Why Forgiveness Is Hard?

Since I can remember, I've heard many people tell me, "if somebody hurts you, you've got to let it go, pray for them, and move on." Well, to quote a "true and faithful saying" in American culture, this process is easier said than done. The amount of b.s. going on in the world and the level of people's foolish actions towards others are becoming the breeding ground for cold hearts. Not the type of cold heart that will go out and hurt other people but will do whatever in this life to never feel again. Never trust again. Never love "everyone" with open arms again. A lot of times, the wound is so deep, forgiveness is hard. In American Christian culture, a lot of people are lying to other people saying that "if God forgave you, you ought to forgive others." Wrong, dead wrong. In the Bible and in other cultures, God sometimes lost his cool when people were just screwing up and had no sorrow about it. Not saying God is like us but as I write this blog, I see where we, well I, get my short temper from (of course, when dealing with sociopaths and idiots who love to screw people). Over the past weekend while hanging with "My Honey" and friends in "Chi-Town", I got a chance to really confront these ideologies, which clearly doesn't work for me. I'm sorry, this is not the time or place in my life to put on "super intelligent and meta-physical (the other phrase for spirituality)" fronts to appease desire others want for my life. I can honestly say, forgiveness is hard, it's brutal, and it's an everyday thing. Some people super "spiritualize" Jesus' words to Peter when he asked, "Say man, how many times do I need to forgive this ----- (you fill in the blank)?" Jesus says, " Say man, 70 times 70." What did he mean by that? Every time you want to jump in the car, load up your desert eagle, and find that person that did you wrong with a bullet readily available, you may want to think about the consequences of revenge. Now, I do believe in getting revenge but as the old school crew love to say, "it's what you do it's how you do it" (ok, that's a line from Bahamadia, so work with me, work with me, my friends). What I get from this conversation is that every time those thoughts come up, the anger, the rage, the frustration, the perplexity of combined emotions, we've got to start the process of forgiveness. For some, it only takes a second. For others, years. I don't care what any preacher, monk, politician, or musical artist has to say, forgiveness is hard. Seeing those who hurt you still going on with their lives, still "jerking people", still living the same prettied up evil lives, stirs anger and unforgiveness. Every time your mind goes back to that time when you were hurt, there it is. Despite popular belief, this is going to happen until the day you die. I "receive that." My only thing is that we shouldn't live our lives in unforgiveness. I believe forgiveness is a hard road that requires the will to do it and making the time to get to that place. Now, let me say something else before I close this one out. This doesn't mean we shouldn't confront those who've done us wrong. That's condoning somebody's behavior. Well, I believe that it's for me tonite, my friends.

Til next time. "Trying To Make A Dollar Out Of 15 Cents" Overton...

When It's Time To Say Goodbye

Ending long term relationships are never an easy thing to do. It's a gut wrenching, heart aching, abnormal sweating decision that we make from time to time. Business partnerships. BFFs now turn to BFF (best foes forever). Affiliations with organizations null and void. Hell, even family relationships become nonexistent. In certain points in our life, we have to let people go, those same people we've held dear (for those who I still kick it or haven't kicked it with in a while, you know who you are, ole David won't kick you to the curb). This is a decision that I've had to make within the past few weeks. Some people I used to be tight with and see a couple of times a week, well, that situation has changed. Some of these people I used to call friends, brothers, and sisters; today, I don't regard them as such. In my life right now, there's still some unsettled beef between "some other folks" and I. The sad part about it is the people I used to regard as friends and family have sided with those that have lied about me, my family, and other good friends of mine. I used to try and talk with them, reason with them about the "aspects" of this beef the "other party" fails to acknowledge (for the sake of maintaining funds and image). The sad thing about this is that I have to cut them off. Over the weekend, a very good friend of mine expressed her mentality when I was in the same position of these people I'm cutting out of my life. She had to do it because I chose to side and enable the unhealthy nature of people that were (and still) beefing with her. Boy, I took in everything she said that day, thanks "Sims." This conversation solidified the painful decision I had to make, the cutoff. Now a new personal value has arisen. Why should I maintain relationships with people that we have nothing in common? Every time I talk about things that are true in God reality, they want to take things to the "meta-physical" or "spiritual" realm all the time. Every time I want to address some real issues about certain things, here they go condoning evil but demonizing the good. Why in the hell should I continue relationships where I'm on the highway to success and these jokers are still driving on back roads of destruction? Why should I continue being friends with folks who clearly judge me for "seeing the light" on certain issues they are willfully ignorant? Yep, it's time to cut these jokers off because we're no longer compatible like an iPhone 6 power cable to an iPhone 4s phone. It's not going to work. Some people think this decision is extreme but it's got to be done. I may not agree with everything Tyler Perry says but I'm going to quote one of his favorite sayings circa 2001. "Why do we keep things God is tearing apart?" Well, we can pass the offering plate on that one. It's going to hurt them more than it's going to hurt me because I've got goals to reach. How can I achieve them with dead weight in my life? Remember, a lot of times in life, dead weight are people and at times, we need to cast that extra cargo into the sea before our ships sinks. Do you dig the k-nowledge?

Til next time, my friends, Sea Captain Overton......

So, What's Been The Hold Up?

Well, why in the hell did I make this post's name this way, this time around? Well, for good reason. I've been having it hard for the past 3 plus weeks. Work has been almost unbearable. Still getting help and working through depression, anxiety, and anger conditions (thanks to the rampant cultish aspects of Christianity), and just life in general. Nevertheless, all of these noted (and undisclosed aspects of my life) have in various ways, kept me away from the blog scene. This has always been in the case since December 2013, which was a time I gave the verbal FU to the church system (a decision I will never regret). But there's one aspect I'd like tap on I think other blog writers and video bloggers can relate to.  Each of us has a niche. Some it's fashion, cars, technology, pranks (ie- Jack Vale), music reviews, culture, etc. I know my niche is sharing my different experiences and of course condemning the overall church system in the Black/African American community. Sometimes, we catch a lot of flack on our views and perspective takes on the topics we cover. I know within the past 10 months, I've caught a lot of flack. Sometimes, I don't care and other times, I get my cage rattled. Sometimes, some of may feel, man, I just keep talking about the same stuff over and over again. Sometimes, we may receive comments from people who say, "can't you talk about something else? Why are you being so critical other such and such? Or, the get over already in more ways than one talk." I can't speak for everyone else but these things really hold me up from writing blogs, especially about certain things that I really important to me I want to share with others. So, I 'm going to try my best step by step, day by day to post blogs. Hopefully in the future, I'd like to do video blogs, mostly to cover the mess that's going on in American cults that call themselves churches (not all of them, just most of them). There are so many topics that I'd like to discuss and yes, they're going to offend some people but hey, we live in a country that gives us the right of freedom of speech. Plus, writing blogs are therapeutic for me, a way to turn the negative energy within me into positive energy. We all need an outlet, right? Well, this is one of mine and I'm going to actively use is it for purpose. Hopefully, my friends, this post will reignite passion for something you know you're good at but have allow "life" get hold you up. I know the feeling and I'm here with you.

Well, that's all I have for tonite but stay tuned, more thoughts are sure to come.

Til next time, Recovering "Life" Addict Overton......

Ex-Ministries' War On The Hip Hop Culture

I need to write this to get some pressure off my chest. Actually, this has been a long time coming, since 2004 when a guy by the name of Craig Lewis, who I believe, is the lead pastor of Ex Ministries in Fort Worth, Texas. From 2004 (maybe earlier) to present, dude has been on a rampage against the hip hop culture, even going after Christian artists like Cross Movement and Reach Records. Now, before I get started on my tangent, I'm going to let you know, I do not listen to Christian music and to be quite honest, I don't listen to hip hop music much, either. But when I saw a post from Ex-Ministries concerning the hip hop culture, "Christian rappers", and rap in general, I got a bit heated. Now, I do agree with some of the points he shared. Yes, it is true that God can use any form of art to reach people in this crazy world. Yes, I do believe that the majority of hip hop right now (mainstream of course) is out of control in certain aspects. Yes, we shouldn't look at ourselves as gods (although a lot of Christians do! Due to their belief in the word of faith doctrine). However, I do not believe hip hop is demonic or came from the devil. Okay, so he lists "The Zulu Nation" created hip hop and says it comes from demonic roots. Well, he failed to forget about Kool Herc, Grandmaster Flash, and a lot if unnamed guys who honed/began this art form and different "sect" of world culture sometime within the 1970s (those from NYC, will have more of an accurate time period). The thing that really pissed me off is Lewis' insistent use of demonizing the hip hop culture. This includes speech, dialect, dress, trains of thought, identity, values, beliefs, codes, relationships, and many more aspects of this culture. This also includes the different sects within the hip hop culture, which is mostly split between two categories (and within these categories innummerable categories), underground (independent) and mainstream (industry puppets). Well, this can go for every other culture in our world today from Islam, rock n roll, blues, Christian, atheism, science, sports, politics, you name it. So let me "expose" Craig Lewis' hypocritical bull---- he's been spewing for years and have led much of the younger generation he's indoctrinated to lose who they are and where they are from (as the Revolutionary a With Tattoos says, "creating another generation of coons-people who forget who they are and where they're from"). If the hip hop culture is demonic, then I guess Satan created it, matter of fact, created all cultures and the music found within them. Wrong. The last time I read the bible, it says that every good and perfect gift comes from the Father of lights (it's always been humans who "perverts it" -Phanatik of Corss Movement). To break it down, everything, even some of us a-holes/bigots in the world, are created by God. This includes hip hop. You see, Mr. Lewis fails to forget, it was hip hop from the 80s to the 90s that brought out a lot of topics the church distanced itself from. Teen pregnancy, abortion, rape, the drug game, political corruption, speaking on sex protection (AIDS/HIV), pursuing education, "fighting the powers that be" oppression towards the African American community, "friends", and even enjoying the "summertime." The list goes on. But what was the church doing? Speaking in tongues, passing the offering plates taking away hard earned money from the poor, keeping people in church 7 days a week to keep themselves from "the world", condoning child, sex, spiritual, emotional, and financial abuses/scandals, and it's favorite pastime, condemning the world (Lewis' pedigree). Mr. Lewis and all those riding his jock of his erroneous teachings, I've got two questions for you:

How can you separate rap from hip hip when they are synonymous (the same)?

If you condemn or judge one sect of culture, shouldn't we condemn ALL world cultures?

The last time I've heard, only God can judge, not us, for we have the ability to discern from the good and the bad. Mr. Lewis, stop hating on hip hop, because you're actually hating on other forms of art and life, too. Let me explain:

For hip hop comes from rock n roll, bebop, jazz, blues, country, reggae, and of the grandfather of them all is classical. I wonder what music your music ministry plays in your services, hmmmm, maybe all the musical forms I just mentioned, especially in your worship sessions. Hypocrite. And I can only say that because from time to time, I'm one too. At least I admit it. 

I'll admit, hip hop isn't what it should be, but revolution is coming again and those a part of it are going to pick you a part, line by line. As Paul states in Colossians 1:16-17 in Barney style, God will use any and everything for His purpose. I've got couple of NEW TESTAMENT scrips on deck, too about the NEW COVENANT (since you're stuck on the old, as most pimp preachers are....). 

Til next time, my friends.....

Here's the reason for my tangent @ http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fexministries.tv%2Fa-message-to-christian-rappers%2F&h=nAQEy0lKX&s=1

An Ever-Changing World

What's happening? I know, it's been a while again. Sometimes as a blogger, you begin to feel like you're "reinventing the wheel" when talking about certain topics. Since late 2013, there's been distinct "shift" in my thought process, belief system, and "spirit." That what happens when your "world is turned upside down." However, it's a good thing because my once "tunneled perception" on life has changed dramatically. In the "world" I was a part of (now renounced), change was spoken yet hardly performed and encouraged. I've learned that change is a total thing, not a "one aspect" thing. I'm proud to say my life has totally changed but I'm still going through changes. I recently had a conversation with a "former" constituent of mine and he didn't like some of the "views" I spoke about. Knowing me, I refuted everything he was talking about purposely because I used to have that same train of thought. You want to know why? The type of thinking he's "proclaiming" is outdated, a travesty to the human race, and is the machine raging against the currents of an ever-changing world. It has no place in our society because it justifies hypocrisy, condones crimes in the name of God, and causes divisions among the human race. Now, I'm a "literary spokesman" against and have regained my footing again. I'm not only coming from speaking at a "commonwealth"  level but also at a personal level. Everyday, I'm learning about myself and coming to terms of my strengths, successes, proclivities, and shortcomings. All these make up who I am as a man, husband, son, friend, cousin, employee,musician, writer, fan, and researcher/explorer. I'm becoming more of the latter because through a "diligent search", I'm coming closer to knowing my present status in my destiny at this point in my life. One of my favorite songs now is by Andre Cymone "It's Alright" on the new "The Stone" LP (spectacular album by the way). It's more like an autobiography of his life and in certain points of this song, I can relate. More so, the focal point of this song is Andre walking through a cycle of maturation. This is the ever-changing world. Just as technology (and hackers) is changing every 6-9 months, so should we as people. It's not easy but it's for damn sure, necessary. I've still got a couple of screws loose but life, God, enemies, and loved one are helping me tighten them up. 

Til next time, my friends, dgwo.....

To Agree Or Disagree, That Is The Question?

People older and younger can attest that we can't stand mess, foolery, and drama. We live in a society and time when things are moving at a fast pace everyday. When unnecessary mess occurs in your life, it slows you down, distracts you, hinders you, and takes up space in your thoughts. The plans you once had are now nullified because you get caught up with middle school age minded people who can't be adults about things. You know, healthy conversation. Excuse me as I go on a tangent. Within the past 5 years, I've dealt with more crap from people than u should have to. Arguments about nothing, misunderstandings, and rushes to judgment. It's like on "White Men Can't Jump", people I try to hold a conversation with are just "hearing" and not "listening." It's ridiculous. Oh what about those people who try to correct every time you say something that's contrary to how they think or believe? Someone at a music shop (who just met me) was coming at my neck for something I said that's a common saying where I'm from (n---a, one of my favorite words, thanks Aunt Edna for those funny moments with you and Uncle Jimmy God rest his soul). I was like dude, what the hell is your problem? Why can't we talk and not you coming at my neck about stuff I already know about our storied history in America. Gee wiz, Batman!!!! I didn't blow up because I understood where he was at mentally. He's just a lackey, a boy in a man's body at 30 something years old taking orders from his puppet-master (pastor/spiritual leader). And one thing I learned about him within 7 minutes is that he believes that if someone doesn't agree with him on anything, he has to become as a pestering insect until that person breaks down to agree with him. I know, I used to be one (without the crap from a pastor, still a debater, especially when it comes to how much the Cowboys suck and music). I've said all that to ask a question, "To Agree or Disagree?" The American society is filled with competition, various ideologies, belief systems, and various trains of thought. But there's something that's been lurking for the past few decades, conformity and the degradation of individuality. I've been reading this book called "Black Gods of The Metropolis" by Albert Faucett and it's pretty good. One thing I learned is that in different groups of society, agreement is like God and if you don't agree or comply with everything said or done around you, you're out. You're considered a heathen, troublemaker, a rebel. We see this in the workplace, school, sororities, clubs, religious organizations, and gangs. People that don't agree are shunned and their opportunities for success in whatever goal they are set on become slim. It's a sad thing that happens. This is the type of thing people lose friends and family over. My thing is, it's good "to agree to disagree." Why not? Why must we agree on everything? The reason why my marriage is still running is from my wife and I disagreeing on a lot of things. However, we've learned to agree to disagree on many things and through this, we grow into better people individually and as a married couple. Look at different organizations like Apple and Ford, each experiencing various problems and "scandals" in recent times but still are successful in their perspective industries because they believe in the "agree to disagree doctrine." When we agree within everything, we're setting ourselves up for failure. We won't know how to handle ourselves in conflicts (some of us play the "hiding game" when they happen). We never get promoted and if we do, we lose the respect of those in the workplace. Disagreements are necessary, differences are a part of life. Get used to it. Within recent months, people have disagreed with many of my blogs and I've disagreed with other people's thoughts. However, when the smoke clears, we've got to agree to disagree. That's life. Deal with it.

Til next time, The Agreeing to Disagree Overton.

What We Can Learn From Kids

I'm learning that as we grow up from children to adults, our hearts overtime become hard, cold, and callous. It's a hard truth I've been trying to avoid but is something that I must face. Some people (such as myself) sometimes veer off into space, dreaming of a world that is different, more peaceful, maybe envisioning a world where people better treat each other. However, we must snap out of those pipe dreams and face God reality that this "utopia" doesn't exist. I mentioned in a previous blog that I had to go "old school" on some people I've known for years I haven't seen in months and confront them on some issues that's "disrespected my friends and family." Of course, they took the punk route. Not saying hello when they saw me (that's just good southern hospitality). Looking at me like I'm the one who did them wrong when it's the total opposite. People who want the beef/drama to continue when all they have to do is 'fess up, apologize, and maybe begin the process of reconciling our relationship. But these people are borderline sociopaths, one of them said, "I'll never apologize." As much as a cold hearted mo-fo I can be, that hurt me deep to the core of my very being. Inside, I'm crying because my family helped these people so many times but they "lifted up their heels against us." A common Judas punk move. My mind has been reflecting on a thought one of my best friends shared with me a couple of months ago (whose also going through a similar situation). He told me, "Dave, why can't we be like kids, fight one day, maybe argue, but at the end of the day, be friends again?" That's a good question, my friend. I'm afraid the answer is found in the first sentence of this blog post. It's true. As children (not for every child), the heart is "tender", the spirit is pure, the bigger picture of treating people the right way is locked in front of eyes. Then comes the abuses, the fights, the embarrassment, the bad habits, the rapes, the robberies, etc. Hard times. Rough times. Hard lessons. Selfish intentions. Impure motives. Overtime, we become something we never would've dreamed of as kids and the kid inside of us doesn't like what he or she sees. I think that the greatest gift on this earth is human life. It's God's greatest creation. Overtime, this earth been a 1st hand witness of the hearts of men and what a hard, cold, and calloused heart will lead one to do to another. We can learn a lot from kids if we just sit back and see how they enter act with each other. Most times I've seen interactions, there's a little fussing and fighting but there's a reconciliation and bonds that aren't broken. Us adults, we think because we're making money in our perspective careers, kids of our owns, college degrees, etc., we're God's gift to the world. I think you need to look in the mirror. I wish at the moment, when the "demonic" part of me came out, those moments would've been different. Them seeing me, at least saying hello and not looking at me with disgust because I don't "fit the bill" of what a 33 year old black male should look like in their "book of perfection." I wish that an open door of honest conversation would've taken place and them just admitting to themselves and myself, "hey, I screwed up" for whatever reason. Wishful thinking, huh? It's ok to dream but it's necessary to snap your mind back to reality. I can this is what kids sooner or later are going to have to learn from us "wicked adults", right? But the main lesson we need to learn from kids, is to be friendly, to cherish good friendships, and make it right with those you've hurt with a simple gesture. There I go wishful thinking again.....

Til next time..........