Monthly Archives: November 2014
Love, Don’t Judge
I’ll be the first to admit, I am fed up with all the “holier than thou” Christians in this world, who point their fingers at everyone else around them. Do they know what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes?
Courtesy of Creative Commons
Wouldn’t it be better to use their energy and focus on themselves?
I never understood why people gossip and talk negatively about other people behind their back.
Unfortunately, this happens in the Christian community as well, and it’s hypocrisy. Aren’t we suppose to be a light in this world and salt of the earth? (Matthew 5:13)
How is it possible that Christians are tearing each other down?
If you have been following me or my blog for any length of time, you know what I’m about.
I have never been the type to judge other people. I don’t care who they are or what they’ve done. I accept people for who they are. I respect the Word of God, and as I age, I realize I’m no one to point my finger at anyone. I do not care who they are.
The job of a true Christian is to love others.
There was a time I didn’t get this. I didn’t get the importance of loving others. But God in His grandiose, gracious, merciful way, was patient enough with me to allow me to learn this vital lesson.
The lesson happened this year, while I have been in the process of advocating for someone who was wrongfully convicted.
I’ve learned that passing judgement is reserved for God alone. Jesus didn’t die for perfect people. He died for flawed and broken people.
Christians are sinners saved by grace. How dare we think we are better than anyone else.
How can we point our fingers at anyone?
I don’t care if they are murderers, serial killers, rapists or pedophiles. The only way they are going to see Christ in us, is if we stop judging and start loving.
I know this may sound cliché, but love is the force that changes the hardest heart… not judgement. Judging others doesn’t lead to any change.
If you are a Christ follower, the only way to truly reach others for Christ is by loving them.
What do you think is stopping you from loving others?
Author Interview: Umar Quadeer
Paperback: 300 pages
Publisher: Wahida Clark Presents
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1936649071
ISBN-13: 978-1936649075
Price: $15.95
Purchase: Amazon | BN
It is an honor to present a new author whom I had the pleasure of reading his most recent book, Enemy Bloodline and thoroughly enjoying it. I wanted to know more about him and he was gracious enough to do an interview with me.
Mr. Quadeer has a fresh voice and is gifted writer. I see great things ahead for this talented young man. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to you, Umar Quadeer.
1) Tell us a little bit about yourself. Where did you grow up? How was your childhood?
I grew up in North Philadelphia. My childhood was fun and adventurous, but dangerous.
2) When did you discover you wanted to be a writer?
My father taught me how to write rap songs at 9 years old. Over the years I grew a name in the underground hip hop world and my best songs were based on stories. So I ended up branching out and writing books.
3) What are some of your favorite authors?
Of course, Wahida Clark and Rumont Tekay. But I also like Stephen King, Robert Greene, Donald Goines, Joy Deja King, T. Styles, and K’wan to name a few.
4) What do you believe help shape you as a writer?
Signing this deal with Wahida, and going through the editing phase really molded me as a writer.
5) Tell us a little bit about your book, Enemy Bloodline. How did this book come about? Was it based on true life events?
I came up with this book sitting in my cell bored. I wanted a TV in my cell and couldn’t have one, so I went into my mind and started watching TV, lol!
Every night I would watch this movie in my mind and decided to write it down and that’s where Enemy Bloodline was born.
All my books are based on real situations with a fiction plot.
6) Will you be writing a sequel?
The sequel is finished I’m just tweaking it. But it will be coming soon!
7) What inspires you?
Energy and thoughts.
8) What is your dream?
My dream is to become one with the universe.
9) I read you were in federal prison for a number of years? How did you get through it? What did it teach you?
Being in the Feds taught me how to associate with millionaires. It trained me to be patient during setbacks and depend on myself to make anything happen.
It starts with yourself, then other elements of help come after.
I got through my time by writing books every month.
10) What advice would you share with our youth today?
Stay focused on your goals and stay out of trouble.
11) Lastly, what advice would you give a writer who is starting out?
My advice is to study the game, don’t just dive into a situation because it looks good. Build your craft and know your worth.
Umar Quadeer was raised in North Philadelphia, at a time were the city was the murder capital of the United States.
At the age of 13 Umar moved to Sacramento California where he was introduced to Crips and Bloods. At the age of 9 his father taught him how to write lyrics, memorize and recite them.
At the age of 16, Umar performed on stage with the late Notorious B.I.G., Mob Deep, and the Roots.
While doing time in the FEDS he began writing stories and decided to hone his craft. He joined a novel writing class and earned a certificate and upon his release landed a deal with Wahida Clark Presents.
Be The Church
In 1995, I had the pleasure of traveling to India. It was a dream come true for me. I had this romantic view of India, until I stepped off the plane and faced the reality of what real poverty looked like.
Courtesy of Creative Commons
When I arrived, I went from being ecstatic, to sad, to depressed in a matter of minutes.
I couldn’t believe my eyes. There was such a disparity between the poverty and opulence I saw. What especially broke my heart was seeing the children, dirty and living in shacks made out of garbage.
I stood there dumbfounded. I whispered under my breath, why God? Why must these children be so poor? They didn’t ask to be born into hunger and pain. Why such a cruel fate? My heart was faint.
I was despondent for the rest of my stay there. I walked around like a zombie, going through motions. It seemed like everywhere I turned, I saw poverty, hunger and suffering.
In India, I learned that no amount of religion or theology could reach the heart of the poor and hungry. The country is filled with people who believe in religion and worship a multitude of gods. Religion is part of their spiritual infrastructure.
But religion doesn’t give life, and it certainly isn’t the answer. Do you know what the answer is?
Love.
But not the sappy, sugar coated nonsense being propagated from the pulpits across America today. No.
Do you realize we are the Church? It’s about demonstrating love to those you wouldn’t necessarily show it to.
It’s about getting out of our comfort zone and doing things we wouldn’t normally do or going places we wouldn’t normally go.
I don’t refer to myself as a Christian anymore, because saying I’m a Christian holds a different connotation to whomever you are speaking to. Some people call themselves a Christian, but they are “religious”. They tithe and go to church regularly. But they never stop and love others.
How many Christians are bringing the church to the outcasts and rejected of society? The porn stars, strippers, murderers, gang bangers, drug addicts, drug dealers or satanists?
What Christian steps out of their safety net to be the church to those who are hated, rejected or despised? The poor, the suffering, and the sick? Those who are shunned, isolated and ignored by people.
I personally know Christians who don’t want to associate with those who have problems, who are depressed and walk around with dark clouds over their heads. They are afraid it might rub off on them.
But if we are the Church, we shouldn’t shun or avoid those who are suffering or struggling. How will they ever know that hope and love exists?
The true love that Jesus exemplified and demonstrated when He walked on this earth.
Folks, it’s much deeper than religion or religious acts that appease our own conscience. We must be willing to be the church and bring the love and compassion of Jesus to those who are broken, rejected and despised. If we don’t, who will?
In James 1:27, it says, “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.” (KJV)
In Hebrews 13:3, it says, “Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.” (NLT)
This is not to boast, but even with my limited time between home, work, college, and writing, I’ve decided to use the gift God has blessed me with and write to those who are in prison. I also try to minister to families who have loved ones who are incarcerated. Families do the time along with their loved ones. It’s heartbreaking.
I’m not saying you need to do what I’m doing. All I’m saying is to be the church in whatever capacity God is calling you.
It’s no longer enough to preach or try to bring people to your Church. It’s time to be the hands and feet, and be the Church to the lost, the hopeless, the poor, the rejected, the shunned, the outcast, the incarcerated, the abused, and the sick.
Have you felt a burden to serve in your community, your neighbor or co-worker, but have been afraid to do so? Why not step out of your comfort zone and reach out? Why not take a step toward making a difference in someone else’s life? If we all do our part, we can bring hope to those who really need it.
Follow
embodyart