Made in the Image of God

Yesterday I witnessed a young man have an accident on his bicycle because the chain broke. The young man was in his early twenties. He fell, hit the pavement and got up. I asked him if he was injured. He said no. I said: "You are not hurt because Jesus did not allow it to happen, let's thank him," I said. "No, I don't believe in God," he said. I backed off. Now, God will be doing something in that young man's life because I will be praying specifically for him. I don't know the young man, and I probably will never see him again. However, I do know this: he is made in God's image. To not believe in God is probably the biggest mistake a person can make. We are made in God's image, and unbelief in God is a deviation; an aberration which substitutes man's pride instead of man's respect for the sovereignty of God. Jesus Christ is God. He works, He moves, He operates. He answers our prayers. "If you shall ask anything in my name, I will do it". (John 14:14)

"Cool" Overcame Him

"Cool" overcame him. His image and his identity as an intelligent, sophisticated and aware person was more important to him than anything else. He forgot to grow up. He forgot to move beyond adolescence. He chose not to listen to certain kinds of music because the music was not cool. He chose not to go to certain places because to be seen there was just not cool. He chose not to involve himself in certain trends because he was too cool for them. He chose to involve himself in many trends because he wanted to express his coolness. He only engaged in conversations that expressed how cool he was. He rejected certain relationships because they were not cool. He lambasted people for not being cool. He covered up his weaknesses with a blanket of "cool." He ate what was cool to eat. Figuratively speaking: "cool" ate him. Cool had it's way with him and overcame him.

Move On

Among the many things the Bible contains is good advice for living. It is the Word of God. Without wasting time; I must tell you first of all that God wants what is best for us. He always has, He always will. His mercy is everlasting. If you are troubled by a real or perceived injustice: move on. If you have been hurt as a result of a broken relationship: move on. If you have lost your job: move on. If you have just experienced a tragic experience: move on. Do not be afraid of anything or anyone. Ask God to give you His Spirit. He will never fail you. "For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." Move on.

October, Halloween, Fires, Crime and Graffiti

This is the month. Probably the most beautiful month of the year. Unfortunately, with strings attached. Because of the Halloween celebrations; fire and police departments are very busy this month. Fires started by arsonists favor this month. Assaults increase this month. Graffiti increases this month. Graffiti needs to be removed as soon as possible. Graffiti is a declaration and announcement that a segment of the population is truly delayed. They are either delayed emotionally, intellectually, or socially; or perhaps a combination of two or three of the aforementioned. Graffiti is disrespectful and thoughtless. It is a terrible expense to the public in more ways than one. "Tagging " has only one prerequisite: in order to engage in it; one must be an idiot.

Young men, Peer Pressure and Phony Friendships (part 3)

The young man's name was Theolic Yung Manning. He had been out of high school for two years and was approaching his 20th birthday. He was of mixed ethnicity. He was part Black, part Asian, and part white. He felt comfortable with Mexicans from the neighborhood. He enjoyed their company very much. All of them were Roman Catholic. Theolic was not. He was invited to parties, infant baptisms, quinceaneras, dances and other festivities. He enjoyed most of them. At every single function there was beer. He did not like beer. Sometimes a beer was placed in his hand. He could not fake it, so he drank. He learned to like the beer. He learned to like the comraderie. He learned to like the environment. It was pleasurable for him. Theolic had other interests as well. He enjoyed playing sports. He enjoyed studying. Some of his friends enjoyed watching sports; but none enjoyed playing them. His friends liked to just "hang out" and talk about music, girls, and parties. Theolic worked part time as a gardener and went part time to a community college. Sometimes he really enjoyed his classes. Particularly an English composition class. He had turned in some fairly good work. He tried to study on weekends but the pursuit of pleasure overcame him. Too many weekends were spent with friends that he felt he "needed." Maybe they needed him. Maybe they needed someone else to drink and smoke weed with. He dropped out of school. Not one of his "friends" encouraged him to reenroll. One night he was driving home from a party. He was drunk. He ran a red light and a car hit him broadside on the driver's side. He was killed at the scene. Three out of eight "friends" went to his funeral.

Young Men, Peer Pressure and Phony Friendship (part 2)

He knows how to play poker but he does not really want to play poker tonight. His choices are connected to the demands of his friends. Heavy pressure accompanies the request (demand). Is he really his "own man" ? No. He is too young to be his "own man." However, he thinks he is. Staying home, and watching television with his parents is definitely not an option. It is Saturday night, and he is a young man. He goes ahead and plays poker. He loses $40.00. It is not a great deal of money, but it was all of the money that he had. But at least he didn't "bail on his friends." Of course, his "friends" did not offer to lend him any money for gas or spending. However, they did laugh at him and thanked him for supporting the game and providing money for movie tickets. The young man is broke, but at least he knows some people who want to "hang out" with him.

Young Men, Peer Pressure, and Phony Friendship (part 1)

Sometimes young men become friends because they have enough in common to cause an association. Occasionally, these so-called friendships are not really friendships; they are relationships that have evolved to combat boredom or loneliness. There are some young men who are really worried about their image, identity or manhood. Maybe they are athletic, maybe they are not. Maybe they are intelligent, maybe they are not. Some young men, due to lack of wisdom, moral parameters, or self-control; decide that it is essential to drink liquor, use drugs, gamble, have a sexual conquest, (to brag about) or do something dangerous or daring. Of course this can be commonplace for some young men; but not necessarily for all of them. One thing that a person can be fairly sure of: young men do not usually like to do those things alone. This is where peer pressure starts to show it's ugly face. This is when value systems begin to take a back seat to the demands of so-called friendship. This is when a young man who does not keep himself busy enough to the demands of something wholesome, yields to the demands of forces that can destroy him. (to be continued)