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October 31, 2008

How I deal with anger

Be ye angry and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath ... (Eph. 4:26)
I can't tell you how much that Scripture has meant in my life.
For those of you who know a little about me, you might consider me a relatively nice person, straightforward and outspoken perhaps, but nice nonetheless.
Well, I have a confession, one that I don't recall sharing with readers. I use to have an anger issue. Now don't get me wrong, I still get angry sometimes, but there's a very different response to that anger than in earlier days.
Don't get scared, I haven't hurt anyone, nor have I entertained the thought of hurting anyone, recently. Just kidding.
Not until I experienced the losing control type anger, did I realize I had a problem.
Today, I am thankful for the Word of God that helps to calm me down as opposed to Pamela's way of resolving anger issues.
It was the Bible, which called me a fool when I allowed anger to consume me, that made me rethink my responses.
Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry: for anger rest in the bosom of fools. (Eccl. 7:9)
Or, He that is soon angry deals foolishly... (Prov. 14:17)
I don't want to be considered a fool.
How do they say it in church testimonies? "Thank God I'm not what I use to be."
Well, the whole point of this babbling is to express that I've experienced some anger lately. Several things in my life have contributed to that; job issues and personal issues too. But, I've learn to back away from the situation(s), talk to God, focus on the blessings he continues to give me and allow myself to calm down.
It works.
Things may tend to look bleak, but the joy of the Lord has to be my strength, because in my own strength I'm a very weak link in the chain of life.

Propositions 4 and 8, a.k.a. Sin and More Sin

Change the wording and sin is still sin in the eyes of God. This election is filled with so many choices, all of which have their pros and cons. There are two very controversial propositions that have caused several disputes among voters and the religion community. One, Proposition 8. A yes vote on Prop 8 would keep the definition of marriage as God intended, ONE MAN AND ONE WOMAN!!! This is also known as the right way, the moral way, the sinless way.
A no vote would allow Californians to become a modern day Sodom and Gomorrah. That's out of God's will for marriage, the selfish way, the whatever-makes-me-happy way.
Those against Prop 8 would have you believe that it would violate the civil rights of gay couples who simply want to love each other and make a lifetime commitment to each other.
As a Christian, what I find scary is there are churches that supposedly follow and believe the teachings of the Holy Bible that support gay marriage. It is that same Bible that calls homosexuality a SIN, an abomination, (Rom. 1) one so heinous that God destroyed two cities because of it. (Genesis 19) What part of that are these so-called-Christian churches not getting?
Now, I agree that churches should accept homosexuals in their places of worship and show the love of God toward them and teach them what God says about the lifestyle. Let them know that God is able to lead them away from that lifestyle to one pleasing in His sight. As followers of God, we are told to love as he does. Love the sinner, but hate the sin!!
Instead, churches have opened their doors in acceptance to the lifestyle God so clearly does NOT LOVE!
Then there's Prop 4, the initiative that would require abortion clinics to notify parents or legal guardians before giving a minor an abortion.
In times past it was considered normal to notify a parent when a CHILD needed any type of medical care. That would be only like right since parents are supposed to be responsible for their children.
Those who oppose the Proposition have blanketed the issue saying it's safer for the minor since some minors live in abusive homes. Give me a break! Not all pregnant teens live in abusive homes. Maybe, some will be afraid to tell their parents they are pregnant, but isn't that normal since many are unmarried and financially unable to support and care for a child.
What if something drastic happens to that child on that table of death, then what? Come on, how insensitive can a person be to think it's OK to endanger a child's life in this way. These are sometimes kids too young to vote or to drive, but old enough to make a decision that will have long-lasting negative affects?
America is on the fast track to danger. And if we continue to defy God and his law we will continue to see his judgment upon this land. The Bible says, blessed is the nation who's God is the Lord. We are removing crosses, which remind us of the death of Christ on our behalf. We are removing the Ten Commandments, which simply tell us how to live right and obey God. We are attempting to have his name removed from the currency he blessed us with.
Does anyone else see the Bible being revealed in these last days? People are lovers of themselves and blatantly defying God. The economy is in shambles, we are at war all around us and people are feeling hopeless all because we have turned our back on God. Don't underestimate Him. He is a God of love, but he MUST and he WILL punish sin. That includes the big and powerful America, who is quickly getting herself in a world of trouble with her Creator.

Racism in 2008? You must be kidding!

I am sure I am not alone when I say, I will be so extremely glad when this election is over. There are so many Measures and Propositions that it can get confusing sometimes. Except for a few like Prop 8 and 4, but that's another entry. Stay tuned.
But what I am finding so hard to believe is the racism that has reared its head in America since the presidential campaign has come down to two, one of which happens to be an African-American. I was amazed to see how the media managed to find some of the most racist people to comment on Presidential Candidate Barack Obama.
Now I know that the days of segregation are not too long gone, UNDER 50 years ago, but for someone to say "We can't elect a Negra," in 2008 is sad. WHAT IS A NEGRA?
Since Obama became the Democratic nominee, I've heard "Is America ready for a black president?" several times. Why wouldn't we be. America was and is ready for blacks in every other area of America's life, why not the presidency?
So many people are blinded by the fact that Obama is African-American that they fail to focus on what's most important, THE ISSUES.
Families are losing their homes, jobs are being lost by the thousands and all these bright people can see is color.
Must I remind these Great Americans that we are ALL created in God's image. There is no color better than the other.
In my heart, I knew racism would show up if and when Obama decided to run for president, but I guess the other side of me thought we as a country, land of the free and the home of the brave had surpassed that.
I feel sad for anyone who is wasting their privilege to vote based on race. And to think many African-Americans lost their lives and were beaten not to long ago just fighting for the privilege to vote.
As an African-American I am ashamed that with all that African-Americans have done for this country, even when it wasn't our choice, (slavery) that there are still those who would be overjoyed to have us and anyone else not like them, removed from American soil.
However, when all is said and done, God is still in control and whether we as a nation acknowledge that or not or whether we love all mankind as God commands or not, he will still have the last say.