The Dreaded, Nicotine, Cancer Causing, Residue. The Latest Epidemic To Hit America. On a Surface Near You.

                                                 

There was this small town in one of those American states called Shook-Up. They were aware of the cancer scare for generations untold. So they decide to be a smoke-free environment. They had not had a cancer death caused cigarette for many a year. They were no longer afraid of cigarettes. They were band from the town. You could not get a cigarette to save your life there. Not in this town.


One day this certain traveler had no choice but to pass through this town to reach his destination. Seeing that he was short on cigarettes he stopped by a nearby convenience store. He was a little hungry as well so he ordered a hot dog. He then walked over to the refrigeration section to get a soda, He wanted all that and a bag of chips.


The proprietor noticed something. The traveler had a particularly unpleasant odor as he passed by him to gather his goods. He did not take much interest in the smell seeing as he was unfamiliar with the scent. The traveler walked back to the counter and asked for a generic brand of cigarettes. His breath hit the proprietor full blast this time. Suddenly he dropped dead and fell to the floor backwards.


Stunned, the traveler did not know what to do. He felt for his pulse and there was none to be found. He thought, “I better call 911” so he rushed to the phone on the wall next to the magazine rack.


Operator: 911. Please state the reason for your call.


Traveler: I was talking to the guy behind the counter while paying for my goods. And all of a sudden he fell over backwards. I think he's dead!


Operator: Please calm down sir. I'll send someone over right away. Don't touch anything until they arrive.


Traveler: Yes Mam.


In the mean time, other customers began to come into the convenience store. As he began to explain what happened to each and every one of them, each and every one of the dropped dead falling backwards. There must have been five of them. He heard the sirens approaching from afar. He was really afraid now. Were they going to blame him for all of these deaths? There were no visible signs of injuries. It is not like he physically attacked them and killed them. So he decided to hold his peace as best he could until the authorities arrived.


The police arrived and a single ambulance.


A Police Officer: What seems to be the problem here sir?


They did not readily notice the five dead bodies on the floor for the traveler was the only one standing. Then they look towards the floor. The Police Officers drew their guns.


The Police Officers: Hold it right there and don't move a muscle.


Traveler: Look officers, I just came in here to buy something to eat and some cigarettes. They are still on the counter. Then all these people started dropping dead. First the guy at the counter.


A Police Officer: Officer O’Malley, go check behind the counter.


Officer O’Malley: There is a man behind the counter and he appears to be dead. There is no sign of violence just like the others here. Better have the Paramedics check them out.


Paramedics: Yeah, they're dead as a door nail all right.


So one of the Paramedics went to use the phone next to the magazine rack to call the town Morgue When he lifted up the receiver and placed the receiver near his lips, he dropped dead and fell over backwards. In the confusion the traveler slipped out of the door unnoticed. By now a huge crowd had gathered around the store. It was difficult to get past anyone without saying something to them or get past anyone without touching them. When he looked back there was a trail of dead bodies. They had dropped dead and fallen over backwards just like those in the convenience store.


Traveler: I'm getting out of this town. They are dropping like flies damn, and I didn't even get my pack of cigarettes! Well I'm not going back inside to get any.


With so many people dead and dying, word reached the White House. The President had to take time out from playing B-Ball address the situation. He had a custom built Basket Ball court attached to the White House for easy access to the Oval Office. The briefing was scheduled for his impending arrival.


Secretary General: Mr. President, there is problem of epidemic proportions taking place in this small town in one of those


American states called Shook-Up. I think it to be of national concern.


Press Secretary: I think it would be a great photo opportunity as well Mr. President. There is an election coming up soon for the Congress and the Senate. For those who hope to garner your support for their re-election this would be beneficial as well.


Obama: I guess I'll put on my Air Force Ones. Ready the plane.


He looked over at his wife.


Obama: Honey, I'm going to be out of town for a few days. Hold down the fort while I'm gone. Will you Baby?


Obama Momma: OK Baby. While you are there could you pick up a couple things for me and the girls?


Obama: OK Baby.


White house Staff: Oh, that's so cute.


Obama: Knock it off you guys. I is the President.


The White House Staff: Yes Sir!


As they were flying through the air at top speed Air Force One spewed out tons of cancer causing carbon dioxide. The President had twin tail pipes, or dual exhaust pipes specially designed and added to Air Force One as one of his many perks. Rank has its privileges. He is after all the Commander and Chief of the most powerful and riches nation ever known to mankind. Money is no object to him (Got Money?). Man that Jet sounds nice now when he does a fly by. Obama sat in the back, moon roof top, digging the scene, with a gangster lean (Owe, Owe, Me), smoking a cigarette.


Air Force One landed at the airport nearest to the little town called Shook-Up and he deplaned. The Press Secretary had a speech prepared for him. The two Teleprompters he read from were in there strategic locations just out of view of the camera's. He began to speak to the huge crowd that was awaiting his arrival. Nothing like being prepared, he always said to himself. He isn't into Bushisms.


He began by saying.


Obama: Give a toast to the Bush Man. Give a toast to the Cheney.


Give a toast to the House Reps. To anyone you can.


And suddenly, people in the huge crowd listening to Obama's speech began to drop dead and fall over backwards, slain.


Obama: I better call the Press Secretary. My speech couldn't be boring them could it. I haven't gotten to the good part yet.


The Press Secretary is instantly on the line. After all this is a live broadcast across the nation. They can't use the five minute delay because Obama has only spoken for three minutes. It was put in place one Super Bowl Sunday some years ago When Timberlake opened Janet Jackson's jacket. That incident caused a great disturbance across America because the media reported that her breast was exposed. Millions scrambled to see it on Youtube where you could see it on Youtube but it couldn’t be seen at all. It wasn't exposed. The slow version finally came out on Youtube. Was this Sensationalism or Inplacetionalism. Well you will never see President Ford fall off the stage again in front of the cameras. I think he may be too old for that S---, stuff. Timberlake has become a success and Janet is still looking for work. Perhaps she lost control. Yeah, Yeah, Yean, Yeah, Yeah.


After all the brew-ha-ha and build up for this broadcast the White house can't say the President never showed up. They can't roll the backup tape, for it would not show the towns people who showed up to hear his speech. There just wasn't enough time. It was inconceivable that this would occur after the disaster of epidemic proportions that had just taken place hours ago in this little town called Shook-Up. Being a quick wit the Press Secretary had this to say.


Press Secretary: Mr. President. It is a tough act following the Super Bowl incident years ago but I have an idea. Tell the people you have been following Benny Hinn for a long time and people are sometimes slain in the spirit when you blow on them. Blow a couple of more times and when they are slain I will broadcast some good Church music. I got this tape from Reverend Right's Church I've been dying to broadcast. This is a good one though, it's just the choir singing. Just think how the people will be bowled over seeing you have made amends with Reverend Right and have become a Charismatic Preacher/President as well!


Obama: Hey, good thinking. Now they may believe I'm not only the first Black President of these here American states, but the first Charismatic Christian Preacher too. Eat your heart out 500 Club President Pat Robinson. You tried to be President of America and you failed. I'll confess that after this experience that I was wrong, that this is a Christian nation after all. For dramatic effect I'll take my pack of cigarettes out of my pocket, crush them, stomp up and down on that devil's head, and shout at the top of my lungs,

I AM FINALLY FREE FROM SMOKING!

I will then leave the crushed pack of cigarettes on the stage floor, walk off the stage with my head bowed down, slowly and humbly. You, Camera Man. Your job is extremely important. Make sure the cameras stay focused on me and not the crowd in front of the stage. Got it?


Camera Man: Got it sir!


Obama: Secretary of State. Got it?


Secretary of State: Got it sir!


When he returned to the White a formal investigation had been completed.


Secretary General: As it turns out a smoker who was traveling through this town called Shook-Up, where no one has smoked for generations, caused many to die of second hand smoke inhalation and The Dreaded Nicotine Residue on surfaces people came in contact with. Your visit exacerbated the epidemic to monumental proportions when you exhaled being a cigarette smoker yourself. Many are dead and dying. We have sent in a cleanup crew to remove the Dreaded Cigarette Nicotine residue off every surface in the vicinity of the two incidents. We have managed to keep it hush hush and under raps. We blamed it on the Swine Flu epidemic. The Towns People had not taken their flu shots yet seeing the anti-virus was in short supply at the time. The President was asked to make a short speech before the nation again.


Obama:

It is at this sad moment in American history that I am compelled to come before you. I have been to the little town of Shook-up myself in one of those American states. Believe you me, we are doing all we can to help them. The matter is under control. Let all the nation take time to pray in silence. The TV screens across these American states suddenly fade to black.

The Church of the Frigidaire; Someone said it was cold in there . . .

                       


As I pass-ed by this Church one day this was brought to my remembrance. I don’t recall which day of the week it was it really didn’t seem to matter at the time. There was a sign across the face of the building. Which was the name of the Church? I was revisiting. The “Church Of The Frigidaire.”


Now I had always been, told? To avoid the Church of the Frigidaire. And, to never go inside. For, in the Church of the Frigidaire? Were the “Frozen Chosen.” They said it was a dead Church. With? Dead people inside. It was not a lively Church like we like to attend. It is cold in there and we should avoid it at all costs!!!


Well, like I said. I found myself in front of the Church of the Frigidaire. And for some Godly, reason, I felt compelled to enter the, building. I had learned not to resist the Spirit of God over the years in spite of where I was led. So I entered. Knowing that the LORD would be with me.

As I entered I looked towards the pulpit? And, to my surprise there was a refrigerator, where the Preacher was supposed to be. And, as I gazed around the sanctuary, I saw all these people who looked frozen, with fear. They looked like icicles, sitting there. I then felt myself “drawn” towards the refrigerator and my hand reached for the door. And, I, opened, I T !

Suddenly i saw the Light!!!


Suddenly, i saw the Lard; there was Lard in the refrigerator. The Lard was in the, refrigerator! And it was cold in there too! But that was not the coldest place the refrigerator. There was a freezer? I was then compelled, to open the freezer door. And for some reason; my fear was mounting. When I opened the freezer I saw, frozen chicken. and, french fries.


And I found myself thinking, “Lard, I can fry me some chicken? And, Lard, I can make me some French fries? For the Lard is in the refrigerator, in the Church of the Frigidaire, before the congregation of the “Chosen Frozen.”


By now, I was in total fear. I looked like an icicle. Just like the rest of the Chosen Frozen. And, I took my seat among the? Congregation.

The Heart of a Chaplain

I can’t separate the rest of me from my heart.

My mouth won’t let me.
My mouth will either say Something or not say Something.
He is a challenge for us all.
But mostly he is a challenge to Himself, mostly.

Height:

Tall enough to see
Over today's problems into a Future
Filled with the promises of God.
Short enough to duck
When the present is not so Promising.

Vision:

Clear and undistorted.
Tears are not unusual.
He is much like Jeremiah the Prophet.
He is able to read between the Lines.
He is blinded to distortion and Unbelief.

Hearing:

Can listen attentively for long Periods of time. Able to Distinguish between what is Essential and what is Superficial in conversations. Capable of hearing what is not s
Said—understanding the message behind the words. Talks too much often to Himself.
For others have not ears to Hear
What he has to say.

Voice:

Quick to speak of the grace of The Lord
Jesus Christ.
Often laughs.
He is able to communicate in The language
 Of earth and heaven.
Slow to turn issue over to God,
For he often knows not what The problem is. He figures God should know what to do,
And
If he wants the Chaplains Input
He will ask him for it.

Hands:

Ready to help support the Weak
 Twenty-four hours a day, Seven days a week. Ready to Help support the strong
Twenty-four hours a day, even days a week. Sometimes he Feels weak.
Sometimes he feels strong.
It keeps him busy.

Shoulders:

Broad enough to carry heavy Responsibilities. Weak enough To crawl into a corner of his Bed, And only God can Comfort him.
People expect him to be strong
And will wait until he is before They
Talk to him again,
And or bring their issues.
It is required and expected of Him
 To be an issue handler.

Feet:

Ready to walk anywhere in Order to share
The God of all comfort with The hurting.
Often seen trying on other People's shoes.
He does not always like how They fit.
He has no desire to try them On
They just end up on his feet.
He can’t get away from these stinking shoes For some Reason.
But he can’t respond to shoes That way
 At the time of wearing them.
His mouth and heart won’t let Him.
He has a fit some time later or
 Gets a big laugh out of it.
Some probably wonder
What he is laughing about?
Again, he is alone at the time.

Heart:

In love with God.
Full of compassion for others.
Yeah but God gets on is nerves Too.
Recently I have been able to tell him so. Maybe he likes me Now.
He didn’t mind Jonah Complaining.
When ministering
 You have to take all their shit!
When are you not Ministering?
If they hear you complain they Often ask, “Who are you Talking to?”
Gee, thanks for your Understanding and help. Now Will you please shut up!

Man, what kind of heart do I Have?
I shouldn’t think like that.
I guess Chaplains never Deserve a break
Any day now?
If they get one. Someone will Cut it short. Often they will Gang up
Against the poor Chaplain.
I guess they think I should not Get any rewards until I get to Heaven.

Spirit:

When the Spirit of the LORD comes upon my heart I will rise like the Prophet Elijah or the Judge Samson or the King David. And that was problematic for those men who were called according to Gods purpose. There are so many False Prophets and Philistines and Giants who make a mockery of God. Mostly though I live a Pauline lifestyle.
I do a lot of writing. 

Paul probably wished people would read his books too. At least he finally got published. And his works, included with the other books totaling 66 combined in a collection of short stories so-to-speak, became a world wide best seller, the Authorized King James Version Bible.
But of course, at the time Paul had to make and sell tents to earn a meager income. It is interesting, publishers say people are just not interested in short stories and are hard pressed to publish them in book format.
They say people prefer novels.
Huh???
All I am Able to write are SHORTS!

My Summary

Hey, who asked for the job anyway? Not me. While in training the Chaplain said to claim the title so I did. Man, I’ve been in too many Church’s to many times, too long. I just go ahead and do what they say. Next thing I know, I’m in trouble! Well I appreciate him giving me a title, no one else did. Besides I don’t even know what it means. I just found a set of articles on the Internet that I agree with.

Any-how-though, that makes the title even the more desirable to me. And I find it strange when people tell me I’m no Chaplain. And I don’t think they ever met one nor do they know what one is. Hey, I’ve been one since 1992? And I’m still trying to figure me out. On the other hand I get recruited by most everyone. And I never reply with an answer!

Nor do they give me any money. They just expect me to do things. It’s a good thing I’m frugal, I’d never get blessed by anyone. I still have to pay though. When I found this witty retort I had to add my two-cents. It’s kind of inspiring to a Chaplain.

What is a Chaplain?

Chaplains are caring, understanding and compassionate listeners. They are there to offer one-on-one, personal care and attention to those whose needs go beyond what the larger conference community can provide.

These are not certified professionals, but every-day people with a desire to serve their fellow human beings. The chaplain is one of the most important positions at a conference because of the emotionally supportive and spiritually nurturing role that they play in the con community as a whole.

Chaplain Winston

The mis-information Age of polical correctness - what's truth?

A computer term I learned as a Systems Programming Analyst in the 1970’s

OK, I Give Up Again! Why even Go to even University? Some don’t like to go to Seminary thinking they will end up in Semitary and finally Cemetery. I gave it one more shot. I think, hey, I have been building a case of persuasion, here in Oakland, and speaking out against it publicly in many places, I can even reach by bus. And I think hey, in my speech and Composition II classes I can give a speech and write a formal, APA standard, legal document which perhaps those in the academic world can cite. Perhaps even using this blog as a reference.


Low and behold, after finding resources in the Kaplan Library and on the Internet I find myself contradicting myself. Who should I believe is a reliable resource? It is Kaplan? Is it Wikipedia? Is it some website? And, I don't know who those people are and if they are really who they claim to be? Is it the government? I am stuck. I don't know who to believe anymore. After I had a persuasive argument for why I should continue to smoke, using myself as a guinea pig, like doctors have been using me for years, Huh?


After finding out that nicotine and caffeine are in the same fiend family and are supposed to addict me? After, the governments decided to remove nicotine from cigarettes Because, So! The government NOW says that the dreaded, third hand; Cigarette; Nicotine; Residue; causes cancer which just threw my argument about oxides being the cause out the water with the baby! I quit! Again?


It has gotten to the point where I can’t do research, without contradicting myself using past and current reliable references, what ever a reliable resource is supposed to mean today. I end up GIGO at some point in my research when I am supposed to be a reliable resource. Instead I have to change horses in the middle of the stream and report the fallacies of the facts I found.

My Dad Programmed me

    After school I would go home and change into my play clothes, then I would head down the street where the guys hung out. I did this on weekends too. I had my school clothes and my play clothes. My, I wanted my school clothes to last until I out grew them. Mom only went shopping for my school clothes once a year.



    My Dad came home from work at 5:00 P.M. Monday through Friday. He would always drive by where he knew I was hanging out. I would begin to dread for I knew I would have to go home soon. He did not like me hanging out too late and dinner would be ready served soon anyway so I did not have much to complain about. It was just the fact that he would embarrass me in front of my friends. Well, actually from a distance. Sure enough after 5 or 10 minutes after he arrived he arrived home and he would go out to the front porch and whistle for me to come home! I'd just stand there. My friends knew what was going on or would smile. If they began to pick on me, before they could say anything, when they opened their mouths I would give them a stern look as if they did I would kick their asses. They would close their mouths without saying anything.


Back-in-the-day we kids would fight a lot but no one really got hurt. I fractured my thumb a couple of time on my buddies jaw. He would cry and I'd show up the next day with a splint. He and his brother grew up to be gangsters but would always stop by my Dads Photography Studio and ask about me. We were best of friends. I heard they died. That is one reason I left LA to pursue a career in Computer Programming, my best friends were dying all around me. After a while we would start playing again. We were neighborhood pal's, brothers.


After a while when my Dad drove by I would wait a few moments and go home trying to be cool. I had learned that if I waited too long he would whistle again adding insult to injury, and I did not want to give reason to my friends to laugh. I was stuck in the middle. Those times my friends warned me that I better go home. I would heed their advice. They knew, the neighborhood knew that if my Dad got angry I would get a whooping I would not soon forget. We did not think of asking for help, where would we go that would be better than the Haunt we lived in? The neighbors would not help us. Everyone would hear me scream and holler and cry. The kids felt sorry for me. Some of my friends did not have fathers. I don't recall any of the other fathers disciplining their kids that way. Many of their sons were spoiled by money instead.


My best friends father had died, I think he was a Marine, but he had a strong mother and older brothers who would stay on his case. He got mad at me because I would tell on him. We are still best friends since we were four years old he says two years old. We argue a lot. I'm 55 years old now and so is he. I'll be 56 in May he turned 55 in April. We always call each other on our birthday, except for a time when I did not know his number while in a transitional home. A good friend in a wheel chair found his number for me on the Internet. We are back in the saddle again. Now he and I are both Preachers, but that is another story except to say that he tells on me about how I told on him to the kids.


Anyhow, after being programmed by my Dad I wold periodically go home and check on my sisters or just be there. It seems like after a certain time, when hanging out with friends, I feel the need to go home usually before dark. I found that some of my friends would be up to mischief after hanging together too long. My Dad knew what he was doing for me. To this day I don't hang out with friends too long. And I get a real joy when I sneak out or go out when it is dark. I'll just hop on a bus or Bart and see where I end up do something and come home, real cheap. Well, cheap is another story as well. My mother would not even give me a dime for a water gun. She apologized later after I got married and moved out at nineteen. She said she had more money now. MOM! I thought carefully, and gave her my safety look. She smiled.


For some reason I like to hang out in my Studio apartment playing with my computers like I used to like to hang out in my Dad's Photography Studio. I like to write, play with pictures, videos, and music. I remember loving my Dad's rag-tag Condo he lived in after the divorce. My four sisters hated it! They did not like the roaches in the refrigerator freezer he blamed on the Mexicans down stairs. I always thought his cooking was great. I never could spend much time with him sept the last 5 years. I was the only one in the family that understood everything he said. My uncle Winston said we had a rapport.


Before he passed my Dad said he raised me that way because he wanted me to be strong. He was a Staff Sargent Buffalo Soldier WWII, Trooper Oliver H. Muldrew Jr. I don't know why the site does not mention rank, oh well. I joined as a family member a few years back but have not heard from them. There is a great website about them at http://www.buffalola.com and a video hosted by David Hartman. I ended up becoming a Chaplain and I did not even know what that was. Well, I did like the Chaplain on Mash. I also like Charlie Chaplain. And Also Chaplain Dr. Reverend Steve Shannon who's C.P.E. Class and internship I participated in for about 4 years. I don't know who else to identify with. However I did find out at the website that there were a lot of Buffalo Soldier Chaplains. I wonder if they ever got together often in one place. And I'm multicultural!

You have to have Strong Shoulders to carry others burdens

I help.
I have strong shoulders.
For others that have tears in their eyes or tears waiting to fall.
For others who need someone to place their burdens upon.
I can see they have them.
For others so they may pray through.
They need to receive something.
I cast things out.

Others need me to be the one they can take it out on.
They expect me to come back strong.
I have to or they don’t want to see me.
I can bring out the worst that is in them when the time is right.
I still feel it though.
It effect/affects me personally.
Sometimes it may show.
And some people may know.
And tell me don't let it be so.
But that's just part of it.

Some people pray and wait but that doesn't always work for me.
I have to be proactive.
I need immediate relief and it is at our disposal.
I need someone to tell me God's word.
And not just any word will do for this situation.
I need to be reminded who I am in Christ Jesus.
Who is at the right hand of the Father looking down at me too.
Perhaps He will stand up for me on occasion like Stephen.

I need to hear that I have the victory.
I need to hear that I have overcome.
I need to hear that I defeat the enemy.
I need to hear that I pull down strong holds.
I need to hear that I posses weapons mighty of God.
I need to hear no weapon formed against me will prosper.
I need to hear that nothing I will ever do will separate me from His love.
I need to hear that He will always supply my needs and some of my wants.

This strengthens me immediately.
This lifts me up immediately.
This delivers me immediately.
I then realize that the enemy was oppressing me.

He can't stand that type of God talk and had to flee.
I keep and collect an arsenal of Spiritual Warfare Music.
If it works for me I buy it and pull it out as necessary.
I take it to the streets and check it out.

Other times
I need to crawl up on my bed
Lay down in the fetus position
Helpless before Him

There are times
When I need to spend time alone with Him
In my room
Talking to Him
Even out loud
Even in tongues
Conversationally

Sometimes
I need to tell Him what I really think about Him
And hope He does not get angry with me

I remember when I was his Court Jester.
Man, if I don’t make the King laugh he will kill me!
I’m glad He gave me a sense of humor.
If He kills me
He only has Himself to blame.
Maybe I still am his Court Jester…

Ha, Ha, Ha. Korah? Bible!
Be bold, be strong, for the LORD thy God is with me.
I am not afraid for I walk in strength and victory.

Most often I have to walk alone.
So sometimes I bring my help with me.
Sometimes my radio is right on queue.
When I don't know what I need or what to do.
And the music brings me out and through.
Christian DJ's know what to do.
We're all connected.
One Spirit,
One Baptism,
One LORD.
When you deal with a lot of people it is the thing to do.

It used to be rare when I left home without it.
I usually did a spiritual check to determine what to bring with me.
My Psychiatrist tried to talk me out of it.
He didn’t think I should use the head sets.
I have a portable AM and FM radio cassette player,
And a portable CD player.
He did not understand.
I could not explain it to him.
Not everyone is a Spiritual Warrior.
He is not ready to hear it yet.
It's taken me years to get him this far.
Sometimes he seemed so spiritually minded, and then other times so carnal. Or perhaps I was not ready to do the work without it.

Man, I have to help everybody I can try to and sometimes do maybe I don’t know ?!? And You are mindful of him?

Y mE?
Y mE?

How do you effective serve people? Emotional Intellegence

The following is an experience I had where it was necessary to use my emotional intelligence and vulnerability as Jesus and His disciples where taught by him. It is a legal document as I used this example in a paper I wrote while attending Kaplan Online University as a Communications major. I attended three 10 weeks terms two classes each term. I remained on the Presidents Honor Role with a 3.96 GPA (all A's) and the Deans Honors list with a 3.95 GPA because I received an A- in survey of math.

There are spiritual, intellectual, physical and external forces that have an affect on emotions. Effective communication has to employ emotional competence which includes intellect which is a current study. Jesus said it best when he said eyes have not seen, ears have not heard, the mind has not conceived the things that come to be or yet will become. Greater works will we do than He because He will be with the Father.

With his great display of emotional competence He demonstrated what a perfect man is that we yet to have become. Or have some doing the greater works He spoke of individually and collectively. How do you effective serve people? You have to be emotionally competent knowing that we are emotional people. In order to do certain kinds of work you have to demonstrate that you are competent to do the job. A college degree demonstrates that you are competent to complete the curriculum of your major. Some jobs require a lesser degree of competency and here is where the conflict of emotions lies.

An example of emotional competency would be a passenger on a bus with an unruly bus driver. The bus driver is not courteous as the passenger attempts to pay his fare. Intentionally the bus driver takes off fast causing the passenger to adjust his footing and grab something to hold onto lest he falls and injures himself. Instead of confronting the driver the passenger pays his fare and makes his way to a seat by holding on to available support polls. There is no reason for the driver to take off and drive that fast and break hard when he has to stop at every light and bus stop along the way.

The passenger knows he can’t remedy the situation so he exercises his emotional control and vulnerability through understanding the feelings that surface within himself, the other passengers and the driver. Choosing to address the situation to serve the interest the other passengers he can inquire if the bus driver knows what is required of him in the performance of his duties without directly confronting him so he has not to respond, point, by point, by point. For the duration of the trip the drivers performance improves but does not cease for he does not see himself as a public servant. This problem seems to be systemic with AC Transit as bus drivers look for opportunities to aggravate their passengers on the premise that they must keep on schedule and they rarely do.

The Be - Attitudes. All Scripture searched and my personal Experience.

I remember when I was homeless, speaking to homeless people during the worship service prior to that evenings free meal. I told them that the beatitudes were talking about us!

Verses 1 through 12 in the book of Matthew are often referred to as the beatitudes, which mean a state of utmost bliss. The beatitudes are declarations made in the Sermon on the Mount by Jesus. The word beautify means to make supremely happy, to declare to have obtained or attained the blessedness of heaven.

This like many definitions is an over generalization, so you need to read the beatitudes to understand the meanings. When you do you will find that there is a lot being said. When I broke them down I found that with each beatitude there is an attitude that is rewarded with a blessing. And as children of God each one describes how we are.

As I was reading Scripture I also found that the usage of the word “Be” did not originate with Ebonics, but is sometimes used in like manner in the King James version of the Bible. You will see that I have quoted some verses that use it that way. In Ebonics when “be” is used as a verb, we conjugate it, he be, she be, we be, etc. In the King James you will find ye be, if I be, if it be, thy will be, etc.

So I am speaking two languages when I say it like the following: Blessed is he or she, who be with the attitudes that He desires of thee, because He rewardeth he or she, accordingly. Instead of referring to them as the “beatitudes”, I like referring to them as the “Be-Attitudes”. These be the attitudes of a Child of God.

One thing I noticed is that the word “are” in the Be-Attitudes is in italics. That means that the translators added this word for clarity sake. So I could substitute the word “be” for “are” when I refer to these verses. Just to emphasize the “Be” Attitude. Then you will see that the passages have the “be” followed by the “attitude”. Both the words “are” and “be” have the same synonym, which is the word “exists”. So these attitudes exist, should, or will exist in Gods children through the perfecting work of the Holy Spirit.

What I have done with this writing is to search the
Bible for every verse for the key words in each
Be-Attitude, and let the Bible define, and speak for itself and tell me what the beatitudes mean.

The first Be-attitude mentioned is to be poor in spirit

The reward is the kingdom of God. Blessed is he or she. We need to recognize that we need to be filled with the Spirit of God daily in order to do His will and His way. If we ask God for it He will not turn us away. He will not give us but that which we asked of Him. To walk in and be led by the Spirit of God is to be in His kingdom. In the book of Acts some said we have not even heard of this Holy Spirit as we were baptized in John’s baptism. They then desired it and were so filled.

It seems like when ever my spirit is down; the LORD will send someone to lift me up. Sometimes it seems like my spirit goes down just before a blessing. Blessed am I, as I am filled once again. We are all baptized into one Spirit and minister one to another at our times of need.

The second Be-attitude is to mourn

The reward is that you will be comforted. Blessed is he or she. I am not talking about the type of mourning that is brought upon by oppression. That is another kind to be dealt with differently. We are instructed to put on the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness. This is a mourning that is brought upon you by the Spirit of God. After you have done all else it is still there. Its cause is often inexplicable and has a different feel about it than oppression. You are moved to do and say things that are inexplicable. You may be a comfort to others that are mourning. In turn you will receive the comfort that others have been comforted with.

The third Be-Attitude is to be meek.

The reward is that you will inherit the earth. Blessed is he or she. I know, I know you’ve often heard it said that meek is not weak, which is true even though it is defined that way in the dictionary. However my source is the Bible. David was meek and he was a valiant warrior. He knew who his God was. And when God said he was displeased, David did not question God. He immediately said, “I am a sinner, I acted foolishly, cleanse me of my iniquity, and I throw myself at your mercy.” He accepted God’s punishment and moved on to the next assignment. Sometimes you don’t get an ‘A’ when you work for the LORD, but an ‘Amen’ is still required of you.

A meek person knows that the LORD God is in charge and in control. A meek person will submit to God at the least of His provocation. If God say’s jump, a meek person will say how high LORD. Or better yet, jump and then ask was that high enough. A meek person is a soldier for the LORD. He operates with power. Meekness means power.

Paul told the Corinthian Church that he would come to them not with speech like those that are puffed up but with power. For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power. How would you rather have it? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and in the spirit of meekness?

Paul and David were meek or powerful men of God. Look at their mighty acts and what they suffered through. A weak person would have died. So be of good courage saints of God. For after He makes us meek or powerful for service, after our battles are over, we will have an abundance of peace on a new earth He will prepare especially for us.

The fourth Be-Attitude is to hunger and thirst after righteousness

The reward is that you will be filled. Blessed is he or she. God is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. David thirsted after God, like a hart pants after water, like the dry earth thirsts for water, like being in a land with no water. Jesus spoke of that day to the righteous, you fed me when I was hungry when you fed the least of these, and welcomed them into heavenly places. The 3,000 and the 5,000 that hungered for Jesus’ word stayed all day to hear him preach, and were filled with the word of God. They were filled with spiritual joy and gladness as they witnessed the miracle of the fishes and loaves. Their bellies were filled also.

Israel was filled after they hungered and thirst for their daily sustenance. And God provided manna for their hunger from heaven six days a week, and enough for the seventh on the sixth. He provided water for their thirst that flowed from a rock. Isaiah said as a prophet of God, Ho, every one that thirsteth come to the waters. Jesus said if you ask of Me I will give you living water and you will never thirst again. The woman at the well said, I thirst.

The fifth Be-Attitude is to be merciful

The reward is you will obtain mercy. Blessed is he or she. To be merciful is to show kindness or compassion, to not seek justice, to extend help, to be kindhearted, to be generous, and to have a broad understanding of others. Jesus said to be merciful as your Father is merciful. He said we are called the children of the Highest because we are kind to those who are unthankful and evil.

Proverbs says a merciful person does good to their own soul, but one that is cruel troubles their own flesh. In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus shows us how to be merciful and instructs us to be so. According to Micah the prophet mercy is one of the things God knows is good and is required of us. We are to love mercy.

To obtain mercy takes time and effort on our part. We are to spend that time and effort being merciful to others. The mercy you give to others is rewarded with the mercies you need. Even the more so it is a way to give to others fulfilling their needs. If we give it will be given unto us pressed down, shaken together, and running over. That means it is returned so abundantly that if it were in a container it would be packed as tight as it can be, plus running over the top. This is what we will receive from others when we need it. And the mercies you receive may or may not come from those you have shown mercy to. O, if only our mercy could be as great as God’s. His mercy is everlasting. His mercy is higher than the heavens. It is by His mercy that we are not consumed. At one time we were a people without mercy now we have obtained mercy from God.

The sixth Be-Attitude is to be pure in heart

The reward is they shall see God. Blessed is he or she. Pure implies innocence and absence of temptation. This can only come about by the infilling and control of the Holy Spirit. It is not as if we take control of our own impulses and actions. If that were the case we would give in to them as we desired, as one having a choice. But when the Holy Spirit governs our impulses and actions we can only respond as He directs us.

But Scripture speaks to us in a fashion as if we do have control. Perhaps we have to at least make an attempt at it to show where our heart lies as when Abraham offered up his son Isaac as a sacrifice unto the LORD. When God was convinced of his sincerity or better yet Abraham was, for God directs the paths of men, then God stepped in and showed Abraham where the real sacrifice was. Someplace he never expected. But he did believe God would provide one. He told his people they would be back. Such should our attitude be as we do what God instructs us to do, to become pure at heart.

God tells us that everyone should purify themselves as Jesus is pure. We are to stir up our pure minds by way of remembrance, to purify ourselves by obeying the truth through the Spirit. That way we will have a love that is not contrived but comes from God. And with this love we can love one another with our hearts that have been made pure. With a pure heart we will love one another with sincerity and steadiness of emotional warmth.

The wisdom that we receive from God is pure and makes us pure. To those who have been made pure all is pure. We are to follow righteousness, faith, peace, charity, with others that call on the LORD out of a pure heart. We are to think on things that are pure. And we are to be an example of the believers in purity. David said of it, “Who shall ascend unto the hill of the LORD? Him that has clean hands and a pure heart.”

The seventh Be-Attitude is to be a peacemaker

The reward is they shall be called the children of God. Blessed is he or she. A peacemaker is one who makes peace by reconciling the differences between parties. Or one who brings peace to another who may be in turmoil. In order to be a peacemaker you need wisdom from above to be peaceable. Pray that the LORD fills you with peace.

The fruit of a righteous man or woman is to be sown into another’s life in peace, by those who are peacemakers. The chastisement of the LORD brings forth the peaceable fruit of righteousness. If a peacemaker says to another peace be upon you, and does not give them what they need, what does it profit them? Let peace proceed you with everyone. Beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace. We wear the full armor of God thereby we are prepared to share the gospel of peace. We walk in peace because we wear peace upon our feet as shoes. Follow after the things that make for peace.

To be spiritually minded is to have peace. We are to love peace. We should seek peace wherever the LORD sends us. Pray to the LORD for it and we will find peace there. To the counselors of peace there is joy. We are admonished to be at peace among ourselves. We are to endeavor to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace. Live in peace and the LORD of love and peace will be with you.

When your spirit moves, you can speak peace, you can come in peace, you will be received in peace, and room will be made for you. When the LORD sends you to battle His enemy’s, speak peace first. Peacemakers are sent. If that house be worthy let your peace come upon it. If you are not received nor your words heard, when you depart shake the dust off your feet. Jesus said of them to the seventy disciples He sent one-by-one, if their peace is not returned it will be worse for them than Sodom and Gomorrah on the last day. When you come peaceably people may still tremble.

The bottom line is, if it be at all possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with everyone. Avenge not yourselves but hold your peace. Vengeance is mine. I will repay, says the LORD. Therefore feed, and give drink even to your enemy. For when you do so you will reap coals of fire on his head. And when they bring evil upon you, do not try to overcome them with evil, but overcome evil with good. Be a peacemaker and love your neighbor as you love yourself, for the sake of our Father which art in heaven.

The eighth Be-Attitude is to accept persecution for righteousness sake

The reward is the Kingdom of heaven. Blessed is he or she. When Paul was persecuted he just suffered it. He said that the LORD delivered him out of all his persecutions. All that love God and live godly will suffer persecution. Persecution will not separate us from the love of Christ. Sometimes we are persecuted and scattered. And we end up preaching the word of God somewhere we thought not. Those that are persecuted, having received the word of God, become fruitful. Not deceived by the riches of the world which can choke the word.

When persecution comes for the words sake we are not offended. Satan cannot take away the word sown in our hearts. Have patience and faith in your persecutions that we all may glory in them. Our persecutions are a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God that we might be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which we suffer.

When we are persecuted, the power of Christ rests upon us for it is better, if the will of God be so that you suffer for well doing, than for evil doing. Fear none of these things which thou shall suffer. For what glory is it when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? But if ye do well and suffer for it ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.

Moses chose to accept affliction with the people of God rather than the pleasures of sin in Pharaoh’s house. Be not terrified of your adversaries which to them is an evident token of perdition, but to us salvation, and that of God. If we be afflicted, it is for someone else’s consolation and salvation. Suffer all things so not to hinder the gospel of Christ. The Spirit itself bereth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: And if children then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be glorified together.

An finally, the ninth Be-Attitude is to rejoice and be exceedingly glad when people revile against you, and persecute you, and say all manner of evil against you falsely, for Christ sake

Blessed is he or she. Your reward, although not specifically mentioned is great in heaven. Because you are being persecuted just like the prophets that came before you. That is truly an honor. Anytime the enemy is against you, then you truly know you must be doing something for the LORD. Boy does the enemy hate that. So he comes against us to try and discourage us from continuing in the things of the LORD. But instead, rejoice, for this is a confirmation that God is for you, using you, and with you always.

The multiple things that come against you in this
Be-Attitude is like what happens during the grand finale at a Fourth-of-July fireworks display. Certain fireworks that have been set aside for just this moment are set off in succession. For us it is not a beautiful display of brilliance, but an attack by the enemy turned loose upon us. But be of good courage God has overcome the world. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, when people revile against you. When people revile against you they make fierce abusive verbal attacks using insulting abusive language. We are not to respond in like manner.

Paul was reviled against and in return he blessed. When Jesus was reviled against he did not revile back. When reviled against pray for their salvation or God to remove them from your presence. Revilers will not enter he kingdom of God. Paul reviled against the high priest when the priest commanded that he be smitten contrary to the law. And he wished he wasn’t the high priest because you don’t speak evil against the ruler of thy people. He then set them at odds being Sadducees and Pharisees together to dispute whether there be a resurrection. And the chief captain took Paul to safety. This is the way he was able to escape them this time.

Don’t be afraid of those who revile against you. God has certain judgment against those that revile against the people of the Lord of Hosts. Elisabeth, John the Baptist’s mother was barren and late in years when an angel told Zechariah she would conceive she did. God had taken away her reproach among man. Paul did suffer reproach which found him in prison, receiving bodily harm, in perils, often in journeys, in weariness, painfulness, watching’s often, hunger and thirst, fastings, cold and nakedness. And along with that he had the care of all the Church’s! He asks who is weak and I am not weak? Who is offended and I burn not? If he must needs glory he glories of the things which concern his infirmities. If you find the need to boast, boast of you sufferings for Christ sake not your own for to God be the glory forever Amen.

Having the promise of the life that now is and is to come we labor and suffer reproach. Moses esteemed the reproach of Christ with Gods people greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, because of the recompense of the reward. Jesus took the reproaches that fell on us and let them fall on himself instead. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you. On their part he is spoken evil of, but on your part he is glorified.

As a cloud of witnesses some had trials of cruel mocking’s. They even mocked them that were filled with the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. The chief priests mocked Jesus when he was on the cross; as if he couldn’t come down if he wanted too. I wouldn’t be surprised if they really did want him to in order to cause him to fail at his purpose. Satan already tried that three times, that kind of nonsense did not work with Jesus.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad when people persecute you.
Take pleasure when you are persecuted, for when we are weak we are strong. If you leave all and follow Christ you will receive a hundred fold now in this time, with persecution, and eternal life in the world to come. Be exceedingly joyful in all of your tribulations. God comforts us in our tribulations and we are to comfort others with the same comfort we have received. Other saints glory in you when you are persecuted. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian let them not be ashamed, but glorify God on this behalf. If we suffer we will also reign with Him. The Apostles were beaten and commanded not to speak in the name of Jesus and they departed rejoicing.

Rejoice and be exceeding glad when people say all manner of evil against you falsely for Christ sake. Have a good conscience for they speak evil of you because they are evil doers, that they may be ashamed when they falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ. For it is better that the will of God be done and you suffer for well doing than for doing evil. For this is thank worthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. So rejoice and be exceedingly glad. Rejoice for we will be in the presence of Christ at His coming. Rejoice in hope. Rejoice with them that do rejoice. Rejoice in the truth. We can rejoice because we hear the bridegroom’s voice and take joy. We can rejoice as we walk in truth. Rejoice in the word of God. Rejoice that our names are written in the Lambs book of life. Rejoice when the Lord shows his mercy upon us and others.

My spirit rejoices in the LORD when he regardeth’s me in my lowly state. But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Christ who we have not seen yet we love. And having not seen yet believe we rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory. Let the person of low degree rejoice in that they are exhalted.

Rejoice evermore. Rejoice in the Lord always; and again I say, rejoice. Rejoice in the Lord and have no confidence in the flesh. Jesus said for now you have sorrow because he is not here but he will see us again, and our hearts shall rejoice, and our joy no one will be able to take away. We need to rejoice and praise God for all the mighty works we have seen. He has given us exceeding great and precious promises, that by these we are partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Let your light so shine before all, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

To Whom Should I listen?

Written May 9, 2003

I don't listen any more...
I have no thing else
To learn from them
They don't have any thing
To teach me
It's all a pack of lies
I know the truth when I hear it
I'm under control
I'm grown

I like relationships
Many people to hear from
Many people to hear me
So many stories we tell
Some give advice
I have already learned
I'm one they can talk to
My ear is available
With plenty of time on my hands

Some times they are not content
Till I submit to their teachings
At least in appearance
A downward look as if I'm receiving
Misinterpreting my look
It seems to appease them

Some times I have to tolerate them
They keep insisting
Pressuring
Saying no thing
When peace is not returned
And I am done
I walk away
Trying not to show
My disappointment in them

This is misinterpreted also
They make incorrect assumptions
About me
They think I am to proud to receive
Their teaching
They are not aware of what I know
They think I don't know
They think I don't hear them

Some times it is not worth my time
To tell them
Some times I take the time later
When they are ready to receive
Some times they will ask of me

I can only explain in parts
A lot of information to sort through
A lot of information to verbalize
People like it condensed and concise
If they had a semester they would go
To school

Not all can receive or understand
I've tried different ways to tell them

They just feel challenged
And I don't want to fight
That is all some want to do

I do feel something
I feel for them

I think they should be happy
I give them what I can
Some times they don't want it
You can't force feed them
There are things that I give them
It is then interesting to watch them
To remark spiritually
I can truly see the other side

I am content with myself
They feel so content that they
Touched me
I need to be touched
Vulnerability is what I've learned
And practice
The words I hear are no
Longer injurious
I just get dismissed
Their teaching is through
A change in my life is
The relationship ensued

I enjoy the conversation
Much better than books and movies
These are real life experiences
It helps take me through
No longer living in a vacuum

Friends are many more
Life is exciting
Who will I be talking to next?
I'll never be bored

I have so many things going on
Ever adding
No one knows the extent of
What I do
If I am not content with one
I pass it on
I like to pick things no one else
Wants to do
I create things to do too
I like to be joyful

Some of these things I was taught by
My second wife
With her I learned how to develop
A life
She chose to begin life again
Else where
Whereas I chose to begin life
Again here
Or did we choose?
To God be the Glory
I wish her many blessings

I have nothing else to learn
From them
I don't listen any more