Truth: No Time Like the Present

Truth. Ali’theia. Verdad. Chshmartit’un. Jinsil. Egiatasun. Truth. A rose by any other name, William Shakespeare once said, would smell as sweet. The question that seems to confront us today--especially in this election season--is, however, have we lost our taste for the fragrance of truth.  

At last count, there were 127 police officers killed in the line of duty in 2015, and 25 this year already. Over a hundred and fifty men and women (husbands and wives, sons and daughters, brothers and sister) died, putting their lives on the line to serve their chosen communities. Each of those lives lost left vacancies that will never be filled. Children who will never see their father’s again. Wives who will never have that last embrace, and mothers who will never again welcome home that favored "son". This is not a cry that would say every cop is perfect, or that cops never makes mistakes…never had a break in judgment; or even just plain messed up. What it is, is a reminder that there is ONE, even Christ, before whom every life matters. Every Black life. Every White Life. Every Brown Life. Every Native Life. Every life matters. This is not only my truth, is the Truth.

Referring back to Shakespeare, he said, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” Just for a moment consider it to be true and ask yourself what part are you playing? Are you the protagonist that plots along the narrative like Luke Skywalker bringing peace and balance to an otherwise capsized universe. Or are you the antagonist, a Darth Vader or an Emperor imposing your will on all around, forcing them into your version of realty?  

Or perhaps you take comfort in just being a role player one of many hidden-faced storm troopers just carrying out orders never once stopping to ask the question, “What is truth?”  

As long as we, the masses are willing simply to follow, then we will have the political leaders, the law enforcement, and the criminal element we deserve. Of course, the opposite holds true as well. And even at that, it is not enough to just get involved…to just do something. It is ultimately important that we do the right thing. While standing before Jesus, Pilate asked a question that Jesus never answered. He asked Jesus, "What is truth?"  I often wondered what might have happened if Jesus had disclosed….I wonder what would happen in your life if He answered it for you.

Words and themes for Meditation

Arise O God Arise, O God, Let Your Enemies be scattered. Arise! For You are exalted, the King of all the earth; riding high upon the heavens. Your name shall be praised in the mighty gates of Zion; Your kingdom shall reign forever. Arise, O God, Let Your Enemies be scattered. For You are exalted, the King of all the earth; riding high upon the heavens. Your name shall be praised in the mighty gates of Zion; Your kingdom shall reign forever. Forever! Let God Arise Let God arise, let His enemies be scattered. Let God arise; let His enemies be scattered…away, far away. Let the righteous be glad, let them rejoice before God. Let the righteous be glad, let them exceedingly rejoice. Let God arise! I Was Made to Praise You I was made to praise. I was made to glorify Your name. In every circumstance to find a chance to thank You. I was made to love You, I was made to worship at Your feet; and to obey You, Lord. I was made for You. I will always praise You, I will always glorify Your name. In every circumstance, I’ll find a chance to thank You. I will always love You. I will always worship at Your feet. And I’ll obey You, Lord. I was made for You. I was made for You. I was made for You. He Is The Living God Hallelujah! Hallelujah! For the Lord God the Almighty reigns in majesty. He rules with wisdom, power and authority over all. He is the living God, enduring forever. And His kingdom will not be destroyed, and His dominion is forever and ever; doing signs and wonders in Heaven and earth. Let’s Glorify Jesus Let’s glorify Jesus, Let’s glorify Jesus, Let’s glorify Jesus, Let’s glorify Jesus. Let’s glorify the king. Now that we’re all together in one accord, our praises have invited the presence of the Lord. And He is here among us, longing for us to worship Him. So let us bow in honor and give our love to Him. Let’s glorify Jesus, Let’s glorify Jesus, Let’s glorify Jesus, Let’s glorify Jesus. Let’s glorify the king. Let’s glorify the king. Let’s glorify the king. Let’s glorify the king. The King Is On His Throne The King is on His throne, His victory complete. The enemy must flee at His name. The King is on His throne, there’s healing in His wings. He took the keys of death and forevermore shall reign. And we sing praises. We sing honor. We sing glory to the King. High And Lifted Up For You are high and lifted up, the glory of the nations. You are high and lifted up, the Lord of all the earth. You are high and lifted up. Creator, Redeemer, I give my life to worship You. There is no glory in my own wisdom. There is no power in my own strength. There is no might in my own riches, but I will boast in knowing You. I give my life to worship You. I give my life to worship You. I give my life to worship You. Behold The Lamb Behold the Lamb. Behold the Lamb. Behold the Lamb of God upon the throne. Cherubim and seraphim sing glory to the Lamb, bowing down to worship Him forevermore. High And Lifted Up For You are high and lifted up, the glory of the nations. You are high and lifted up, the Lord of all the earth. You are high and lifted up. Creator, Redeemer, I give my life to worship You.

A Tale of Two Monuments

Here's a puzzling thought... a tale of two monuments. Both are in memory of young black men killed by law enforcement officers in the line of duty. Both have images of the dead captured in their caps and gowns, and both left grieving families behind. But this is where the comparison stops. See here the two monuments: Jimmie Lee Jackson killed by an Alabama State Trooper during the saga known as Bloody Sunday and the crossing of the Edmund Petus Bridge in my home town of Selma, Alabama. The second young man, Michael Brown, was killed by a Ferguson City Police Officer just this year. Both men died after being contacted by on-duty police officers. Both men died as a direct result of actions taken by the officer involved. But let's ask the question what were the actions of the young men that led to the actions that caused their deaths. Jimmy Lee was taking part in a lawful protest designed to gain the voting rights for him and other free Americans. Michael Brown had just committed a felony and was contacted as a result of his further disregard for the law. In both cases a struggled ensued and a death was the result. Now, before anyone gets upset and think that I am denying either of these two families the right to remember their loved ones in any fashion they see fit, I am not. That is not by desire nor is it my aim. What I am trying to do is save the lives of young people in the future. This country was founded on rebellion and rebellion is part of our national character. We rebelled against Mother England, and then later rebelled against ourselves. And to our shame we have developed a love relationship with the very spirit of rebellion and that sometimes without thinking about the cause or the why behind it. We have written books and made movies about Jessie James, a common thief and bank robber, and lifted him to the level of urban hero. We have built an entire subculture around the gangsters of the 20's and 30's and taken on their lore as a badge of honor. In all these things we never seem to stop and ask the question, "How many honest, good people died and have been hurt or their lives destroyed in order for Jessie James, Al Capone and those like them to build their legacy?" And this is my fear concerning Mr. Brown. Of all the many things he was, he was also a criminal and was killed as a result of actions he initiated. And I fear that there are other young men and women, perhaps like him, who are watching and will follow in his footsteps. Truth matters. Black Life Matters. White Life Matters. Brown Life Matters...and Cops Life Matters. Truth Matters. We have to get back to truth, if we do not; then our children and our children's children won't like the America that we have created for them. Just more of my ponderings.

A Question of Truth

Truth. Ali’theia. Verdad. Chshmartit’un. Jinsil. Egiatasun. Truth. A rose by any other name, William Shakespeare once said, would smell as sweet. The question that seems to confront us today is, however, have we lost our taste for truth. At last count, there were over 40 police officers killed in the line of duty in 2015 already. Over forty who’ve, men died, putting their lives on the line to serve their chosen communities. Each of those lives lost left vacancies that will never be filled. Children who will never see their father’s again. Wives who will never have that last embrace, and mothers who will never again welcome home that favored son. This is not a cry that would say every cop is perfect, or that he never made a mistake…had a break in judgment; or even just plain messed up. What it is, is a reminder that there is One before whom every life matters. Every Black life. Every White Life. Every Brown Life. Every Native Life. Every life matters. This is my truth. Referring back to Shakespeare, he said, “All the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players: they have their exits and their entrances; and one man in his time plays many parts, his acts being seven ages.” Just for a moment consider it to be true and ask yourself what part are you playing? Are you the protagonist that plots along narrative like Luke Skywalker bring peace and balance to an otherwise capsized universe. Or are you the antagonist, an Emperor imposing your will on all around, forcing them into your version of realty? Or perhaps you take comfort in just being a role player one of many hidden-faced storm troopers just carrying out orders never once stopping to ask the question, “What is truth?” As long as we the masses are willing simply to follow, then we will have the political leaders, the law enforcement, and the criminal element we deserve. Of course, the opposite holds true as well. And even at that, it is not enough to just get involved…to just do something. It is ultimately important that we do the right thing. While standing before Jesus, Pilate asked a question that Jesus never answered. He asked, what is truth? I often wondered what might have happened if Jesus had disclosed…I wonder what would happen in your life if He answered it for you.

Letters From Annie (Douglass) Lima: Realm Explorers Part XXXXVII: Visit Yargon with Ray Ellis

Letters From Annie (Douglass) Lima: Realm Explorers Part XXXXVII: Visit Yargon with Ray Ellis

The Night Rome Burned

It never ceases to amaze me how we can so easily believe a lie. When Nero burned Rome, he blamed the Christians and because it suited the whim of the times and fitted within the mold of the power brokers, everyone just went along with it. Soon, from the ashes of the old rose a brand new Rome. A new city...shinny, bright, and sparkly, but one that flowed red with the blood of the victims fed to the lions in the world famous Roman Coliseum. Does the name Spartacus ring any bells? It was as a result of the oppression of a pleasure seeking and self satiated Rome that led to the famous slave rebellion. As I write this, the city of Baltimore is still under siege. Not from an invading army, but from fear, greed, ignorance, and hatred. Like Rome burning, the citizens are forced to stand by and watch as the actions of a select few tarnish and destroy their home. Some will say the riots are all due to the miss treatment and death of Mr. Freddy Gray, but I would submit that the riots are counter productive. The burning of Baltimore will ultimately prove as unfruitful as Nero's burning Rome. The collective communities of America must decide that a time for change has come. While overseas our brave young men and women are dying fighting the likes of Isis, we are being destroyed by an enemy from within. An enemy that looks and talk just like us...because it is us. By now many of us have seen the video of the angry mother corralling her son from amongst those intent on destroying their city. This mother did not by her actions condone what may have been the mistreatment of Mr. Gray, nor did she give her consent to the idea of business as usual. What she did was effectively step in as a parent and push her son toward true manhood. Ideas like "Responsibility before Rights"..."Family before the Individual"...and above all "God First"...these are the concepts that build a nation, a family, a man. Not by our fighting and tearing down the very towns we call home. But on the other hand, if we cannot correct the path we're on the outcome has already been painted in both history and fiction. Spartacus showed us in the past and books like the Hunger Games reiterate the present need of the human spirit to be both heard and recognized. I fear if we can't get this right then Rome won't be the last great nation to burn. Think about it.

Living or Existing...the Choice is Yours

All around today we seem to be bombarded with the thought or at least the concept of choice. But as I observe, most of us seem to be settling into a strange form of mere existence rather than making the higher choice of life. For all intents and purposes a rock exists, but who wants to be a rock? This is not a new thought, even as far back as the founding of the nation of Israel the Lord put the proposition before His people when He said to them, "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:"(Deut.30:20). And who didn't have the famous quote of Joshua hanging framed somewhere in their house: "Choose you this day whom you will serve... ...but as for me and my house, we shall serve the Lord!" Ahhh, inspiring words. Words to live by. But today we have given up choice for a strange need to comply. We cover our true intentions by using words like tolerance, and free thinking; while what we really mean to say is 'if you say what I'm doing is okay then I'll say what you're doing is okay.' It is no longer good enough in society for a person to be "wrong", but now we have demanded that everyone else approves of the formerly wrong standard and call it good. I said in an earlier post, that we as black people in America seem to have given up the goal of God, Family, and Education for the new ideal of Me, Money, and Mine. And with this transition have given up on ourselves as a people and adopted...or rather have complied with a new norm that makes us not a people, but a fractured group. When I hear America song by Ray Charles and hear the words of self sacrifice and the idea of others being valued and thought of as worth living for, I am immediately taken to a place within myself that makes me want somehow and in someway simply make the whole of America just a little bit better. Think about it.