Make Time

I believe one of the problems of the world today is that we do not take the time to appreciate the finer things in life. In a world where the “finer” things in life consist of jewelry, money, fast cars, and beautiful women, the under-appreciated things that encompassed what could be easily defined as “finer” have simply gone under the radar. One very important thing is spending time. We have found other things to do with our time, but it seems that family only gets together on one of three occasions: a death, a marriage, or a national holiday that requires cooking. I believe that we need to embrace the art of spending time again, not just with family, but with God also. He is not a genie in a lamp, nor is He a quick fix when you find yourself in a bind. The latter part of Hebrews 11:6 declares that “He is a reward of them who diligently seek Him”. Webster defines “diligent” as: showing persistent and hard working effort in doing something. Persistence meaning on more than one occasion, not just when it is convenient for us. Spend time my friends with family, with friends, and most importantly, with God.

Under Control

The Bible declares in Matthew 10:16, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves”. We have to understand the concept here is that of self-control. In a movie I once watched, one line that forever stuck with me was that anger clouds the mind. I have yet to meet someone who made a sound judgment when they are controlled by anger. I just wanted to encourage anyone who is reading this to maintain a level of self-control. No, we won’t always been in the greatest of moods, nor will we always be around the most positive people. However, possessing a great amount of self control will prove its worth in the long run of life. So try to keep yourself under control, so that you do not spiral out of control and find yourself in place where you have no control.

The Return

Often times we as men have been labeled as a species that tends to not speak when it matters the most. Especially in these times, the man has, in a sense, forgotten his rightful place in life. Once we were the unquestioned leaders of generations. Our mouth piece determined the course of action for an unprecedented number of people. We ruled with an iron fist, while providing for our families with an uncompromised hand. Now we have taken a back seat for fear of not fitting in. Alternative discipline has now taken the place of what we were raised on while growing up. We have allowed women to raise our young men, while we as the “leader” have stepped further and further into their shadow. It is time for us as the “head” of the household to make our return to prominence. We must step up as this generation is in desperate need of guidance, leadership, motivation and discipline. When we do, it will mark the beginning of our reclaiming our homes and communites

When you fall ..... RISE

The Bible declares in Proverbs 24:16, "A righteous man falleth seven times, but rises again......." Many times as African American men, we find ourselves in a place we seldomly like to be in: the past. We did not journey there ourselves. We more than likely have been placed there against our will by words that have been said that transported somewhere we tried long to forget. We then dwell there, sometimes unknowingly, reminiscing and replaying the event all while thinking how things could have gone differently.

My brother, take heed to the opening scripture. We WILL fall.....even the most assured and careful and just man will. It isnt done purposely, for human nature dictates it. But the one who exhibits wisdom will rise again, dust himself off, and resume on with his life. Live my brother. Live your life.

Salute .......

Too many times we hear about the negative side of our brothers and not enough of the positive.We often talk about the prison population, but not enough of the percentage of black men enrolling into college, no matter the figure. We often talk about those that stand on the corner all day, but hardly mention those who are at work all day and then go home to their families. We talk about the ones who don't want to make a difference with their lives, but hardly talk about those whose life made a difference and continues to make a difference. So to my brethren, I say keep your head up.....keep fighting the good fight. If no one else applauds you, I, your brother, salute you.

QUOTE from Lavelle Eagle

Be careful of whose hands you place your desire of elevation....to be elevated by man is to be exposed to downnfall. But to be elevated by the hand of the Lord is to watch humility in its finest hour.

To Be Used for God's Glory ..........

When we say that we want to be used for the glory of God, do we really understand what we are really asking? I was once told that we as the saints of God carry His glory. That simply means that we carry Him and His power everywhere we go. But what happens when we enter into a place that does not resemble who we are? Now this doesn't necessarily mean a physical building. How about when we enter into a trial or a tribulation; a situation or a circumstance that we have no clue on how to get out of? Remember two things: the Word declares that, "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and he delighteth in his way" and " The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished". God knows exactly what he is doing, for remember that a piece of Him is deposited in you. When God has received a total commitment from you, He shall indeed test you. If we can test Him at His word concerning our finances, does he not reserve the right to test us concerning life? After all, he is the "author and finisher of our faith". But be not discouraged, for "all things work together for GOOD for them that love the Lord and are the called according to his purpose".