Sunday, November 05, 2006
Minority Report
Peace and blessings,
Before I get into this piece, I wanted to start off with the scripture that some brothas and I were discussing that inspired me to write on this topic.
"11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(A)
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people)."
-Ephesians 6:11-18 (Amplified Bible)
In our discussion, we focused on the idea of putting on God's armor, especially when it comes to us leading others to Christ. We talked about a couple of situations in which we feel compelled to as well as struggle with spreading the truth and Gospel of Jesus Christ. On an individual level we talked about situations where we have one-on-one relationships with people (e.g. friends, family, others, etc...) who for whatever reason do not believe in God and/or that Jesus Christ died for our sins and resurrected. On a social level, we talked about situations where we may be (or feel as if we are) the only Christian in a particular situation (e.g. classroom, etc...).
In social psychology, there has been a lot of research on the various contexts in which people are more or less likely to influence others. When I originally thought of the idea of influence, I thought it usually occured in two situations. One situation is where the person being influenced is in a close, trusting relationship with someone they consider to be an important figure in their life (e.g. child-parent, mentee-mentor, student teacher, etc...). In this situation, the person being influenced most likely assumes that the person they are learning from has their best interests at heart. The other situation I thought about was where the minority is influenced by the majority. This type of influence occurs often, for example there are times where I get interested or involved in an issue or cause primarily because it affects and concerns the majority of people.
Although these forms of influence tend to be more common and visibile, I learned about an idea in social psycholgy known as minority influence. According to this concept, there are situations where ordinary individuals can exert influence over a group or social context. While attending Pentecostal Tabernacle in Cambridge, MA, the pastor would always emphasize the importance of a shared purpose and destiny. In one sermon that continues to stick with me to this day, he emphasized that as Christians we are all leaders. Further, he said that we are constantly surrounded by people who for whatever reason, are not communicating with and/or do not have a relationship with God. Therefore, these individuals are depending on us to pray to God on their behalf (i.e. to intercede).
Understanding this, and also considering this idea of minority influence, the question then arises: How do we as Christians exert godly influence (i.e. be a light) on others and our surrounding situations when in those situations we are(or at least we perceive to be)a minority? I think the best way to answer this is to refer to the abovementioned scripture, which talks about the importance of equipping ourselves with and utlizing the full armor of God (e.g. truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, scripture) through prayer. Ultimatley, any influence we exert is not by our own doing, but only through the works of God through us. Therefore, we must constantly stay "prayed-up" so that we can be light in ever situation, environment, and relationship we find ourselves in. Below are a couple of clips of the "Matrix" and "Matrix:reloaded," because I think that the whole idea behind the Matrix relates closely to this idea of the minority having the power to exert influence over the majority. Plus, I think everything can pretty much be explained by the Matrix Trilogy, lol. Take care, and please share your thoughts. Speekonit...
Before I get into this piece, I wanted to start off with the scripture that some brothas and I were discussing that inspired me to write on this topic.
"11Put on God's whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil.
12For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere.
13Therefore put on God's complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].
14Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth around your loins and having put on the breastplate of integrity and of moral rectitude and right standing with God,
15And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the [a]firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness [b]produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace.(A)
16Lift up over all the [covering] shield of [c]saving faith, upon which you can quench all the flaming missiles of the wicked [one].
17And take the helmet of salvation and the sword that the Spirit [d]wields, which is the Word of God.
18Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God's consecrated people)."
-Ephesians 6:11-18 (Amplified Bible)
In our discussion, we focused on the idea of putting on God's armor, especially when it comes to us leading others to Christ. We talked about a couple of situations in which we feel compelled to as well as struggle with spreading the truth and Gospel of Jesus Christ. On an individual level we talked about situations where we have one-on-one relationships with people (e.g. friends, family, others, etc...) who for whatever reason do not believe in God and/or that Jesus Christ died for our sins and resurrected. On a social level, we talked about situations where we may be (or feel as if we are) the only Christian in a particular situation (e.g. classroom, etc...).
In social psychology, there has been a lot of research on the various contexts in which people are more or less likely to influence others. When I originally thought of the idea of influence, I thought it usually occured in two situations. One situation is where the person being influenced is in a close, trusting relationship with someone they consider to be an important figure in their life (e.g. child-parent, mentee-mentor, student teacher, etc...). In this situation, the person being influenced most likely assumes that the person they are learning from has their best interests at heart. The other situation I thought about was where the minority is influenced by the majority. This type of influence occurs often, for example there are times where I get interested or involved in an issue or cause primarily because it affects and concerns the majority of people.
Although these forms of influence tend to be more common and visibile, I learned about an idea in social psycholgy known as minority influence. According to this concept, there are situations where ordinary individuals can exert influence over a group or social context. While attending Pentecostal Tabernacle in Cambridge, MA, the pastor would always emphasize the importance of a shared purpose and destiny. In one sermon that continues to stick with me to this day, he emphasized that as Christians we are all leaders. Further, he said that we are constantly surrounded by people who for whatever reason, are not communicating with and/or do not have a relationship with God. Therefore, these individuals are depending on us to pray to God on their behalf (i.e. to intercede).
Understanding this, and also considering this idea of minority influence, the question then arises: How do we as Christians exert godly influence (i.e. be a light) on others and our surrounding situations when in those situations we are(or at least we perceive to be)a minority? I think the best way to answer this is to refer to the abovementioned scripture, which talks about the importance of equipping ourselves with and utlizing the full armor of God (e.g. truth, righteousness, faith, salvation, scripture) through prayer. Ultimatley, any influence we exert is not by our own doing, but only through the works of God through us. Therefore, we must constantly stay "prayed-up" so that we can be light in ever situation, environment, and relationship we find ourselves in. Below are a couple of clips of the "Matrix" and "Matrix:reloaded," because I think that the whole idea behind the Matrix relates closely to this idea of the minority having the power to exert influence over the majority. Plus, I think everything can pretty much be explained by the Matrix Trilogy, lol. Take care, and please share your thoughts. Speekonit...
Labels: Christians, contexts, Ephesians, God, influence, Jesus Christ, Matrix, Matrix Reloaded, minority, scripture, social psychology
Saturday, October 21, 2006
Some Food for Thought...
Peace and blessings,
I came across this scripture this week, and I thought I'd post it because I found it to be very inspirational. In my opinion it speaks to the distinction we as Christians must always make between being in the world but not of the world. Namely, although we are humans and to an extent must tend to human needs and faculties (e.g. food, communication, relationship, expression, intellect, etc...), the battles we endure are not of human origin, but of spiritual origin. Similarly, the "weaponry" we use to claim victory over these batttles (because as believers we are already made victorious through Christ) comes from the spiritual power invested in us through Christ (e.g. the Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit). I'm interested in hearing what people think this scriputure means to them, so have a blessed weekend, and speekonit...
" 3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,"
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (Amplified Bible)
I came across this scripture this week, and I thought I'd post it because I found it to be very inspirational. In my opinion it speaks to the distinction we as Christians must always make between being in the world but not of the world. Namely, although we are humans and to an extent must tend to human needs and faculties (e.g. food, communication, relationship, expression, intellect, etc...), the battles we endure are not of human origin, but of spiritual origin. Similarly, the "weaponry" we use to claim victory over these batttles (because as believers we are already made victorious through Christ) comes from the spiritual power invested in us through Christ (e.g. the Fruits and Gifts of the Spirit). I'm interested in hearing what people think this scriputure means to them, so have a blessed weekend, and speekonit...
" 3For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh and using mere human weapons.
4For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds,"
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 (Amplified Bible)
Labels: 2 Corinthians, battles, Christian, gifts, Jesus Christ, scripture, spiritual, world
Sunday, March 12, 2006
Weekly Bible verse(s)
Peace and blessings,
The verse I wanted to share this week is the following:
" Drink waters out of your own cistern [of a pure marriage relationship], and fresh running waters out of your own well. Should your offspring be dispersed abroad as water brooks in the street? [Confine yourself to your own wife] Let your children be for you alone, and not the children of strangers with you. Let your fountain[of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], and rejoice in the wife of your youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant doe[tender, gentle, attractive]-let her bosom satisfy you at all times, and always be transported with delight in her love. Why should you, my son, be infatuated with a loose woman, embrace the bosom of an outsider, and go astray? For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord, and He [Whou would have us live soberly, chastly, and godly] carefully weighs all man's goings. His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked man, and he shall be held with the cord of his sin. He will die for lack of discipline and instruction, and in greatness of his folly he will go astray and be lost."
Proverbs 5: 15-23 (KJV-AMP)
In my opinion, this verse speaks to four themes. The first is importance of remaining faithful in marriage and resisting the temptation to "dip out." The second is consequences that "dipping out" in marriage can have on the married couple's children. The third theme is the sanctity of marriage. That is not to say that everyone is supposed to get married (because God may have not called some people to get married), but that for those God calls to marriage, it is imperative to use that union as a testimonty to God's love and grace. This testimony is for the benefit of the couple, the couple's children (their children, etc...), and for others. Therefore anything that threatens that union (i.e. "dipping out"), inevitably thwarts are ability to realize and actualize God's purposes for the married couple'd lives. Further, children often shape their perceptions of and reactions to relationships based on that of their parents (or guardians who fulfill that parent role), therefore married couples have a moral responsibility to their children in that respects. The fourth is less of a theme and more like an application for today's times. American society prides itself on effieciency and variety, and their depictions of relationships is no different. Epecically with regards to men, there's this dominant idea that the more women the better (at least when you're young, because eventually when you get older you'll settle down). I argue that this is especially true for Black men, as we are constantly being fed images and messages (e.g. music, videos, other aspects of popular culture, etc...) that having many women is the signifyinf marker of what it means to be a man. However, I urge us a Black men to be men of God and to not to succumb to societal pressures. I am in no way saying that this would be easy. By the fact of simple demographics alone, black men are disproportionatley dead or incarcerated, creating situations in society where in various institutions (schools, churches,e tc...) and places of employment, the women heavily outnumber men. So in essence, black men have a large pool of women to choose from, making it that more difficult to maintain a one-woman relationship. This temptation is what makes the reliance upon and word of God so critical to our (and everyone's ) approach to relationships. Let's pray that God will revolutionize how this country values relationships and the sanctity of marriage, so that male and female relationships reflect God's image, and not ours. Until next time, stay blessed and speekoinit...
The verse I wanted to share this week is the following:
" Drink waters out of your own cistern [of a pure marriage relationship], and fresh running waters out of your own well. Should your offspring be dispersed abroad as water brooks in the street? [Confine yourself to your own wife] Let your children be for you alone, and not the children of strangers with you. Let your fountain[of human life] be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity], and rejoice in the wife of your youth. Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant doe[tender, gentle, attractive]-let her bosom satisfy you at all times, and always be transported with delight in her love. Why should you, my son, be infatuated with a loose woman, embrace the bosom of an outsider, and go astray? For the ways of man are directly before the eyes of the Lord, and He [Whou would have us live soberly, chastly, and godly] carefully weighs all man's goings. His own iniquities shall ensnare the wicked man, and he shall be held with the cord of his sin. He will die for lack of discipline and instruction, and in greatness of his folly he will go astray and be lost."
Proverbs 5: 15-23 (KJV-AMP)
In my opinion, this verse speaks to four themes. The first is importance of remaining faithful in marriage and resisting the temptation to "dip out." The second is consequences that "dipping out" in marriage can have on the married couple's children. The third theme is the sanctity of marriage. That is not to say that everyone is supposed to get married (because God may have not called some people to get married), but that for those God calls to marriage, it is imperative to use that union as a testimonty to God's love and grace. This testimony is for the benefit of the couple, the couple's children (their children, etc...), and for others. Therefore anything that threatens that union (i.e. "dipping out"), inevitably thwarts are ability to realize and actualize God's purposes for the married couple'd lives. Further, children often shape their perceptions of and reactions to relationships based on that of their parents (or guardians who fulfill that parent role), therefore married couples have a moral responsibility to their children in that respects. The fourth is less of a theme and more like an application for today's times. American society prides itself on effieciency and variety, and their depictions of relationships is no different. Epecically with regards to men, there's this dominant idea that the more women the better (at least when you're young, because eventually when you get older you'll settle down). I argue that this is especially true for Black men, as we are constantly being fed images and messages (e.g. music, videos, other aspects of popular culture, etc...) that having many women is the signifyinf marker of what it means to be a man. However, I urge us a Black men to be men of God and to not to succumb to societal pressures. I am in no way saying that this would be easy. By the fact of simple demographics alone, black men are disproportionatley dead or incarcerated, creating situations in society where in various institutions (schools, churches,e tc...) and places of employment, the women heavily outnumber men. So in essence, black men have a large pool of women to choose from, making it that more difficult to maintain a one-woman relationship. This temptation is what makes the reliance upon and word of God so critical to our (and everyone's ) approach to relationships. Let's pray that God will revolutionize how this country values relationships and the sanctity of marriage, so that male and female relationships reflect God's image, and not ours. Until next time, stay blessed and speekoinit...
Labels: Bible, children, God, marriage, Proverbs, scripture
Sunday, February 26, 2006
Weekly Bible verse(s)
Peace and Blessings,
I pray all is well with everyone. The verse I chose for this week is the following:
"There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
-Galatians 3:28 (NKJ AMP)
Although when Paul initially spoke these words he was primarily referring to the discrimination of Gentiles, this first demonstrates to me the power of Christ as not just a source of salvation, but a source of unification. It's not by chance that the impetus fueling the civil rights movement was justice for and unity among all peoples, and that Christianity provided the foundation and moral core of the movement. Whether the injustice is economic, gender-related, social, racial, or whatever, to be a Christian is to advocate for justice and unity. I pray everyone has a blessed week! Speekonit...
I pray all is well with everyone. The verse I chose for this week is the following:
"There is [now no distinction] neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
-Galatians 3:28 (NKJ AMP)
Although when Paul initially spoke these words he was primarily referring to the discrimination of Gentiles, this first demonstrates to me the power of Christ as not just a source of salvation, but a source of unification. It's not by chance that the impetus fueling the civil rights movement was justice for and unity among all peoples, and that Christianity provided the foundation and moral core of the movement. Whether the injustice is economic, gender-related, social, racial, or whatever, to be a Christian is to advocate for justice and unity. I pray everyone has a blessed week! Speekonit...
Labels: Bible, Galatians, Jesus Christ, justice, Paul, scripture, unity
Friday, February 17, 2006
Weekly Bible verse(s)
Peace and Blessings,
Lord willing, i'm going to try to post a bible scripture or two every week that I think speaks to a Christian perspective towards the issues discussed on this site as well as scriptures that I personally like. Feel free to comment to the post and include your favorite scriptures or those that you feel may apply to the issues discussed on the site. For this week (as well as next week because this post is at the end of the week), i'll start it off with Isaiah 61:1 which reads:
"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound."
Source: New King James Amplified
This is one of my favorite scriptures because it speaks to the revolutionary aspect of Christianity, where Christians are agents of social change and advocates of human rights. In an article I read this week for a class i'm taking on the New Testament, the author argues that to understand the plight of people of African descent in America( perceptions, resistance, understanding, etc...), we must understand the different ways in the Bible has functioned within Africans and people of African descent throughout history (especially during slavery). In addition, he argues that people of African descent manipulated the Bible to fit their social experiences during different periods in history. In other words, their meaning of the Bible during the early years of slavery is different from that of later years of slavery, from once they were free, etc...Now while I agree with his first argument that how he view America is related to our understanding of the Bible, I have an issue with the use of the word "manipulation." In my opinion, it was the Europeans (and anyone else) who used the Bible and Christianity to justify slavery who manipulated the Bible, not Africans. Africans and people of African descents' interpretation of the Bible during different periods in history are not examples of manipulations but a succession of scriptural truth. God does not like individuals manipulating His word for the exploitation of others in the name of greed. Moreover, Jesus' ministry was about healing and empowering the oppressed and marginalized. He emphasized the importance of and commanded us to love one another and to put others before ourselves. Neither of these commands could be achieved by using the Bible to justify slavery. Until next time...speekonit
Lord willing, i'm going to try to post a bible scripture or two every week that I think speaks to a Christian perspective towards the issues discussed on this site as well as scriptures that I personally like. Feel free to comment to the post and include your favorite scriptures or those that you feel may apply to the issues discussed on the site. For this week (as well as next week because this post is at the end of the week), i'll start it off with Isaiah 61:1 which reads:
"The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has annointed and qualified me to preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted; He has sent me to bind up and heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the [physical and spiritual] captives and the opening of the prison and of the eyes to those who are bound."
Source: New King James Amplified
This is one of my favorite scriptures because it speaks to the revolutionary aspect of Christianity, where Christians are agents of social change and advocates of human rights. In an article I read this week for a class i'm taking on the New Testament, the author argues that to understand the plight of people of African descent in America( perceptions, resistance, understanding, etc...), we must understand the different ways in the Bible has functioned within Africans and people of African descent throughout history (especially during slavery). In addition, he argues that people of African descent manipulated the Bible to fit their social experiences during different periods in history. In other words, their meaning of the Bible during the early years of slavery is different from that of later years of slavery, from once they were free, etc...Now while I agree with his first argument that how he view America is related to our understanding of the Bible, I have an issue with the use of the word "manipulation." In my opinion, it was the Europeans (and anyone else) who used the Bible and Christianity to justify slavery who manipulated the Bible, not Africans. Africans and people of African descents' interpretation of the Bible during different periods in history are not examples of manipulations but a succession of scriptural truth. God does not like individuals manipulating His word for the exploitation of others in the name of greed. Moreover, Jesus' ministry was about healing and empowering the oppressed and marginalized. He emphasized the importance of and commanded us to love one another and to put others before ourselves. Neither of these commands could be achieved by using the Bible to justify slavery. Until next time...speekonit
Labels: African, Bible, God, Isaiah, Jesus Christ, manipulation, ministry, scripture, slavery
Thursday, December 08, 2005
The Jump Off...
Peace and Blessings to all,
First off, I just want to thank everyone who takes the time out to visit this blog. The goal is simply to provide a space for people to discuss their thoughts on and reactions to the many things going on within the country and throughout the world. Also, this blog is a space for people to post encouraging quotes, scriptures, and/or prayers in response to the events and issues we as humanity are dealing with. Although I am a Christian and my approach to many of these issues with be rooted in such, this is a space for everyone who wants to voice their opinions. With that said, let's get it going...
First off, I just want to thank everyone who takes the time out to visit this blog. The goal is simply to provide a space for people to discuss their thoughts on and reactions to the many things going on within the country and throughout the world. Also, this blog is a space for people to post encouraging quotes, scriptures, and/or prayers in response to the events and issues we as humanity are dealing with. Although I am a Christian and my approach to many of these issues with be rooted in such, this is a space for everyone who wants to voice their opinions. With that said, let's get it going...
Labels: Christian, humanity, prayers, quotes, scripture
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