tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75827242024-03-06T23:40:14.535-08:00blackmanspiritBlackmanspirit is a blog to discuss spiritual issues of importance to black menRobert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-26315044411151968762021-06-01T19:44:00.000-07:002021-06-01T19:44:03.089-07:00Well its been 9 years......and here we are!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT58iKCruneRNZ3dE0HqoinJYu2LlkBbmXBkq4d88wqv3EBr9bLhRPwdvqRaSGrkDKCqE83kRDilOi45sbgpv0j0oNXrmUS4f-vJHG9SzaXeCEVRaeG4kaoQ4MUzoLEzFAk_hu/s960/meand+boys.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="320" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT58iKCruneRNZ3dE0HqoinJYu2LlkBbmXBkq4d88wqv3EBr9bLhRPwdvqRaSGrkDKCqE83kRDilOi45sbgpv0j0oNXrmUS4f-vJHG9SzaXeCEVRaeG4kaoQ4MUzoLEzFAk_hu/s320/meand+boys.jpg"/></a></div>
Well first things first lets state the obvious. Its been 9 years since I have made a post to this blog. That is hilarious to me and at the same time, very sad. Hilarious because I had such great plans for this blog and then life just happened. Out of nowhere. very much like an answer to a long awaited prayer. its alos sad that I have been away from this blog for so long because I have been hungry fro someway to express my feelings and share my journey. And all the while what I was looking for was right here at my fingertips and I was completely missing it! Well in 9 years I have gotten married and we are close to adopting a very wonderful and trying little boy! I think God had a plan all along. And the other good news is that I am back in school. a little over half way to a bachelors degree in Religious studies. ITs like a lifelong journey and a lifelong prayer. More on that later. But for now it is good to be back on this blog. I am excited about what the future holds. Lastly I was 46 when I last posted to this blog. Today I am 6 months away from being 56.......lets just let that sink in for a little while. We'll talk soonRobert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-81653170863796823712012-01-18T05:30:00.001-08:002012-01-18T05:34:08.089-08:00Body and Soul<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2vKp_PplPglWbjEuclzaEmbY4lOiR6KgE7AfzYr2ytbjxeP0SlAYZWaZFg1MOT79T-qVpfuB2SJXwwLu0jSU2ypRBMXJbw4Z8eDwAKNHjUp1kM6Ta6UhBJAbtuyRTafssY0g/s1600/alvin.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2vKp_PplPglWbjEuclzaEmbY4lOiR6KgE7AfzYr2ytbjxeP0SlAYZWaZFg1MOT79T-qVpfuB2SJXwwLu0jSU2ypRBMXJbw4Z8eDwAKNHjUp1kM6Ta6UhBJAbtuyRTafssY0g/s320/alvin.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5698964236835084706" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Body and Soul</strong><br /><br /><a href="http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7777"></a><br /><br />January 18th, 2012 • Category: Healthy Living <br />Are you in the process of learning to live healthier? Maybe your New Year’s resolution was to eat better, exercise, or in some other way improve your physical health? Join us for the next few days as we offer scripture, insight, and encouragement to help on that journey.<br /><br />Today’s scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:12, 19-20 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):<br /><br />I just had this vision of how easy it would be for all of us to make a mess of our sanctuary at LifeJourney Church. We could eat pizza in the sanctuary during service, throw food at the pastor when he tells a bad joke, and put our muddy boots up on the sanctuary chairs. On Saturday nights we could take all the chairs out of the worship space, roll in some bars and hang a disco ball from the ceiling and have wild dance parties all night. We could sling our beverages all over, smoke cigarettes on the altar and roast a hog over the candles. I mean, we could… but all of us have learned to respect, in varying degrees, God’s house. In our reading today Paul explains that just like the four walls we commonly refer to as “God’s house,” our bodies are also a holy, sacred dwelling place for God.<br /><br />If you are like me you may have set out to start 2012 committed to healthier living through regular exercise and changes in your diet. And if you are also like me, you may have set out on this path many Januarys of years past. So the question I have for all of us is, “How is this year going to be different?” How do I include God, who is the source of my will power and strength, in this journey?<br /><br />I believe we have found it easy to compartmentalize God. We tend to treat the body as an appendage and the soul as what is most important, at least as it relates to what we bring to God. Many of us have been taught a kind of duality as it relates to our bodies and souls — that the body is sinful, lustful, of the earth, while the soul is, or at least attains to be, high, noble, lofty, and of the spirit realm. It seems part of our Christian nature to place the soul over the body.<br /><br />But as I read our scripture for today, I believe Paul is calling for a shift to our old beliefs. Every soul needs a body, at least for right now, and the quality of the body affects the quality of the soul. How we treat our body directly affects our soul! I dare to believe that body and soul are one — neither is greater and neither is lesser. Despite the fact that the soul is eternal, body and soul are two sides of the coin of this life.<br /><br />In our scripture the Greek word used for temple is naos. This term is not the word for a pagan temple, or even for the Jewish temple structure and grounds; rather, it refers to the Holy of Holies, the most sacred place for the people of God in the Old Testament. Paul is saying that God is resident within us. Your body is God’s mailing address and God dwells in YOU!<br /><br />You would never consider trashing or disrespecting a church sanctuary, or letting it fall into disrepair, right? Our bodies deserve that same type of respect. We honor God by maintaining healthy strong bodies. It is a sacred house, a dwelling place for God.<br /><br />Thought for the day: Do I see my body as special and sacred?<br /><br /><br />We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.<br /><br /><a href="http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7777"></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-56245452385556279912011-12-15T06:39:00.000-08:002011-12-15T06:41:56.251-08:00Boring Haircuts and Sensible Family Sedans<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN84YZ67clFQjOjLc_4kNLDmn1SXd2DxT-cHwJDcqNsF-rUeIxJndrWmvjOLsdDTE0dI6_nTuvX_VO1BDFna3tnP4g2DDZMOa-kcyUP3y6YfgZvR3UOTGjo4j89LgSfAwBU4Rv/s1600/junk-car1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 196px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhN84YZ67clFQjOjLc_4kNLDmn1SXd2DxT-cHwJDcqNsF-rUeIxJndrWmvjOLsdDTE0dI6_nTuvX_VO1BDFna3tnP4g2DDZMOa-kcyUP3y6YfgZvR3UOTGjo4j89LgSfAwBU4Rv/s320/junk-car1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5686364932474163538" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>Boring Haircuts and Sensible Family Sedans</strong><br /><br />December 14th, 2011 • Category: Advent and Christmas <br /><br />This is the third week of Advent, the Christian season of preparation for Christmas. We’re looking at some of the traditional themes of the season. This week: Hope and Joy.<br /><br />Today’s scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-20 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):<br /><br />God is coming — look busy!<br /><br />Whenever I hear that I laugh to myself. If you have ever worked in an office environment you can identify with the fear that the boss is coming to chop our heads off if we aren’t bent over our keyboards staring intently at some “life altering” project. It’s a fear based reaction that we learn early on and often we can so easily apply it to our Christian walk.<br /><br />In today’s reading the prophet Zephaniah was speaking to the nation of Israel in a time of great national uncertainty. Israel was at war, losing badly and literally on the verge of being destroyed. The economy was tanking, death was everywhere around them, and peace and well-being were quickly disappearing. Exactly what was there to be joyful about? And here is the prophet saying, “Rejoice, God is here with you!”<br /><br />So the idea of God being right here in our midst could be very troubling if all you have ever heard is that God’s wrath has fallen upon you. But today we are given a different image of our God.<br /><br />I recently shared with a family member that I have been operating out of fear for most of this past year: fear of dying alone, fear of never finding love, fear of losing my job and fear of my health taking a turn. Fear is a powerful motivator, but it motivates fast solutions. Fear is what lands people in jobs that they don’t like in order to be sure that bills can be paid. Fear leads to boring haircuts and sensible family sedans. Fear leads to security. And while those things aren’t necessarily bad, I don’t want to be afraid of God looking into my life, entering my heart and taking over this body.<br /><br />I want to be motivated by desire. Desire is much more powerful. Desire means working harder to do incredible things. I desire to be closer to God and I am anxious in this advent season for the coming of the Christ. As we prepare for Christmas day we should be mindful that being prepared for Christ has nothing to do with gifts and trees but has everything to do with preparing our hearts and minds to follow Christ! Rejoice! God is with us! <br /><br />Thought for the day: Now is the season to acknowledge, once again, that God is with us. And, if we’ve never done so, to welcome and receive God into our lives, to make room for the One with all power in heaven and on earth — the mighty warrior with a quiet voice and a loving touch, the gentle parent.<br /><br />We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.<br /><br /> <br /><br />This entry was posted on Wednesday, December 14th, 2011 at 12:01 am and is filed under Advent and Christmas. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site. <br /><br />http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7603?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BeStillAndKnow+%28Be+still+and+know...%29Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-53541736811463217192011-10-21T05:47:00.000-07:002011-10-21T06:04:15.149-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7tMQRULFapkriv5fRAqVD9gvHI5vKaMxE0J95WeMYZBelCXPhw6ub2BQ9KaSjfg6U-rBsZq8OLkdWk2IK4J0EjkKqBcvjE-01oRNGaX7W0iq38-2TF5Xuv7kf59nGhbncg6M/s1600/prayer.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY7tMQRULFapkriv5fRAqVD9gvHI5vKaMxE0J95WeMYZBelCXPhw6ub2BQ9KaSjfg6U-rBsZq8OLkdWk2IK4J0EjkKqBcvjE-01oRNGaX7W0iq38-2TF5Xuv7kf59nGhbncg6M/s320/prayer.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665926689554255362" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I Love the Lord<br />October 21st, 2011 • Category: Encouragement <br />Today’s scripture: Psalm 116 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):<br /><br />I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my supplications. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live. Psalm 116:1-2<br /><br />Have you ever heard Whitney Houston and the Georgia Mass Choir sing I Love the Lord? (Take a listen below.)<br /><br />It stirs my soul every time I hear it. That song and the reading for today always remind me that God is ever-present and listening to our hearts when they cry out!<br /><br />We live in fearful times. We watch the news nervously to see what the next earth shaking calamity will be. Will it be terrorism, natural disaster, a worsening economy, or a violent criminal on the loose? And on top of what happens outside of our homes we also tend to remain fearful about our own Christian walk and faith. Oh God, I want to believe that your grace and mercy are forever but what about my sin, what about my walk, what if I get so far off track that you no longer want to be bothered with me? What will I do then? Where is God in all of this?<br /><br />Let me share a powerful lesson I learned years ago. When you get real with yourself and with God, you will discover closeness with our Creator that you may have never known before. I may not get everything I want in just the exact way that I want it and there are rough days, but one thing I know and abide in is that God is keeping me and making a way for me every day.<br /><br />What are you afraid of today? What keeps you awake at night? Please hear me clearly on this point: You are not less of a Christian for being afraid!<br /><br />It’s OK to talk to the Lord about it. Cry out to God and even shout if you need to. These are the moments that you will develop a deep love for the Lord. In this age of uncertainty there is one thing that is absolutely certain: The Lord will respond when you cry out.<br /><br /> <br />Thought for the day: Listen to the song I Love the Lord. As you listen to this song, think about what troubles you today and take it to the Lord. Rest and be secure in God’s presence.<br /><br /><object width="640" height="360"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mr8SA1cVGlc&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Mr8SA1cVGlc&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="640" height="360"></embed></object><br /><br />We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.<br /><br /> <br /><br />This entry was posted on Friday, October 21st, 2011 at 12:01 am and is filed under Encouragement. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site. <br /><br />Comments are closed.<br />About Be Still...Be Still and Know... is published each weekday. <br />•About Be Still and Know…<br />•Building Blocks for Spiritual Growth<a href="http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7318?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BeStillAndKnow+%28Be+still+and+know...%29"></a><a href="http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7318"></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-41700516142277544322011-09-23T07:33:00.000-07:002011-09-23T07:37:48.946-07:00When The End Is Actually The Beginnning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvg2ybE7evp6gpirZxDAQ4NTzgCwEhV7TRHkhmb3LfDLlF-HFJ4ecm9AXrcU28rd4IewETt4jVXjDzYP9yAhnbuQoBBfZfGBd2u-E-R_NN7bgrRQBBg7cBjkH6DdRaS8z_o0e/s1600/godopens+dorrs.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwvg2ybE7evp6gpirZxDAQ4NTzgCwEhV7TRHkhmb3LfDLlF-HFJ4ecm9AXrcU28rd4IewETt4jVXjDzYP9yAhnbuQoBBfZfGBd2u-E-R_NN7bgrRQBBg7cBjkH6DdRaS8z_o0e/s320/godopens+dorrs.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5655563679039289922" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br />http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7206?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BeStillAndKnow+%28Be+still+and+know...%29<br /><br />Today’s scripture: John 20:1-10 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):<br /><br />Have you ever been faced with a problem that you just knew was impossible to solve?<br /><br />Perhaps it made you feel overwhelmed, like this-is-it-there-is-no-way-out-I-am-going-under. Has a doctor ever shared the results of medical tests and the prognosis they gave was guarded at best? As you walked out of the office you felt a wave of despair and thought, “I’m not going to make it. This is the end.” Maybe your dead-end experience concerns your finances. The bills keep growing and growing and you think there’s no way out — you’re headed for the shame of bankruptcy. Or, maybe its child-rearing that has made you feel this way. You used to have a great relationship with your son or daughter, but when they hit adolescence things changed. Now, all you do is fight and from your perspective the relationship has gone down the tubes. You feel like quitting. It’s a dead end that you can’t avoid.<br /><br />When I read the verses for today that is exactly how I imagine Mary, John, and Peter must have felt. This is the end. One-hundered-percent of the time, the problem with that thinking, as it was with Mary and the disciples, is that we forget that God’s plan is at work in all of our lives. Who can argue with Mary’s loyalty to care for the dead body of Christ and her right to mourn his passing? But clearly we can see that Mary believed that Jesus’ life was over. Peter, confused by what his eyes were telling him, did not know what to believe. And as for John, the text only says that he believed. What exactly John believed we aren’t told, but I believe that in that empty tomb John found hope! No grave robbers leave clothes intact or fold kerchiefs neatly in the corner. There had been no struggle at this scene — there really was only one logical conclusion. Christ must be alive! And if that be true then hope must live as well! If Christ can defeat the grave then what in this world could God not deliver us from and give us strength to conquer?<br /><br />Did you know your sorrow can become joy and your disappointment can become hope? Did you know your guilt can become a cleansed heart and your fear can become love? The resurrection teaches us that the mission of Jesus was divine, and his willingness to enter into suffering on our behalf would bring healing. The resurrection assures us of God’s unchanging character and our own eternal life.<br /><br />Thought for the day: The resurrection of Jesus is a down payment and assurance of our own resurrection; and the resurrection is Christ’s pledge that we can trust the goodness of Jesus and the truth of His message.<br /><br />We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the suggestions on the How to Pray page.<br /><br />http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7206?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BeStillAndKnow+%28Be+still+and+know...%29Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-76199880023117119512011-09-07T06:57:00.000-07:002011-09-07T06:58:16.483-07:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1Yt2HMo0737_KnxVVrhi3-7aW7YGI2q0fqHbFMcv3rY7grLf2tL8pDvAeDdCt3AyXkwOg4_M8v0qbRiQYZDT-tJM2tca4ve3wJ6vVxba9wvUGD-1_Yu5TixFM0Cl-PgRRGuL/s1600/crucifiction.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="240" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC1Yt2HMo0737_KnxVVrhi3-7aW7YGI2q0fqHbFMcv3rY7grLf2tL8pDvAeDdCt3AyXkwOg4_M8v0qbRiQYZDT-tJM2tca4ve3wJ6vVxba9wvUGD-1_Yu5TixFM0Cl-PgRRGuL/s320/crucifiction.jpg" /></a></div><br /><br />IN A LITTLE WHILE!<br /><br />September 7th, 2011 • Category: Gospel of John <br />Today’s scripture: John 16:16-33 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):<br /><br /><br />Today’s scripture: John 16:16-33 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):<br /><br />I love the way Jesus uses imagery and parable to teach us. In our reading for today we are instructed that just as a woman must suffer and grieve before childbirth, we too will suffer. However, on the other side of suffering, after the pain there will be great joy! Joy so great that we will soon forget about the pain, much like a mother casting her eyes on her newborn child.<br /><br />Clearly Jesus is attempting to prepare his disciples for what is ahead — the grief and suffering of his impending death and the joy will come at the resurrection when he and his faithful disciples will see one another again. We know the disciples didn’t factor the resurrection into their thinking about this Jesus, just as they had not factored in the cross. But as the story unfolds, we see them struggling to cope with the brutal death. We also see there surprise and joy at the news of his resurrection. In our lesson today Jesus is attempting to prepare them and us for both eventualities.<br /><br />Eventually it seems as if the disciples get it! And in our own limited understanding, we too may believe that we get it. But if we were to read ahead a little further we might understand that the disciples did not get it, and while they struggled through their grief and disbelief they seemed to forget his promises. There will be grief but “in a little while” you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy!<br /><br />Our understanding of the life, death, burial, and resurrection of Christ must be viewed as an example to each of us. Yes, there is life and with that life will come trials and challenges but in every situation there is resurrection! When we grow through our struggles, learn from our mistakes, keep our eyes focused on God, and continue to put one foot in front of the other Jesus promises us today that their will be joy, great and unspeakable joy!<br /><br />Thought for the day: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace.” Jesus purpose is not to shame or humiliate; it is to lead us into his peace even while we’re in the teeth of the storm!<br /><br />http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/archives/7085Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-69931231037318819942011-08-19T08:31:00.000-07:002011-08-19T08:36:45.920-07:00Why I Build Muscle at the Age of 45<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1BjUhlXpTIGcSl1G18uM5v3HVttcnVlp8bpTt0XJrnHcE174rrva_qO0U1uh7AuOTqXhMNLHWUoeEGTTNBe5FOoBZbTqMQ8SWAZg7folPbJtiubaKQ6ERG_KhmC80-FTha32/s1600/12187847791657656856motudo_WeightLifting_svg_med.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs1BjUhlXpTIGcSl1G18uM5v3HVttcnVlp8bpTt0XJrnHcE174rrva_qO0U1uh7AuOTqXhMNLHWUoeEGTTNBe5FOoBZbTqMQ8SWAZg7folPbJtiubaKQ6ERG_KhmC80-FTha32/s320/12187847791657656856motudo_WeightLifting_svg_med.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642590180943053762" /></a>
<br />
<br />Why I Build Muscle at the Age of 50
<br />
<br />even though I am only 45 right now I believe this article still holds some
<br />key principles and I hope to be building muscle for the next five years
<br />and beyond:
<br />
<br />http://www.muscleandhealth.org/Why_I_Build_Muscle_At_50.html
<br />
<br /><strong>Why I Build Muscle at the Age of 50</strong>
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<br />Lately its occurred to me that I’m in a groove, my schedule, diet, routine and rest are all in sync and its fun when everything is moving in the desired direction Naturally when its fun the inclination is to focus more and work harder, which has led me to be in the gym a lot. Enough so that some people at my gym have commented on how much time I’m spending lifting and how cool it is “at my age” to take fitness so seriously.
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<br />This got me to thinking, about why I actually work out. I mean is it because I take fitness so seriously? I never really thought about the reasons why I do what I do, it is just who I am. But in thinking I have concluded that there are 4 reasons I build muscle at 50, and the 2 biggest reasons are nowhere near what you would think. In other words, they have nothing to do with my health or appearance.
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<br />Let me start with the two obvious reasons, those would be the previously mentioned health and appearance. I could drone on and on about the health benefits of muscle building at every age but suffice it to say they are real, and it is in and of itself reason enough to do it. They say 60 is the new 40 and they are right, and it is because of a better understanding of all things related to muscle building, diet, rest, and a general devotion to a healthy lifestyle.
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<br />I am a believer in responsibility, accountability and consequence in all things life. The point is that the people you see walking around with bodies you wish you had weren’t born that way, contrary to what those that don’t have these bodies think. They have chosen to look that way and pay the price every day to do so. That price is hitting the gym, eating properly and living clean. <strong>I decided a long time ago that when I was 50 I would not look like the average 50 year old. </strong>
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<br />I don’t and I am proud of that fact. So I do work out to affect my health and appearance. But they aren’t the two biggest reasons.
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<br />Mohammad Ali, once he reached middle age was asked where the angry rebel attitude of his youth went. His response was “A man that views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20, has wasted 30 years of life”. You have to be 50 to know the wisdom of this comment. As much as you might think you will, you will NOT view things the same as you age. You do things for different reasons and you will value different things. For example, I still like and listen to the music of my youth. It makes me feel young. But that’s the music of MY youth. Not the youth of today. When I WAS young I swore I would always listen to current music. I had NO idea at 20 how I would think at 50!
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<br /><strong>Age has taught me to appreciate the journey, not the destination. </strong>
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<br />Though the destination is important, having a good, attractive, healthy body, I understand and value MORE how you get there.
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<br />The actual effort required to accomplish the goal.
<br /><strong>The beauty is in the process, this is where the metal of a man is tested. </strong>
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<br />To have and live out the discipline to “do it right”, without the benefit of youth is hard, and because of that, it demands and commands respect. I like knowing that other people notice and respect that I do it. It is this feeling of satisfaction and accomplishment that washes over me after a tough gym session, after a long day of work, that drives me to not take days off or take it easy because of my age.
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<br />Lastly, the final reason I build muscle at this age? It’s because I still can.
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<br />Once you arrive at my age you realize and know that it's VERY possible that in the blink of an eye, that could change. So by using the other 3 reasons for building muscle I help create the fourth, and since I like still being able to build muscle, I am smart enough do know that "if it ain't broke, don't mess with it".
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<br />Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-86898040111188717342011-08-08T08:09:00.000-07:002011-08-08T08:13:10.205-07:00While Jesus Is Waiting.................<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8gKLbIz5LTECrCXvCfAHrpi_TavfzsS1Y_ATmsnDJYo5ruKf4pPC9Iw0CMNa5a0nuRH5jGuiJki7DODyIxneRJRSrAuRBHlpT79353FRHoiSegwoOm5LKYBpfn4IlLitECww/s1600/isaac-hayes-black-moses-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz8gKLbIz5LTECrCXvCfAHrpi_TavfzsS1Y_ATmsnDJYo5ruKf4pPC9Iw0CMNa5a0nuRH5jGuiJki7DODyIxneRJRSrAuRBHlpT79353FRHoiSegwoOm5LKYBpfn4IlLitECww/s320/isaac-hayes-black-moses-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5638502645998016498" /></a>
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<br />http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/
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<br /><strong>While Jesus Is Waiting</strong>
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<br />August 8, 2011 • Category: Gospel of John
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<br />Today’s scripture: John 11:1-16 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?
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<br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):
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<br />As I studied the reading for today I could not help but be reminded of the old familiar adage: “God’s delays are not necessarily God’s denials.”
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<br />I think it is important to read ahead to verse 21. Martha, the sister of the now deceased Lazarus, rushes to Jesus and says, “If you had been here, my brother would not have died.” I always find this to be the most compelling line of this story. As modern day believers we have the advantage of seeing this story played out in its completion. In our piety we may frown upon what Martha is saying here, but if we are honest, who among us has not been guilty of saying, “Lord, what is taking so long?”
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<br />We’ve probably all had difficult situations where we went to God in earnest prayer, asking for some sort of deliverance or quick healing. I encourage you today to read this passage and understand that all of the individuals in this story knew that if there was going to be a victory in the circumstance of Lazarus’s death, it would come only through Jesus.
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<br />So the primary issue for us and in this story doesn’t have to be one of faith. We have familiarized ourselves with the promises of God. We believe, or at least can believe, that God is capable of moving in mighty ways — I don’t know about you, but I have evidence of what God will do. The place where the rubber meets the road is that place where we’re stuck in the gap between the fantastic promise of abundant life and the painful reality of life in a fallen world. It’s when we look about in confusion and hope that God will show up to make things right.
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<br />But we wonder, “Why is God waiting?” It’s when God’s clear calling on our lives is to do something that is difficult, painful, or seemingly beyond our ability — it’s when God wants us to do something totally beyond our strength or ability to manage that God shows up. Let’s not be surprised that confusion and perplexity are exactly where Jesus puts his followers in today’s text and in today’s world.
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<br />It is in this place of confusion and perplexity that we find all we can do is wait on God. Today, Jesus tells us that our waiting is not in vain. Our patience and faith are necessary in order for God’s true glory to be revealed. So, in the face of confusion, when Jesus seems to be waiting to enter into our lives, this passage challenges us to respond in faith by persevering in our discipleship with Christ.
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<br />Thought for the day: Lord, teach me to wait on you!
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<br />We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.
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<br />http://lifejourneychurch.cc/bestill/Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-77506619373436778432011-07-06T06:03:00.000-07:002011-07-06T06:05:34.773-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB6OTlU5CO5rPROJd0VhsLWXbAym4_io6ZG-PAFQ48aH0Ey_2nqqlj5mEYuB7jf2FS8LltLBtHr3kGlJAbVIRXUXvMnKH48iEO0DPv7nv3RQLPKrTqtGc18z9xXJ6k6bP9P8M/s1600/400000000000000230900_s4.png"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyB6OTlU5CO5rPROJd0VhsLWXbAym4_io6ZG-PAFQ48aH0Ey_2nqqlj5mEYuB7jf2FS8LltLBtHr3kGlJAbVIRXUXvMnKH48iEO0DPv7nv3RQLPKrTqtGc18z9xXJ6k6bP9P8M/s320/400000000000000230900_s4.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5626224244963648962" /></a><br /><br /><br />Was Motown also the “Sound of Gay America”?<br /><br /><br />Trapped in Motown’s Closet<br />by Mark Anthony Neal<br /><br /><br />Nearly 35 years before the release of Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, a Gospel singer turned Disco star, recorded a song bearing the same title, which became one of the era’s most important Gay anthems. That a Baltimore bred, African-American man, who came of age during the height of Civil Rights movement could so seamlessly wed the Gospel impulses of this nation’s most affecting social movement, with the nascent impulses of the GLBT movement—“Yes I’m gay/tain’t a fault ‘tis a fact/I was born this way”—should not be surprising. That Bean did so recording for Motown Records, a company that symbolized the push for Black integration and respectability in the 1960s and 1970s, should elicit some wonder. Bean was not alone; in the mid-1970s the Motown roster also included the vocal group the Dynamic Superiors, whose lead singer, the late Tony Washington, was an out and flamboyant homosexual. Though the musical legacies of both acts, have been largely obscured over the years, their connection to, arguably, the most prominent Black brand of the 20th Century speaks volumes about how inclusive Berry Gordy’s vision was with regards to what he called the “Sound of Young America.”<br /><br /><br />Whenever the subject of Black music and homosexuality is broached, the figure of Sylvester, the groundbreaking Disco and Dance artist, is immediately recalled. While the Dynamic Superiors and Carl Bean where contemporaries of Sylvester, it is important to remember that both acts had already broken through to the mainstream before Sylvester released his influential classic Step II in 1978. As a solo artist committed to drag performances, Sylvester became the quintessential example of Black artists who successfully challenged the boundaries of race, sexuality and gender. Sylvester was indeed peerless, but not without precedent, if you consider artists such as Billy Strayhorn (Duke Ellington’s longtime contributor), Nona Hendryx, and Bessie Smith.<br /><br /><br />Not surprisingly, even Sylvester owed some debt to Motown for his success. Sylvester’s 1977 solo debut Over and Over was produced by Harvey Fuqua, founding member of the doo-wop group the Moonglows and one-time Motown record executive, who was responsible for bringing Marvin Gaye to the label. The title track of Sylvester’s solo debut was a cover of a Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson song, featured on their 1977 album So So Satisfied. Ashford and Simpson, of course, were the well known song-writing duo behind the great Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell recordings of the late 1960s; they were also responsible for the songwriting and production on the first two Dynamic Superior recordings, their eponymous 1974 debut and Pure Pleasure (1975).<br /><br /><br />Products of the Washington DC housing projects, the Dynamic Superiors began singing with each other as high school students in the late 1960s. Their big break came when they performed at a music industry showcase in 1972 and were spotted by Motown executive, Ewart Abner, most well known for his work as President of Black owned Vee Jay Records which featured acts like Gene Chandler and Jerry Butler and distributed the initial American releases of The Beatles. The group was quickly signed by Motown and their first album The Dynamic Superiors was released in 1974. The lead single, “Shoe, Shoe Shine,” was in the vein of the popular harmony groups of the day like the Stylistics and Blue Magic, and as lead singer, Tony Washington’s falsetto was every bit the match of Russell Thompkins, Jr. and Ted Mills, respectively. <br />Yet, Washington exuded something more—a something more that can be easily recognized on the cover art from that first album. For a label that years earlier released an Isley Brothers album with a picture of a White couple on the cover in order to enhance crossover and in the late 1970s released Teena Marie’s debut without a photo in order to obscure her White identity, Motown's willingness to even visually suggest Washington’s queerness is striking. Whatever curiosities arose in response to that album cover would be put to rest when the group began, rather famously to perform a cover of Billy Paul’s “Me and Mrs. Jones,” in concert with Washington clearly singing “Me and Mr. Jones.” Such performances quickly had the Black Press describing the Dynamaic Superiors as a “gay” group, as was the case when a 1977 feature on the group in the New York Amsterdam News was titled “Dynamic Superiors Lead ‘Gay’ Music Crusade,” of course begging the question, what exactly is “gay’ music and what crusade was it a part of? (questions that the paper had no intention of answering in 1977).''<br /><br /><br />The group didn’t make much of such descriptions; in a magazine article in 1977 (New Gay Life), simply Washington suggested that “I guess it’s because it’s me myself. The fact that I’m the lead singer. I don’t hide it on stage.” Washington’s brother Maurice, also a member of the group adds in the same magazine piece, “It was always there. We just brought it out. Tony was just another member of the Dynamic Superiors…He never did hide.” In an era when no one talked openly about Black queer identity, Maurice Washington suggests that his brother’s willingness to be “out” on stage was empowering to some audience members: “there are a lot more homosexuals there than we think. But, they don’t care to let it out. Quite often after the show they want to meet Tony and want to thank him for being as open as they wish they could be…Tony’s a great inspiration.”<br /><br /><br />However progressive Tony Washington’s band mates may have been in their views about homosexuality—it was in fact his voice that made the group so distinct—audiences were not always in sync. As Washington admitted to The Advocate in 1977, “I guess I was trying to push the clock ahead, though I wasn’t that flamboyant in the beginning…I tried to ease it on them, bit by bit. I thought to myself, man, my makeup is part of the program, so why not accept it.” Washington often made the point, as he did to the Baltimore Afro-American in 1977 that “we are everyday people…we are proud and excited about what we do, but we still have our same friends in Washington.” <br /><br /><br />The Dynamic Superiors released four albums for Motown between 1974 and 1977. Trying to find just the right musical touch, Motown hired Ashford ands Simpson to do production on the first two albums, despite the fact the duo had departed the label in 1973, in part, because the label never saw them as a viable group (Valerie Simpson recorded two solo albums for the label in the early 1970s). On those first two albums, one can hear the embryo of what would become Ashford and Simpson’s late 1970s sound; heavy indebtednes to the Motown assembly line and deeply steeped in the Black gospel tradition that formed the foundation of the couple’s professional relationship in the mid-1960s. Washington and Ashford share similar vocal traits, so a song like the dramatic “Cry If You Want To” sounds like classic Ashford and Simpson, as does “Leave It Alone,” which was later samples by Noel Gourdin on “Better Man” from his debut After My Time. <br /><br /><br />It wasn’t until their second album, Pure Pleasure (1975) that the group began to broach queer themes in their music. Packaged in the guise of the personal freedoms that marked the 1970s, their cover of the Ashford & Simpson penned Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell classic “Ain’t Nothing Like the Real Thing” (a male duet of a song most known as a male/female duet) or a song like “Nobody’s Gonna Change Me,” became anthems for all those working on the margins. <br /><br /><br />The subsequent decision to gear The Dynamic Superiors towards disco was prescient, if eventually limiting for a group that got its start as a vocal harmony group. The Dynamic Superiors didn’t really reach their audience, in this regard, until their fourth (and last) Motown album, Give and Take, which features with a Disco cover (again) of Martha and the Vandella’s “Nowhere to Run.” The song succeeded in part, because, the dancefloor became one of the primary sites where sexuality was being negotiated in the 1970s; seemingly the Disco was the only place where folk had the freedom to come out, given the rampant homophobia of the era, which was manifested in thinly veiled “Disco Sucks” rhetoric. <br /><br /><br />At the time that “Nowhere to Hide,” was released, Motown was heavily invested in Disco music, if only because Berry Gordy was always conscious of the money flow. If Disco was going to dominate the radio, and Philadelphia International Records (PIR) was building an empire, in part because of its role in creating the building blocks for Disco, Motown was, literally, going to be in the mix. Like PIR, Motown was influential in the formative years of Disco; Eddie Kendricks’ “Girl You Need a Change of Mind” (1972) is often cited as the first Disco record and his “Keep On Truckin’” (1973) was one of the label’s biggest singles in the early 1970s. The solo careers of David Ruffin, Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were all re-booted in the mid-1970s with Disco tracks, such as Ruffin’s “Walk Away from Love,” (1975) Ross’s “Love Hangover,” (1976) Jackson’s “Just A Little Bit of You” (1975) and The Jackson 5’s “Forever Came Today” (1975). Indeed the future trajectory of Michael Jackson post-Motown career was largely shaped by his desire to find his own voice within the Disco idiom.<br /><br /><br />Given the label’s commitment to Disco—even Marvin Gaye released “Got to Give It Up”—it would seem that Motown likely placed little significance on Carl Bean’s “I was Born This Way.” In fact, Bean’s version was the label’s second go-round with the song. The song, which was written by Bunny Jones, was initially recorded by an artist named Valentino and released independently by Jones. As the song topped the dance charts in England, Motown purchased the rights from Jones. When Motown botched the song’s promotion—and understandably so—Valentino’s version died, only to be resuscitated a year later by Bean, on a recording that featured veteran PIR and MFSB guitarist Norman Harris and Ron Kersey, who was a member of the Trammps (“Disco Inferno”), in an effort to give the song that PIR sheen.<br /><br /><br />Carl Bean was not new to the music industry; as an already out Black man, he began his professional career in a Gospel troupe led by legend Alex Bradford. With the group, Bean had the opportunity to perform on Broadway in shows like Your Arms Too Short to Box with God and Don’t Bother Me I Can’t Cope. By 1974 was fronting a group called Universal Love that was signed to the ABC/Peacock label. The group faltered, as Bean explains in his recently published memoir I Was Born This Way, because the group was “ahead of the curve. I was part of a movement looking to erase the line between R&B and gospel.” (175) <br /><br /><br /> Nevertheless, Bean showed up on Motown’s radar because of Universal Love. According to Bean, in his first meeting with Motown executive Gwen Gordy, she admitted that her brother Berry thought “Bean would be perfect. It’s a message song with a gospel feel. Bean will tear it up.” (193) Besides Harris and Kersey, Motown brought in Tom Moulton for an extended mix, that was marketed directly to Discos, since Black radio stations were unlikely to support the song, even from a valued label like Motown. In the book, The Fabulous Sylvester, DJ Leslie Stoval tells author Joshua Gamson that Sylvester was “informally blacklisted because he was gay…they weren’t ready to give this gay man his place. They didn’t want to deal with it.” (127) Such was the environment that Motown and Bean faced. Nevertheless, without the support of radio, “I Was Born This Way” became a major club hit, that placed Carl Bean on the precipice of major success.<br /><br /><br /><br />With “I was Born This Way,” Carl Bean was in position to became everything that Sylvester became, and to their credit Motown was ready to make Bean its next major start, but with a caveat. After Bean signed with the label, he was given the opportunity to record an album that was initially intended for David Ruffin. As Bean recalls in his memoir, the “tracks were smoking-hot R&B. And the lyrics were all about love and ex—love and sex between a man and a woman.” As label executives promised Bean that he could become the next Teddy Pendergrass, he choose to walk away from the deal rather record as an heterosexual.<br /><br /><br />Bean eventually found another calling, one that led him back to the church and into the role as a prominent AIDs activist. The founder of the Unity Fellowship of Christ Church in Los Angeles (which was featured in the Marlon Riggs’ groundbreaking documentary Black Is, Black Ain’t), Archbishop Carl Bean has been an important advocate for many communities, providing one of the few Christian-based safe havens for Black LGBT communities and founding one of the first AIDs hospices in the country. For Bean, his sexual identity and faith were never at odds, as he explained in a 1978 magazine article that “it’s God’s way of making a statement through me…it’s something that should have been said a long time ago.”<br /><br /><br />One wonders if Carl Bean and Tony Washington ever crossed paths at Motown; Washington is rumored to have died from AIDs, after the Dynamic Superiors broke up in 1980. Bean and Washington's legacies will forever be linked, reminding folks of the time when Motown was not only the “sound of Young America,” but perhaps the “Sound of Queer America.”<br /><br />***<br /><br />Major h/t to Queer Music Heritage for their postings of article about Tony Washington and Carl Bean. <br />Posted by MAN at 11:17 PM Email This<br /> BlogThis!<br /> Share to Twitter<br /> Share to Facebook<br /> Share to Google Buzz<br /> Labels: Arch Bishop Carl Bean, Berry Gordy, disco, Dynamic Superiors, I Was Born This Way, Lady Gaga, Motown, Nick Ashford, Tony Washington, Valerie Simpson <br />0 comments: <br />Post a Comment <br /><br />Links to this post<br />Create a Link <br /><br />Older Post Home Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom) NewBlackMan OnRobert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-3990784640371857562011-06-21T05:42:00.000-07:002011-06-21T05:46:00.437-07:00Spiritual Spring Cleaning<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurEWd2IW4SHbxGfp1tJD58nUs02kFAXdz6NljCk7VnBCM6KhYD5ifSIqN0MyMXfzW4UTF2ACg2TD9wT3mEGc6iS2KcwSy7xEwlKnXFsdVPlFlPTxEwBEKzA-mzAS0vby6UJ5T/s1600/jesus-nazareth-585.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgurEWd2IW4SHbxGfp1tJD58nUs02kFAXdz6NljCk7VnBCM6KhYD5ifSIqN0MyMXfzW4UTF2ACg2TD9wT3mEGc6iS2KcwSy7xEwlKnXFsdVPlFlPTxEwBEKzA-mzAS0vby6UJ5T/s320/jesus-nazareth-585.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5620652809793097746" /></a><br /><br />Search me, O God,<br />And know my heart today;<br />Try me, O Savior,<br />Know my thoughts, I pray.<br />See if there be<br />Some wicked way in me;<br />Cleanse me from every sin<br />And set me free.<br /><br />I praise You, Lord,<br />For cleansing me from sin;<br />Fulfill Your Word,<br />And make me pure within.<br />Fill me with fire<br />Where once I burned with shame;<br />Grant my desire<br />To magnify Your Name.<br /><br />Lord, take my life,<br />And make it wholly Yours;<br />Fill my poor heart<br />With Your great love divine.<br />Take all my will,<br />My passion, self and pride;<br />I now surrender, Lord<br />In me abide.<br /><br /><br /><br />Posted: 20 Jun 2011 09:01 PM PDT<br /><br />Today’s scripture: John 2:13-25 (NRSV) (The Message) (KJV) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Tommy Chittenden):<br /><br />“many believed in His name when they saw the signs that He was doing.”<br /><br />This is good, right? We come to verse 23 and we think, “this is good, people are believing, this is good.” Then we start reading verse 24 which starts with the word “but.” Now that can’t be good. It’s kind of like the person who says to you, “I really like what you’re doing with your hair, but…” Isn’t there just something in us that makes us forget everything that came before the word “but”?<br /><br />“But Jesus did not entrust Himself to them, because He knew all people… and needed no one to bear witness about man, for He Himself knew what was in man.<br /><br />Anyone else asking, What’s going on here? People are believing in Jesus, but Jesus did not entrust himself to them?<br /><br />Jesus’ life on earth was anchored in his relationship with the Father. Jesus’ contentment was not based on what others thought of him, or how well things were going at a given time. What others did or said did not affect him. At this time in Jesus’ ministry, he was becoming very popular, but, recognizing the heart of humans, he did not place his faith in what others thought of him, but continued to get his joy and security from his relationship with God. His joy and security was constant, whether he was being praised or persecuted.<br /><br />God wants you and me to have confidence, security, and joy through a relationship with God. If our life is anchored in that relationship, always seeking God’s will for us at the moment, aware of the Spirit — then nothing can happen to take away our joy, because our joy is not based on our circumstances:<br /><br />…your heart will rejoice, and no one will take your joy away from you. John 16:22<br /><br />When our life is anchored in our relationship with God rather than in how others treat us, we will be steady whether we receive praise from others or not. Jesus knew this — that those who cried “Hosanna” and welcomed him as their king could cry out “Crucify him” a week later. Jesus wasn’t trying to win the crowd’s approval… so he was not entrusting himself to them, for he knew all men.<br /><br />Today, I invite you to join me in a self-cleansing ritual, to clean the very “temple” where our Creator resides today. Open up every compartment of your heart and mind allowing the healing power of unconditional love to replace darkness with the energy of Light. Remove the masks that prevent us from being authentic, from living with integrity. Discard the poison of gossip and lies replacing it with the impeccability of our word. Replace fear with love by remembering who You are.<br /><br />Thought for the day:<br /><br />Search me, O God,<br />And know my heart today;<br />Try me, O Savior,<br />Know my thoughts, I pray.<br />See if there be<br />Some wicked way in me;<br />Cleanse me from every sin<br />And set me free.<br /><br />I praise You, Lord,<br />For cleansing me from sin;<br />Fulfill Your Word,<br />And make me pure within.<br />Fill me with fire<br />Where once I burned with shame;<br />Grant my desire<br />To magnify Your Name.<br /><br />Lord, take my life,<br />And make it wholly Yours;<br />Fill my poor heart<br />With Your great love divine.<br />Take all my will,<br />My passion, self and pride;<br />I now surrender, Lord<br />In me abide.<br /><br />Search me, O God is based on Psalm 139:23-24. It was written by James Orr in 1936.Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-35581790207319339352011-06-17T07:17:00.000-07:002011-06-17T07:26:58.612-07:00Welcome Summer........<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbUGw7xoRTCYpXmdfthilgKl9bzIKYB1thSN6Hzd31L9uI-Q62kOHJk0Jre0RojnaFXp-a1IHwK9JHnhTQ1-IO6kx11do7tIS8_0DkDxrEwrSZiRYsqlhKXunYgwvBmCoqFWk/s1600/Robcut2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtbUGw7xoRTCYpXmdfthilgKl9bzIKYB1thSN6Hzd31L9uI-Q62kOHJk0Jre0RojnaFXp-a1IHwK9JHnhTQ1-IO6kx11do7tIS8_0DkDxrEwrSZiRYsqlhKXunYgwvBmCoqFWk/s320/Robcut2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5619192742025248242" /></a><br /> The cut says it all..............its summertime! Time to shave off most of the hair lose the beard and embrace my youthful tanned slightly slimmer self. I have come to the decision that the beard and baby afro always represent a darker side of life for me. Winter is a very different vibe. Being a December baby I find myself being very reflective around fall and the ensuing holidays. Sometimes that reflection takes me down a bit. Perhaps its dissappointment at not having achieved all of the things I think I should have. Or perhaps its the realization that some of those "what I want to be when I grow up" fantasies will never come true. And then it gets cold and snowy and slowly the bear in me comes out adn hibernation sets in.........along with some depression and hopelessness.................BUT ALAS, Spring blossoms and the sun tends to stay out longer and the depression meds start to really kick in and suddenly there is hope and before you realize it its summer...time for rollercoasters, swimming pools, family reunions, and outdoor concerts!! I praise God today for the changing seasons and His faithfullness to be there not only when the weather breaks but in the deep dark coldness of winter.......holding our hands........keeping us near and reminding us that yes indeed brighter days are coming........as they always do!Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-83879285454915460872011-06-14T06:44:00.000-07:002011-06-14T06:49:34.223-07:00Jesse Jackson's "I Am Somebody" 40 Years Later<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgany35EFk7ylYaMN_v-a-3h58jEqUEvMRHPUQ0p7AtyiUysaq_NaZQA4XNZMX7Z4IMTtqfijX4vP-jwNZR_Z0ULR_cLwmr-lzCrO7wx1gJ9Vq15CsZ9sv8awvAZEstbBvJnx4U/s1600/jesse-jacksonl.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgany35EFk7ylYaMN_v-a-3h58jEqUEvMRHPUQ0p7AtyiUysaq_NaZQA4XNZMX7Z4IMTtqfijX4vP-jwNZR_Z0ULR_cLwmr-lzCrO7wx1gJ9Vq15CsZ9sv8awvAZEstbBvJnx4U/s320/jesse-jacksonl.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618072205262796978" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8K8yarwgONf_tWkImhW9UEbGvmvTIzlbBjNlgWwGzDBTV8cAD3q3qZa0UCwXrH26mZTs4oIHh8kvz68BNfO869yMpTQVv8Id9of8Q7oJb6yV8o86uDAyFgacRJQRoHJUBE3X/s1600/jesse-split.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 282px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu8K8yarwgONf_tWkImhW9UEbGvmvTIzlbBjNlgWwGzDBTV8cAD3q3qZa0UCwXrH26mZTs4oIHh8kvz68BNfO869yMpTQVv8Id9of8Q7oJb6yV8o86uDAyFgacRJQRoHJUBE3X/s320/jesse-split.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5618071964981892914" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><strong>Jesse Jackson's "I Am Somebody" 40 Years Later</strong><br />By Trymaine Lee on Jun 13th 2011 3:31PM <br /><br /><br /><br />It was 1968, not long after the assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., when a young Jesse Jackson, still emotionally devastated by his mentor's death, stood amid a crowded tent city. People here were desperate for food, shelter and security.<br />Share <br /><br />Jackson, who was 27 at the time, had committed himself to continuing King's poor people's campaign to advocate for public accommodations and relief for the needy. He was there that day to give the people what he could. Money was in short supply, he said, and the people that had gathered around him were hungry for so much more than he could provide.<br /><br />"They were the most rejected, the most impoverished, the most needy," Jackson recalled. "I would look in peoples faces, they were looking to me and they wanted me to give them something, to say something. I had no more food to give them. I did not even have a bus ticket to get home. I couldn't offer them any material."<br /><br />It was then that Jackson recalled the moment and the words that first came to his mind as he addressed them, a three-word refrain that would go on to change the way generations of African-Americans and poor people would see themselves.<br /><br /><br /><br />I Am Somebody.<br /><br />"I said say it with me. I am," he called out that day. "Somebody."<br /><br />"I may be poor," he said. "I may be on welfare or unskilled. But I am somebody."<br /><br />The seeds for the poem, I AM SOMEBODY, were born.<br /><br />"Once I set that table," he said, people bought in, that "where there is life there is hope, and where there is hope there is infinite possibility."<br /><br />While the saying had long been part of the repertoire of black preachers and ministers, it was Jackson who took it beyond the black church. In 1971 Jackson read the poem to a group of children during an episode of 'Sesame Street' (see video above), cementing it in the pantheon of popular culture. A few years later, he again took it to the masses during the now legendary WattStax music festival (pictured below) in Los Angeles. "I Am Somebody" joined "Black Is Beautiful" as a phrase that went beyond catchy to become powerful statements during a time when self-worth was synonymous with self-empowerment, both of which were desperately needed in the black community.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />More than just a self-affirmation, it was a pronouncement, a willing of value by folks whose poverty or skin color or social circumstance left them marginalized and feeling less than. It touched more than just blacks, it reached people of all color who felt beaten down by mainstream American society.<br /><br />"I think one constant in all of this is that people are always on a quest for self-affirmation, to be loved and to be protected," Jackson said. "With all of these changes we go through, that is a constant. There are so many signs that condemn people to nobodyness. 'I can't get a job because, I can't go to school because, I can't afford health care because, I can't live here because.' All of these abounding negatives, but affirmations trump a negative."<br /><br />In 2002, the rapper Nas took a page from the Jackson playbook with the release of his chart topping song, 'I Can,' where he implores youth, in similar call and response fashion: I know I can / Be what I wanna be / If I work hard at it / I'll be where I wanna be.<br /><br />Robert Ferguson, 45, a design engineer for AT&T who grew up in Indianapolis, said that as a young man the poem spoke to him "in terms that I could understand."<br /><br />"I think that for me it was just a mater of pride," Ferguson said, "and the way that I carried myself." He was a fifth or sixth grader when he first heard the Jackson poem.<br /><br />But by and large he said today's young people are a generation obsessed with itself and not the collective community which has shied away from the kinds of affirmations and self-awareness that helped others open doors for them.<br /><br />"I think it's generational. I don't think that this generation or the time that we live in now, I'm not sure that message resonates with us," he said. "I think now it's I can have, I can attain, I can achieve, I can have more. I can get more material things. That seems be the mantra for today, as opposed to I am somebody, I have worth."<br /><br />And the Rev. Jesse Jackson's stock has fallen amid various controversies and assaults on his character over the years. So, it is likely that as many people have distanced themselves from Jackson as a public figure, they have also distanced themselves from many of his messages, I Am Somebody, included.<br /><br />But Jackson, who still tends to speak in rhythms and prose, created a canon of phrases to address social needs. There was "Down With Dope, Up With Hope," "Stop The Violence, Save The Children," and perhaps most famous, "Keep Hope Alive."<br /><br />There was a time when Jackson was viewed as cool, an activist and minister that was as trendsetting as any activist could have been. He was often seen on the covers of popular black magazines of the day, wearing denim jean jackets, dashikis and medallions.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />"I remember having his poster on my bedroom door and I remember that, for my mother and my grandmother, Dr. King and Rosa Parks and Abernathy, that was kind of their civil rights heroes. I remember thinking those people were so old and out of touch," Ferguson said. "But Jesse Jackson was kind of cool to me, he had the big afro and the dashiki and he was just kind of speaking to me."<br /><br />Even this reporter's mother used I Am Somebody as a way to motivate her young son each morning before school, to send him out into the world with a head held high.<br /><br />"You were two or maybe three. I was just taking you to school one morning and I said I AM," she recalled, "and I just kept saying it until you could respond, that I AM, Somebody. Just knowing that your situation was not going to be the easiest I wanted to give you the weapons and tools that you would need." <br /><br />"I think it really worked," she said, "that regardless of what the situation was, you knew that you were somebody."<br /><br />Forty years after Jackson first read that poem on 'Sesame Street,' he says he is still asked to read it no matter what country he is in or what kind of group he is addressing, black or white, young or old.<br /><br />"Wherever I am in the world, in our country or Britain or South Africa, it resonates," Jackson said.Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-18129951534236143242011-06-02T10:58:00.000-07:002011-06-02T11:49:27.476-07:00WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VMRoH_UpwEj383oyspyhea5Vpt4l0PbU4cRwO_9jhkwJWhl8eZOz3XkzPuDE0HyYaL7ntQIpnzDLLO6NjYYpEsnaspMoyrmVnmFKhsrTv7M1QXnUs1M-daLHabOUOEfoDgfj/s1600/DRD.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6VMRoH_UpwEj383oyspyhea5Vpt4l0PbU4cRwO_9jhkwJWhl8eZOz3XkzPuDE0HyYaL7ntQIpnzDLLO6NjYYpEsnaspMoyrmVnmFKhsrTv7M1QXnUs1M-daLHabOUOEfoDgfj/s320/DRD.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5613683579027172658" /></a><br /><br /><br /><em>For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places, EPH 6:12.</em> <br /><br />I feel like lately I have been under attack. I feel that I have been able to speak peace into my life through God in every area of my life...............but I wrestle with my attraction to the flesh! Even when I know something isnt good for me......I keep going back! if satan were attacking me...........I'd say he knows my weakness!<br /><br />Ezekiel 28<br />17 Your heart became proud <br />on account of your beauty, <br />and you corrupted your wisdom <br />because of your splendor. <br />So I threw you to the earth; <br />I made a spectacle of you before kings.<br /><br />So today I am battling the strong desire to call this beautiful one who surely could be called "the most beautiful angel' thrown to the earth.<br /><br />I want to direct your attention to the first part of our text (EPH 6:12). Let's center our thoughts around wrestling with flesh and blood, which is the first portion of that verse. Satan does not want you and me to know the true character of God, but God's Word does teach the true character of Satan.<br /><br />Through Satan's devices, the true character of God is concealed from us. On the contrary, God's Word speaks very specifically to let us understand the true character of Satan. I believe it is very important to understand the true character of Satan, as well as the character of God.<br /><br />Satan deceives his victims about the true character of God to keep them from returning unto God. I believe deceit is something Satan will use to conceal the true character of God. This wrestling match with Satan is a sharp, life-long combat, which no Christian can escape. When scripture says, "...we wrestle not against flesh and blood." This teaches us that we are in fact wrestling. It will be a very strong combat between us and Satan. Every Christian will encounter this combat. <br /><br />let's consider what is meant by the term "WRESTLE", and how to wrestle.<br /><br />let's consider how we are not to wrestle.<br /><br />lets consider the fact that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood. <br /><br />The first point I want to deal with is what is meant by the term "wrestle", and how to "wrestle." Wrestling is not a team sport. In a ball game, you see teams. If one seems to be overcome, there is another member of the team who can relieve him from combat. Then they are able to recover strength and go again. In a wrestling match it is one-to-one. When we start dealing with this subject of wrestling with Satan, we are dealing one-on-one. There are no teams. <br /><br />In 1SA 17:8, we read about Goliath and David. Stop and analyze the armies of Israel. They were confronted by the armies of the Philistines. When they were confronted, Goliath went out and asked, "Why put these armies in array? This would put our whole armies in jeopardy. Let me have one man, and I'll war with one man. If I win, you'll be servants. If your man wins, we'll be servants." Goliath suggested this in 1SA 17:8, "And he stood and cried unto the armies of Israel, and said unto them, Why are ye come out to set your battle in array? Am not I a Philistine, and ye servants to Saul? Choose you a man for you, and let him come down to me." He was saying to put the battle in array one man to one man. <br /><br />That would be a very personal warfare. We have to understand that Goliath is a type of "the old man of sin." Warfare is going to become a very personal matter between you and "the old man of sin."<br /><br />You will find that you are fighting a personal warfare, one-to-one. We don't go in as an army or a unit. We don't go in to try and gain a victory as a combined, organized team. We must go alone. We find we are in a one to one battle. When an army engages in a battle, some men may come out without a scratch. When the battle is one-on-one, you are the sole object of your challenger's fury. Your challenger's fury is directed to you personally. You are the sole object. <br /><br />In 1SA 17:9 we read, "If he be able to fight with me, and to kill me, then will we be your servants: but if I prevail against him, and kill him, then shall ye be our servants, and serve us." Think of the challenge for David. He had to go face Goliath alone. They had the understanding that if he was slain, the armies of Israel, the armies of the Lord, would become servants to "the old man of sin." That was a tremendous challenge. He went in the name of the Lord. It will be in the name of the Lord that you and I will come against "the old man of sin." We must come against Goliath. <br /><br />That battle becomes personal. It is not a team warfare anymore. It becomes very personal. "The old man of sin" in us wants to succumb to the powers of sin. This is what we mean by wrestling. We are meaning it is a one-to-one warfare.<br /><br />The whole issue of your spiritual destiny is personal and particular. You must understand it is a warfare between you and "the old man of sin." The wrestling must become personal and particular. It is not what becomes of him or her, but what becomes of me. It is a one-to-one warfare. <br /><br />You give Satan a dangerous advantage if you see his wrath and fury against the saints in general, and not against yourself in particular. You give him a horrible advantage, because you are caught off guard. He can have some tremendous advantages on you before you stop to realize you are his target. It is you personally. Satan hates me! Satan accuses me! Satan tempts me! We don't look at this in general terms, but in personal terms. <br /><br />I'm struggling now for my own spiritual survival, so I do not succumb under the power of Satan. <br /><br />Parallel to that, Satan wants us to look at God's promises in general. We don't have to look at Satan's accusations and attacks in particular. We have to parallel that to one of Satan's attacks. He wants us to look at all the promises of God in general. We now have all the promises of the church. Does that automatically include me? No! <br /><br />Thus we fail to see God's providence and promises as personal. When God's providence brings a trial in our life, we must see that God, in His providence, will bring us through the furnace. Then every promise has to become personal for me. When the Lord says, "looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith," my eyes must look unto Jesus in the trial of faith He has sent upon me. It becomes personal. <br /><br />Every saint must come to say, "God loves me!" He must say, "God loves me!" Every saint must come to the point that he understands when God pardons him! He must say, "I need a pardon for my sin! I have brought reproach upon His name.<br /><br />When I have wounded a brother or a sister, I must realize that I need that balm of Gilead in every wound. [It becomes personal.] I see every sin that I have committed against God's honor and every sin that I have committed against one of His saints. I see that it becomes personal. I need a pardon for that sin." This is what we need to understand. The word "wrestle" is not used in a general sense. <br /><br />Wrestlers grapple hand-to-hand. The enemy actually has a hold on you. It's not just a mystic thought of something. You're in a wrestling match and you make physical contact. That opponent actually takes hold of you; he has a hold of you with an objective to put you down and gain a victory over you. It becomes a wrestling match. You either resist or fall shamefully at his feet.<br /><br />If you think you can go through these wrestling matches without resisting the devil, you are going to fall shamefully at his feet. He is going to crumble you. If you're one of the Lord's loved ones, that doesn't mean he'll eternally gain the victory. Oh, beloved, he will bring you to shame. He will bring many wounds and bruises upon you. <br /><br />We have to understand what we read in JAM 4:7, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." We may not give place to the devil. How do we do this? When we allow a tempter, we "...hatch cockatrice' eggs, and weave the spider's web: he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper," ISA 59:5. <br /><br />You have to tear down those strong holds of Satan instead of allowing a tempter to rule your heart and to captivate your soul. If you allow these things, you aren't resisting the devil. Satan moves in close. He takes hold of your very flesh and corrupt nature. He takes hold of those corrupt inclinations within you and uses them to slaughter you. He uses your own temper, pride, and covetousness to destroy you. He gets a hold of your very flesh and corrupt nature and tears you to shreds.<br /><br />This should cause you to draw nigh to God. It says in JAM 4:8, "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. [Isn't that beautiful?] Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded." This means we must resist the devil, and he'll flee from us. We may not give place to the devil. <br /><br />Our text says, "WE WRESTLE." The apostle thereby included himself. There isn't one person who is excluded from this. The quarrel is with every saint. Satan is not afraid to quarrel with the pastor. He is not too proud to quarrel with the poorest saint. Satan doesn't forget anybody's address.<br /><br />If a pastor is preparing a message, Satan loves to get a little deceit there. He loves to see us claim a little comfort from something that is outside the Word of God. <br /><br /><strong>Satan tries to keep the pastor from reproving a sin that needs reproving. Satan will caution that this can cause a stir in the church. He says, "You better not do that, that will cause dissension!" That's how he gets a hold of the very corruption in the hearts of the pastor and of the poorest saint. He knows just where to find it. He'll take a hold of that and pick a quarrel with it.</strong><br /><br />Christ does not send one part of His army into the battle and leave the other to bask in the sunshine of idleness. Every saint is going to understand what it means to "wrestle" with Satan. This wrestling match is going to include everyone. <br /><br />In HEB 12:6-8 it says, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. [Every son doesn't leave any go free!] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? For if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons," then you can't claim God as your Father.<br /><br />If you don't understand what it is for the Lord to use that purging process of the furnace, then you are not to be called a son. The warfare is for the rest of your life. <br /><br /><strong>As we grow in grace, the spiritual warfare only increases. As we go forward and become mature Christians, the warfare doesn't get won; it gets greater. In GAL 5:17 we read, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." </strong><br /><br /><blockquote>We can sit calmly and relax sometimes, picturing exactly how we would like to handle a situation. Then we get in the heat of the battle and lose our cool. Then tensions come out. Before we know it, we're not doing what we thought we would. We find that we are not able to do these things.</blockquote><br /><br />The Lord has a reason for this. He does this so we become more dependent upon Him. The Lord wants us to be where we are as a little child, so we learn to eat out of His hand daily. The Lord is using the process of persecution and chastisement to make us become smaller and smaller in the flesh. No condition in the flesh is a place of rest. <br /><br />In prosperity, Lot's righteous soul was vexed by the filthy conversation of the wicked. We read this in 2PE 2:7-8, "And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)" He had no place of security or peace in a state of prosperity, neither did he in a state of adversity. <br /><br />In adversity Job was vexed. JOB 23:8-10 reads, "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold."<br /><br />Job saw that he was in the way of adversity. He was vexed. Why? The Lord had withdrawn from him. He was wrestling against principalities and power. He was threatened and he was wrestling, but not with flesh and blood. <br /><br />The Psalmist understood the days of darkness and of light as a result of his spiritual warfare. Listen to what he says in PSA 139:7-11, "Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me."<br /><br />He saw he could not find a place where he was not under the observation of the Lord. He saw the Lord was there observing and leading him in every step of his life. <br /><br />We wrestle with the body of sin as well as with Satan. We have to understand that we have a body of sin. We don't need Satan to instigate every evil thought. We're fallen creatures ourselves. We have to understand also, that Satan likes to be the author of these thoughts. <br /><br /><em>Satan likes to seed them in our minds, but he can't cause us to act upon it. This takes our own deceitful heart. Satan loves to instigate and tempt, but we are the ones that are guilty of acting upon it. When we go forward and act in behalf of Satan's council, we have to see what it says here in ROM 7:18-20. "For I know that in me [that is, in my flesh] dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do." </em><br /><br />Christ admonished us to deal a death blow to that body of sin. Our tongue is part of that body of sin. Our hands that are swift to do and to exercise those evil thoughts that come in our minds are part of that body of sin. Our feet that are swift to run to do evil are part of that body of sin. These are all part of that body of sin. They all have to be crucified. Christ admonished us to deal a death blow to that body of sin. <br /><br />Let's see what it says in MAT 5:30, "And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, [that is, dealing a death blow to that body of sin] and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell."<br /><br />The same is true with the lustful eye. It has to be plucked out. The foot that is so swift to run to iniquity has to be cut off. That doesn't mean that we physically cut off our arm, leg, or pluck out our eye. It's the body of sin that has to be plucked out. Those members of that body of sin which draw us into those temptations have to be dealt with, and Satan will flee from us. Draw nigh unto God, and he'll draw nigh unto thee. <br /><br /><em>let's consider how we are not to wrestle</em>. When we wrestle with Satan, we wrestle for God. When we settle into complacency, we are in a passive resistance to God. We must be very careful against wrestling against God or the things He sends in His providence.<br /><br />When God sends a trial in providence, we start fighting the trial. Instead of seeing the Lord's hand in the trial and profiting from it, we are wrestling against God. You have to be careful of this. In ISA 45:9 it says, "Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! [Let's stop and analyze this in that light] Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?" <br /><br />The Lord is telling us we may not strive with the Lord's providence, which He has sent upon us. We are the clay in his hands. What He wants to make of us or do with us, we are not to resist. We may not strive with our maker. We may not strive with His providence. He says to let the potsherd strive with potsherd of the earth. Does the clay resist the hand of the potsherd? No.<br /><br />We are as the clay in the Father's hand! When we resist that which He brings upon us in providence, we start striving with the Lord. We may not do this. We may not wrestle against the Lord. <br /><br />Beware of striving against the Spirit of God. In GEN 6:3 it says, "And the LORD said, My spirit shall not always strive with man, for that He also is flesh: yet his days shall be an hundred and twenty years." The Lord is grieved with man striving against the Spirit of God, striving against His will and Word. We may not wrestle against the Lord. At times we become Satan's strongest accessory. We start murmuring against the Lord. We murmur against what the Lord has sent upon us. <br /><br />The Lord is so gracious to those whose heart is tender in His fear. We find this in ISA 30:21, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left." When we are walking in ways that are not pleasing to the Lord, the Lord speaks by His Spirit.<br /><br />We hear a word behind us saying, "Don't do that." It's an inclination in the heart, and the conscious. It's the Spirit of God. <br />He admonished and reproves us. <br /><br />It is something that comes through by instinct. Sometimes it is by the Spirit passing a passage of Scripture through our heart to reprove or instruct us. That's the Word of God. We must watch that we don't strive against that. When the Lord comes and graciously directs us, we must be careful that we don't wrestle against it. <br /><br />The Lord reveals His will to us as He did to Joshua. Listen to what He said to Joshua in JOS 1:7. "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest."<br /><br />The point is that he shall prosper by obedience. That remains the same today in the New Testament. If we are walking in subjection, if our heart is reconciled unto the Lord, we shall prosper. The Lord said, "Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law...that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest." We may not obey Satan by disobeying the revealed will of God and expect to prosper. <br /><br />When we resist that which God clearly gives us to understand, we are striving with the Spirit. In ACT 7:51 it says, "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye." The word "circumcised" means taking away the rebellion of the flesh.<br /><br />We can see this very clearly in COL 2:10. It says, "Ye are circumcised in Christ by the removing of the flesh," it is by the removing of that rebellion. The circumcision of the heart is the work of regeneration. ACT 7:51 says, "Ye stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears."<br /><br />Isn't that beautiful? This admonition against rebellion extends to our refusal to hear as well as to do. We are cautioned not to resist when the Lord speaks to us--we must hear! <br /><br />There is an expression my father often used. "If you can't hear, then you must feel." In other words, if we neglected hearing his admonitions, we felt the rod. The Lord often uses the rod until we are willing to hear that voice behind us saying, "this is the way walk ye in it." This is if we hear.<br /><br />We wrestle against God when we wrestle by our own rules. If you're going to be a professional wrestler, there will be rules you'll have to go by. Sometimes we forget those rules. We start wrestling according to our own rules. Then we get ourselves into trouble. <br /><br />2TI 2:5 says, "And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully." We need to strive according to the Word of God. The Word of God beautifully sets forth every weapon we use. They are the Word of God looking onto Jesus. This is the purpose of all these things. We must strive lawfully.<br /><br />Some, while they wrestle against one sin, will hide another. We need to examine our hearts for this. Sometimes we are struggling with such a monster of a sin that we use another sin to try to overcome it. You may hide your wrath but never forgive.<br /><br />Others wrestle with sin, but do not hate it. You may act very loving and peaceful, but in your heart you've never forgiven. Then you are using one sin to hide another. This false love is also sin.<br /><br />We can wrestle with sin, because we can see its consequences, but if there were no consequences, we could cherish it with our whole heart. What do we have? We have a legal religion.<br /><br />We are only concerned with going to heaven so we can escape hell. We want the blood of Christ to pay the penalty of sin, so we can escape the consequences. If there were no heaven or hell, we could enjoy that sin and drink it in with delight. <br /><br />A legal repentance is evident if we never have learned to hate sin. Until the love of sin is quenched in the heart, the fire will never die out. That sin has to be hated. The fire of that sin will kindle in our hearts until we learn to hate it.<br /><br />We will never get Satan to flee as long as he knows that in the inner thoughts of our hearts we still love him. As long as we cherish a sin in our hearts, we really do not understand what it means to hate that sin. <br /><br />Only the love of Christ can quench the love of sin. ROM 2:4 says, "Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" It is the love of God that gives us the power to quench sin. We need the Lord's help to wrestle.<br /><br />If we can venture without Him, we have more courage than Moses. In EXO 33:13-15 it says, "Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people. He said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest. And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence."<br /><br />We cannot come against our enemy bare handed. We cannot conquer the old Goliath, "the old man of sin," without the strength of the Lord. When David went forward, he went forward in the name of the Lord.<br /><br />Listen to what we read in GEN 32:24-26. "And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day. And when he saw that he prevailed not against him, he touched the hollow of his thigh; and the hollow of Jacob's thigh was out of joint, as he wrestled with him. And he said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me." <br /><br />Jacob could not go forward to fight his own war. Jacob needed the help of the Lord. He saw that it was the Lord that brought him into this trial. Jacob saw that it was the Lord that told him, "return onto thy land and thy kingdom."<br /><br />This became his pleading ground. Jacob said , "Lord, I am doing what you told me to do. I'm returning to my land and to my kindred. Here comes Esau and four hundred men with him. Deliver me I pray, from the hand of my brother." He saw that he needed the Lord's help. <br /><br />Strive to put off that old man by wrestling in prayer. In PSA 18:32 we read, "It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." It is the Lord's hand we need to help us. <br /><br />FOR OUR THIRD POINT, let's consider the fact that we are not wrestling against flesh and blood. When the Apostle said, "WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD," he was saying, "Stop looking at the instrument and look at the hand that moves the instrument. When God says He'll send chastisement, it was the Lord who sent those instruments against us. He did this to bring us in the right place before the Lord. <br /><br />MAT 10:34-38 says, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me." <br /><br />The Lord's sending is something we have to see through. We are not wrestling with those people. They were sent by the Lord. What for? I read the answer to that from HEB 12:11-12. "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness." It brings us into submission and subjection to the will of God.<br /><br />David understood that he was not wrestling with flesh and blood. He said in PSA 56:4, "In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. David was exposed to so many trials by the unjust pursuit of King Saul, but he saw God's hand in it all. <br /><br />Satan loves to instigate contention among the saints, as long as the seeds of corruption dwell in the hearts of men. Abraham had to separate from Lot because of contention. Aaron and Miriam quarreled with Moses. Christ's disciples quarreled about who should be the greatest. Satan loves to seed contention. All for what purpose? It is to gratify the flesh. <br /><br />In these contentions among saints, Satin is the great unseen instigator. For this reason we are admonished in EPH 4:25-27," Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil."<br /><br />When you allow the sun to go down on your wrath, you are giving place to the devil. <br /><br />Evil thoughts run through your mind like an eight-lane street. You can't even count or follow them. They bring contention in your heart. The results are you quarreling with flesh and blood. The Lord has not yet accomplished His purpose in you.<br /><br />We have to learn to see we aren't contending with flesh and blood. If someone has come against us, we have to understand it's what the Lord sent. When we learn to see this, the war is over.<br /><br />I've been through this. Oh, beloved, I speak from experience! The Lord spoke to me from MAT 10:34-36, "Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. and a man's foes shall be they of his own household." <br /><br />When I saw this, the war was over. The war of the people that were coming against me ended that day. The Lord can stop the wars as easy as He can allow Satan to set them on fire.<br /><br />The Lord can stop these after He has accomplished His purpose. Satan takes every coal of contention he finds among the saints and fans them until they become white-hot. <br /><br />How foolish and spiritually insane we can be to allow Satan to work on our emotions. He takes a hold of our flesh and blood in a wrestling match. Flesh responds, and he kindles the fires of hell in our tongue. The evil thoughts are hatching in our minds. We start striving with flesh and blood. Satan likes nothing better. My Bible says, "We wrestle not with flesh and blood." <br /><br />Our own inner man, by nature, has a continual warfare with flesh and blood. GEN 5:3 says, "And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image." It is this image and likeness of Adam that Satan uses to ignite his flames of contention in our breast.<br /><br />When the Apostle said, "WE WRESTLE NOT AGAINST FLESH AND BLOOD," he was not saying that the war is over between your old and new nature. GAL 5:17 says, "For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." <br /><br />If there were no devil, we would still have to wrestle against our own sinful nature. Satan uses our own sinful nature. He excites our sinful inclinations. He brings our rebellion into exercise against the power of God. The battle is the Lord's.<br /><br />We have only one consolation in the battle; that is looking unto our Saviour who has trodden the way of the cross before us. "Wherefore seeing we are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God," HEB 12:1-2. Amen.Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-83663245040050034762011-05-31T08:15:00.000-07:002011-05-31T08:18:21.612-07:00Teach Me How To Pray<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUYcd202rYxgU9CV-XbT2D5NvA61UkWqV8-P-_4UnmkWLWW7W2M99fxalu_NCxYdQN0arvX8UDfoH4PRtWgZkl5VHofK9bpHmUxIBRW008MF89konOXVxeYs9UmFqCuZnGqgo/s1600/Robcut.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqUYcd202rYxgU9CV-XbT2D5NvA61UkWqV8-P-_4UnmkWLWW7W2M99fxalu_NCxYdQN0arvX8UDfoH4PRtWgZkl5VHofK9bpHmUxIBRW008MF89konOXVxeYs9UmFqCuZnGqgo/s320/Robcut.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5612899491109212370" /></a><br /><br />Monday, May 30th, 2011 <br />Today’s scripture: Matthew 6:5-13 (NRSV) (The Message) What might God be saying to me?<br /><br />My thoughts (Robert Ferguson):<br /><br />One of the most challenging aspects of this Christian walk (for me, anyway) is the instruction to pray daily and dedicate some of my time for conversation with God. For many years I have struggled with exactly how to pray, what to say while I am praying, and how to listen for responses from the Holy Spirit.<br /><br />Our verse for today begins, “and when you pray”, an assumption that all of us surely do know the importance of prayer and act upon that. However, between the daily chores of life and the demands that others put on us we are sometimes hard pressed to find even a few quiet moments for time with God.<br /><br />Event though we understand that the benefits are great, it seems like a daunting task. I have found that the early morning hours are the best time to sit down and talk with God. When we find a quiet time and go before God in sincere and earnest prayer God will deal with us directly, calm our minds, and prepare us for the everyday challenges that may lie ahead. Matthew encourages us today to find a private space, close the door, and speak to God.<br /><br />When I was younger I felt unworthy to talk with God. I believed the only people who could pray to God were people in white robes — or at the very least, people in big hats. As I’ve gotten older I understand that God wants to hear from my heart. God wants an honest, genuine conversation with me without formalities and hype. It is so easy to get caught up in “proper” language and the “proper” position and the “proper” order of the words. But God tells us that when we pray, pray with sincerity of heart and a genuineness of spirit.<br /><br />When I was 10 years old, my father moved out of our home. I lived for those times when he would come to visit me. I felt special and important. I was so excited when he would visit that I would talk his ear off, bringing him up to speed on all the happenings in 6th grade. During our long conversations, I wasn’t particularly concerned with the fact that he was my Dad and I was his son. I was more concerned with the fact that he wanted to listen and cared about my well being. That is how I should talk to God.<br /><br />Free flowing conversation — my gratitude for another day, what it is that I should do with this day, my disappointments, my concerns for others, my accomplishments, my shame, my fears, and my dreams. Most importantly, we need to discuss with God what it is that God desires for us. We can talk about all these things with God just as easily as discussing the day’s events with a loved one.<br /><br />Thought for the day: Have I dared to talk to God like I would my best friend?Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-64178212051917748112011-05-27T11:04:00.000-07:002011-05-27T11:07:18.852-07:00Falling in love can be easy............<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv2tPQr4aUrHKmVsH33WwwJLvEGeYpSH_gEMbq-e2rHTisnZ_G2HGy_Inox6LYNKB_T2-ISnJFlIdsvTq2N1VrvYp_S_18zdZrN0X8cN1G9AmiMIw9JZaqva_DxJd3qKqQ69X/s1600/DSC00372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibv2tPQr4aUrHKmVsH33WwwJLvEGeYpSH_gEMbq-e2rHTisnZ_G2HGy_Inox6LYNKB_T2-ISnJFlIdsvTq2N1VrvYp_S_18zdZrN0X8cN1G9AmiMIw9JZaqva_DxJd3qKqQ69X/s320/DSC00372.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611458990824282418" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPXVlIji7676mUYh3oAPFi46Wg4xiW2zIIc7JrTPzu9xIBKZwbyoHHcNB5fHhcoL9-xPYm6GEryygxlFgWIwpDEW9z-lr7qLGjFaAKAl9Ocwsovi0LtE4iSLWJEZ2pttsibGk/s1600/greg.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 238px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYPXVlIji7676mUYh3oAPFi46Wg4xiW2zIIc7JrTPzu9xIBKZwbyoHHcNB5fHhcoL9-xPYm6GEryygxlFgWIwpDEW9z-lr7qLGjFaAKAl9Ocwsovi0LtE4iSLWJEZ2pttsibGk/s320/greg.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5611458644174658978" /></a><br /><br /><br />Staying in love is too tricky..........~Raphael SaadiqRobert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-63514926440361210722011-05-25T12:35:00.000-07:002011-05-25T12:38:32.279-07:00How to Attract Abundance<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PJ_U1t4A87j_sZYZTcgcaoTWPSBXHJ7MUkCRTRoEFGq5Kw_eJZkYVgUfVi9qWYexDjdCB_dZOtsPiKUa2IMxs3MLJzqZo9GNJbbGo-4hRZ1odAV1oJDNXoXKI_Vwewx4VM8_/s1600/jesus-nazareth-585.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8PJ_U1t4A87j_sZYZTcgcaoTWPSBXHJ7MUkCRTRoEFGq5Kw_eJZkYVgUfVi9qWYexDjdCB_dZOtsPiKUa2IMxs3MLJzqZo9GNJbbGo-4hRZ1odAV1oJDNXoXKI_Vwewx4VM8_/s320/jesus-nazareth-585.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610740257182705682" /></a><br /><br /><br />How to Attract Abundance <br />Ten steps to feeling successful in your life. <br />BY: Wayne Dyer <br />Reprinted with permission from "The Power of Intention" by Wayne Dyer, published by Hay House. <br /><br />Step 1: See the world as an abundant, providing, friendly place. When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. When you see the world as abundant and friendly, your intentions are genuine possibilities. They will, in fact, become a certainty, because your world will be experienced from the higher frequencies. In this first step, you're receptive to a world that provides rather than restricts. You'll see a world that wants you to be successful and abundant, rather than one that conspires against you. <br />Step 2: Affirm: I attract success and abundance into my life because that is who I am. This puts you into vibratory harmony with your Source. Your goal is to eliminate any distance between what you desire and that from which you pull it into your life. Abundance and success aren't out there waiting to show up for you. You are already it, and the Source can only provide you with what it is, and, consequently, what you are already. <br />Step 3: Stay in an attitude of allowing. Resistance is disharmony between your desire for abundance and your beliefs about your ability or unworthiness. Allowing means a perfect alignment. An attitude of allowing means that you ignore efforts by others to dissuade you. It also means that you don't rely on your pervious ego-oriented beliefs about abundance being a part of or not a part of your life. In an attitude of allowing, all resistance in the form of thoughts of negativity or doubt are replaced with simply knowing that you and your Source are one and the same. Picture the abundance you desire freely flowing directly to you. Refuse to do anything or have any thought that compromises your alignment with Source. <br />Step 4: Use your present moments to activate thoughts that are in harmony with the seven faces of intention [creativity, kindness, love, beauty, expansion, abundance, and peaceful receptivity]. The key phrase here is present moments. Notice right now, in this moment, if you're thinking that it's hopeless at this stage of your life to change the thoughts that comprise your belief system. Do you defeat yourself with thoughts of having had such a long life practicing affirmations of scarcity and creating resistance to your success and abundance that you don't have enough time left to counterbalance the thoughts that comprise your belief system? <br />Make the choice to let go of that lifetime of beliefs, and begin activating thoughts rights now that allow you to feel good. Say I want to feel good whenever anyone tries to convince you that your desires are futile. Say I want to feel good when you're tempted to return to low energy thoughts of disharmony with intention. Eventually your present moments will activate thoughts that make you feel good, and this is an indicator that you're reconnecting to intention. Wanting to feel good is synonymous with wanting to feel God. Remember, "God is good, and all that God created was good." <br />Step 5: Initiate actions that support your feelings of abundance and success. Here, the key word is actions. I've been calling this acting as if or thinking from the end and acting that way. Put your body into a gear that pushes you toward abundance and feeling successful. Act on those passionate emotions as if the abundance and success you seek is already here. Speak to strangers with passion in your voice. Answer the telephone in an inspired way. Do a job interview from the place of confidence and joy. Read the books that mysteriously show up, and pay close attention to conversation that seem to indicate you're being called to something new. <br />Step 6: Remember that your prosperity and success will benefit others, and that no one lacks abundance because you've opted for it. The supply is unlimited. The more you partake of the universal generosity, the more you'll have to share with others. In writing this book, wonderful abundance has flowed into my life in many ways. But even more significantly, book editors and graphic designers, the truck drivers who deliver the book, the auto workers who build the trucks, the farmers who feed the auto workers, and bookstore clerks. all receive abundance because I've followed my bliss and have written this book. <br />Step 7: Monitor your emotions as a guidance system for your connection to the universal mind of intention. Strong emotions such as passion and bliss are indications that you're connected to Spirit, or inspired, if you will. When you're inspired, you activate dormant forces, and the abundance you seek in any form comes streaming into your life. When you're experiencing low-energy emotions of rage, anger, hatred, anxiety, despair, and the like, that's a clue that while your desires may be strong, they're completely out of sync with the field of intention. Remind yourself in these moments that you want to feel good, and see if you can activate a thought that supports your feeling good. <br />Step 8: Become as generous to the world with your abundance as the field of intention is to you. Don't stop the flow of abundant energy by hoarding or owning what you receive. Keep it moving. Use your prosperity in the service of others, and for causes greater than your ego. The more you practice detachment, the more you'll stay in vibratory harmony with the all-giving Source of everything. <br />Step 9: Devote the necessary time to meditate on the Spirit within as the source of your success and abundance. There's no substitute for the practice of meditation. This is particularly relevant with abundance. You must have an understanding that your consciousness of the presence is your supply. By repeating the sound that is in the name of God as a mantra, you're using a technique for manifesting as ancient as recorded history. I am particularly drawn to the form of meditation called Japa. I know it works. <br />Step 10: Develop an attitude of gratitude for all that manifests into your life. Be thankful and filled with awe and appreciation, even if what you desire hasn't arrived yet. Even the darkest days of your life are to be looked on with gratitude. Everything coming from Source is on purpose. Be thankful while empowering your reconnection to that form from which you and everything else originated.<br />. . . <br /><br />The energy that creates worlds and universes is within you. It works through attraction and energy. Everything vibrates; everything has a vibratory frequency. As St. Paul said, "God is able to provide you with every blessing in abundance." Tune to God's frequency, and you will know it beyond any and all doubt! <br /><br /><br />Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Holistic-Living/2004/03/How-To-Attract-Abundance.aspx#ixzz1NOUrMDOqRobert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-29003122112222871992011-05-24T12:28:00.000-07:002011-05-24T12:31:00.197-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lJp9cppKC6di2B3lbVQjHV37DcXHJ7HUqPn73-P5kcHcwE0QSENSC6ldNHbjbRrPzgVp3QM1pL6rHtWqAs0TQk5P5JaGT02hhL7aNZOVazqMNHIGzK8P0O4069u9Jyo-tbJw/s1600/ROBGREG.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lJp9cppKC6di2B3lbVQjHV37DcXHJ7HUqPn73-P5kcHcwE0QSENSC6ldNHbjbRrPzgVp3QM1pL6rHtWqAs0TQk5P5JaGT02hhL7aNZOVazqMNHIGzK8P0O4069u9Jyo-tbJw/s320/ROBGREG.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610367387282182226" /></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-85990986912043490592011-05-24T12:03:00.000-07:002011-05-24T12:05:19.957-07:00I am Ready for Love<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCraTKJSRJHKQm8XgBs_K-vJChsU4XwJ58f40V7xa-19LekFvaM9H6kIyGzLWUcKNXNLO3ER1OxIrCAg_j7n2NVpDuXOzly6neocY0rKlVRZkz2rKC0sanv5KzsLv8taYHZpDZ/s1600/DSC00613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCraTKJSRJHKQm8XgBs_K-vJChsU4XwJ58f40V7xa-19LekFvaM9H6kIyGzLWUcKNXNLO3ER1OxIrCAg_j7n2NVpDuXOzly6neocY0rKlVRZkz2rKC0sanv5KzsLv8taYHZpDZ/s320/DSC00613.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610360627828271314" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp66oYp0h72H6LPxis0-8aPjAXCJQDB4mytuQTsqX3zNy4CufuZ5JdD-cZuv8kx4UPdt7xwPMbef0A2kfKDI7rh0c8k3tOIZRx7Fghb_14A_M6llM9rJFxxWmPODNs-fY55Dz/s1600/DSC00611.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFp66oYp0h72H6LPxis0-8aPjAXCJQDB4mytuQTsqX3zNy4CufuZ5JdD-cZuv8kx4UPdt7xwPMbef0A2kfKDI7rh0c8k3tOIZRx7Fghb_14A_M6llM9rJFxxWmPODNs-fY55Dz/s320/DSC00611.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610360479436104290" /></a><br /><br />Dear God, I am ready to have a relationship<br />With a wonderful person,<br />Who truly gets me, loves me, and adores me,<br />And is ready to build a life with me.<br /><br />I know in my heart there is a special person out there for me.<br />My name is written across his heart.<br />Please put me on the right track toward true love.<br />And lead me to a place of committed love.<br /><br />I am willing to work on myself and<br />To make myself ready for love.<br />Please grant me the power to look<br />At love through spiritual eyes, and to<br />Remain sincere about finding the relationship<br />I have longed for.<br /><br />Rev. Laurie Sue BrockwayRobert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-29579791400194138202010-10-19T11:43:00.001-07:002010-10-19T11:44:42.106-07:0010-10-10<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_XtB2tDWpqZwWGni1t8QHJfF6hhisr9h4fe2idj3ITrQA8Lygk0ni-joqg5CBfLz6rd08bnmxkTfAxlZlhzr2ceXjsiSob-XpvvHGF_zqq7iGTVEdibXX-aVrcjDMYvzOrkx/s1600/5086485733_d294d27636_m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR_XtB2tDWpqZwWGni1t8QHJfF6hhisr9h4fe2idj3ITrQA8Lygk0ni-joqg5CBfLz6rd08bnmxkTfAxlZlhzr2ceXjsiSob-XpvvHGF_zqq7iGTVEdibXX-aVrcjDMYvzOrkx/s320/5086485733_d294d27636_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529829956831869458" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwSIREJWI45wVMsRJ2EwAUvWFWHK-qxctqT_g_0koqNKyYNR1D9Zn77dAATD09fx8Kg2o9R4SUpR8cIyebfbZTNcScQeuRHhyphenhyphenhQIMMCDifOlcL7fouPfub6Oq_8nU-e702dlx/s1600/5086482893_9d72d21747_m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrwSIREJWI45wVMsRJ2EwAUvWFWHK-qxctqT_g_0koqNKyYNR1D9Zn77dAATD09fx8Kg2o9R4SUpR8cIyebfbZTNcScQeuRHhyphenhyphenhQIMMCDifOlcL7fouPfub6Oq_8nU-e702dlx/s320/5086482893_9d72d21747_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529829860447410338" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsn9HNpSHpKA38PGUKdOIegyM_ErrbTRNoE5nkLnow0wT01R9LyWvUJ8QxV1zAvih_MG1QLmhBZPgo6vJ2Ana3VgtAXZhole-fpaKdnQ4kIlZARLDvanGGYIZ2XVSVNSJrram/s1600/5086483125_8d14d10e14_m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfsn9HNpSHpKA38PGUKdOIegyM_ErrbTRNoE5nkLnow0wT01R9LyWvUJ8QxV1zAvih_MG1QLmhBZPgo6vJ2Ana3VgtAXZhole-fpaKdnQ4kIlZARLDvanGGYIZ2XVSVNSJrram/s320/5086483125_8d14d10e14_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529829803173219810" /></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-33709191099517909472010-10-19T11:39:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:41:05.173-07:00It was a Vegas wedding!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCM1vllp5xND0a7AFgGu7GYTjWHdBxC0Exv5Xenvq7s5cxLkODF9V7V7BLp3B8Tb6qV-yo3YCYVscEVDIxWXNMor6Y30031pgkMnBsnXklWndGvOnO8ITRO6YJmPTbMaeKYIL/s1600/DSC00281%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcCM1vllp5xND0a7AFgGu7GYTjWHdBxC0Exv5Xenvq7s5cxLkODF9V7V7BLp3B8Tb6qV-yo3YCYVscEVDIxWXNMor6Y30031pgkMnBsnXklWndGvOnO8ITRO6YJmPTbMaeKYIL/s320/DSC00281%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529828897997875170" /></a><br /><br /><br /><strong>CROSS IT OFF THE BUCKET LIST!!!</strong>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-52795997642011952402010-10-19T11:36:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:37:35.642-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzw-8Q2si1UZKSMGxPh0l1txLHR0DYW26ZxIn8dllHq874k7M4i58rhthZmwnXfs4wp2XpH4BswokkpGFUf3p7t1vf2BIzGWcKZDD6Ezl5935KYVZIjuE-NuhIGBVHeOh63Lr/s1600/DSC00038%5B1%5D.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRzw-8Q2si1UZKSMGxPh0l1txLHR0DYW26ZxIn8dllHq874k7M4i58rhthZmwnXfs4wp2XpH4BswokkpGFUf3p7t1vf2BIzGWcKZDD6Ezl5935KYVZIjuE-NuhIGBVHeOh63Lr/s320/DSC00038%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529828142535739378" /></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-16787970960930513702010-10-19T11:11:00.002-07:002010-10-19T11:12:44.495-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFJuXqPPp1ZrZCsw0vXO_rTPotSMlKj9XxSbAiP1u-oPUF0t2gdRITN0jg_Likffd7LZuz1SBLtG93IjJF_7cM9OTKgqEKjCx0qPKQBhrKsyvD3aDPDKgh0e0QTJ7jE7zewrD/s1600/5087081578_143d6c7bdf_m.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisFJuXqPPp1ZrZCsw0vXO_rTPotSMlKj9XxSbAiP1u-oPUF0t2gdRITN0jg_Likffd7LZuz1SBLtG93IjJF_7cM9OTKgqEKjCx0qPKQBhrKsyvD3aDPDKgh0e0QTJ7jE7zewrD/s320/5087081578_143d6c7bdf_m.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529821690776869970" /></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-9945553455179819552010-10-19T11:11:00.001-07:002010-10-19T11:11:40.723-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_tHDCw_IVl-PAKaqi0mJ88EjqT3aZ7BDZiA-1IC8CnuksiC_v1NTNq6IpqJmtOS2sax8xe1k_2je8QqlLOxQKxU4C2JJaFRWY_ioWf5Xg9F9AS_Liocx9z_XiRkhgAUivHnz/s1600/dr2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT_tHDCw_IVl-PAKaqi0mJ88EjqT3aZ7BDZiA-1IC8CnuksiC_v1NTNq6IpqJmtOS2sax8xe1k_2je8QqlLOxQKxU4C2JJaFRWY_ioWf5Xg9F9AS_Liocx9z_XiRkhgAUivHnz/s320/dr2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529821480320959090" /></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-35196596692048633002010-10-19T11:10:00.000-07:002010-10-19T11:11:10.603-07:00<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lab9U5LUBuKrGCZ_pXiwctDnHO_uI5kiMu7ThLTrJbTVRgDeDTXQ7uvzCnjL9V-GOInoiLTfAVf747knR44U344upTKypd-li0gDuqZj1cCK5tpWNCYC_1Y50WBElJsRuc5B/s1600/dr.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2lab9U5LUBuKrGCZ_pXiwctDnHO_uI5kiMu7ThLTrJbTVRgDeDTXQ7uvzCnjL9V-GOInoiLTfAVf747knR44U344upTKypd-li0gDuqZj1cCK5tpWNCYC_1Y50WBElJsRuc5B/s320/dr.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5529821338168412402" /></a>Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7582724.post-26944616594232793302010-04-27T12:16:00.000-07:002010-04-27T12:19:47.328-07:00Deacons for Defense and Justice<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSXqNHtzHUndrxkPiCJy0BvHHIF1dYEOuL11hIcqEATyE4idu0Ib0ghL_-GIEcR_JlUlZAPGfpk2JSuiuxOv0b5iWI1ZdZU7iys4IfIc_LnYiVdbWHDDOLkeUPdvrjiKqO2gl/s1600/25hicks_CA0-articleInline.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 190px; height: 250px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwSXqNHtzHUndrxkPiCJy0BvHHIF1dYEOuL11hIcqEATyE4idu0Ib0ghL_-GIEcR_JlUlZAPGfpk2JSuiuxOv0b5iWI1ZdZU7iys4IfIc_LnYiVdbWHDDOLkeUPdvrjiKqO2gl/s320/25hicks_CA0-articleInline.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464898779987541650" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogdCrTWApSVlb4xzD7n8l913O1E4Fv4blcOufEF4oGCzEXYCyr-rKyDMx5mrOVCeANoApMtONugzk448N7nFwsVU3ivm0XjzZMSi1LPW20ZEW82QzxK-K3rqvrbcP-_fUSs79/s1600/deacons.bmp"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 222px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiogdCrTWApSVlb4xzD7n8l913O1E4Fv4blcOufEF4oGCzEXYCyr-rKyDMx5mrOVCeANoApMtONugzk448N7nFwsVU3ivm0XjzZMSi1LPW20ZEW82QzxK-K3rqvrbcP-_fUSs79/s320/deacons.bmp" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464898326560555858" /></a><br /><br />On July 10, 1964, a group of African American men in Jonesboro, Louisiana led by Earnest “Chilly Willy” Thomas and Frederick Douglas Kirkpatrick founded the group known as The Deacons for Defense and Justice to protect members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) against Ku Klux Klan violence. Most of the “Deacons” were veterans of World War II and the Korean War. The Jonesboro chapter organized its first affiliate chapter in nearby Bogalusa, Louisiana led by Charles Sims, A.Z. Young and Robert Hicks. Eventually they organized a third chapter in Louisiana. The Deacons tense confrontation with the Klan in Bogalusa was crucial in forcing the federal government to intervene on behalf of the local African American community. The national attention they garnered also persuaded state and national officials to initiate efforts to neutralize the Klan in that area of the Deep South. <br /><br />The Deacons emerged as one of the first visible self-defense forces in the South and as such represented a new face of the civil rights movement. Traditional civil rights organizations remained silent on them or repudiated their activities. They were effective however in providing protection for local African Americans who sought to register to vote and for white and black civil rights workers in the area. The Deacons, for example, provided security for the 1966 March Against Fear from Memphis to Jackson, Mississippi. Moreover their presence in Southeastern Louisiana meant that the Klan would no longer be able to intimidate and terrorize local African Americans without challenge. <br /><br />The strategy and methods that the Deacons employed attracted the attention and concern of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which authorized an investigation into the group’s activities. The investigation stalled, however, when more influential black power organizations such as US and the Black Panther Party emerged after the 1965 Watts Riot. With public attention, and the attention of the FBI focused elsewhere, the Deacons lost most of their notoriety and slowly declined in influence. By 1968 they were all but extinct. In 2003 the activities of the Deacons was the subject of a 2003, “Deacons for Defense.” <br /><br />Robert Hicks, Leader in Armed Rights Group, Dies at 81<br /><br /><br /><br />Someone had called to say the Ku Klux Klan was coming to bomb Robert Hicks’s house. The police said there was nothing they could do. It was the night of Feb. 1, 1965, in Bogalusa, La. <br /><br /> <br />Associated Press<br />Robert Hicks in 1965, the year of a sit-in by blacks at a cafe in Bogalusa, La., where he lived. <br />The Klan was furious that Mr. Hicks, a black paper mill worker, was putting up two white civil rights workers in his home. It was just six months after three young civil rights workers had been murdered in Philadelphia, Miss. <br /><br />Mr. Hicks and his wife, Valeria, made some phone calls. They found neighbors to take in their children, and they reached out to friends for protection. Soon, armed black men materialized. Nothing happened. <br /><br />Less than three weeks later, the leaders of a secretive, paramilitary organization of blacks called the Deacons for Defense and Justice visited Bogalusa. It had been formed in Jonesboro, La., in 1964 mainly to protect unarmed civil rights demonstrators from the Klan. After listening to the Deacons, Mr. Hicks took the lead in forming a Bogalusa chapter, recruiting many of the men who had gone to his house to protect his family and guests. <br /><br />Mr. Hicks died of cancer at his home in Bogalusa on April 13 at the age of 81, his wife said. He was one of the last surviving Deacon leaders. <br /><br />But his role in the civil rights movement went beyond armed defense in a corner of the Jim Crow South. He led daily protests month after month in Bogalusa — then a town of 23,000, of whom 9,000 were black — to demand rights guaranteed by the 1964 Civil Rights Act. And he filed suits that integrated schools and businesses, reformed hiring practices at the mill and put the local police under a federal judge’s control. <br /><br />It was his leadership role with the Deacons that drew widest note, however. The Deacons, who grew to have chapters in more than two dozen Southern communities, veered sharply from the nonviolence preached by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. They carried guns, with the mission to protect against white aggression, citing the Second Amendment. <br /><br />And they used them. A Bogalusa Deacon pulled a pistol in broad daylight during a protest march in 1965 and put two bullets into a white man who had attacked him with his fists. The man survived. A month earlier, the first black deputy sheriff in the county had been assassinated by whites. <br /><br />When James Farmer, national director of the human rights group the Congress of Racial Equality, joined protests in Bogalusa, one of the most virulent Klan redoubts, armed Deacons provided security. <br /><br />Dr. King publicly denounced the Deacons’ “aggressive violence.” And Mr. Farmer, in an interview with Ebony magazine in 1965, said that some people likened the Deacons to the K.K.K. But Mr. Farmer also pointed out that the Deacons did not lynch people or burn down houses. In a 1965 interview with The New York Times Magazine, he spoke of CORE and the Deacons as “a partnership of brothers.” <br /><br />The Deacons’ turf was hardscrabble Southern towns where Klansmen and law officers aligned against civil rights campaigners. “The Klan did not like being shot at,” said Lance Hill, author of “The Deacons for Defense: Armed Resistance and the Civil Rights Movement”(2004). <br /><br />In July 1965, escalating hostilities between the Deacons and the Klan in Bogalusa provoked the federal government to use Reconstruction-era laws to order local police departments to protect civil rights workers. It was the first time the laws were used in the modern civil rights era, Mr. Hill said. <br /><br />Adam Fairclough, in his book “Race and Democracy: The Civil Rights Struggle in Louisiana, 1915-1972” (1995), wrote that Bogalusa became “a major test of the federal government’s determination to put muscle into the Civil Rights Act in the teeth of violent resistance from recalcitrant whites.” <br /><br />Mr. Hicks was repeatedly jailed for protesting. He watched as his 15-year-old son was bitten by a police dog. The Klan displayed a coffin with his name on it beside a burning cross. He persisted, his wife said, for one reason: “It was something that needed to be done.” <br /><br />Robert Hicks was born in Mississippi on Feb. 20, 1929. His father, Quitman, drove oxen to harvest trees for the paper mill. He played football on a state championship high school team and later for the semi-professional Bogalusa Bushmen. <br /><br />He was known for his generosity: at the Baptist congregation where he was a deacon, he bought new suits for poor members. As the first black supervisor at the mill, he helped a young man amass enough overtime to buy the big car he dreamed of. Children all over town called him Dad, his son Charles said. <br /><br />A leader in the local N.A.A.C.P. and his segregated union, Mr. Hicks was the logical choice to head the Bogalusa Civic and Voters League when it was formed to lead the local civil rights effort. He was first president, then vice president of the Deacons in Bogalusa. <br /><br />Besides Valeria Hicks, his wife of 62 years, and his son Charles, Mr. Hicks is survived by three other sons, Gregory, Robert Lawrence and Darryl; his daughter, Barbara Hicks Collins; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. <br /><br />By 1968, the Deacons had pretty much vanished. In time they were “hardly a footnote in most books on the civil rights movement,” Mr. Hill said. He attributed this to a “mythology” that the rights movement was always nonviolent. <br /><br />Mrs. Hicks said she was glad it was not. <br /><br /><strong>“I became very proud of black men,” she said. “They didn’t bow down and scratch their heads. They stood up like men.” </strong><br /><br />AMEN!Robert S. Fergusonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05578368059598002917noreply@blogger.com0