Bad Farming....

Just 2 short years ago I was watching a dream be fulfilled...The vision that I had been working so diligently toward was unfolding before my eyes. I was watching the Z.A.C Center open it's doors and fill up with women who struggled with addiction. I had worked tirelessly and passionately toward this goal...and to watch it actually happen was amazing. WHEW, finally.

Although this dream had become a reality...and everything that I had hoped for had come true....I was exhausted, totally drained, and completely overworked. I was beginning to see things differently, my illusions of what Christianity was supposed to be and the reality of what it really was had finally crashed into one another..... I was done.... I left shortly after

Last week I was sitting in class when my professor made a remark that sparked an interesting thought. He was talking about the Civil War when he referenced the "overworked soil" of the South. Those two words rolled around in my mind for days... "overworked soil" I, of course, went to the parable of the sower and began to think about what it means to be a responsible and productive "sower" and I believe that I had a revelation.

Since leaving the church I have stood on the outside watching....observing...and, unfortunately, becoming more and more cynical about christianity as a whole. When I was pastoring, I was passionate about "reaching" people and "winning" them to the Lord...hallelujah!! I was always trying to find the perfect evangelical strategy to accomplish this world changing revival that my Pastor always foresaw on the horizon...So in this quest for souls I tried everything you could imagine, for instance:
1) Holy FB posts
2) Christian apparel
3) And even standing on a flatbed in the middle of the City to preach.
 In my religious arrogance I believed, wholeheartedly, that I was being a "light" in a dark sin-ridden world.---That was my perception....from the inside.

Now, let's talk about reality....the view from the outside.

There's a much clearer view when you look at things from every angle, it's more accurate and true to life. Now that I have stepped out of the church this is what I see:
1) "holier that Thou" FB statuses.... PLEASE stop telling me how great you are, how wonderful you "minister", and what a great "christian" you are! I think this is the most repulsive and unattractive strategy that one can use to try and "win" anyone.
2) Your Christian apparel makes you unapproachable.
3) Stop preaching at me...start loving me---then maybe I will actually see Christ in you and want to meet Him.

As I stand in the world today I want to shout, "I'm so sorry for the way that I behaved...Christ would never do that!" "Forgive me for my piousness and zealous behavior...Christ is NOTHING like that!" "I am still a Christian...but I'm NOT anything like this 'modern day christianity' that you have been experiencing" ---I apologize

I believe that the commercialization of christianity has caused "soil exhaustion"---in other words--bad farming. The church has been trying to force the ground (world) to receive the seed (Word) and now it's nearly ruined... I have a bit of news for you...If you don't start replenishing the land (the people standing on the outside), replacing vital nutrients (love, kindness, acceptance etc.) the future of the Church as we know it may not survive another generation....

Don't tell me that you're a christian, because I, along with much of the world, have become somewhat cynical and untrusting....show me who you are and Who you represent.

It is true---I am a hardened cynic when it comes to christianity.... but my belief in Christ hasn't changed. I used to be proud to proclaim my christianity, but now I feel as if I cannot say those words out-loud. So now I will simply make it my life's work to replenish the soil.

It's time to get back to the basics.... CHRISTIANITY 101....Love...it's simple really........................................            JUST

STOP force feeding faith
http://brandiilyne.blogspot.com/2012/08/tossing-seed-onto-stones.html

“Y’all Come Back Now, Ya Hear?”

            Just south of the Mason-Dixon line there is a place cemented in time; welcome to Mississippi. This is where folks wave as they pass by on the road, laws protect the majestic magnolia trees, and sweet tea is the house wine.  Pull up a chair and enjoy its allure with a dollop of mashed potatoes, black-eyed peas, and greens, fresh from the garden. Here in this neck of the woods, everything, including the vocabulary, moves a little slower. Down here people take pride in their heritage, which includes, but is not limited to, their “young’uns,” their pick-up trucks, and their biscuits. Although living in the Deep South has its charms, it can have some negative effects as well, effects such as health problems, bad grammar, and close mindedness.

            Cook it and they will come is the idea that has become the backdrop of every occasion here in the South. Men gather in the back yard to smoke and grill the wild game, which they themselves hunted and killed, while the women gather in the kitchen and gossip over a deep fryer; if it can be battered, it can be fried. Plates are piled high with Southern cuisine and passed down the table to every generation. As each Momma places a plate in front of her own child, she almost melodically tells them about the starving children in China, as she guilts them into cleaning their plate. The end result, unfortunately, is the highest obesity rate in the country, with heart disease and strokes being commonplace, as well.

            

One other commonplace occurrence is to hear words that are, almost exclusively, Southern. In these parts, grammar goes out the window and words seem to lump together to form specially sculpted isms, such as, “fixin-to,” “whalla-go,” and “ova-yonder.” Unfortunately, Hollywood has marketed the music that is the Southern vernacular negatively. Each time a village idiot, psychotic hillbilly, or just down right dumb character finds their way to the screen, they invariably have a Southern drawl. Which has, in turn, created a stereotype that is difficult for Southerners to overcome.    

 Words are not the only thing created here in the South, but traditions are as well. These traditions are woven into the tapestry of Southern living. Traditions such as going to church before the sun rises on Easter morning, a gentleman asking Daddy for his daughter’s hand in marriage, and saying ma’am and sir while addressing elders are partly responsible for the South’s reputation of hospitality. These customs have raised many Southern gents and belles, and there are other traditions, more unpleasant traditions, which still linger in the guise of heritage. As pride goes, some people in the South are very proud of that heritage known as the “Old South.” Unfortunately, an icon of this heritage, the Confederate flag, still flies over the Capital as the cornerstone of the State flag. It also adorns the bumper of the occasional pick-up truck, which showcases the South’s state of close-mindedness to the world. This mindset still haunts the Deep South like a ghost from the past. After all, it wasn’t that long ago that the thirteenth amendment was ratified, and slavery was finally completely abolished here in Mississippi.

            Although the South is known as a place to deep fry everything but their first born, creatively annihilate the English language, and burn a cross on a hot summer night, it is, after all, a beautiful place where the magnolias grow tall, hospitality is abundant, and family is second only to God. As with any place, there are positive and negative effects of living in Mississippi, but as things go here in the South, slowly and surely as the biscuits are rising in the oven on Sunday morning, the positive is overcoming the negative. As goes the Southern mantra, “the South shall rise again,” only this time she’s going to rise healthy, educated, and enlightened, because times, well, “they are a changing.” “Y’all come back now, ya hear?”

Just Bb.....

Balancing the Scales of Equality

Balancing the Scales of Equality

            While developing the Constitution of the United States, the document that is the cornerstone of American life, the Founding Fathers proved themselves to be true visionaries.  This document, through the hundreds of years since its origination, has been used to develop, or re-define, the laws that govern this great land.  There have also been instances where this document has been used to force change, and these changes have made limitless impacts upon the landscape of modern America.  This change has not been accomplished, however, without struggle, and it is within these struggles that the formation of policies to ensure equal rights for all Americans has occurred.  With each battle for equal rights there is another looming on the horizon, and the most recent campaign is the fight for marriage equality.  Some are calling this the “new civil rights movement.” The right to marry the person that one loves is the right of every citizen.  Most dissenters disagree based on religious views, for others it is about tradition, but marriage to the person of one’s choice is protected by this time-honored document that has the temerity to propose that all Americans are ensured the right of the "pursuit of happiness."

            Religion dates back to the beginning of time, as does marriage. Many people argue that gay marriage goes against the “biblical definition” of marriage, but this argument defeats itself because most marriages in biblical times consisted of numerous wives and concubines. Concubines were basically sex slaves. This behavior, in present times, is illegal and grounds for divorce. Other religious zealots declare that homosexuality is an abomination. Upon deeper study of the scriptures, it is quickly found that if one eats pork, shellfish, or wears cotton blend clothes then they too are an abomination. These biblical facts are easily overlooked due to the fact that most Americans have consumed shrimp or bacon while wearing an abominable t-shirt.

             Traditionally, marriage has been between a man and a woman, but marriage is about love, not gender. It is this love that is the foundation of marriage.  Two people who genuinely love one another should have the opportunity to solidify that love with a legal commitment. Anyone who has ever truly loved someone knows that love is blind. Love sees no flaw, hears no wrong, and knows no gender. Love has the ability to not only cross the lines of tradition, but to create new traditions as well. Love is the greatest tradition of all.

            Marriage is not a privilege; it is a legal right. According to the Constitution, “all men are created equal, and they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, and among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” The argument of marriage equality should end right there, but it does not. Somehow people think that if a person is gay then they no longer fall into the “all men are created equal” category, and they no longer have the right to the “pursuit of happiness.” These unalienable rights, which literally means not separated or taken away, are not applicable to gay couples. This is an oxymoron. It is unconstitutional to deny anyone, gay or straight, the right to marry the person whom they choose.

            Marriage is a beautiful thing regardless of the genders represented. It showcases two people who are in love joining their lives together. Not only is marriage beautifully symbolic, but it also binds two people together legally. It is the legal contract, not the religious ritual that makes it possible for someone to be entitled to his or her spouse’s Social Security benefits along with other legal rights. It is not about gay marriage or straight. It is simply about equality. Although some States have legalized gay marriage, it is still not recognized federally. This tips the scales of equality, and leaves gay couples “equal but separate.” It is time for a change. It is time to balance the scales of equality, and go back to the traditions of this Country’s foundation, and live according to the Constitution. 

Just Bb

Living/dying....what are you doing?

Life... is a gift.
Life...is a story
Life...like everything else has a beginning and an end.

Today, I sat in a service and I listened to a minister speak on life...and death. She spoke on the importance of living in such a way that dying would be easy. I sat there and I listened intently, as she talked about "unpacking" for our final act of living...How we must constantly empty the preverbal "baggage' of our lives so that we can live a life that death will not cut short... A life that will be so fully "lived" that death will be a time to celebrate, not mourn... Life is a delicate balancing act...letting go of what is hurtful, and holding onto what is fortifying and fulfilling.

How do we accomplish this...this perfect balance? This place of peace?....this place of forgiveness? Forgiving not only others, but ourselves?

 I suppose we must figure out (within ourselves) what exactly is important.

What is it that I will allow in my space...my mind... OR...my heart....AND of what will I simply LET GO? I think, today, that I had a revelation! If it is not fulfilling, or endearing, or just plain joyful then it just doesn't deserve my time, my thoughts, or my emotions.

If it isn't something that I would want in my heart, my mind, or my space then I should NEVER present it to someone else's heart, mind or space.

Life is simple....Live like you're dying...treat others as if they were and LOVE like there's no tomorrow...for either of you.

Why do we complicate things with senseless, worthless, futile, insignificant misery??? When LOVE, friendship, joy, happiness, peace, and ALL the wonderful things that this life has to offer are available...if only we will choose them?

Just Bb

"I am not living/dying so that my life pleases you or yours....I must live/die a life that lives up to my own expectations and dreams....."

POOF....You're NOT fooling me

I am fascinated by magicians; they have an amazing ability to trick your mind into seeing one thing while they do another. This is called... cognitive illusion. These illusions work because they separate perception from reality. Magicians have learned how to manipulate the mind through, what is called, diversion. They divert your attention, so that all your energy is focused away from what they are doing. Basically, you are perceiving one thing, while in reality, they are doing another. For instance, they point out the beautiful woman, while they are preparing their deception right before your eyes. Abracadabra!!!

Diversion...it means to divert something, to deviate..to draw attention elsewhere. Diversion is what makes magic work.  LOOK over there so that you can't see what I'm doing...It's a manipulation of your mind, used to, ultimately, deceive or trick you!

 Throughout my life, I have learned to listen intently to people; to what they say, and don't say. Sometimes people say so much more about themselves than they even realize. I have always said that people tell on themselves if you will only listen, and diversion is an example of that. I have discovered that when someone displays my faults, or the faults of others they are simply "diverting" attention.  Magicians have mastered this art and they use it to entertain people.  Thieves use it to pick your pocket. But your average Joes...well your average Joes use the same technique to remove the spotlight from themselves! (Presto, Chango....)

Diversion is also used as damage control....Make them look bad before the truth about me can come out. Abracadabra!!!

Separation of perception and reality! 

Master manipulation! 

The truth is that we have all pulled this trick from our hats at one point or another, kind of like Grandpa,  who used to walk around pulling quarters from behind your ears...BUT others are like David Copperfield.... "Illusionist Extraordinair!"  

Always remember that the ones who put others' faults on display are probably diverting your attention from their own wrongdoings.  See beyond the deceptions find see the truth...it's right before your eyes 

YOU'RE NOT FOOLIN' ME

Just Bb

Sandy Hook Hoax....seriously

I am utterly appalled by the very idea that someone would even suggest that the Sandy Hook  tragedy is a conspiracy! I cannot believe that people would stoop so low as to accuse these families, the one's whose children have been slaughtered, of acting. I cannot imagine how they must feel as their fellow American's are discounting what happened by creating a conspiracy theory.... HOW SELFISH!

I think it's pretty twisted that someone would concoct such a preposterous story, just so they could accuse our President and try to protect their right to carry an assault rifle....the very weapon that, IN REALITY, cut these children in half. I see all these people posting videos and articles about the "Sandy Hook Hoax" and I can't help but wonder how they would feel if it were their child that had just been gunned down, and the country that they love and call home, is accusing them of lying!

I am losing faith in my fellow Americans...I remember when going to the county fair and hopping on the ferris wheel was enough, but these days EVERYONE wants the thrill of hopping on these ludicrous bandwagons! Come on guys....USE your head...THINK this through!!! If the government wanted to take away our guns THEY WOULD!! They don't need to create some tragedy to do that, and IF they did....you common Joe's would NEVER figure it out!

Our President CLEARLY stated, in his press release, that our right to bear arms WOULD BE PROTECTED! This is simply about military style weapons that OBVIOUSLY need to be regulated...that is all. THE CAR you drive, my friend, is regulated....you cannot legally put a HIGH POWERED vehicle on the street...can you? Do you know why? BECAUSE THEY'RE DANGEROUS....

--Side note: About those pictures with one of the children and our president....uhmmm this is the computer age, and there is this thing called  "photoshop"

Just Bb

Temporary Angels--Pseudo Heroes

Throughout my life I have experienced many up and downs. Some of these shaky occasions occurred  in my own life but many in the lives of others. Being a minister for nearly a decade I have walked through some very rough times with a lot of people.  I have witnessed many acts of heroism and charity but I also watched others who would capitalize on the tragedies of others, I tagged these people "temporary angels."They live for those "ups" or those "downs", especially the downs, in the lives of others. They feast on people's misery, consuming it as if it were their own. 

These people rush into the situation (da-da-da-da super hero music) and appear to be a knight in shining armor...they are right by your side, doting over you, the victim of life's tragic realities.  They pretend that they are grieving, and more often than not, they barely know you, if at all. They put on a big show in front of others pirating attention, hoping that they can gain the same sympathies given to you. 

These pseudo heroes also feed off of knowing the details of your tragedy. They seem to pamper and pet you, but the truth is that they are gathering information. They love to go and brag about everything they know and all they've done for you, and the more intimate the detail the more it is coveted by these busybodies....AKA "gossips, blatherers, babblers and back-biters"

I suppose that their life is so void of...well.. LIFE... that they feel the need to feel important. They don't care that they gain "relevance" at the expense of your life's dilemma. No matter the reason, these people can and will cause you harm, if they get the chance, so just beware of these shallow clandestines. They can be very helpful, but if they get what they're looking for, fame--attention--THE SPOTLIGHT, it can prove to be very hurtful to you. 

These "temporary angels" light on you as soon as tragedy strikes in your life... they make a grand entrance displaying their wings and good deeds, but as soon as there is no more glamor to be had they depart as quickly as they came.  You know who the authentic angels are in your life, those are the ones that have always been there for you and will stay even when your life has plateaued. So cherish those and just allow the temps to come in and serve you during your time of need....just remember NOT to "let them in" 

Just Bb