Tag Archives: Community

The Power of Giving the Love You Need

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

Have you heard the expression, “you can’t love someone else until you first love yourself?” This saying can mean a lot of things depending on who you ask. Thinking on this saying recently, in context of scripture, and spiritual truth, I see its validity. Until you can honestly deal with who you are, and why you act and think as you do, you are ill prepared to truly love and know someone else. Remember, I am talking about love from a scriptural and spiritual sense. This is different than the strong emotional attachments that people often refer to as love. Emotional attachments are often based on a perceived need for another person. The spiritual love I am referring to is based on a desire to assist in fulfilling someone else whether they reciprocate it or not. Though you hope they appreciate it, this isn’t a dependency. In the case of intimate love, it is the desire to know someone in context of their life experiences to better communicate with them.

If you have not begun to understand your own faults, desires, likes and dislikes, interest and concerns, values and beliefs, as they relate to your own experiences, how capable will you really be at understanding someone else. Until you have contemplated your own humanity with its frailness, limitations, and dependencies, you are ill prepared to show someone else the compassion and empathy required to embrace them equally as human and worthy of love just as you have need. The second, of the two great commandments, is to love our neighbor as our self. This is the second commandment because it is impossible without the first one. The first commandment is to love GOD with all our heart, mind, and strength. This love for GOD comes after we experience GOD pouring out all of His blessings upon us, loving us in our current condition just as we are, thus receiving grace to be just who we are until we are capable of change. We learn that GOD is the source of all love and it is our connection to Him that enables us to love others. The stronger the connection to Him, the greater our capacity to love. GOD knows the love which flows from Him is the world’s greatest need. The Lord knows that at the least, we should all be able to acknowledge that our fellow humans have the same needs as we have, with that first need being grace and empathy.

It can be uncomfortable, even painful, looking into the things we have experienced that shaped the person we are today, and it is natural to be reluctant to take that conscious walk through our soul. GOD enables us to take this journey by walking with us in an atmosphere of grace, mercy, and tender love. He informs us that our truest nature is that of a super-natural being, thus motivating us to push beyond natural tendencies and limits to realize our true potential. Through loving, we assist GOD in the act of fulfilling others. To “full-fill” correctly, you have to take the time to know what is needed. Someone else may have different needs than what we have but because of the universal need we all have for continued grace and mercy, we are compelled to show them the same concern.

One of the greatest needs in the world today is the overall ability to recognize one another as equally human. The prerequisite for taking the next step forward is every man first taking a sober look at themselves in light of mercy and truth. Once you are familiar with your own humanity you will find you are part of a great family mutually dependent on one another to realize our fullest potential. We really do deserve the treatment we give others because we are in effect doing it to ourselves. If we could get a glimpse of what our society would look like if we empowered everyone to be their best self with equal opportunity and support, we would realize just how much we have been robbed by the evils of deception, fear, and hate. The change needed in the world begins with addressing the changes we need individually. We must first love ourselves enough to hear our own hearts cry and work with GOD in freeing ourselves. After that, we will be more cable of giving a love which makes life better for all.

The Light Makes the Choice Clear

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

No CHoice

6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:6-17 KJV)

If you confess to be a child of GOD in Christ, the scripture cited above reminds you that the light of the life of Christ in you should be reproving the darkness that is around you. This word “reprove” was translated from a Greek word “elegeho” which means to convict, admonish, and rebuke by convincing of error and sin. Here is a look at what these words mean:

Admonish=> to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement in a gentle way.

Surely you can advise and encourage one of your family members in Christ to live better if you see them straying from the path of love and righteousness.

Convict=> to convince of error or sinfulness by presenting sound biblical principles.

Have you been in GOD’s presence and His word enough to rightly divide darkness from light by the sword of the spirit? As children of light our responsibility is to liberate those taken captive by darkness through giving the light of Truth.

Reprove=> To reprimand sharply from a place of authority.

Have you given your friends and family authority to call you out when you are behaving contrary to who and what you profess to be, because you care so deeply about the testimony of Christ, which you represent, or do you get angry in pride and retaliate? By confessing that Christ is your Lord, you acknowledge that the WORD of GOD is the final authority in your life regardless of the vessel presenting Him.

When our merciful GOD says enough is enough and pours out His wrath on those who have their hearts set on doing evil, will you be a partaker with them? People often think of taking the Lord’s name in vain as saying His name in an irreverent way. While that is offensive, it is far worse to call yourself a Christian yet not be truly dedicated to living as He lived. YESHUA admonished, convicted, and reproved people demonstrating that it is a requisite of love. The motive is not to put people down or to glory in their faults, so that you can feel better about yourself. The motive is born out of a desire to see people realize their true potential and live their best life possible and to safeguard them from condemnation.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1 KJV)

The correct understanding of the verse above is that you will avoid condemnation if you are not walking in the flesh, but after the spirit. Don’t be deceived by words with no root in truth coming from those who just want to make merchandise of you. Embrace those who love you enough to tell you the truth and love others enough to be an example of Light. Cultivate a love for TRUTH which illuminates the path to LIFE.

The devil is always trying to deceive and distract and to lure us away from the call of GOD. Right now, there is a call to choose sides and align yourself, but not along political, national, or racial lines. Our GOD is calling all people to choose Him and to align themselves with His word and His spirit. That is the real choice before us all. Only allegiance to GOD can deliver us from this present evil. The answer is not trying to unify with each other, the answer is everyone unifying with GOD who alone is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Unifying with GOD will automatically bring all those who answer His call together. Let no man deceive you with vain words. As many of you contemplate casting your ballot in November, don’t go another day without casting your cares on YESHUA the Christ. Put your hope in Him alone for your life and your future. As He represents you in heaven, make a determination to represent Him in the earth. Who are you promoting and campaigning for? If it is not Christ, you have chosen the wrong side.

 

 

Keep Your Heart from Turning to Stone

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

Guaed your heart

I saw this quote being circulated on Facebook. It is deception and just another form of fear mongering. Deception blocks you from seeing truth and fear hardens the heart and makes your love go cold.

Tytller

Genesis Chapter 3 describes the devil as cunning and subtile. These elusive characteristics were used to deceive our forebearers in the Garden of Eden. This quote slithers in the same way. This is the kind of fear mongering and deception which has led to a history of voter suppression in America. If you look closely at American democracy, you will see that it isn’t a true democracy. Historically, all American citizens have not been allowed to participate in the selection of its officers or the formation of its laws. In fact, many of you reading this, or at least your parents, were alive when the rights of Black people finally became protected under Federal Law in the United States. I am speaking of the Voter’s Rights act of 1965. This legislation made it illegal to block people of color from voting at the polls with the use of literacy test, grandfather clauses and poll taxes.  Even today, voter suppression is a reality in many southern states. Also, today the electoral college is unnecessary. The advancements of technology have long remedied the problem with communications across the country, which supposedly necessitated the electoral college.

The cited information above really doesn’t apply to the American experience, even though we currently have a leader resembling a fascist to many. America is missing the precedent stages which lead to fascism. America has no marked seasons for any of the following: Spiritual Faith, Great Courage, or Liberty. Instead of spiritual faith we have seen carnal ambition too build wealth. Instead of great courage we have seen policy after policy founded upon fear and xenophobia. Instead of liberty we have seen a continuation of oppressive practices whereby America remains among the top nations for inequality and human imprisonment. However, the cited information does support the elitist mentality which supports these immoral practices by reinforcing the idea that the masses aren’t worthy of certain civil rights. The real concern of the wealthy and powerful is that if power were held by the people then they may bring about true equality. A concern that systems will be established which will prevent the exploitation of those less fortunate. The type of exploitation which the wealth of America has been built upon.

If you broaden the definition of Fascism to include a class of people instead of a singular person, it could be argued that America has been fascist from its inception. Christians must stop being manipulated due to ignorance powered by complacency. I am speaking to those who confess faith in the gospel of Christ. Those who are supposed to be the lights of the word. Those He commissioned to fight for the oppressed, broken, and less fortunate. Guard your heart and mind from the venomous lies of the serpent which disrupts good sense.

“But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. 35 For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. 36 Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:34-36 NKJV)

It was penned in a famous American document that “All men are created equal.” If this is held as truth, then it would make sense to ensure that the opportunities and resources which produce the greatest of us were made accessible to the all of us. This practice could serve to make America great for the first time in her history.

Encouragement for Fathers

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

Fathering

“I would like to focus on the father in the family as being the seed bearer. It is the father’s responsibility to ensure that his likeness or kind is preserved for all time. It is the father’s responsibility to secure a lasting legacy, and to preserve a heritage for generations to follow. The main way a father does this is by ensuring that his fruit understands who they are based on their heritage. As a young boy begins to frame his perception of manhood, he will undoubtedly try to identify with his father. The son will open his heart to his father to receive instruction. If the boy’s father has accepted the seed of God, through the salvation of Christ, then he will have divine seed to sow into the heart of his son. As a man is fathered by God, God sows into him all he needs to be a father. The man is then able to reciprocate this down into his own son. A father does not have to be flawless in order to share the seed of God as a good father. A father only needs to be transparent about his fierce dedication to reflect God’s love in raising the child. The rest God will take care of.”

The paragraph above was taking from chapter 2 of my book, “True Heritage: Recovering from Spiritual Identity Theft”. I would like to unpack this sentence from the excerpt above, “A father only needs to be transparent about his fierce dedication to reflect God’s love in raising the child.” I have two daughters and two sons from my marriage. My preference as a father, was to always see my children smiling and laughing, enjoying life. My preference would have ruined them, because the breadth of life includes much more than just good times. This is why Holy Scripture tells us that when we withhold godly reproof and correction, we spoil or ruin our children. Godly reproof and correction involve orienting the heart of the child towards love; the discipline of looking beyond your own desires and preferences to achieve works that benefit all. All humans are born with the perspective of themselves in the center of the universe. Everything is relative to what they need or want. Only the love of GOD can change this orientation. If parents have not been broken and rebuilt by the love of GOD, the parent will raise their children based on their own needs and wants, and the child, as soon as they are able will also exercise their own power to express their preferences, and we end up with the world looking much like it does today. I thank GOD almighty for enduring my rebellion, my anger, my kicking and screaming, my self-inflicted sorrows, to do what was required to save my soul, to rescue me from the bondage of pride and selfishness. We have to parent by faith, not looking at the present, but acting from the hope anchored in the promise of that which is to come, the birth of a godly man or woman. GOD tells us, if we do the hard work on the front end, we will get to rejoice at the latter end.  The book of Hebrews 12:2 says, “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.”(KJV)

Fathers, your family and friends may try and shame you for being hard, for requiring the glory you know that has been bestowed inside your children, for not compromising your faith in doing it GOD’s way however, stand! Whole the line! Satan wants to destroy everything which reflects GOD. Since we were created in GOD’s image, we have a large target on our head. Family, the means of procreation, is under assault. Fathers protect your families fiercely. I am not talking about using guns and assault weapons, because they won’t keep Satan from spoiling your house. More families are spoiled from the fifth columns of affairs, ambitions of success, and empty religion than external forces.

“The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits.” (2nd Timothy 2:6 KJV)

It will be impossible for you to place your children on the altar of GOD if you have not been there yourself. I trust GOD with my children’s lives because I first trusted Him with my own. You reap, what you sow. Endure the pain. You will sow in tears, but you will reap in joy! If you have sown good seed, the good harvest will come. There are no enduring lies or facades. If you have not sown good seed, you may have a tough road ahead. It is easier to raise whole people than to fix broken ones, but all things are possible with GOD. There is still hope. I was not raised in a godly home. In fact, by age 13, I had experienced both sex and drugs, but by age 21, I had taken up the cross of Christ in abandon to His love. My heavenly Father GOD leveraged my pain, His mercy and grace, the prayers of the saints, and the powers of the Heavenly Host to rescue me. I know He will do the same for each of my children, and for you and yours.

“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13 KJV)

That is a promise of GOD which has not expired. You can claim it, and you can still teach and encourage your children to claim it as well. Be encouraged!

https://www.amazon.com/True-Heritage-Recovering-Spiritual-Identity/dp/1641114576

 

 

 

My Two Cent

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

2 Cent

Time to level set. White people don’t need to make anything right with black people. Their focus should be the same as the focus of all people, getting their hearts right before GOD. The GOD who without respect of persons, has commanded all mankind to love their neighbor as themselves. We have all at some point been guilty of abusing our neighbor. Whether it has been, white people abusing black people, black people abusing black people, men abusing women, society at large abusing the mentally handicapped, or Americans abusing foreigners; it is all wrong, and we have all been guilty. Let him who is without sin cast the stones or start the shooting. It is only by all of us reconciling with GOD, that we are able to fine true peace with one another.

The phrase “Black people” has become synonymous with “disproportionately.” Black people are disproportionately killed and prosecuted by the legal system, disproportionately imprisoned for the same crimes as other, disproportionately affected by COVID-19, disproportionately affected by unemployment, disproportionately denied loans by financial institutions, disproportionately marginalized in the cooperate sector, and I could go on and on, but these are the facts which substantiate the outcry “Black Lives Matter.” All of the problems which disproportionately affect Black people come as a result of the three branches of our government not taking an equal interest in the well-being of Black people.

As Dr. King stated, “A threat to justice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.” It follows that a threat to equality anywhere is a threat to equality everywhere, and a threat to community anywhere is a threat to community everywhere, and the suppression of truth anywhere is an invitation to darkness everywhere, and a denial of humanity anywhere is the doom of humanity everywhere.

Absolute Love is the answer.

Being About Your Father’s Business

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

 

Faith in business

The injustice in the world today is nothing new and neither is the source. The book of knowledge and wisdom tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil. This truth indicates that those in business are closest to the root of the problem, since business is the means by which money is exchanged. 1st Timothy 6:10 is the origin of this often misquoted maxim.

“For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” (1 Tim 6:10 KJV)

The phrase “love of money” in this verse comes from the Greek word “philarguria”, which translates to fondness of silver. This word comes from part of the same root as the Greek word “Philanthropia”, which translates fondness of mankind, and is where we get the word philanthropy. If you look at the meaning of each of these words, then it becomes clear what the bible is trying to relay in the verse cited above. It also becomes clear why there is so much chaos in the world today.

The cited scripture is not in reference to everyone. It speaks of people erring from the faith. We know the faith in reference because this quote comes from a Christian bible. True Christianity is based on faith in the testimony of Jesus Christ, who gave His life to save mankind. So, without question, we know that Christianity is founded on a love for mankind. This understanding explains why the love of money is then considered erring from the faith. Those who confess to follow Christ should exhibit a love for mankind instead of a love for money.

To my Christian brothers and sisters, what is reflected most in your business? Is it the love of mankind or a love of money? Do you put what is humane and equitable before what is financially profitable? History is polluted with the business of putting money before humanity. Just look at the history of America. We know that the love for Africans did not exceed a love for the profit to be made from their enslavement. We know the love for Native Americans did not exceed the love for the profit to be made from their lands. Is this just a recollection of America’s sins from the past or is this sorrow piercing so many through today evidence that America has not yet repented? America as a government never erred from the faith, because America as a government never employed the teachings of Christ. Christ gave His life for the sake of ALL mankind. The business of this country has always been for the sake of a few.

This a call for the Christians of this nation. Those who profess to live according to the one which put His love of mankind before His own life. You are the light of the world. If your light is hidden from your business, then we lose the light where it is darkest. Business is where decisions are made which impact our whole civilization. The way to remove the chaos from the boardwalks, is to promote a love for mankind in the boardrooms. The corrosion of society stems from morally bankrupt capitalism. All human endeavors must be rooted in the purpose of making life better for all, or humanity will fail as a whole. These words may not find a home in every heart, but my hope is that they will resonate in hearts where the faith of Christ is resident.

 

 

The Real Choice Before Us

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

cross-to-new-hope-1

Awake! We are not called to save this world. We are called to save people out of this demonic world system. This world system is not redeemable because the Lord didn’t build it. We seek a kingdom which is to come. The only thing that can change this world is a revolution of values. That is only accomplished by renewing minds and changing hearts. You need the power of GOD to do that. He has already sent a Savior for this world. There is no other answer; not marching, not physical war, not electing a better president. The answer is the Body of Christ taking up the cross and preaching the sincere unadulterated word of GOD. Don’t say we’ve tried that because the majority of what I hear from pulpits and confessing Christians doesn’t line up with the gospel that YESHUA preached.

I have seldom heard a gospel preached which shifts the affections of the hearers to the kingdom of Christ and away from this world. Most people today come to Christ seeking to save the life they have, not looking for a new life altogether. Ministers tell people, just say this confession and it will all be better. YESHUA said, go sell everything you own and then come and follow me. The gospel of Christ demands that you let the things of this world go. It may be riches, it may be unforgiveness, a desire to be successful in the eyes of your family and peers, a criminal lifestyle, ungodly sexual practices, alcohol and other drugs used as a way of coping; we have to give it all to Him.

The Creator will not build on a foundation He has not laid Himself. Contrary to the misguided belief of many Americans, GOD did not build the foundation of America. The founding fathers of this country were not inspired by the teachings of Christ, or His New Covenant. Granted they may have been inspired by the bible, as in the Pharaoh, building a kingdom through slave labor and hard bondage. It seems they may have adopted social control methodology from Caesar and Rome, imprisoning and brutally killing dissidents. How could those fighting to be freed from oppressive rule, turn around and institute a government with built in marginalization and oppression? The heart of Christ is salvation to all people regardless of ethnic origin. When has that been modeled through the United States Government. Before you answer, do your research. It is clear when the founders wrote “All men are created equal” it was understood in that day that only white males qualified as the referenced “men”; not women or any people of color. Just study history. This is the true heritage of this country, and until people accept this reality, they will not be able to see clearly enough to forge meaningful change, nor shift their allegiance to Christ and the establishment of His Kingdom. Which by the way, is unstoppable and inevitable.

I have been some what hesitant to produce videos and now I know why. It is because people need to read. They need to learn the power of words, and the discipline of dedicating time to the pursuit of knowledge and wisdom. Truth is to be chewed thoroughly to the smallest of pieces and fully tasted in order for it to be consumed and digested properly. Listening to the bible while you are driving or doing other things is OK, but studying the Word with a concordance and a dictionary is truly enlightening.

The separation of church and state has been twisted to imply the Word of GOD shouldn’t be injected into conversations about problem resolution around tables that outside of churches. As believers, we are not confined or limited by this belief. We are called to inject the Word of GOD on what ever platform we have been given. This is what is needed to break the powers of darkness that is blinding so many. The light of the Gospel of Christ must break forth unrestrained. There is no other solution to man’s problems other than that which GOD has given through the life of His Son, Yeshua Hamashiach! If you disagree with this, then you are part of the problem.

Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” (NKJV)

Luke 11:23 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.” (NKJV)

These two disciples of Christ are testifying that they heard YESHUA say what I have quoted above. It’s time to gather with Christ. Will you surrender your life to Christ and His Kingdom, or will you continue living in deception and cleaving to this crumbling world system?

This can be considered part 2 of a post from November of 2016

https://theinscribedheart.com/2016/11/13/crossing-over-to-spiritual-unity-is-the-only-hope/

 

Breath For Those Struggling to Breathe

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

Fro Love2

What we are seeing in America today may look like the result of centuries of systemic racism, but it is really the results of millenniums of greed. Racism is just a tool the greedy use to maintain control. Greed is defined by Merriam Webster as “a selfish and excessive desire for more of something (such as money) than is needed.” The wealth of this world is being greedily held by just a few. This manufactured racism works so well, the aristocracy can just flaunt their extreme wealth in the faces of the oppressed masses without fear. While it is true that the soul of the courts has been bought, it is the lack of empathy in society, for those whom justice is slow to serve, which hinders the needed reforms.

Racism is the bait and easy way taken by those infected with fear, who hold with clinched fist, the dregs left them by the greedy. The problem is not your neighbor, who is just trying to live as you are, it is the system which allows so little to be given for the masses to divide. Racism is the virus which was created by the aristocracy, carried in society by the weak-hearted, and infecting all susceptible to hate.

The inability of one human to see the humanity in another is the pandemic heart disease which threatens all mankind. Inhumanity is the disease which cripples the judgment of the greedy, which hinders the ability of them to see that their excessiveness is depriving other humans. Before you dismiss this as just socialist rhetoric, it is undeniable that there is only so much water, so much land, and so much time to work with in any given generation. When these key resources are manipulated so that they only profit a small segment of the earth’s population, it is unethical and wrong. If there is any concern about a shortage of natural resources, the focus should not be reducing the population of the poor through inhumane eugenics, it should be making sure that the wealth of the world benefits all humanity.

The only way to combat greed, and the racism it perpetuates, is through curing the diseased hearts. This will facilitate the revolution of values needed to rescue society from further moral decay. This is why the gospel of Love must be taught and demonstrated by the true children of GOD. Unlike the Christian hirelings which have been historically complicit with the oppression and injustice rampant in the United States and the rest of the world, it is time for the true followers of Christ to arise and continue the mission of YESHUA which He declared in Luke 4:18-19 (KJV),

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.”

This mission is for those who have taken up the cross of Christ and only seek the life which is found through the resurrection power of GOD. They who resist fear through faith in GOD and persevere through love, will triumph with Christ!

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NKJV)

Reminded of The State of The Union

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

flags

Yesterday, I went out cycling for some exercise at a nearby park. Upon finishing and returning to the parking lot, I entered a conversation with a fellow biker unloading his bike. He came over to my car as I racked my bike to continue the conversation.  He was an older white guy in his mid-sixties. The conversation quickly shifted from cycling talk to the impact of COVID-19. I listened to him for about 2 minutes and then I realized, in my free loving just talk with anyone ways, this person was rimming over with information he had been gathering from his news sources and the circles he travels in, and I had provided him an opportunity to pour out his opinions. I understand the propensity of older people to share their views to enlighten those who will follow them, so I let him finish expressing his thoughts. When he was done, he had given me his explanation of why the corona virus had been particularly hard on New York. In a nut shell, he stated it was due to the illegal immigrants living ten deep in apartments infecting one another. He made sure to make a distinction from undocumented immigrants to illegal immigrants. He also stated the illegal immigrants were most likely “dogs” from their homeland. I am not exaggerating this or embellishing his words in any way.

This wasn’t provocative to me because after living in America and seeing how the mythology of American history is taught and perpetuated, I understood perfectly how he could have these viewpoints. It is no different from labeling native Americans as savages to justify the profits from taking their land. It is no different from labeling African abductees as incapable monkeys, only two-thirds human to justify profits made through their enslavement. The labeling of humans that seek asylum in America is another way of justifying the profits made from government contracts in privately run prisons and holding facilities.

So, I calmly shared with this older citizen that these were not undocumented immigrants or illegal immigrants, these people were first and foremost humans, just like he and I. As humans, they deserved to have their humanity protected and preserved with the same rights and dignities as every other human. I told him that at a minimum, that is what the law of the land should provide to all humans. I explained to him that they were not just human, they were also individuals and deserved to be treated on the merits of their individual selves and we should care about their individual stories. Well, the tone of the conversation changed after that, and he went on to tell me he was exercising and on meds because he had an ailment that was causing his arteries to harden. I hoped our conversation had at least softened his heart.

I drove away pondering the level of continued blindness in what is now the twenty-first century. I don’t think he stopped for moment to consider that he was speaking to someone who has ancestors, which only a generation ago, had to sit in the back of buses and in the rear of trains and barely could vote in the south, due to them being unjustly stigmatized. I don’t think he is aware that this blight is still impacting the lives of many people of color through the criminal justice system in higher incarceration rates and longer sentencing, as well as the financial sector through higher interest loans and higher insurance premiums and lower property value assessments.

It will probably take months, if not years, to get the facts on who has been most impacted by COVID-19. A lack of thorough testing and no country wide standards enforced on documenting and reporting related deaths during the first weeks of the outbreak, will impact the accuracy of statistics. This pandemic reveals yet how far we are from the ideals of The Pledge of Allegiance, “One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”

Answering The Call to Life

Posted by D.L.Fuller on

Call to life

If you can go days without praying or you don’t pray at all, you are most likely not fully engaged with the most important facets of your life. I say this because there is a spiritual war going on for your soul, and for control of the masses. Every moment of this current age is filled with deviant intentionality, so we too have to be intentional every moment about combating their influences, as well as being on the offensive for what is true and righteous.

I focused on prayer being key to this engagement, because once your eyes are opened to this battle, you will see it is bigger than any one individually. You will see that it is on a scale that requires allies and support from a power greater than yourself. Once you engage in works like facing the things that make you feel unhappy, to remove its negative influence, or advocating for fairness and justice, or filling your time with things that benefit others as well as yourself, or speaking up for the oppressed and down trodden, the weight of these issues will demand a strength greater than what you can muster alone. The heart of the Creator is close to all of these issues, and when you open your heart to them, there is an opportunity for a communion which gives hope, strength, and vitality.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Dealing constructively with these weighty issues of life will reward you greatly, and they will certainly cause you to draw closer to your Heavenly Father. The deviant forces at work, which I spoke of earlier, would have you be unconscious and inactive in this conflict for life, but you were born for this. We are all present to perpetuate life, for those here with us and for those who follow. We can only accomplish this through connecting with other humans through the love of GOD. Through these connections we establish conduits of living waters to the greater human community, which thirst for Life. We must guard against evil influences that would have us be divided through hate, racism, and xenophobia.

There is a belief that religion is one of the biggest dividers of people in the world today. This belief is not far from the truth, but the problem is not with “true” religion, the problem is with “false” religion. How do you tell the difference? Any religion claiming divine authority will be built on the pillars of faith:

“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?” Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. ‘This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22:36-40)

Being devoted to love, with all your heart, soul, and mind, strengthens community. Loving you neighbor as yourself also strengthens community. These are the pillars of “true” religion. True religion does require some division, but it is a separation from things that are not life producing and sustainable. Healthy division is a part of life. For example, pruning in a garden to make the plants more fruitful. A religion that won’t identify and reject things which produce death or minimizes life is false. The idea that love embraces everything is complete foolishness. Love is always dedicated to that which sustains and propagates life. If it is intent on restricting life or causing death, love will sever its connection to it. That is the only impetus behind any division true religion is responsible for.

False religion causes division as a result of being complicit with hate, greed, perversions, inequality, lies, and any other evil. This is the reason the cross is the doorway to true religion. The cross is where man surrenders self-interest for the universal and life sustaining interest of the Creator. Don’t reject the idea of seeking fulfillment in true religion because of the preponderance of false religions. Yeshua came to make of all humans, one people in Him. He gave His body on the cross that He might raise from the dead another body, which consist of all people willing to lay down their divisive self-interest for the pillars of faith.

So the Jews answered and said to Him, “What sign do You show to us, since You do these things?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” Then the Jews said, “It has taken forty-six years to build this temple, and will You raise it up in three days?” But He was speaking of the temple of His body. Therefore, when He had risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this to them; and they believed the Scripture and the word which Jesus had said. (John 2:18-22)

This is why those born again through the cross of Christ are called the “Body of Christ”. It is time for us all to start living the life we were meant to live, through becoming the people we were meant to be: the children of the Most High GOD. It is our true heritage. A languishing world is waiting.