Watching...

...the inevitable vote for same-sex marriage in New York.

Watch is all I could do.

I could hit you with a lot of scripture, but I won't do that.

I will pray for our youth.

That's really all I can do.

1979: I was in high school when the first rap song by the Fatback Band: "King Tim the III: Personality Jock," was followed the next week by the first rap album: "The Sugar Hill Gang" ("To the hip, hop, hip-hip-hop, hip-hip hop and you don't stop. Rocking to the bang-bang boogie, say up jump the boogie to the rhythm of the boogity beat.")

You're exposed: the world went from 3 stations and UHF channels to 24/7 entertainment, and what you can't get on hundreds of channels, you can get on the Internet. You're convinced that Google supercedes books and the Dewey Decimal System in libraries. You have dreams, hopes for a better future that you think will drop from the sky in your waiting laps. The books you SHOULD read: your history, and why family was so important to us, why knowledge, not entertainment was a sacred as worship.

I'll pray your innocence extends a little longer, and that your childhood is not a fleeting breeze...

A Father's Day Tribute...

“New Light Beulah was organized in December of 1867 when some 565 African Americans opted to withdraw and worship on alternate Sundays from the white members of Beulah Baptist Church. Both congregations worshipped in the same sanctuary. The eleven-member White Beulah Baptist Church worshipped on the first and third Sundays. The Black congregation of New Light Beulah worshipped on the second and fourth Sundays of each month. Prior to the organization of New Light Beulah, one other Black congregation had been organized out of Beulah Baptist. That congregation was Shiloh Baptist Church when 40 Black members withdrew on May 14, 1866. Shiloh's pastor was Reverend William Weston Adams, a former slave and member of Beulah Baptist who had been ordained November 12, 1865. Reverend Adams along with two other former slaves were ordained by Beulah's Pastor James Lawrence Reynolds shortly after the Civil War.

“New Light Beulah Baptist Church extended the call to Reverend William Weston Adams to serve as her first pastor in 1867. Reverend Adams accepted the leadership of the church as a supply pastor initially. Within one year, Reverend Adams became the permanent pastor on New Light Beulah Baptist Church, about the same time that Reverend James Lawrence Reynolds resigned as the pastor of the small Beulah Baptist Church. The Beulah Baptist Church elected Reverend Thomas Mellichamp as pastor who had a cordial relationship with Reverend William W. Adams.

“The two congregations continued to share the same sanctuary for three years until the White congregation dispersed in 1870. The Black congregation continued to flourish. Spiritual leaders of the church included Preston & Eliza Moody Richardson, John & Ann Reese Dinkins, Pharoah & Racheal Ward Smith, Robert & Hagar Green Jones, Lewis & Suckey Smith Tucker, Paul & Matilda Hopkins Sims, Simon & Mariah Tucker Jenkins, Charles & Leah Reese Howell, Ned & Phyllis Brevard Middleton and James & Tansy Smith Taylor. These leaders guided the church through its transitional period. Beulah's Black congregation desiring to assert its independence, changed it's name to New Light Beulah Baptist in 1870.

“Shortly after the White members ceased using the sanctuary, questions about legal ownership of the church property began. The members of the New Light Beulah claimed ownership, as well as former white members of Beulah Baptist Church. The continuing dispute and the distance traveled by some members resulted in more than half of the membership securing letters of dismission in 1871 to organize the Zion Benevolent Baptist Church, Hopkins, S. C. Complicating the issue of ownership even more was a dispute between Anthony Morris (Black), a member of New Light Beulah and Jesse Reese (White), a former member of Beulah Baptist Church. December 2, 1871, apparently Brother Anthony Morris purchased a cow from Mr. Reese for $34.00 placing $21.00 down with a promise of possession with payment of the balance. Brother Morris later came prepared to pay the balance, but was told by Mr. Reese that the cow was sold and there would be no refund. Consequently, conflict arose between Reese and Morris, along with several members of the New Light Beulah Baptist Church who supported Morris. Subsequently, one of Mr. Reese's cows was maimed resulting in accusations of several New Light Beulah members who were eventually tried in General Sessions Court. Tense relationships developed in the Grovewood-Congaree community between Black and White citizens.

“Animosity within the community intensified when Mr. Jesse Reese's nephew Jesse Reese Adams moved himself and family into the sanctuary formerly shared by Beulah and New Light Beulah. This was the same sanctuary that was being used by the Black members of New Light Beulah Baptist at that time. The following Sunday when New Light Beulah members arrived for worship, they found Jesse Reese Adams armed and were forced to leave the premises. The land that the sanctuary sat on was originally purchased from the Reese family in 1832.

“New Light Beulah elected Nazareth's Reverend Isom William Simons as her third pastor. Just prior to Reverend Simons arrival, the church had elected Brother Frank Smith as church clerk to replace Andrew Richbourg. However, Brother Richbourg was reelected church clerk in 1885 for 1 year. Burrell J. Goodson was elected church clerk in 1886. Isom Harrison Goodwin was then elected clerk in 1887. Frank Smith served as clerk again in 1887. New Light Beulah's clerks Smith, Goodson and Goodwin were all at one time students of Benedict Institute.

“The church purchased two acres of land from the Kaminer brothers on December 26, 1886 for $25.00. Trustees signing the deed were Abram Weston, Jacob Gallman, Pompey Smith, Thomas Stocker, Warwick Howell, Hampton Jamison and Julius Goodwin.”

See: New Light Beulah Baptist Church: A Historical Perspective

Julius Goodwin was my great-grandfather. He and his brothers would take the name of Goodwin after emancipation in 1865, giving it to his wife Epsy and his children, one of which Moses Pickett Goodwin: my grandfather.
Robert Harrison Goodwin was born June 19, 1925, on the same day celebrated in Texas, nationally and internationally as Juneteenth.

Robert lost his father Moses, a sharecropper and school teacher, at the age of three. From all descripts, a voracious reader, and that desire to learn transferred to his son. Raised by his “village” at the time, Robert would quit formal education in the 6th grade to work, bringing home money for his mother, Estelle. He would be drafted in the US Navy in a segregated squadron. He was a ship weapons expert, a cook and a Navy boxer: my first martial arts instructor. He took and passed a college entrance exam, despite his lack of formal education. He opted sadly, not to go, the challenge of the times and the need to make money for his mother, which he dutifully sent home from his meager enlisted check of $92.00.

On his departure after World War II from the Navy, he brought his clothing to a dry cleaning business in Winston-Salem, NC, where a young woman named Mildred would see him. Impressed with his looks and muscles (he was a boxer), she convinced her manager to give the person she’d eventually call “Boot” Goodwin a job. They married April 8, 1950 and Robert became an immediate father to my sister Mamie, who was 8 at the time. I came along 12 years later.

Nanos gigantium humeris insidentes – I stand on the shoulders of giants. I am here because of them. I studied physics because my great-grandfather and his brothers in their own way were fighters, and did not let challenges of violence defeat their dream; my grandfather Moses was an educator and sharecropper who provided mightily for his family; having friendships that endured after his passing and men to raise his son, and my father (Pop) mechanically gifted, brilliant and kind: enduring years of discrimination to bring home money for his family, passed over for promotions and did not let bitterness poison the dreams of his son: me.

He and my mother would help me achieve the rank of Brigade Commander of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools: the highest rank in the city, and the first African American. He was instrumental in my learning the fine art of military drill with a rifle, and how to shoot both rifle and pistol, orienteering and public speaking. He and my mother were Deacon and Deaconess at Galilee Missionary Baptist Church.

In college on my initial troubles with Calculus, Pop purchased a book on the subject; studied it for two weeks and tutored me! Problems solved.

(I attended coincidentally, New Light Church when I lived in Austin, Texas before I knew this history or its significance.)

Happy Father’s Day, gentlemen: I thank you all.

Ayn Rand...

"Ayn Rand encapsulates in a very powerful way this drift [away from Christian values], especially with the rise of the tea party which is in many ways very un-Christian," AVN Executive Director Eric Sapp told Raw Story in an exclusi...ve interview. "There's a lot of political pressure to combine the Christian right with that new, powerful tea party movement on the right. Ayn Rand kind of puts the point why Christians need to be very, very wary of those who are trying to do so."



2 Peter 3:3 KJV - Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
2 Peter 3:4 KJV - And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as [they were] from the beginning of the creation.
2 Peter 3:8 KJV - But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day [is] with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

Dating...

We talked about this in one of the "Pressing to New Levels" lessons some time ago. We had spirited back-and-forth, almost a teen "call-and-response" as they each had very strong opinions about the subject.

Even though the lesson was a blessing, and there are differing views even among the ministers as to whether teens should or should not date. I'll relate a story I just gathered from an employee (I'm getting used to saying that) that I have in New York:

He's from India, meaning he's likely Hindu, so the following is not about his religion, but how he went about choosing a wife.

He apparently made a decision one day, and informed his parents.

They went into action making the announcement in his village. By the time he flew from America to visit him, they had 18 potential mates lined up for him to meet.

For three weeks, he did. He did not kiss them or anything else: virginity is a premium in their culture, ideal if both are before marriage.

He ended up marrying the 19th girl his parents' had him meet (the first eighteen he just didn't vibe with). They've been married happily for two years now.

**********

When I'd minister to oURLife Austin, I knew -- especially from our lesson I mentioned -- the teens were interested in dating and the opposite sex. What I observed was (at least in Austin), they weren't interested in dating each other.

Psalms 133:1 NKJV - A Song of Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant [it is] For brethren to dwell together in unity!
Psalms 133:2 NKJV - [It is] like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.
Psa 133:3 NKJV - [It is] like the dew of Hermon, Descending upon the mountains of Zion; For there the LORD commanded the blessing--Life forevermore.

2 Corinthians 6:14 NKJV - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?
2 Corinthians 6:15 NKJV - And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?

I'm not advocating arranged marriages. Interestingly, that was the custom when Joseph married Mary and formed a family for Jesus to be reared in.

My employee points out several things: 1) though I'll never share his faith, he's pretty strong in it, 2) his parents chose his potential wives from the opinions of his community. He described it as being a part of a larger, extended family, the nucleus being from the same temple and having grown up together. His potential wives were not strangers at all: he just didn't find anything enough in common to commit to a long-term relationship.

I think it's just easier to go out with someone that hopefully shares your views about the Bible, Salvation and living a life pleasing unto God.

But teens, being private, would rather put their business "on blast" on Facebook than let anyone at church check out their "significant other." If teens hear opinions to the contrary of their "stargaze"; their perfect view of your boyfriend/girlfriend, it's not because we're being mean or over-critical. It's probably because we've "been there, done that": got the T-shirt! We're your community, and we care about you.

Nothing's changed except the clothes, music, technology and the hairstyles (and some of those came back). Yeah, we're older than you, but "there's nothing new under the sun" (Ecclesiastes 1:9).

The adults and ministers in your lives have got battle scars for a reason! Maybe we could save you some headaches, unplanned pregnancies, delayed education, keyed cars; unnecessary drama.

Sadly, almost 50% of US marriages end in divorce, and India enjoys a divorce rate of 1.1%. We can do better. It starts with you.

I personally would like to see more Godly dating among our teens: so that you can be a light to others and your lives and futures will be blessed representing God in the earth.


Link: What are the Biblical guidlines for dating relationships?

Another Pressure on Gas Prices...

Mark 13:4 "Tell us, when will these things be? And what [will be] the sign when all these things will be fulfilled?"

Mark 13:5 And Jesus, answering them, began to say: "Take heed that no one deceives you.

Mark 13:6 "For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am Christ,' and will deceive many.

Mark 13:7 "But when you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be troubled; for [such things] must happen, but the end [is] not yet.

Mark 13:8 "For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be earthquakes in various places, and there will be famines and troubles. These [are] the beginnings of sorrows.

Mark 13:9 "But watch out for yourselves, for they will deliver you up to councils, and you will be beaten in the synagogues. You will be brought before rulers and kings for My sake, for a testimony to them.

Mark 13:10 "And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations.

Mark 13:11 "But when they arrest [you] and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.

Mark 13:26 "Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory.

Mark 13:27 "And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven.

Mark 13:31 "Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.

Mark 13:32 "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.

Mark 13:33 "Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.

Mark 13:34 "[It is] like a man going to a far country, who left his house and gave authority to his servants, and to each his work, and commanded the doorkeeper to watch.

Mark 13:35 "Watch therefore, for you do not know when the master of the house is coming--in the evening, at midnight, at the crowing of the rooster, or in the morning--

Mark 13:36 "lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping.

Mark 13:37 "And what I say to you, I say to all: Watch!"

Oxidado, and My Own Drug Story...

"Oxi" is the fastest growing drug in Brazil, and is said to be more addictive than crack:

Mark Kilroy was a UT student in Mexico on Spring Break.

I, was 26, depressed after not getting a job in the semiconductor industry at Dupont Photomask in Round Rock (it's now Taippan Photomask).

I was single. I was drinking (getting MORE depressed), at a female friend's house.

She asked me if I'd ever smoked weed. I said no. "No? Well, we've got to change that!"

She left her apartment and came back with a nickel bag. I'd seen them before in the hood. My whole life, I'd avoided smoking weed. I'd smell it on the bus and get a "contact": red eyes from second-hand smoke (and, probably a little high too).

I proudly argued with the guy from the Air Force Defense Investigative Service (DIS), checking the backgrounds of my class at Keesler Air Force Base: he said, "you're the only black officer in your class and the only one that has stated emphatically that you've never done drugs. WHY should I believe you?"

I replied: "Because the only times I saw white people like YOU in my neighborhood was to buy drugs at Po' Charlie's!" (Po' Charlie was the drug kingpin in my neighborhood. He, along with Frank Lucas (yeah, American Gangster, though Frank in real life NEVER looked like Denzel) ran drugs as far north as Maine and south as Florida.) He said the usual investigation was to ask 5 of my neighbors; I challenged him to look for 10, and ask them all if they'd seen me smoke weed. If he could find ONE, the Air Force could refuse to approve my Top Secret clearance and kick me OUT. Didn't happen...

My friend rolled the joint - she was obviously a pro. I was buzzed, depressed and willing to try for the first time in my life.

"Hold your breath!" she commanded. I coughed. I gagged. I took exactly two tokes of the joint. I was done. My friend smoked; I didn't. Therefore, someone that could smoke cigarettes could probably smoke weed, I reasoned. I left her apartment and went back to mine. It was Friday night/Saturday morning...

The Austin American Statesman carried the story of Mark Kilroy and his bizarre murder on blast on the front page. I had a subscription and it was on my front doorstep: He'd been sacrificed to Satan to make his captors "invisible" to the authorities.

A voice in my apartment stated to me: "YOU killed him." It frightened me. I now know it was the Holy Spirit.

The kingdom of darkness does NOT take up tithes and offerings, or sell chicken dinners!

We were made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Satan hates us because we "will judge angels" (1 Corinthians 6:3). He is a fallen archangel (Isaiah 14:13-14). Therefore, saved, unsaved, believing/atheist: we are ALL targets for extinction. He'll either rig the jury (get more outside of the Will of God/on his side), or exterminate the jury!

Every person that participates in the drug culture - even casually - are the catalysts for horrible acts. The Mexican Drug Wars are a good example. There wouldn't be any turf wars if there were no demand here in the US. It's simple supply and demand economics...and the "wages (payment) of sin is death. But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23)

Pontius Pilate tried to wash his hands, symbolic of washing his hands of Jesus' innocent blood (Matthew 27:24). It didn't excuse him; just because it was my "first and only time," it didn't excuse me. When I pledged my college fraternity, my Dean of Pledgees gave me something I'll never forget: "excuses don't excuse: they just explain."

2 links below:

Brownville Herald: Matamoros Murder of Mark Kilroy
Hollywood Unmasked: The Matamoros Murders