishop White said. Those gatherings evolved into Watch Nights.

In Boston, abolitionists including Frederick Douglass gathered on Dec. 31, 1862, to await the Emancipation Proclamation, and some historians say slaves may also have gathered in churches that night. But Bishop White said the services were probably adopted by black churches in the years afterward.

The custom spread throughout black denominations, he said, and its roots in Methodism have been largely forgotten.

Nowadays, Watch Night services can be found in virtually every black community, Bishop White said. He said the gatherings had become so cemented into black spiritual life that attendance at the services could rival that at Christmas and Easter.

“I think probably this particular service unites the African-American community specifically as no other service,” Bishop White said.

This year, Mr. Forte organized a joint service with a neighboring church, Stateland Baptist. He said the services provided black churchgoers with an important bridge between past and future.
“Watch Night services have typically been a powerful part of church heritage,” he said. “For so many people, you grew up in it — you don’t want to get away from something that’s been such a part of history and heritage of the church.”

In preparation for New Year’s Eve, the church choirs held a final rehearsal on Thursday at Stateland. Just before 7 p.m., headlights began turning in the driveway at the church, across the street from a bar with an illuminated marquee advertising “No cover charge Sunday.”
About a dozen choir members took their places on the altar below a wooden cross. A stack of new Watch Night programs lay on the last pew.

During one of the spirituals, Ruby Lester held a microphone for a ringing solo as the choir clapped and swayed around her. Each selection ended with exclamations of “Amen!”
After the rehearsal, Ms. Lester, a Stateland member for 18 years, said there was never a doubt about where she would be in the minutes before midnight on Dec. 31.

“It’s something our foreparents have done,” she said, “and it’s a tradition that we’ve kept going — a tradition that we’re proud of, a tradition that we can pass on to our children, to our grandchildren, and to our great-great-grandchildren. It’s a legacy for us.”
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Ashamed of being black

"Where do we go from here?"
speech by Martin Luther King August 16, 1967

"Where we are now"Now, in order to answer the question, "Where do we go from here?" which is our theme, we must first honestly recognize where we are now. When the Constitution was written, a strange formula to determine taxes and representation declared that the Negro was 60 percent of a person. Today another curious formula seems to declare he is 50 percent of a person. Of the good things in life, the Negro has approximately one half those of whites. Of the bad things of life, he has twice those of whites. Thus half of all Negroes live in substandard housing. And Negroes have half the income of whites. When we view the negative experiences of life, the Negro has a double share. There are twice as many unemployed. The rate of infant mortality among Negroes is double that of whites and there are twice as many Negroes dying in Vietnam as whites in proportion to their size in the population.
In other spheres, the figures are equally alarming. In elementary schools, Negroes lag one to three years behind whites, and their segregated schools receive substantially less money per student than the white schools. One twentieth as many Negroes as whites attend college. Of employed Negroes, 75 percent hold menial jobs.
This is where we are. Where do we go from here? First, we must massively assert our dignity and worth. We must stand up amidst a system that still oppresses us and develop an unassailable and majestic sense of values. We must no longer be ashamed of being black. The job of arousing manhood within a people that have been taught for so many centuries that they are nobody is not easy.
"Depiction of Blackness and Negro Contributions" Even semantics have conspired to make that which is black seem ugly and degrading. In Roget's Thesaurus there are 120 synonyms for blackness and at least 60 of them are offensive, as for example, blot, soot, grim, devil and foul. And there are some 134 synonyms for whiteness and all are favorable, expressed in such words as purity, cleanliness, chastity and innocence. A white lie is better than a black lie. The most degenerate member of a family is a "black sheep." Ossie Davis has suggested that maybe the English language should be reconstructed so that teachers will not be forced to teach the Negro child 60 ways to despise himself, and thereby perpetuate his false sense of inferiority, and the white child 134 ways to adore himself, and thereby perpetuate his false sense of superiority.
The tendency to ignore the Negro's contribution to American life and to strip him of his personhood, is as old as the earliest history hooks and as contemporary as the morning's newspaper. To upset this cultural homicide, the Negro must rise up with an affirmation of his own Olympian manhood. Any movement for the Negro's freedom that overlooks this necessity is only waiting to be buried. As long as the mind is enslaved, the body can never be free. Psychological freedom, a firm sense of self-esteem, is the most powerful weapon against the long night of physical slavery. No Lincolnian Emancipation Proclamation or Johnsonian Civil Rights Bill can totally bring this kind of freedom. The Negro will only be free when he reaches down to the inner depths of his own being and signs with the pen and ink of assertive manhood his own Emancipation Proclamation. And, with a spirit straining toward true self-esteem, the Negro must boldly throw off the manacles of self-abnegation and say to himself and to the world, "I am somebody. I am a person. I am a man with dignity and honor. I have a rich and noble history. How painful and exploited that history has been. Yes, I was a slave through my foreparents and I am not ashamed of that. I'm ashamed of the people who were so sinful to make me a slave." Yes, we must stand up and say, "I'm black and I'm beautiful," and this self-affirmation is the black man's need, made compelling by the white man's crimes against him.
"Basic Challenges"Another basic challenge is to discover how to organize our strength in terms of economic and political power. No one can deny that the Negro is in dire need of this kind of legitimate power. Indeed, one of the great problems that the Negro confronts is his lack of power. From old plantations of the South to newer ghettos of the North, the Negro has been confined to a life of voicelessness and powerlessness. Stripped of the right to make decisions concerning his life and destiny he has been subject to the authoritarian and sometimes whimsical decisions of this white power structure. The plantation and ghetto were created by those who had power. both to confine those who had no power and to perpetuate their powerlessness. The problem of transforming the ghetto, therefore, is a problem of power-confrontation of the forces of power demanding change and the forces of power dedicated to the preserving of the status quo. Now power properly understood is nothing but the ability to achieve purpose. It is the strength required to bring about social, political and economic change. Walter Reuther defined power one day. He said, "Power is the ability of a labor union like the U.A.W. to make the most powerful corporation in the world, General Motors, say 'Yes' when it wants to say 'No.' That's power."
Full Speech Located At This Site



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The Milk and the Meat by KRS-ONE

The Milk and the Meat

An essay on Christ by KRS-ONE

Usually when we hear the term Christ we immediately think of Jesus. In most westernized countries Jesus and Christ are one in the same. In fact, Jesus is believed by many to be the only Christ there is (or was). And of course, this essay in no way debates,demeans, or attempts to challenge the faith of the reader. The intent of these writings is to factually inspire the reader to reach for the Christ within one’s self. Is this not the whole point of the Jesus story? Yes, the praise and worship of Jesus is essential to the“believer’s” faith. And again, this essay has less to do with Jesus as it has more to do with YOU!

At some point we all must bear our own cross and adopt the actual character of the Christ for ourselves. However, if we adopt a “nobody’s perfect” attitude when it is written Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect(Mathew 5:48), we shall in no way grow into spiritual maturity. How quickly do we forget that Christ is who Jesus became and it is Christ that we all must become. Long before the birth of Jesus, the people of the ancient world were already familiar with the term and concept of Christ. For hundreds of years even before the birth of Moses the concept of Christ was ascribed to those who personified God (or the gods) on earth.Christ was a title given to God’s appointed and/or chosen messiahs. Similar to an Islamic Mahdi meaning; right guided one, the Christ in the ancient world was a leader, a liberator, an anticipated savior; someone who relieved human suffering with the events and/or sacrifices of one’s own life. Self-sacrifice is the Christ. This basic idea of the Christ is not exclusively Christian, nor is Christ the family name or last name of Jesus. Christ is who Jesus became.

The Bible documents how Jesus was called Christ.From the very beginning of the Jesus story we read in Matthew 1:16; And Jacob begat Joseph the husband of Mary, of who was born Jesus, who is called Christ. Elsewhere in Matthew 16:15 Jesus asks Peter; But whom say ye I am? And Peter answers in Matthew16:16; Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God. In John 4:25 the woman at the well said to Jesus;…I know that messiah cometh which is called Christ. The concept of the Christ was already a well known concept in the ancient world. The Jews were simply waiting on “their” messiah to come with the supernatural ability to free them from roman rule.Many cultures at different times in world history have recorded the words and deeds of their Christ or messiah. And many of the Christ stories of other more ancient civilizations bare a striking resemblance to the Christ story found in the Bible’s New Testament. As far back as 1200 B.C., the savior Virishna was born of a virgin and his birth was threatened by the ruler, Cansa. He was presented at birth with frankincense and myrrh; he performed miracles, healed the sick and taught basic morality. But finally, he was put to death upon a cross between two thieves. He also rose from the dead. The same and/or similar stories are told of Budha Sakia of India, Odin of the Scandinavians, Zoroster and Mithra of Persia, Hesus or Eros of the Druids, and Adonis—son of the virgin Io of Greece. All of these Christs were worshipped as God and all were revered as saviors.Krishna, the Hindu God of India, appearing over 3,000 years before the birth of Jesus was also born of a virgin; father was a carpenter, was called Savior and was crucified between two thieves.An even more ancient resemblance comes from the Egyptian Christ, Horus. Horus was revered all across Egypt as the light of the world. Horus was the way, the truth and the life five thousand years before the birth of Jesus. Horus was even baptized by Anup the Baptizer just as Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Horus (like Jesus) was also called the good Shepard. And Horus (like Jesus) was also called Christ. In fact, Horus was called the KRST or the Ka of Ra meaning: the consciousness of God. The Greeks called such a personality the Christos which is a translation of the Semitic m`sheeha or messiah;the appointed or anointed one—the Christ. The all-seeing single eye of Horus appears today on top of the pyramid on the back left hand side of the American one dollar bill.The eye shining above the pyramid is the all-seeing eye of Horus and a symbol of the Christ—the finishing of an unfinished work.For centuries (before and after Jesus) the Christ consciousness was always thought of as the consciousness of a person who has subdued the cravings of the body, was completely detached from the pleasures of the world and absolutely committed to the manifestation of God’s Will on earth. Christ is that state of being where the servant of God becomes the friend of God, ultimately becoming the son of God; one with God—the Christ.Over many centuries those who have been intuitively called out of the world to pursue the Christ have been advised to symbolically die to their old character and old understanding in the flesh to be reborn into a new character and new understanding inspirit. Dying to your will meant dying to your carnal passions, and when you died to your carnal passions you were free. The ancient world knew that no human being was truly free until they had mastered themselves! That as long as you are led by the cravings of your own body and the desires of your own mind you shall in no way be truly free. The same is still true today.For centuries this is what Christ has really been all about.

Christ was about the perfection of one’s Self which started with a decrease in one’s carnal nature and an increase in one’s divine nature. It was about submitting one’s worldly will to the Will of God. It was about being God’s Will on earth. The Christ was about adopting the personality of God over the passions of the flesh. Ritualistically and symbolically the decision to be the Christ begins with the symbolic death (or sacrifice) of one’s flesh and one’s dependency upon the world. This ritual and symbolism predates the Jesus story of the Bible and to this day remains the initiation into many spiritual fraternities, societies, churches, temples, etc.However, today more Christians are satisfied with praising and worshipping Jesus’ holy name than picking up their own cross and following in Jesus’ footsteps. And again, this is not a harsh or unjust criticism of anyone’s faith or specific belief in Jesus. However, at some point those who talk Jesus are going to have to walk Jesus! And Jesus walked on water. Going to a church or a temple to worship and praise God shows your faith and love for God. It shows that you value the things of the spirit. But at some point you are going to have to become the spirit that you worship and praise if are to truly relieve your own suffering as well as the suffering of others. At some point, God must become real in your life. This essay does not deny that Jesus was Christ. This essay simply asks; when are we going to become Christ ourselves? When are we going to die to our old beliefs,old traditions and old habits to be resurrected as the savior of just our own homes? How long shall the cravings of the flesh rule over us?Such a ritual as dying to one’s carnal nature to be resurrected in one’s divine nature is depicted in Luke 23:26 where it reads: And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost. This bit of scripture draws interest in a variety of ways. First, the Spirit is the animating essence of a living thing, whereas a ghost is the animating essence of a dead thing. To commend something is to present it as worthy, as approved. When Jesus says,Father into thy hands I commend my spirit, Jesus is presenting his spirit as acceptable before God. However, it is interesting how after Jesus …commends his spirit it is written that he …gave up the ghost, the animating essence of his flesh; the dead thing. Such a commencement of one’s spirit and the death of one’s flesh is not the end of one’s spiritual life, it is actually the beginning.Almost every spiritual teacher says it in their own way according to their own cultural experience, but the general theme has always been the same. Those who have been intuitively called out of the world to serve the Will of God have been for many years advised to symbolically die to their old character and old understanding to be reborn into a new character and a new understanding in Christ.

John 3:3 reads; verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.Traditionally, the spiritual journey toward Christhood began with one’s baptism. Usually a ceremony was performed and the “believer” was anointed with water symbolizing anew birth, a new beginning, cleanliness, purity, resurrection. Here, the seeker symbolizes a baby just born into a new world. From the time you make the decision to pursue the Christ, you are like a newborn baby in spiritual understanding—you are reborn. And just as babies drink milk until they are strong enough for solid food, so also the “believer” is given the word of God (the Bible), until he/she can handle the deeper mysteries of God that stretch beyond the Bible and all written materials on God and spiritual living. The Bible (or the Word) is indeed spiritual milk.While you are a babe in your spiritual understanding, the Bible serves as your milk while the Church serves as your nursery. The strong meat of advanced spiritual living is reserved for those who have outgrown the milk and the nursery. Nevertheless, the milk and the nursery play important roles in the development of the Christ. Unfortunately,many well-intentioned people tend to linger too long in the nursery, comfortable with the milk. The milk is not the life of Christ; the milk prepares you for a life in Christ. It sustains “believers” until they can eat the stronger meat of self-sacrifice. But for centuries“believers” have become comfortable the milk of God, stagnating their progress in eating the bread of God, never tasting the strong meat of God’s Will. As Hebrews 5:12—13reads; For when for the time ye ought be teachers ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk and not of strong meat. For everyone that useth milk is unskillful in the word of righteousness for he is a babe.The Bible, or word of God, symbolizes the milk. As 1 Peter 2:2 states; As newborn babes,desire the sincere milk of the word that ye may grow thereby. We can see Paul’s frustration with the “new-born” Christians of his time and their use of the milk in1Corinthians chapter 3, verses 1, 2 and 3 where he writes: And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there are among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? And notice the relation between..babes in Christ and fed you with milk. Paul also reveals the fact that even though you may know the word of God, such a knowing is still immature or carnal in spirit.However, after spending some time with the milk of God (the Word), the seeker does mature and begins to grasp the bread of God (righteousness through example). Having grown strong with the milk, the seeker is now prepared to eat of solid bread.

As John6:33 states; For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven and giveth life unto the world. Those in search of Christ already know that the Bible speaks in parable.This simple fact was learned during the milk-drinking stage (or degree) of one’s spiritual development where Jesus says; unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God: but to others in parables; that seeing they might not see, and hearing they might not understand (Luke 8:10). So when the Bible speaks of…God’s kingdom, we do not look up into the sky. We refer to Luke 17:21 where it states; Neither shall they say, lo here! Or, lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Those in search of Christ, or a perfect union with God, are beyond the milk. They are beyond the worship of Jesus as the Lord of their lives. They are seeking the personality of Christ which can be found in the story of Jesus.The bread of God is he who comes down from his/her own place of security (heaven) to assist others get to their places of security. And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger and he that believeth on me shall never thirst (John 6:35). For those seeking the Christ consciousness this statement is not interpreted as what Jesus is saying to us; such a statement is interpreted as what we should be saying to ourselves and others. He that cometh to me shall never hunger…is a declaration or affirmation as to the character of the Christ within all of us. We should believe this of ourselves and express this toward others. Imagine if we said this to ourselves every day before we walked out the door…he that cometh to me shall never hunger… this is the character of the Christ. Such is the bread of God. Those that routinely give up their security and happiness for the security and happiness of others are called the bread of God.At this stage (or degree) we have matured now from milk to bread. As the living bread of God we attain the proper spiritual character for digestion of the strong meat. Here, we are still young in spiritual understanding but we are not babes. It is at this stage that we really begin to train for Christhood. Through the experiences of our own lives we are formed,sculptured and chiseled into the Christ. As mentioned earlier, such spiritual maturity includes the giving up of one’s own individual worldly will and desires so that one may unite with the Will of God in spirit and in truth. Such a unity has been expressed generally in three stages (or degrees); they are the milk, the bread and the meat. Or the way, the truth and the life.The milk, or the way, signifies preparation. The bread, or truth, signifies realization. And the meat, or the life, signifies the work (or conformation). The work is to carry out or perform the Will of God which is written in your heart! It is your purpose. By this act,people are taught the way, the truth and the life of God through the conscious examples of a Christ-lived life.An example of the Christ-lived life is described in John 6:38 where it reads; For I came down from heaven not to do mine own will but the will of Him that sent me. This is a clear statement as to the self-sacrifice of the Christ-character. Such a character (or personality)is the Will of God. John 6:39-40 reads; And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me,that of all which he hath given, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of Him that sent me, that everyone would seeth the son and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up on the last day.Further down we read in John 6:44-45; No man can come to me, except the father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me.First of all, we should notice the repeated phrases…I will raise him up at the last day.When a “believer” commits to the path of Christ, that “believer” is said to have died.Such a death is symbolic. However, it does mark the beginning of one’s new life in the pursuit of Christ. In such a pursuit, the “believer” is said to be born-again. With this in mind, the last day of the “believer” is interpreted as his/her first day in the pursuit of Christ.

At the last day, or the day you decide to become born-again, Jesus says;…I will raise him up. This is a declaration of God’s commitment to teach, protect and mature the“believer” toward the Christ consciousness. In other words, the character of Jesus (the bread of God) is what raises the “believer” up toward the Christ. Up is used here symbolically because the Christ consciousness is commonly thought of as a higher consciousness. Such a consciousness represents the mind of the upper man/woman or the superman/woman. It is the character of Jesus; which is the giving up of one’s individual will in submission to God’s Will that raises us up to Christhood.But hidden in parable is an even deeper meaning to the Christ-lived life. First, at the last day…all which He (God) hath given me, I should lose nothing. Here, it is realized that all students, assistants and family members are given to you by God. All possessions and titles as well are given by God. And the declaration (even promise) given to those committed to the path of Christ is that all that God gives to you shall not be taken away,lost, or destroyed—this includes people. However, the statement…I should lose nothing…clearly shows that as the bread of God you do not lose or give up, or let go of your material possessions or close friends. In fact, you shall…raise it (them) up again at the last day.This is important to know because during the milk-drinking stage of spiritual learning,the “believer” is told to…sell whatever thou hast and give to the poor…take up the cross and follow me (Mark 10:21). However in John 6:37 we read; All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out. Here, the“believer” realizes that God is the provider. We can even see a call to patience and a subtle submission of one’s desires and wants. We read; All that the Father hath given me,shall come to me…It’s clear that, all that the Father giveth me…indicates that God has already decided what we are going to get; and …shall come to me, clearly indicates that we haven’t gotten it yet. That it shall come. Such a statement is a call to patience and faith. That whatever is yours; is yours by divine right. Therefore, there is no need to be anxious or worried. All that the Father hath given me, shall come to me.In addition,…everyone that seeth the son and believeth on him, may have everlasting lifeis also what we should be saying and perceiving of ourselves. If you interpret the use ofthe word, son to mean you, then everyone that sees you and believes in your righteousness should receive spiritual motivation and rejuvenation or everlasting life from your personality and character. The “believer” is instructed here to lead and inspire people by example. Finally, no man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him…is not only a declaration of protection against the spiritually immature, no man can come…except the Father…draw him, but the following passage; …it is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God…indicates that the people of God, the true “believers”, those who already intuitively feel the presence of God in their lives will be automatically attracted to you. In fact, they are given to you by God. This realization creates your ministry.

So, as you eat of the bread of God, you learn to give up a littlemore of your will for God’s Will. You let go of worldly worries and the pursuit ofmaterial goods and you inspire the everlasting life in others with your Christ-likecharacter.With this stage of spiritual development, the “believer” is prepared for the meat. AsHebrews 5:14 states; But strong meat belongth to them that are of full age, even thosewho by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Hebrews6:1-3 speaks even deeper to such spiritual maturity, it reads; Therefore, leaving theprinciples of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection, not laying again thefoundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Of the doctrine ofbaptisms and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead and of eternaljudgment. And this we will do if God permits.Here, the Bible clearly points to a level of spiritual living that is beyond the rituals of theChurch and the Bible itself. The Bible seems to regard our modern day church rituals andtraditional church teachings as milk. As a spiritual instruction story, the Bible seems to bepushing its readers beyond its pages; urging the Christian to eat of God’s bread and eventually of God’s meat.

What is God’s meat? Jesus answers this question in John 4:34where it reads; My meat is to do the Will of Him that sent me and to finish His work. Thisspeaks directly to your purpose. Your purpose is your work. God has already given youyour work but are you actually afraid to do your work? The bread of God clearlyunderstands that the actualization of one’s God given purpose is for the benefit of all.God is depending upon the actualization of the purpose given to you. However, afterthinking about what it might take to actualize God’s Will in our lives, most of us becomeafraid of the trails and tribulations that must be faced, and we simply go get jobs contentwith Sunday service at the local praise and worship church.To walk in the security of God you must be willing to give up the security of the world.This is another form of self-sacrifice. However as the bread of God, one’s love for God isexpressed through the free giving and serving of one’s purpose toward others. Here, you act on God’s behalf in people’s lives; not on your own behalf. You express your loveopenly to all. Whether difficult or pleasant you are unaffected because you are not actingon your behalf; you are acting on behalf of God. You are acting on behalf of Love. Not that you have no life of your own, but that your life is dedicated to performing the acts of God in the lives of those that surround you.

Jesus says in John 15:13; Greater love hathno man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Again, we can see in thisstatement the self-sacrificing nature of the Christ.As mentioned earlier, such a life is not lived in the world dependent upon worldly ways,truths and lives. Such a life is free and fearless. But do you have the courage to live theway in which God intends for you to live? Are you strong enough to carry the burden ofGod’s blessing on your life? Are you even worthy of such a blessing? Or are you at adead-end job while your purpose deteriorates in your own mind? Ask yourself seriously,if you work everyday and still feel unfulfilled like you are not getting anywhere, what areyou actually laboring for? Jesus says in John 6:27; Labor not for the meat whichperisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life. Such a life requires anunwavering commitment to the actualization of the purpose that God has placed in yourheart.Doing the work that God has placed in your heart for the benefit of all is the Christ.Rising to one’s own higher Self against all obstacles, temptations and traps is the Christ.Sacrificing yourself for the benefit of someone else is the Christ. Perfection of yourself isthe Christ. However again, most people appear to be more concerned with worshippingand praising Jesus as the Christ, as opposed to imitating Jesus’ character in an attempt tobe the Christ. Eventually, we all must bear our own crosses.

This is where some people cringe. Be the Christ? How? But this is the very point of thewhole Jesus story. Here, we can see that reading, worshipping and praising are greatmotivators, and all are necessary steps in one’s spiritual development. But the intentionof the Jesus story clearly encourages the reader to imitate Jesus and do the work! Such isthe attainment of the Christ consciousness—a perfectly selfless and loving being. In thisstate of being the Will of God is your total existence. You are God’s Will on earth.Advancing from believing in Jesus as the sacrificial lamb of God sent to take away thesins of the world; the true “believer” becomes the Christ that takes away the sins of theworld through one’s own individual conduct and character.The truth of the matter is that most people are simply too afraid to be God. Yes, be God!Not to posture as if they are God! Or that they are the creator and sustainer of theuniverse; but very simply, many people are afraid to be the light of their own world. Andbeing the light of your world, selfless and loving is the Christ. Ye are the light of theworld. A city that is set on a hill, cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put itunder a bushel, but on a candlestick; and giveth light unto all that are in the house. Letyour light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify yourFather which is in heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). However, many well-intentioned, kindhearted,religious people are simply too afraid to answer someone else’s prayer on behalfof God. Many well-intentioned people are simply too afraid to love, too afraid to forgive,to trust, to respect.Jesus says in John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Jesuscontinues in John 15:15; Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth notwhat his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of myfather, I have made known unto you.

When Jesus says, Ye are my friends if ye do whatsoever I command you, he also tells us what his “command” is in John 15:12. Itreads; This is my commandment that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Thiscommand is repeated in John 15:17 where Jesus says, These things I command you, thatye love one another.However, such a simple command turns out to be the most difficult act to carry out.People are simply too afraid to love. Yet, it is this act that makes you a disciple of Jesusand the Christ. Not whether you are “saved”. Not whether you go to “this” church or“that” temple. Not whether you’ve studied the Bible in its entirety, nor even whether youhave secret knowledge. None of these things make you a friend and a disciple of Jesusthe Christ! Jesus says in John 13:34-35; A new covenant I give unto you, that ye love oneanother as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know thatye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.This command literally encourages the “believer” to be Christ-like by doing whataverage people cannot seem to do; that is, …love one another. As easy and as simple asthis statement may sound, it takes a tremendous effort to actually live within a personalitythat loves, cares for, shows concern for and is affectionate toward those we come incontact with. But this is the character of the Christ.

It is important to note that Jesus gave this command (love one another) to his disciples—to his friends. Even though Jesus’main message was love, he explicitly commanded those who were his friends to love oneanother. This is the character of not only the Christ, but this is the strategy that holds thechurch together. True “believers” in Jesus truly love one another. Here, we learn that it isone’s conduct of love that identifies one as a disciple of Jesus the Christ. The life of Jesusas the Christ is about having the strength to be God. This ultimately was Jesus’ crime—blasphemy!John 10:33 reads, The Jews answered him saying for a good work we stone thee not, butfor blasphemy and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. Jesus responds bysaying in John 10:34, Is it not written in your law, I said ye are gods? Jesus furtherexplains in John 10:37-38, If I do not the work of my Father, believe me not. But if I do,though, ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and believe that theFather is in me and I in Him. Once again Jesus displays the selfless Christ characterwhen he says…The Father (God) is in me, and I in Him. This revelation in one’s own lifeis the Christ.Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect (Mathew 5:48).Such a statement commands “believers” to reach beyond the milk and the nursery to be asGod would be. To act as God would act. Forgive as God would forgive. Love as God would love.

Praise and worship has its place, but “believers” are commanded to be…doers of the word. This means on the job, you are the Christ. This means with yourfamily, you are the Christ. This means, equally with your friends, and with your enemies,you are the Christ. Your character is selfless. Your greatest satisfaction is in easing thesuffering of others. With love and with patience you teach those around you by example.Your very lifestyle inspires others to reach for their own innate potentials and abilities.You truly care. You truly love. Thou art then truly the Christ! THERE IT IS!

KRS-ONE

http://www.myspace.com/templeofhiphop

Lawrence Krishna Parker (born August 20, 1965), better known by his stage name KRS-One, is an American rapper. Over his career, he has been known by several pseudonyms including "Kris Parker", "The Blastmaster", "The Teacha", and "The Philosopher". KRS-One is a significant figure in the hip hop community and is often credited by critics and other hip hop artists as epitomizing the "essence" of an MC and for being one of the greatest MC's to hold the mic.[1] At the 2008 BET Awards, KRS-One was the recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award, for all his work and effort towards the Stop the Violence Movement as well as the overall pioneering of hip-hop music and culture.