Friday, June 19, 2015
Occupy Your Destiny : IN TIMES LIKE THESE - My Thoughts on Charleston
Occupy Your Destiny : IN TIMES LIKE THESE - My Thoughts on Charleston: In Times Like These… Over the past 24 hours, I have been asked by those in the media and frankly have asked myself, “How could this be?...
IN TIMES LIKE THESE - My Thoughts on Charleston
In Times Like These…
Over the past 24 hours, I have
been asked by those in the media and frankly have asked myself, “How could this
be?” “Why such a senseless tragedy?” “How can God allow such brutal and
viciousness in the house of God to occur?”
The truth of the matter is, as I
sat with reporters through interview after interview, I found myself answering the
same way, “We live in a fallen world and sin is all around us and in us.” As I spoke with those seeking answers and understanding,
I continued to hear one after another, say things such as, “Good people have
to stand up,” or “When good people of all races unite and come together we can
solve the racial issues of our day.”
However every time I heard those
words I was grieved in my spirit. The
Word of God came to me from Matthew 19:17, where Jesus said, “Why do you
call Me good? No one is god but One, that is God.” The reality is that, in our flesh there is no
good thing! There are no good people,
but there is a good God! When we have
the living God within, then and only then can His goodness gets revealed
through us.
Therefore I understood that in
times like these the best we can do is to rely on the goodness of God and trust
in His unconditional love to comfort those who are hurting. In times like these we must remember:
First, God's light is greater
than evil's darkness. Our heavenly Father is our hope, comfort, and joy and we
must rely on His truth now.
Second, our concern has to be
eternally grounded, not temporally focused. We must not allow our concern,
anger and frustration to lay dormant and unproductive. It is our imperative now
to ask the question “How can God get the glory out of this?” This is
the time for us to transform these painful events into fruit that demonstrates
God's love, bears the truth of who God is, and reflect His goodness.
Third, we must love deeper. In
times like these, let us honor the lives of our fallen brothers and sisters by
loving each other with sincerity of heart, and truly living out the scripture, "They
will know us by our love..."
Now is the time to reach out
across racial, economic, denominational, gender, and all other barriers and “do
good” give a hug, speak well of, and build relationships with your neighbors,
relatives, co-workers, and greater community members in meaningful ways.
In times like these let’s
remember that there have always been times like these and God is able to do
exceedingly, abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power
that works within us.
Dr. Phillip M. Davis, Senior
Pastor
Nations Ford Community Church,
Charlotte, NC
Thursday, June 27, 2013
SCOTUS - Colored People Move To The Back of The Bus
When the Supreme Court of the United States issued its rulings on DOMA and Proposition 8, immediately my phone began to ring. Reporters from local television news outlets and newspapers, were calling and wanting to know my reaction.
I believe there is a difference between a reaction and a response. A reaction is an immediate emotional act that does not include reasoning; however a response is a reasoned reply that includes thinking the matter through. So my immediate reaction to the SCOTUS rulings, as I stated to one reporter, was that I will continue to pray for our nation.
However I would like to share my response. It seems to me that the SCOTUS rulings on Affirmative Action; on Voting Rights; on DOMA and on Proposition 8 reveal a major shift in what we have known for decades as Civil Rights.
In my opinion, African-Americans have once again been moved to the back of the bus. In my opinion, the move is a result of poor leadership in the African-American community. It seems to me that Black Politicians, Black Ministers, and Black Civic leaders really thought that by accepting and acknowledging Gay Rights as a Civil Right, it would somehow equate to less discrimination against Blacks and other minorities.
It seems to me that the President of the United States put his full support behind the Gay Rights Agenda and openly championed the cause of Homosexual Marriage rights and abandoned the DOMA, while at the same time he and his administration remained silent (at least publicly) in their support of Affirmative Action and Voting Rights.
It seems to me that the Gay Rights Advocates used the Black Community once again. The Gay Rights Proponents propositioned the Black leadership in our communities, using the "discrimination card" which cause many of the Black leaders to jump on the bus of discrimination. They bought lie and drank the cool-aide that claimed Gay Rights was indeed a Civil Right and that discrimination against any group is discrimination against all minorities.
The hope, it seems was that as the Black Community delivered its influence to support the Gay Agenda, that those Gay Rights Advocates and Activist with all their political; public relations; and financial persuasion would be able to deliver and help bring pressure to bear that would influence outcome of Affirmative Action and Voting Rights Act. And did they; they stole the show and gave the SCOTUS a great record of supporting Civil Rights and Black folk cannot cry discrimination!
When it all came down, those same Gay Rights Advocates did not deliver their political pull; they did not deliver their organizational pull; they did not deliver their financial support; they did not deliver their public relations pull and they did not deliver their most potent weapon, the POTUS. In short the Gay Rights Advocates left the Black community at the altar and walked away with the ring of Civil Rights!
So my response can be summed up in the words of Denzel Washington, as he played the role of Malcolm X in the move by the same name. Once again the Black Community has been "had; been took; you been hood-winked; bamboozled; led astray; run amuck..." and now we are no longer the leader in the Civil Rights movement, we have been moved to the back of the bus.
I believe there is a difference between a reaction and a response. A reaction is an immediate emotional act that does not include reasoning; however a response is a reasoned reply that includes thinking the matter through. So my immediate reaction to the SCOTUS rulings, as I stated to one reporter, was that I will continue to pray for our nation.
However I would like to share my response. It seems to me that the SCOTUS rulings on Affirmative Action; on Voting Rights; on DOMA and on Proposition 8 reveal a major shift in what we have known for decades as Civil Rights.
In my opinion, African-Americans have once again been moved to the back of the bus. In my opinion, the move is a result of poor leadership in the African-American community. It seems to me that Black Politicians, Black Ministers, and Black Civic leaders really thought that by accepting and acknowledging Gay Rights as a Civil Right, it would somehow equate to less discrimination against Blacks and other minorities.
It seems to me that the President of the United States put his full support behind the Gay Rights Agenda and openly championed the cause of Homosexual Marriage rights and abandoned the DOMA, while at the same time he and his administration remained silent (at least publicly) in their support of Affirmative Action and Voting Rights.
It seems to me that the Gay Rights Advocates used the Black Community once again. The Gay Rights Proponents propositioned the Black leadership in our communities, using the "discrimination card" which cause many of the Black leaders to jump on the bus of discrimination. They bought lie and drank the cool-aide that claimed Gay Rights was indeed a Civil Right and that discrimination against any group is discrimination against all minorities.
The hope, it seems was that as the Black Community delivered its influence to support the Gay Agenda, that those Gay Rights Advocates and Activist with all their political; public relations; and financial persuasion would be able to deliver and help bring pressure to bear that would influence outcome of Affirmative Action and Voting Rights Act. And did they; they stole the show and gave the SCOTUS a great record of supporting Civil Rights and Black folk cannot cry discrimination!
When it all came down, those same Gay Rights Advocates did not deliver their political pull; they did not deliver their organizational pull; they did not deliver their financial support; they did not deliver their public relations pull and they did not deliver their most potent weapon, the POTUS. In short the Gay Rights Advocates left the Black community at the altar and walked away with the ring of Civil Rights!
So my response can be summed up in the words of Denzel Washington, as he played the role of Malcolm X in the move by the same name. Once again the Black Community has been "had; been took; you been hood-winked; bamboozled; led astray; run amuck..." and now we are no longer the leader in the Civil Rights movement, we have been moved to the back of the bus.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
You Are Who God Says You Are
One of the greatest challenges for the new believer is to understand the change of their identity. No longer are you identified with the first Adam, fallen man, guilty and born in sin. Now through Jesus Christ, you are identified with Christ (the last Adam), redeemed, righteous, holy, and accepted in the Beloved.
It is important that you train your mind to think from this moment on, from God's perspective. That is called wisdom. God thinks in terms of abundance not lack; success and victory not failure or defeat; prosperity and not poverty; giving and not receiving.
When you get a vision of being who God said you are, you will see yourself a being more than a survivor. You will see yourself as more than a conqueror...a world over comer.
So today begin seeing yourself and thinking of yourself from God's perspective; for the image of your new reality. See yourself as prosperous, successful, fulfilled and thriving. See yourself and speak to yourself each day with positive affirmations that you are blessed, to be a blessing!
Say this daily, "I am blessed to be a blessing; I have more than enough; I am blessed with gifts and talents so that I contribute and add value to the world around me. I love others as I love myself and I will add value to their lives. Because I do, I will never lack for any good thing in my life. I am who God says I am; I can do what God says I can do; I have what God says I can have."
It is important that you train your mind to think from this moment on, from God's perspective. That is called wisdom. God thinks in terms of abundance not lack; success and victory not failure or defeat; prosperity and not poverty; giving and not receiving.
When you get a vision of being who God said you are, you will see yourself a being more than a survivor. You will see yourself as more than a conqueror...a world over comer.
So today begin seeing yourself and thinking of yourself from God's perspective; for the image of your new reality. See yourself as prosperous, successful, fulfilled and thriving. See yourself and speak to yourself each day with positive affirmations that you are blessed, to be a blessing!
Say this daily, "I am blessed to be a blessing; I have more than enough; I am blessed with gifts and talents so that I contribute and add value to the world around me. I love others as I love myself and I will add value to their lives. Because I do, I will never lack for any good thing in my life. I am who God says I am; I can do what God says I can do; I have what God says I can have."
Friday, November 23, 2012
Do You Need Help?
Alex Haley, the author of "Roots," had an unusual picture hanging on his office wall. It was a picture of a turtle on top of a fence post. When asked, "Why is that there and what is the significance of the picture?" Alex Haley answered, "Every time I write something significant, every time I read my words and begin to think that they are so wonderful, or begin to feel proud of myself; I look at the turtle on top of the fence post and I am reminded that he did not get there on his own. He had help."
That my friend, is the basis of true thanksgiving and the basis of an attitude of gratitude. It is to always remember that you have what you have and you have gotten to where you are thus far...with the help of others. Perhaps family; dad, mom, grandparents, siblings or others. Perhaps friends; co-workers, mentors, or close childhood friends. Perhaps instructors; teachers, professors or coaches.
However the most valuable and consistent help any of us have ever had, has come from the Lord our God. The Psalmist said, "My help comes from the Lord...He will neither slumber nor sleep." Meaning that we can count on God's help any time day or night!
God has provided you with the kind of help that no one else could; the help you need for your inner man; for your soul. Again the Psalmist says, "God is a very present help in the time of need." You can be thankful not just during this season of the year, but each and every day because God is every-present! And He is present to help you!
God is the provider of every good and prefect gift and He has given us all things richly to enjoy. So enjoy the life; the family; the friends; and the great future that God has prepared for you. Remember God is already present in that future and He is prepared to help you fulfill His calling and your destiny!
Visit us at www.nationsford.org
That my friend, is the basis of true thanksgiving and the basis of an attitude of gratitude. It is to always remember that you have what you have and you have gotten to where you are thus far...with the help of others. Perhaps family; dad, mom, grandparents, siblings or others. Perhaps friends; co-workers, mentors, or close childhood friends. Perhaps instructors; teachers, professors or coaches.
However the most valuable and consistent help any of us have ever had, has come from the Lord our God. The Psalmist said, "My help comes from the Lord...He will neither slumber nor sleep." Meaning that we can count on God's help any time day or night!
God has provided you with the kind of help that no one else could; the help you need for your inner man; for your soul. Again the Psalmist says, "God is a very present help in the time of need." You can be thankful not just during this season of the year, but each and every day because God is every-present! And He is present to help you!
God is the provider of every good and prefect gift and He has given us all things richly to enjoy. So enjoy the life; the family; the friends; and the great future that God has prepared for you. Remember God is already present in that future and He is prepared to help you fulfill His calling and your destiny!
Visit us at www.nationsford.org
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
The Chic-fil-a Joke
Okay, I tried not to wade in but there is something in me that just can't remain silent when the LGBT proponents and their liberal friends continue their hypocrisy. As I have read what Mr. Cathy is quoted as saying, not one time did he say anything "against" gay-marriage. He stated his position "for" traditional marriage as defined by the Bible.
Why is it that liberal pro-gay agenda business owners like the CEO of Amazon and others can fund and openly support the gay agenda and not be attacked or villianized? Why isn't there a call for boycotting Amazon or Levi or Target and other businesses that support the gay agenda? Why aren't these and others business owners and executives like them being called, 'bigots' 'hate-mongrols' etc. since they support the gay-agenda?
Here is the joke. The LGBT community loves to compare their "struggle" with the Civil Rights Struggle of Black people in America. As an African-American, what I want to know is that if they put Chic-fil-a out of business or substantially weaken their sales to the point the company has to lay-off workers, what happens to all the Black youth and Black workers who might get laid off? Will the LGBT community get them jobs? Will the LGBT community help finance them through high-school and college? Will the LGBT do anything to help? I doubt it...what a joke!
I went by a Chic-fil-a on Friday and could barely get in the door the line was so long and this at 2:30 in the afternoon. Tomorrow, Wednesday August 1st, I plan on buying my entire staff Chic-fil-a meals.
Why is it that liberal pro-gay agenda business owners like the CEO of Amazon and others can fund and openly support the gay agenda and not be attacked or villianized? Why isn't there a call for boycotting Amazon or Levi or Target and other businesses that support the gay agenda? Why aren't these and others business owners and executives like them being called, 'bigots' 'hate-mongrols' etc. since they support the gay-agenda?
Here is the joke. The LGBT community loves to compare their "struggle" with the Civil Rights Struggle of Black people in America. As an African-American, what I want to know is that if they put Chic-fil-a out of business or substantially weaken their sales to the point the company has to lay-off workers, what happens to all the Black youth and Black workers who might get laid off? Will the LGBT community get them jobs? Will the LGBT community help finance them through high-school and college? Will the LGBT do anything to help? I doubt it...what a joke!
I went by a Chic-fil-a on Friday and could barely get in the door the line was so long and this at 2:30 in the afternoon. Tomorrow, Wednesday August 1st, I plan on buying my entire staff Chic-fil-a meals.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
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