Is Religion Another Form Of Slavery?

What is religion? According to the Merriam Websters Dictionary (online, www.m-w.com), it means:

The belief in a god or in a group of gods

: an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods

: an interest, a belief, or an activity that is very important to a person or group

What comes to your mind when you think of the word "religion?" Well, being from North Carolina, I think of one of the deacons shouting every Sunday at 11am on the dot (and he still does to this day) for no apparent reason. I think of a lot people who believe in God but have no idea who He is. I think of a lot of political clout that "certain" religious leaders have (from a monk, to a pastor, to an imam, etc.) in the community; thereby pulling strings (most of the time for their own fame and wealth with the hands and on the backs of the people they are suppose to guide to "truth"). I think of staleness, tiredness, dreariness, past due its time of relevancy, gossip, cruel and unusual judgment of others, lovelessness, and pride. Part a of the definition of religion states it's a belief in a god or group of gods. To add to it, we have groups that believe men are gods or that there is no god(s). Part b talks about an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, or rules to worship a deity. Part c is just a summation of parts a and b. But one thing I've noticed since I was a child, that religion when ruled by men and women whose hearts just aren't right becomes another form of slavery. "You can't do this or this will happen to you." "You can't dress this way because I feel that's not right." "You need to break away from people even your loved ones because they'll contaminate you." "You've got to all of these things so you can go to heaven, become a better person, and be accepted of others." Wow. Does this sound free to you at all? I don't think so. Religion when man is involved clouds the true meaning of what religion is, that is to become closer and possibly one with the Almighty God that created us. Religion, when man is involved, has you wearing long skirts looking like some type of person who time traveled from the 1800s into modern society (you know what I'm talking about). Religion manipulates you into doing and saying things that's against your conscience of what is truly right and wrong. Religion will have you become a part of a cult that guides you away from your loved ones; subtly coercing you (with words and deeds of pretenses=fake of love) to cut yourself off from your friends and family (the people who love you in spite of their shortcomings). Religion will ostracize you from what's happening in the world and when you don't get with the program by the "master or leader" of the organization, you are cut off. Then what life skills, money, self worth, self esteem, vision, or even a relationship with God will you have left? Think about it. We're living in a day and age that Jesus talked about how men and women calling themselves leaders and teachers will lay burdens on the people they are called to serve they themselves would never carry. We're living in a day and age where families are literally being divided because of rules and regulations that only destroy than mend. So many people have their necks, wrists, waists, and ankles chained by the confines of religiosity. The way we dress, the way we speak, the way we live; it takes away all the emotion, imperfections, joy, and even sorrow that life can bring (which God has ordained for each of us to experience to draw us closer to Him). Religion, when man is involved, is only used to control people, suck them dry of their time, money, and talents, and just like the hirelings many of these leaders are in the entire world, when the enemies come, they head for the heels. Religion doesn't solve problems, they only address them (in the wrong fashion) and many times causes them. Religion is just as how Pharaoh did to the Israelites in Egypt, add more burdens people have to carry in this lifetime with no consideration for others. Some of us (especially some of you super saved Saiyan "saints" and deep spiritual thinkers like your Deepak Chopra) may be seeing this boy has lost his mind. True. I've lost my religion and now finding Christ, the God who made me in a whole different and more excellent light. I'll leave you with what my man James said, "pure and undefiled religion (a lifestyle that is guided by God and free from the intentions of men) is to take care of others and keep his nose clean from the evil in this world system. Man, I think I've said enough for today but so much more to say. Stay tuned.

Til next time, from "The Ventilator"…..

References:
Matthew 21-23
James 1:27.

Pride

Pride - inordinate self-esteem, proud or disdainful behavior or treatment, disdain, ostentatious display 

Basically, pride is smelling yourself or thinking that you are above correction, guidance, or better than others. I've seen this some many times within myself, different leaders, people of all places, races, creeds, and nations. It's crazy how many people are walking in pride. Pride is sort of like a cancer that spreads breaking down one's life; like a symbiotic (something like Venom, a villain in Spider-man) that only drives one to destroy and kill anyone and anything it comes across. It's evident in our culture (Congress-hello...). It's evident in the "marriage equality" movement (hello to that, too...). It's evident in about 99.9% of all religious communities ("religious" leaders taking advantage of the people's finances, time, family, and talents, hello...). It's evident when we see a man with a face full of tattoos and give him the stink eye. It's evident when we come before people, like the Pharisees, and speak of our own goodness to pump up our own ego. It's evident when we gossip about someone we say we love and then we smile in their face like everything is cool (but the words of death through our gossip is killing that person's destiny). People are leaders of others in pride, using and abusing with their words and deeds. Pride makes people think of themselves higher than they ought to. Pride will disallow themselves to receive correction or advice from someone who has the expertise they need to become success (another form of slavery, hello...). Pride will take the truth, manipulate it, and use it to cause people to do things to build their image (another form of control = slavery). Nowadays, people will ostracize those that carry "the voice of reason" and drag that person's name through the mud. Pride is a ugly thing, even when those who walk in it look like "an angel of light." 

Like Beanie Siegel said, "let me talk to you scrap." Many governments, businesses, churches, Buddhist temples, school administrations, and the list goes on are falling because of the pride people that running them at any capacity. Warnings are sent to them and to "average Joes and Janes" to change the way we live, think, and do things. But as Solomon said, pride comes before the fall." That's true. A man who is known as the wisest man that walked on this earth, full of riches, things, and sadly, vanity. He was warned and if people who know his story, he almost lost his mind. Because of pride. Lucifer, fell from his lofty place of heaven because of pride. Adolf Hitler, because of his egomaniac pride, committed suicide, which was a result of pride. My friends, it's best we walk in humility no matter who we are, what position or title we hold, or how much money we got. Humility will cause you to admit to your faults against someone else. Humility causes us to seek direction, guidance, and correction. Humility is the byproduct of love and peace. Pride is the byproduct of fear and hatred. Think about it. 

So much that I can say but it can't be said one post. If some of you get offended, oh well, my mentors Houston and Cepada used to get on me about the same things. It's time for us to be humble and stop walking in pride. Much love to you all.

Til next time....

Reference:
Proverbs 16:18
James 4:10

Slavery Still Exists Part 1

According to the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863, slavery was abolished in America. Maybe in a legal sense but guess what my friends, slavery still exists. Slavery along with prostitution, drugs, and war an old profession since the beginning of time. But let me tell you a truth that my wife and I recently escaped from "massa's plantation." For over a decade, we experienced spiritual, financial, emotional, psychological, and mental abuse. A slave owner called Willie Lynch (I could be wrong) said these forms of abuse will continue to keep people in slavery and their descendants for years (lasting centuries). That was over 400 years ago and it's still prevalent. It's prevalent in our schools (notice how more and more kids don't even know history within the past 100 years), financial systems, and religion (no matter what they are, when men are involved it's all the same). People's lives are in a state of bondage where their lives are suffocated, controlled, and their minds manipulated by another peron's egotistical views. And yes, this is very prevalent in the helms of religion (including Christianity). Jesus was right that in the last days men will grow worse and worse. People will indoctrinate you into believing and living in such a way where your life is catered to embellish their image and lifestyle. Think Hitler, Jim Jones, Congress. Slavery is meant to make you work for free with no thank yous. If you don't do what or how they tell you, the whip will scrap fragments of flesh from your back swiftly. Each hit of the whip breaks down the mental capacity of the slave; therefore submits to the other person's wishes. They lose the will to fight back. Too bad for them because I'm like Nat Turner (read your history books), I'm fight against the system even to the death of my reputation and relationships. For over ten years my friends, I was bound but now I'm free. Maybe for the next couple of days, I'll be digging into this topic. I will also be talking about how religion (including atheism) is prevalent in honing slavery in the lives of people (some of you politically correct, religious folks won't like that but I really don't care, it's time someone spoke up for the voiceless).

Till next time....

References:

Matthew 21-23 and more to come....

"Who The Cap Fits"

Some of who see the title of today's blog may wonder, "What the heck is this?" It's the title of an old Bob Marley track, which is really really popular in Jamaican, blues, and rock n roll cultures. It's a real song because it talks about how we as people have to be careful who we trust. I can tell you all that David O has been crossed by folks so many times and I've done the same to many good friends, too. A double cross of a friend or loved one comes in so many packages. People will "eat and drink with you", smiling in your face. Their words are "smoother than butter" but in their heart, they have "war in their heart." People will encourage you one minute but as soon as they congregate with their their circle of vultures, they dog you out, telling Peter, Paul, Pam, and Precious your most personal business. When you come around these same people or others you are cool with (some people, for years and years), folks look at you funny and treat you different. People start getting offended by rumors of what you said (the result of he say, she say = gossip) and start accusing you of things you didn't do. Oh, here's a better one, maybe you shared some confidential information and that same person runs and tells that info that was for their eyes only. Now the truth you spoke from the heart is now transformed into a pool of lies. Better yet, you get blasted in front of a group of people for no reason and now people are looking at you as the enemy (having no idea that there is always two sides to one story). Wow. As the late great Rastafari poet stated, "your worst enemy can be your best friend..." So true and I've come to find that out in very recent weeks. I remember a time when my grandfather, the late great Jamss Williams, a deacon, got his name dragge through the mud. Although I was 7 or 8, I sensed what was going on. In all my years, I never saw my grandmother so furious because those "ignorant people". (Sorry can't use the n word,  some of you may get offended) called their house phone accusing them of things they didn't do. Back mouthing them, shoot, it was like they was stalking them and provoking them to anger. You know, those fake church folks who "call" themselves Christians (but ain't nothing like the Christ). She almost slammed the phone but my granddaddy, in his Fonzi (being cool) mode, sat there in his recliner, feet kicked up, remote in hand, sweet iced tea in seat cup holder, and Cosby on the TV screen said, "Laura, don't worry about them, call down, God will get the,." She huffed and puffed a bit but walked away into the kitchen know he was rite and cooked us a mean North Carolina style catfish dinner. That's how we have to be, as Samuel Jackson would say "Cool." People are going to people. Only God can change the heart of men. Right now, we're seeing betrayal, dishonesty (I'm bad at this), manipulation, jealousy (like Ghostfsce Killah said in Bulletproof Wallets circa 2001), and maliciousness at an all time high. But we got townies up and know who we're dealing with it. It may be a supervisor, teacher, fellow employee, business, pastor, parent, sibling, or even your best friend you'll throw "javelins" to kill you, your reputation,  and your density. But we have to be like that man David of Bethelehem, "behaving wisely." As one of my mentors used to tell me, life is like a game a chess, you've got to think two or three steps ahead to defeat your opponent. When these jokers try to push your buttons to get you mad, keep calm and realize they are trying to get you to help assassinate your character. When sensing your people about to "sun you", learn to love those jokers with a long handed spoon. When you get hit up, don't stay in that relationship place, or situation when a way of escape has been given to you, be like David run (even if you are out in the wilderness by yourself). When you see the cap of Saul on top of somebody's head, you better get wise and know you've got a war on your hands. Evil will use anyone to destroy all that's good in your life. "Life can be unjust and you won't know who to trust" sometimes but know God is the one that sticks closer to you than any brother. Plus, His put His characteristics in others on this planet (no matter who they are, where they're from, or what they believe in) to keep you moving forward in life. My friends, all I'm asking us to do is get wise so we won't die but live.

Til Next Time....

Reference:
1st  Samuel 18
Proverbs 18:24
Psalms 55:21
...and Bob Marley...

Sometimes, You Have To Lose To Win

Now, for some of you music buffs, the title of this blog may sound very similar to lyrics of one great vocalist, Fantasia. If you think about the title, it really does make sense. Actually, it's one of the key principles of Jesus' teachings. If you look back over your life, you see how you won more or gained more by losing people, places, and things. It's a proven fact that for us to win we have to lose something. For the next couple of weeks, my posts may sound like I'm venting but actually, writing helps me face God reality of what "this thing called life" (I stole that quote from Prince, too) is all about so I can continue to move forward and not go back. Right now, my beautiful wife Dionn and I are experiencing a brand new word that we've heard for years and years but never fully experienced; freedom. However, for us to obtain this freedom, we had to lose a whole lot. Some of friends and family know our situation and understand where we're at had to come with a price. We had to shed responsibilities, attitudes, false belief systems (not instituted by Christ), and pathways not conducive to live of free life. Free from what others say about you and what you're doing for their validation. Freedom from legalism. Freedom from elitism. Freedom from lies and manipulation. And the list goes on (you all know that's my second favorite line). Once we decided to get from all that I've named and unnamed, burdens started to lift off our lives. Of course, there is a pain of losing all those things and relationships that we once fostered now have put away (Ecclesiastes 3 - a great read about time). It's all for the best and I'm loving it. In American society, we are indoctrinated that losing is next to sinful (especially in the church, it's blatantly and wrongfully considered sin). Losing is considered weakness. Losing is considered not being able to be cool with the in crowd like that song by Rare Essence (peace to my DC people). Losing is like another form of quitting or of inferiority. Wow. How stupid have we become to think this! But losing, if looked at the wrong way is winning. To bring some of you super deep people in the world, let me use a layman's term or real life event. About 3 years ago, the Miami Heat led by the other big three (you know there names) faced the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Case and point, they had schooled like Money Mayweather did to his last few opponents. I remember seeing Chris Bosh crying because so much pressure was put on them by the media (Stephen A Smith was clowning them) and by American basketball society. They lost horribly. However, their loss only made them become a better team and now they are two time repeat NBA champions. On another level, Jesus is our perfect example of being a "loser" who did lose everything but achieve a status by His Name alone to have all power in heaven, in earth, and under the earth. He lost loved ones, some of his pupils turned on him, and even the respect of those He may have helped. He endured the burdens but so the joy before Him. He, Miami Heat, and so many others in the past as well as the present have lost so much if not all but gain their ultimate prize; a win. It's funny, isn't it? Now let your haters hate while you bask in the glory of all you achieved through your losses. Sometimes, those jokers who drag your name thru the mud thru gossips and jealousy but smile in your face are the same ones you need to cut off (if you don't they'll suck the life out of you). My friends (my favorite saying), don't be afraid to lose because "at the end of the day", you bet your bottom dollar, you will win.

Til Next Time....

References:

Hebrews 12:1-2 and Stepjen A Smith talking about Lebron (on YouTube hilarious)

New Beginnings

I'm glad this year is coming to a close. Really glad. This year especially the latter part of this year, a lot of changes in my perception, acumen, and life has occurred. I've learned that this year I moved from living in the fear of religion, other people's thoughts, and "saving face" to a life of newness and freedom. To be honest, I had enough of a lot of things. As one of old mentors (Paul Williams - RIP) used to tell me when he was teaching me how to play pool ( while kicking my behind in pool), "when you get tired of getting beat down, you'll fight back." It's funny, because I showed him a thing or two, and "he didn't like that at all." Haha. This year, my wife and I had to fight to get our lives back that was sucked dry by things of little to no value. For myself, I broke out of a lot of manipulation, coercion, bitterness, lies, foolishness, churchiness, and various types of abuse. This has been the year I fought back and won. Have people lately been "offended, hurt, shocked, etc.?" Yep. But where I'm from, there's an old saying that says, "real recognize real." When other know there's a change in you and know its time for you to move forward, there are going to be two responses, support or suppression. When the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 1960s occurred, leaders in that era faced a lot suppression at first but then received support. So many other happenings in history I can name but don't have the time (for if we don't know our history, we will repeat it - Mr. King - 1995). I've faced and experienced a lot of suppression but now I'm free from it. I can finally be who I'm supposed to be and don't need anyone's validation except for God's. Thus, I'm walking in my new beginning. Before we walk in a new chapter, we must finish the preceding one. Everyone and everything that was in one chapter can't go into the next chapter of life. If they do, you might as we'll stop writing your book (I.e.- stop living). Something I've learned is that you van t put new things in old situations, it just doesn't work. I've tried and many times this year, I've failed. But I've learned my lesson. New beginnings means starting fresh, starting over. This may include changing the way you believe things, changes I'm relationships, job changes, etc. Change is inevitable. As human beings, we are not supposed to be the same, in the same place, or in the same situation. If we stay the same, how can God Himself bless us with newness. Think about that. Right now, I'm going thru changes and though some don't like it, I really don't care. I understand evolution, the metamorphosis of the human life. We are called to go from one change to another change. This is how we experience new beginnings. We must prepare for them and when the time comes, roll with it. Noah had to prepare an ark and though many people didn't hear him, all the animals and 8 folks heard the call for change. Only 8 of them survived and were blessed with a new beginning. For new beginnings to happen, the old has to get phased out. Word of advice, if people who know you try to deride you, tell them and yourself, "what you think about me and my decision is none of my business." My friends, embrace the new beginnings with joy and only walk with those who will support you wholeheartedly without judgement, inconsideration, gossip, and without jealousy. Well this is it my friends, 2013 is out. 2014 is in. Til next time, esta luego.


References:
Read the Bible, history books, and wisdom from the old school.

Don't Let Life Pass You By

There's nothing worse than an unfulfilled life. That's nothing that my momma or daddy told me; it's something I've learned. Many of us let grand opportunities for personal, financial, educational, career, and spiritual successes slip by because of fear. Sometimes, we fear of being successful because of what others will say or think about us. Or maybe that these successes require much work after achieving to maintain them. So many factors we can weigh in to make since of our foolishness. That's including me. I remember growing up how I used to see the old schools play with us young bucks countless games of 21. Back then, I used to wonder, why are they scrounging to make ends meet for themselves? Why are they providing or attempting to provide a better life for themselves and their families? Easy answer, they let life pass them by. At that time, they were trying to relive their glory days through pummeling us at games of 21 taps (dudes from Raleigh know what I'm talking about). Lately, I've found myself thinking and thinking hard about my own life. God, haven't I let my 32 years of life pass me by. Being caught up by foolishness around me. Being distracted and embattled by drama. Allowing fear, doubt, and procrastination hinder various forward movements to obtaining the five areas of success. But today, I've made up in my mind be and do what God has laid out for me. As I learned earlier, you can't be afraid to be you because God has predestined you to do and be something above all you can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20). Wow, what a statement. Here's the kicker. We've got to make the choice of not letting our lives go to waste. As Paul would say, not frustrating the grace of God. Jesus is the perfect example of not letting his life pass him by. Every opportunity, every moment he took hold of and became extremely successful. No matter how the Pharisees tried to throw him over cliffs. No matter how many times the disciples said or did things out of selfish ambitions. He continually moved forward and became the greatest success story of our world history. My question is to you, will you let life pass you by? Or will you waste and later on be filled with regrets? I hope this makes you think. I know it does for me.

Til next time (and not a long time from now, my friends, I promise) dgwo

References:

Acts 10:38