We’re all a little weary of classifications, but let’s throw one out that works as well as any of them do. Most of us have an UNfavorite emotion, and we fall into two camps – those who can deal with anger, but not tenderness; and those who can deal with tenderness, but not anger.

For those people who are into anger, it’s the all-purpose emotion. This was often the case with males in the Silent Generation and Baby Boomers. Conditioned not to show ‘weakness,’ they learned the emotion they could show and still appear manly – anger.

Now here’s the thing about anger. It’s always justified, always harmful, and never a reason to do something in itself. This is a complex set of emotions to deal with. In coaching Emotional Intelligence, I have worked through this with many a client. We think Emotional Intelligence (EQ) – understanding and managing your emotions (among other things) – is now the new Holy Grail. That if we master EQ, we can finally be “happy,” which for most of us, at least initially, means not having to experience those nasty emotions – fear, anger, jealousy, inappropriate sexual impulses, and disgust.

However, our emotions are our guides, and all these so-called “negative” emotions come from our most primitive brain – the reptilian brain. They are lean and mean all right, and extremely powerful to experience, because they’re there to keep us alive. We had to experience disgust (you can almost feel your esophagus and stomach preparing to hurl as you gag, curl your lip back, flinch and whatever) because it kept us alive. We had to recognize, for instance, rotten meat.

Now let’s go with this emotion, disgust. It’s almost an instinctive reaction. Let’s go with it because it’s as difficult to deal with as any of them.

In modern day life, the things we have an automatic disgust reaction to, may seem inappropriate to us, or what’s called in psychology, ego-dystonic. In other words, we feel it and at the same time feel we SHOULDN’T be feeling it.

It’s hard to even write this, but here I go, into my own personal ego-dystonic land. If I walk into someone’s house and it’s a “pig sty” to my way of thinking, and I’m disgusted, I immediately start slapping myself around because … she can’t help it, she’s got 4 kids under the age of 6; or I’ve got a maid and she doesn’t, so what right do I have to criticize; or, I’m thinking, maybe I’m being the perfectionist-in-recovery I’m capable of being, and I criticize myself for my unrealistic and overly-demanding standards.

But my self-criticism doesn’t change the fact that the house is disgusting. It goes on and on, as I quarrel among my brains. The primitive one smells the cat urine in the living room carpet, the dirty diapers in the garbage pail, and the stale cooking odors, and sees the spilled milk curdling on the kitchen floor … while my limbic brain is telling me to be nice to people, or that people won’t like me if I’m critical (and of course everyone MUST “like me”); be compassionate and understanding; and my neocortex is telling me it’s not right to judge other people.

No matter how sophisticated you become, no matter how well you learn to “manage” your emotions, no matter how much EQ you study and absorb, no matter how “good” a person you are, when you see an outdoor public toilet in China … you may gag. Why? Because you Wiser Self, your inner instincts learned over the eons, knows about Salmonella and eBoli.

No matter how “mature” you are, when someone shoves you out of line in the grocery, or butts ahead of you, you’ll get angry. Your territory has been invaded. It’s an instinct.

Are you justified in getting disgusted at an unsanitary and smelly toilet? Are you justified in getting angry when someone butts in line in front of you?

Our emotions are always justified; if not to others, we can rationalize them to ourselves. However, what we think about it doesn’t matter. Our emotions just are. THEY don’t care if they’re “right” or “wrong.” Until we learn to accept them, live with them, and not necessarily act on them or even verbalize them, we will be in conflict this way.

Now we come to forgiveness. Most of us have one or more things lurking around we can’t forgive someone for doing to us. In some cases it could go way back, like a mother who favored another sibling, or a father who committed incest. It could also have just happened – a neighbor who was rude to you on the phone, or a manager who gave you a bad performance review.

You are angry. You say things like, “How could they do this to me?” and “How could she talk to me that way?” and “What he did was not just wrong, but egregiously wrong, and I cannot forgive him. Ever.” (egregious = conspicuous, beyond the pale, apart from the herd, flagrant).

And you’re absolutely right to be angry. What was done may be inexcusable. But in the last analysis, it isn’t whether they deserve to be forgiven, it’s whether you want to go on living with that knot in your stomach, or ulcers, or fibromyalgia, or compromised immune system, or lashing out at others over small things.

Forgiving someone else is something you do for yourself. Forgiving or not forgiving them will not make one iota of difference in what occurred, or what might happen in the future, but it will free up tremendous energy and allow you to get on with your life.

If that louse you were married to did awful things, why would you allow this to live in your head for years, poisoning your other relationships, draining you and making you bitter and hostile, so no one wants to be around you and you can’t stand yourself either? Why would you do this to yourself, after he did that to you?

Be good to yourself, even when others aren’t. Especially when others aren’t. Be totally selfish about being good to yourself. As Doc Chidre said, “Forgiving releases you from the punishment of a self-made prison where you are both the inmate and the jailer.”

“You can’t hold a man down without staying down with him,” wrote Booker T. Washington, and you can’t hate someone, or hold a grudge, without staying right there with it, living it every minute just as if it were still going on.

Forgive! It’s the emotionally intelligent thing to do. If you have trouble with this concept, call an EQ coach. You deserve it.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Susan Dunn, MA Psychology, Emotional Intelligence Coach, http://www.susandunn.cc . I coach around emotional intelligence for success, relationships, transitions, career, resilience, leadership, energy. Internet courses, ebooks. Mailto:sdunn@susandunn.cc for free ezine.

The awakened lives in the adulterated society, yet is not tainted by emotions and desires. He devotes himself to the spreading of Tao to the world, transforming hell into Heaven. He points out Tao of Heaven to those who are lost so that they can also realize their True Selves. He acts according to Tao. He vows to save the world out of his mercifulness.

A wise man is bright and quiet, his tranquillity and wisdom flow together and feed each other. This way, his emotion returns into his True Self, his knowledge turns into wisdom, his human nature becomes settled from danger and his True Nature becomes bright and clear. It is the same as that the enlightened is always sincere and the sincere is always enlightened.

He knows that to study truth is the nobliest wish of a human being and to disseminate truth is the holiest responsibility. He therefore becomes the salesman of the Way of Heaven, mankind’s protector, an oasis in the desert, the guiding light through the maze of life, a cook to give others nourishment for their souls and he knows the advantages of being a preacher of the truth.

Wisdom is bestowed by Heaven and by sharing his wisdom, he can improve his personality, enhance his good qualities and eloquence, profit mankind, help people to do good deeds and can change malicious words into kind words. That is wisdom.

Author: T.A Chew
Website: http://www.white-sun.com

T.A Chew, an accountant by profession has been working for more than thirty years and lately resigned as the Group Financial Controller of a Public Listed Company in Malaysia to devote his time better in the propagation of Tao. Written a few Tao books and has been a vegetarian for more than ten years so as to purify his body, mind and soul.

It has been said that God is honor bound to do as He said He would do. That statement is more correct. But, first, what did He say?

God will love us in at least as many ways as He did the people of old. But, we don’t get to pick out our favorite verse, stomp our feet, and say, “I want it now!”

To claim what God has named, we first ask Him to show us His will, to give us a promise, or whatever we need (to know His desire for our given situation). It could even be a Bible verse that touches our heart, wherein we can know that that is God’s desire for us also (as our heart is where He dwells).

Once we’ve heard from God, then we can claim it, in full assurance that God will bring it to pass. Our faith is not to be placed in our ability to have faith, to believe it enough, to command loudly enough. Our faith is to be in our God, who promised, who would never break His word; who will love us beyond what we have yet imagined. Our stand is not based upon who we are, but who God is.

“The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”

Psalm 33:11

He names it. Then, you claim it.

© by Joyce C. Lock http://our.homewithgod.com/heavenlyinspirations/ This writing may be used in its entirety, with credits in tact, for non-profit ministering purposes.

John clearly states that the Last Supper took place before the Passover and that Jesus was crucified on the afternoon before the evening that was the traditional time for the Passover celebration. If we accept John’s declaration at face value, then we would have to believe that Jesus did not eat the Passover meal with His disciples since He, Himself was the paschal Lamb and sacrificed about the same time as the Passover lambs.

Then the Jews led Jesus from Caiaphas to the palace of the Roman governor. By now it was early morning, and to avoid ceremonial uncleanness the Jews did not enter the palace; they wanted to be able to eat the Passover. John 18:28.

From then on, Pilate tried to set Jesus free, but the Jews kept shouting, “If you let this man go, you are no friend of Caesar. Anyone who claims to be a king opposes Caesar.” When Pilate heard this, he brought Jesus out and sat down on the judge’s seat at a place known as the Stone Pavement (which in Aramaic is Gabbatha). It was the day of Preparation of Passover Week, about the sixth hour. “Here is your king,” Pilate said to the Jews. John 19:12-14.

Matthew, Mark and Luke state that the Last Supper was the Passover meal. Yet both John and the synoptic tradition seem to agree that the day of the crucifixion was on Friday. At this point and time, I lean toward John’s position on the timing of the Last Supper and the crucifixion due to John’s purporting to be based on the recollections of an eyewitness who was present at the time. Furthermore, Mark and Matthew state that the Sanhedrin wanted to get Jesus arrested and executed before the Passover; an intention that was blocked if their timing of the Last Supper and crucifixion is erroneous.

Stein doesn’t really adopt a position. After exploring several related theories attempting to explain the apparent discrepancy between John’s account and the synoptics, Stein confesses that no one explanation is totally convincing at the present time.

Jocz agrees with Stein that the discrepancy cannot really be reconciled if the synoptics and John are thinking of the same Passover. However, he suggest that the dilemma could be solved if the assumption was made that the Last Supper was a paschal meal, but in anticipation of the festival, which would mean that the paschal lamb was missing. This solution, he maintains, makes reconciliation possible. “John was right, for Passover began on Friday night; the synoptics were right, for the Last Supper was a paschal meal though without the lamb.”

Beck examines the difficulty from the features that were typically characteristic of a Passover celebration such as; reclining at the table, eating the broken bread from a dish, and drinking red wine. Yet, other features such as the paschal lamb, bitter herbs, and four cups are not mentioned. Thus, Beck acknowledges the small chance of erasing the contradiction between the synoptic gospels and John.

Others, such as John Hurt, advocate no discrepancy and insist the issue is solved by simply noting that John uses Roman time, while the synoptics use Jewish time.

One of the great values we learn from the Bible and extra-biblical sources is that there is much more to fully understanding the Lord’s Supper than we may have realized. Ultimately of course, it becomes a matter of belief.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, though delayed in publication, is expected to be available early 2006.

You have an open invitation to visit us at AMEN Ministries: Your Soul’s Service Station for reviewing spiritual services being offered, obtain spiritual refreshing and soul edification, get your daily dose of humor, browse our newly expanded Stop & Shop Store (which now include the “Last Supper” and other inspirational home furniture) and to visit our prayer sanctum for quiet time with God.

Blessings to all!

What is true on the basketball court is also true in all of life. Serving others can be tough. Expending your energies and
resources toward the interest of others can be exhausting. Yet, the most effective leaders are servants. Nobody demonstrated
this better than Jesus on the night prior to his crucifixion.

Alone with His disciples in a room in Jerusalem, Jesus did the unthinkable. When there was no servant to carry out the custom of foot-washing, Jesus assumed the role. The Master became the servant. The greatest and the most high became the least and the lowest.

Jesus was able to do this because He loved His disciples (John 13:1). But He was also very secure in Himself. He knew what
the Father had given to Him, where He came from, and where He was going (13:3). When you are secure in your own self-identity,
you can be free to be who you are. You would not have to struggle and strive to prove anything to anyone–not even to yourself.

While these two reasons would be adequate in and of themselves, the Lord had another reason for His actions. When He finished washing the disciples’ feet, Jesus told them, “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” (13:15).

The Lord did not tell them to do “what” He had done. He commanded them to do “as” He had done. They were not to become full-time foot-washers, but rather full-time servants of other men and women.

Are you a follower of Jesus? Do you desire to be His disciple? Then make a commitment to do as He did and expend your energies in service to others.

Article Source: http://www.holy-spirit-led-christian.com/secure-in-yourself.html

Daniel 12:4-12:4

Between Saint and Sinner. pt 1. Preaching the Gospel is sometimes the most controversial position on Earth. Preaching or Ministering the Gospel is two different things, 1. The Truth of Life and 2. Information. Lets look at the Information side first. Information has become wide spread in this world but how much of it is the truth? Dan 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children. [Ref; Dan_8:26; Rev_10:4, Rev_22:10 Dan_12:9, Dan_8:17, Dan_10:1, Dan_11:40 Dan_11:33; Isa_11:9, Isa_29:18, Isa_29:19, Isa_30:26, Isa_32:3; Zec_14:6-10; Mat_24:14; Rom_10:18; Rev_14:6, Rev_14:7] John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. How many here are saved today? Are you sure? Have you kept the commandments of Christ? Have you loved your enemies, have you prayed for them, do you know some one that really gets on your nerves and still prayed for them. Are you doing what you are supposed to do and acting like a Christian each and every day or are you just going thru the motions? In scripture, when God demands His prophets to seal up a Book, He means that all words have been said on that subject and no more needs to be written.This is the Amen of each prophecy.
We increase our knowledge each and every day in scripture. Each time the scripture is preached or taught another idea and revelation comes out and we know a little more. But as the Bible states, man has gone after knowledge of a different sort and has left others behind. Many are going after knowledge that they think will make it easier to enter into the kingdom of Heaven and others have come up with knowledge that they believe dictates that there is no God, so no reason to worry about what they do. Some people have gotten so much knowledge that they cannot see the truth. Its like not being able to see the forest for the trees getting in the way. Knowledge is nothing without understanding. Understanding is what leads us to Christ and the Kingdom. Knowledge without understanding is like a blind man with a road map. Jesus stressed three things in His teachings, Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding. One without the other two is next to useless. Lets put it this way, We all have the knowledge of Jesus, even those that dont believe, many of those are in Church today. We all have a some amount of wisdom in Gods word. If you get out on the street and ask everyone that passed, “Who was Noah?” everyone would be able to tell you. But if you ask many in the Church today what was the reason for Jesus to come to the Earth, you would get many different answers, all would probably be correct but without the true meaning of the plan of salvation. How do you know that you are Saved? Look at what Jesus said; “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:” Lets break this down. There are three different types of people in Church today. 1.”He that hath my commandments, These are the people that has the wisdom of the Commandments of Jesus. They can amost quote every word that Jesus uttered, but without keeping a single one.The do as I say and not as I do Hypocrites. These people have no reverent fear of God, but believe that their works shall be suficient to be saved. 2.”He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them”, These are the people that have the Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge of the Word and keeps it, the Saved. These people have the reverent fear of God, they add works to faith. 3.These are the unbelievers and the hypocrites. 1Co 16:22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha ( “accursed” )., the meaning of the phrase “let him be Anathema Maranatha.”, is, “Our Lord is coming, and he will judge those who have set him at naught.” If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ – If any be an enemy to his person, offices, doctrines, or commands. Mat 25:46 And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Heres the proof of what I just said; Mat 13:27-30; So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. How many today believe that God knows everything? If you answered yes, then you must realize that God knows who belongs to Him and who are still in need of salvation. Salvation is not a game that people play it is of the most urgency to the soul of man. Our ideas, our thoughts, our plans, our interpretation, nor our doctrine of life, has no bearing on Gods word. Many say that it matters what you believe, I say it doesn’t matter what you believe, what matters is what Gods word Says. Commandments from God are not written for to be, cut up, surgically removed, changed, altered or debated, they are commandments. Follow them and become saved, ignore them and be lost forever. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Mat 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. [endureth; As "drawing back unto perdition" hold fast] Heb 3:6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. (JFB)”but he that endureth to the end shall be saved” a great saying, repeated, in connection with similar warnings, in the prophecy of the destruction of Jerusalem (Mat_24:13); and often reiterated by the apostle as a warning against “drawing back unto perdition” (Heb_3:6, Heb_3:13; Heb_6:4-6; Heb_10:23, Heb_10:26-29, Heb_10:38, Heb_10:39, etc.). As “drawing back unto perdition” is merely the palpable evidence of the want of “root” from the first in the Christian profession (Luk_8:13), so “enduring to the end” is just the proper evidence of its reality and solidity. end pt. 1. ars

Temple of Spirit & Truth Ministries
A.R.Smith Sermons International
www.ourchurch.com/member/a/arsmithsermons/

Rashi explains: “and have them take for Me” means dedicated to My name (Midrash Tanchuma).

If you were asked to give a donation to help rebuild the 3rd Temple wouldn’t you give with a full heart and for the sake of the mitzva? Why does Chazal need to tell us that the giving of the money for the mishkan needed to be with such pure intentions?

Rav Henach Leibowitz learns that even when the evil inclination cannot stop us from doing a mitzva he can corrupt our intentions and degrade our service to our Creator.

We need to be constantly on guard that we do not perform the mitzvoth for honor, prestige, or other side motivations. Since we are spending much time and energy to do the mitzvoth anyway, it makes sense that we should work on purifying our motives. One mitzva done with a truly pure heart can upgrade and change the quality of our entire being.

Application:
Choose one mitzva that you are going to do with absolute purity.

Give 10 quick answers to the following sentence stem:
If I could do this mitzva with absolute purity, I would …

Rabbi Eliyahu Mitterhoff is the director of the Global Yeshiva. The Global Yeshiva is devoted to creating a warm and friendly yet serious place for people of all levels to share and discuss Torah and Orthodox Judaism. He envisions this as a great and unprecedented historic opportunity to share, learn, teach and spread Torah on a global level.

Hanukkah is celebrated each year on the 25th day of the Hebrew month of Kislev. Depending on when that date falls, Hanukkah is celebrated in late November or early December.

The first menorah had seven branches. Each branch symbolized one day of the week and it burned olive oil. The second menorah also had seven branches, but when the first and second Temples were destroyed seven branched menorahs were no longer used. Seven branched menorahs are available in today’s modern times though, in honor of and as a reminder of the first menorah.

Today the more common menorah has eight branches along with a ninth branch to hold the candle that is used to light the other candles. On the first night of Hanukkah one candle is light, the candle on the far right side of the menorah. It is lit by the Shamash candle (also called the server candle), which is the candle in the center of the menorah (the one that is higher than the other candles). The Shamash candle is always the candle used to light the other candles in the menorah. On each succeeding night of Hanukkah another candle is lit. The candles are placed in the menorah from right to left; but they are lit from left to right. By the eighth day of the Hanukkah celebration, all the candles on the menorah are lit.

It is encouraged that the menorah try to be lit as soon as the first stars can be seen in the night sky, but it can be later in the evening too. A blessing is spoken when the menorah is lit. The ceremony of lighting the menorah is traditionally witnessed by the entire household. After the menorah is lit, it is customarily placed in or near a window so people passing by can see it. The menorah stays lit until the candles burn themselves out.

The menorahs available today vary from simple to elaborate. There are special menorahs just for children brass; tabletop menorahs; floor menorahs; and menorahs that are electrified instead of burning candles. Some types and styles I’ve seen include: crystal, etched glass, aluminum, ceramic, wood, silver, gold, and even various animal menorahs such as a dove menorah and elephant menorah.

The menorah is an important Jewish symbol and is widely recognized. Many non-Jewish or gentile people may not be familiar with Jewish history and traditions but they likely know what a menorah is.

Dorrie Ruplinger is the publisher of http://www.hannakahinformation.com which provides information and resources about Door County Wisconsin parks.

Now, if god really exists and indeed he is the truth who created heaven and earth; then he is really the most significant being in the existence. God is universal and proving his existence means exhibiting a universal proof. So was it really evolution or divine creation which brings everything in place? Was it the Big Bang or again god’s creation which cause the universe? Did we really come from ape or from Adam and Eve? These are some of the popular arguments which are related to the question on the existence of god. If the theory of evolution is true then why are humans evolved extraordinarily far from other species besides the fact that humans are even considered the newest and the latest species that existed in this planet? The reason would be that we humans are created specially by an intelligent creator. Men were the last species yet the highest and most rational species created by god. The Homo erectus and the Homo sapiens did not become humans but became extinct. God created humans distinctively and distinguishable from animals by giving them the wisdom they would need to fulfill his will. The universe did not come from the Big Bang and definitely it is not infinite as many scientists believe. Everything that can be seen is temporary but everything that cannot be seen is eternal. The universe is temporary and what are eternal are the unseen things, which are the spirits. The universe was created by god to expand the humans and the earth. We did not come from monkeys but we from god. So why be confused if what really came first, the chicken or the egg? Of course it is the chicken reasonably because God created the chicken first than the eggs.

God is true and he exists deeply, highly and clearly. If you look at everything around us, then you will realize that everything was designed intelligently. We exist not by accidents but by reasons. We are created with a very high logic that no humans possessed. If you look at yourself on a mirror then you will find that your eyes, nose, mouth, ears and even your hair are in place. Your hairs are placed on the top of your head to protect it from the heat of the sun above and from the falling rain. God created everything not only with a great intelligence but also with great love and tender care. He made us soft buttocks so we can sit comfortably. He also gave us tears to cool our eyes when we feel so much sadness. Why would we forcefully pursue that physics will answer the existence of everything if there is metaphysics which is philosophically higher and deeper than physics? It is now the time for us to move to the higher science which is the science of god and leave the science of men which is full of unproved theories. Let us focus on the spiritual things which are true and forever.

Victorino Q. Abrugar is dedicated in spiritual philosophy. He is the author of TheOldMind.Com

Thanks Pastor Barron for lending me this book Divided By Faith. I’m sure this has also sparked your writing creativity as it did mine. Sorry I kept it so long.

My Opinion on Reconciliation

Reconciliation – Returning to harmony; making compatible.

In the sense of this racial/cultural meaning, bringing a balance to the top-sided states of power is everyone’s responsibility.

Where there are inequities, I believe, they must be honestly and openly addressed by each of us. Will all people accept reconciliation? No. Yet, the subject cannot be put aside.

John Perkins states, “Reconciliation is linked with two components: Relocation (moving to places of need), and redistribution (of talents, hopes, dreams, and materials). No one can relocate the talents and dreams of a people, but as a society we can acknowledge and make equal the materials, teachers and finances to see the growth of dreams and talents become reality.

One of the major areas I see a need to be reconciled is in the governments stance, society’s responsibility, and the peoples dependence on the welfare system (another long paper).

I cannot make right slavery from yesterday, but I can make sure I have no support for any type of slavery today. I cannot make up for the monetary poverty that is formatted by the powerful to keep poor folks poor, no matter what color they are. But, I can speak up about the way systems such as welfare are set to keep people in bondage today.

Keeping people in bondage to a system of separation is a breeding ground for suspicion, hate and corruption. This happens not only in our governmental structure but also in our homes and churches.

I agree with Otis regarding our fallen nature, and that “the race problem” is a sin problem. The laws of this society are based on individuals coming together and bringing their own biases with them, and the majority is then able to put them into action or law. Though many of the founders of this country wrote and talked about equality, they were slave owners. No matter how good they were to their slaves, they still kept them in bondage, separated the family when it suited their business needs, and slept with the female children that captured their fancy.

The ‘race problem’ is as large today as it was yesterday and the day before. Will it ever end? I don’t think so, not until Jesus comes to collect His multi-colored, multi-cultural church. Will the race problem get worse? Probably.

But, I have a responsibility to love God enough to love the people He created. It is my responsibility to teach my children to love their neighbors as themselves. That means I have to encourage, teach and raise up my kids in the knowledge and love of God. I have the responsibility to teach my kids how to love and value themselves so they can love others. I have a responsibility to perform daily fruit checks on my life as in Galatians 5:22.

In what ways have I shown love today for and to God, myself and others?

Have I hurt anyone in word or deed? If so, I must make amends, then ask God for forgiveness.

Have my thoughts been evil, selfish, or full of jealousies? I must ask God for forgiveness. Sometimes if I admit theses thoughts that have not grown to action, I can make a situation worse that it needed to be. God can correct and heal my mind, and keep my heart teachable.

Have I lived in peace today in my mind and relationships with others?

Have I been long-suffering and tolerant, or have I been judgmental?

Have I been gentle and meek, or have I been crude and rude?

Have I been faithful today to: myself; my commitments; my relationships, and to my job?

I am convinced that the church setting is one of the most powerful tools we have available to get God’s message of love for each other to the masses. I believe, that as we are taught in our churches and see the actions of our spiritual leaders, the love of God for all His creations, that will be in turn taught in our families (1st learned community), then in our schools, workplaces, clubs and organizations and brought into our government.

I do believe we, today, can begin to live what God intended through Jesus coming to earth – Glory to God in the highest, peace and goodwill to man. When we accept and value each other’s ethnic and cultural differences we glorify God. I’m thankful He didn’t make any clones.

As a Black woman I will always be drawn to the beat of the drums, a shout when I’m happy, the soul stirrin’ rhythm of gospel and blues, cornbread, chittlins’ and collard greens, a lap full of babies, loud all nighters when the family gets together, getting’ funky dancing to the Electric slide, and dressing up on Sunday morning in my finest because I have an appointment, an audience with the King of Kings.

I thank God that He gave us all differences that we can learn to appreciate, like sauerkraut, and cucumber sandwiches, contemporary music and country too; skin-tones that vary from the lightest of creams to the darkest of chocolates; personalities from the quietest to loud and blustery. God loves variety.

Everyday I have a responsibility to walk as a child of God. In doing this I respect myself, others and honor Jesus Christ. If my voice can influence one or many to the love that God has for all people, I will never shut my mouth. But, I cannot go back into history and make the innocent descendants continue to repent for the sins of their ancestors. Though we can never forget the lessons of history, lest we return.

The Bible says in Ezekiel 18:18-20, ” … the soul that sins, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither the father for the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked on him.” That’s for me is good enough.

The question for me is: Am I doing my part in not sinning against by neighbor? Am I living to honor and glorify God in honoring His creation? I have forgiven so I can also be forgiven.

Jonita (Jay) lives in Bellingham, Washington, where she is a Group Life Counselor to teens addicted to chemicals. She’s a mom and grandma, who is active in church and community. Jay’s heart work is street ministry, writing, singing, and speaking about God’s Word to us today. She is the author of “Meet Me At the Cross, One Woman’s Testimony,” and is currently finishing a novel, “Mene’s Story: Lord Take Me Back.” Jay has written numerous Christian articles and poetry. Her recent article Fighting Fear and Depression Through Praise has been accepted by the magazine, Just Between Us, for women with a heart for ministry. Through her business, Jay’s GoodNews Crafts & Things, she makes jewelry, blankets, and three flavors of hot & spicy BBQ Sauce.