Monthly Archives: February 2014
Are You Playing The “Game”?
It is said, life is a game.
The pieces on a chessboard are people maneuvering themselves into strategic positions to win.
The “game” is played on the streets as well as on the internet.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
I’ve worked in Corporate America for almost 30 years, and there are unspoken rules there too.
You play the “game” right, you win.
You play it wrong, you lose.
Truth be told, I hate playing games.
I’ve always had a difficult time following a crowd or being part of a clique. I’ve never participated, and still don’t.
I’m not antisocial. I’m just not into pretenses.
Which is probably why I frown upon words like, “community” and “tribe”. It reminds me of a gang mentality.
Gangs are racist and discriminatory. They only accept people who are like them.
If you follow, you are accepted. If you say and do all the right things, you are in. If you don’t, you are cut off.
Social media is a slippery slope.
Most try to climb the ranks like a gangster.
They become friends with you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter, with an agenda. In the hopes that you will help them, but never with the intention of getting to know you.
It’s all about what you can do for them. How you can help them succeed or get ahead.
You see, it’s hardly about “community”.
Everyone follows and joins the bandwagon. They jump in head first to climb the ladder of fame.
The second you say “no” to something they want, you can best believe, they will unfriend or unfollow you in a heartbeat.
You no longer have any use for them, because you were just a “tool” to begin with.
Eventually, word gets around in the so-called “community” and you are exiled.
I don’t know about you, but I am not interested in following the sheep or rather, herd mentality.
I don’t need people’s favors to get ahead. If God has something for me, then it’s for me.
As with everything in my life, nothing was handed to me on a silver platter. I had to work hard and earn the right to have whatever I have today.
There are no political hand-outs or favors in my world.
I’m glad because I don’t have an “entitlement” mentality that most people have. I don’t walk around looking for ways on how people can help me or ask for favors.
Half of these people, who are in the same “community”, are landing positions they aren’t even qualified for. They got it by playing the “game”, rubbing elbows and doing favors.
When it comes to art, homie don’t play that.
My creativity came from God and I won’t be exploiting it any time soon.
I don’t subscribe to the “I’ll scratch your back, if you’ll scratch mine” mentality.
You can call it pride if you’d like, but I’m not stooping that low to get ahead, even if it means walking alone.
If I get anywhere with anything I pursue, it will be by the grace of God mixed with my sacrifice, effort and hard work.
Where do you stand on this matter? Are you buying into the dream their selling you?
A Forgotten Ministry
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them;and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.
Hebrews 13:3
Courtesy of Creative Commons
A couple of weeks ago, I came across an article about a new book that was released, Black is the Day, Black is the Night by Amy Elkins.
This article fascinated me. Amy Elkins corresponded with five male inmates on death row, which lead to her book of remarkable photographs. She expresses their story in an artistic way.
I have been studying about solitary confinement and prison life for awhile now.
Our entire prison and justice system baffles and troubles me. I have a burden for those who are incarcerated.
Those who have been locked up, forgotten about by family and so-called friends as if they no longer exist.
Let me share an excerpt by Amy Elkins:
“A system that uses long-term solitary confinement and capital punishment is broken. Housing someone in infinite isolation has been proven to be hugely damaging to one’s psychological and physical state. This type of isolation breeds behavioral and emotional imbalances that are bound to cause most to remain in a perpetual state of anxiety, depression and anger. Which means they are set up for failure. There is absolutely no way to rehabilitate in such conditions. But clearly rehabilitation isn’t what they have in mind.
I have written with one man in particular who has served 20 years in solitary confinement as part of a Life Without Parole (LWOP) sentence for a non-murder related crime he committed aged 16. He has written about going years talking through concrete walls without ever seeing the men he holds daily conversations with. He spends nearly 23 hours a day in a small cell by himself and when he is let out, he is shackled and permitted to exercise in a slightly larger room by himself for an hour. How he’s gone 20 years in these conditions and not gone completely mad is mind blowing.”
I have been writing to inmates off and on now for years. You have no idea how happy it makes them to receive letters.
While sitting in their 6 x 9 to 8 x 10 feet cell, day in and day out, for 22 or 23 hours a day, with no hope of physical contact with anyone other than a correctional officer.
They describe solitary confinement or death row as hell on earth.
You may be thinking, these prisoners are criminals, they deserve what they get. They took a life or whatever, so they need to pay for what they did.
But think about it, how will they ever rehabilitate in a barbaric system like solitary confinement or capital punishment?
The system is flawed.
The Bible admonishes us not to forget about those who are in prison.
Perhaps you don’t want to visit a prison. That is understandable. It’s not for everyone.
But, if you have a burden, you could write to an inmate or two.
Some churches even have a prison ministry. If you a part of or member of a church, you may be able to get involved in their pen pal ministry.
If not, you can do it on your own; just Google inmate pen pal sites and choose an inmate to write to.
It’s best to write to the same sex, however, you may discover you identify and have a burden for someone of the opposite sex.
It is important to be clear about your position and intention in your first letter to them, so they know where you stand. Setting boundaries from the beginning is vital.
They will respect your wishes because all they desire is to be able to communicate with someone, anyone.
Believe it or not, the majority do not receive letters from anyone.
If you are concerned about your safety or of your family, you can always use an alias and rent a P.O. Box.
I highly suggest only using a P.O. Box.
If you are going to begin writing to an inmate, the most important thing to remember is consistency is key.
If you believe you won’t be able to be consistent for whatever reason, it is best not to start.
The reason why I say this, is because it will only result in another let down and disappointment for them.
They are already at a loss and suffer from hopelessness.
The only thing they look forward to is receiving letters.
If you decide to start, please make sure you can stick with it.
Writing to those in prison is a forgotten ministry, but is one of the best ways to demonstrate God’s love in action.
Is this something you would be interested in doing? Do you have any questions or concerns? If so, please comment below.
By The Word Of Our Testimony
“And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the Word of their testimony.” Revelation 12:11
Courtesy of Creative Commons
What makes Jesus real to others? Is it what we say? What we do? How do the unsaved come to believe Jesus is real?
Revelation 12:11 says, it is by our testimony.
When I think about my testimony, I cringe.
Do I really want to tell others what I have done and been through?
Truth be told, I never share my testimony. I may share bits and pieces of it, here and there, but I never get around to actually telling people what God has delivered me from.
I remember when a close friend of mine who is a missionary introduced me to other missionaries. She began telling them a little bit about my testimony and I was mortified. She saw the expression on my face and pulled me aside to apologize. I told her I wasn’t comfortable sharing my story with others, whether they are Christians or not.
I am not comfortable sharing my past, which is why I don’t share my testimony.
Recently, I listened to a message where a pastor said, “God did not deliver you for yourself. He did not deliver you, so that you could live a comfortable life, sitting on your sofa, eating popcorn. He delivered you so that you can go tell others about what Jesus has done for you, so that others may believe.”
Boy, did I feel convicted.
All these years, I have been sitting on my testimony because I don’t want to be judged and criticized by others.
Yes, God has delivered me of much, but yet, I want to tuck it away somewhere, go on with my life and forget about it.
We can continue to use prescriptions and formulas to bring others to Christ. We can also act like we have it figured out and attempt to do everything with our own reasoning.
However, as you can see from the above verse, it isn’t by our logical antidotes or persuasive words that brings others to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
It is by the Holy Spirit, the blood of the Lamb, and the word of our testimony.
This is God’s prescription.
The real question is, will we continue to follow our own way or do it His way?
Do you also find it hard to share you testimony?
Follow
embodyart