YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN

Scripture states that Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, a Pharisee, a leading member of the Sanhedrin Council, as well as a popular, intelligent and wealthy man, came to question Jesus the Christ - under the cover of night -  concerning his desire to understand what is required for salvation?

Christ answered the scholar with these words, "Except  a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."

How ironic it is that today, over 2000 years since God described, plainly, what is necessary to be a partaker of His plan of salvation, many and most intellectual and theological scholars still don't have a clue concerning the requirement to be saved. 

First, you must repent!!! You must become godly sorry for all past thoughts, deeds, and actions.
You must become so humbled and broken up about your rebellion against the living, holy God that you turn to Him in real sorrow and "plead" for His mercy and forgiveness. To repent means to "cry out" for His mercy, and help, to overcome our evil natures and to develop His righteous character.

The desire and the humbleness required to plead and cry out to God for His mercy and forgiveness must come from God. Only the Spirit of God can draw us into obedience to Him.  God's man can put us on the path to salvation but only the Holy Spirit can save fallen humanity.
                                                                         

Second, after the new birth, there must be an outward display of what happened inwardly.  Baptism is the outward demonstration of the inward rejuvenation of the heart. Complete immersion in water to symbolize the total death and washing away of sin, and the resurrection into new life.

Last, and not least, born again converts must be taught how to develop the mind of God and to incorporate the principles and practices of righteousness into their daily living.

True repentance is of the heart.     

Receiving Gods mercy is the only way to obtain the unmerited pardon of sins.
                                                                               

"Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

TG4RG

                                       Because He Lives

CONSPIRACY 101

The Bible document's that the followers of Jesus of Galilee were vigorously persued to answer questions pertaining to the charge of conspiracy for promoting revolution and treason against the government of Rome. To avoid prosecution one of the apostles -- Peter-- denied three times that he was part of the spiritual revolution of Christ.

"Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man."

To be charged with conspiracy the prosecution doesnt have to prove a defendant's involvement in an perceived affair. On many occasions individuals have been incarcerated for simply taking a photograph with someone deemed "suspect" by the authorities.

How fortunate for Peter that he was able to avoid the charge against him -- temporarily at least.  Why! Because it was Peter's word against his accusers -- no one had a photograph of him with the man referred to as Jesus.

Today, it's amazing how freely we put our images, information, life-styles, thoughts, feelings, habits, passions and desires on these social media outlets. If your behavior is Christ-like then I can understand why you have no fear, but if your behavior is satanic, outside of what God requires of His children, I would be very, very, afraid. 

Why? Because big brother a.k.a., Uncle Sam is watching, and guess what, so is the Creator.

What if, one day all the disenfranchised people decided that we were going to be free. 

The establishment would do everything in its power to thwart a potential movement of this genre. But they wouldn't have much trouble locating us are our friends and associates. Neither would it be a challenge for them to determine our thought patterns  -- what we think about -- because we so freely display our sentiments -- be it good or bad,

Considering some of the past practices of this country against groups and individuals deemed "anti-establishment or outcast from society"  we should be more conscience of the character we display on these social media outlets.

As recently as 1985, following orders from a collaboration of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, a bomb was dropped from a helicopter on a house occupied by the MOVE organization.  Move is a Philadelphia-based black liberation group.

The explosion ignited a fire in which 11 people died, including 5 children.  In addition 60 homes were destroyed.  To this day Philadelphia is known to many as "The City That Bombed Itself".

In 1969, Fred Hampton an African American activist and deputy chairman of the Illinois chapter of the Black Panther Party(BPP) was killed, as he slept, in a raid by a collaboration of federal, sate, and local law enforcement agencies. Hampton was deemed "a threat to society" perhaps because of his brokering of a nonaggression pact between Chicago's most powerful street gangs.

In response to the death of Fred Hampton, "The Weather Underground Organization" (WUO) a predominately all white clandestine revolutionary party for the violent overthrow of the US government issued a "Declaration of War" against the United States.

The WOU believed that, "doing nothing in a period of repressive violence is itself a form of violence. 

If you sit in your house, live your white life and go to your white job, and allow the country that you live in to murder people and commit genocide, and do nothing about it, that's violence."

"Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man."

That's what Peter said, well I sure do know the man, and more than that I'm glad that He knows me. I'll even take it a step further;  I'm in a conspiracy with Him to seek and to save that which is lost. Who are you in a conspiracy with?

Marvel not; ye must be born again!!!!

                                                                             TG4RG

                                                              Search Me Lord...........          

                                                           

                                                                     

THE FIRST GREAT AWAKENING

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:  For the time is come that judgement must begin in the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Daily we are bombarded by news stories concerning clergyman gone bad.  Sadly, many appear to be of African descent. Apparently, they are following in the foot steps of many Catholic Church priests which have suppressed pedophilia within its ranks for decades.

Black people, habitually, follow their leaders.

 So is it any wonder why sexual sadism and perversion is running rampant within the black church? 

It appears that we have become a religious community where the blind are truly leading the blind.

Mega Church leaders and have gotten completely away from preaching "fire and brimstone" and have instead resorted to selling the masses "prosperity ministries".  Most, if not all, of these chameleons preach that God wants you to be rich instead of preaching that there are consequences for disobedience and unrighteousness. 

Many of the so-called, or self proclaimed leaders are leading the masses into darkness and many think it's the light because they have a vast following. 

If there ever was a time when Gods people were in need of an awakening, the time is now.

God works through people and he directed one man to teach this: 

October 5, 1703, God created Jonathan Edwards, and gave him the wisdom and knowledge to become a preacher, theologian, and missionary. Edwards is widely acknowledged to be America's most important and original philosophical theologian, and one of America's greatest intellectuals. 

Edwards played a very critical role in shaping the First Great Awakening.  

The First Great Awakening (or The Great Awakening) was a religious revitalization movement that swept the Atlantic world and especially the American colonies in the 1730's and 1740's, leaving a permanent impact on American religion. Pulling away from ritual and ceremony, the Great Awakening made religion intensely personal to the average person by fostering a deep sense of spiritual guilt and redemption, and by encouraging introspection and commitment to a new standard or personal morality.

"Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", is a typical sermon of the Great Awakening, emphasizing the widely held belief that Hell is a real and functional place.

Edwards was intent on making the underlying point that God has given humanity a chance to rectify their sins.  Edwards believed that it is the "will of God" that keeps wicked men and women from the depths of Hell.  This act of restraint has given humanity a chance to mend their ways and return to Christ.  

Unlike the Second Great Awakening, (a future article) which reached out to the unchurched, the First Great Awakening focused on people who were already church members. 

Listen up, already church members, the time has come that judgement must begin in the house of God.

Righteousness is not what we profess; it's what we practice.

Ye must be born again!!!!!!

                                                  TG4RG

                                      Cried My Last Cry....Yesterday........Mary...Mary

                                    

DETAINMENT AND INTERNMENT

"Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves and for your children.  For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare.  For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?"

Recently, a six-year old Indiana boy was arrested after kicking his principal in the leg and threatening to kill him.  The child, who had been suspended before for kicking and biting, was taken to a local police station and charged with battery and intimidation. 

Instead of calling the child's parents when he began to act out, school officials called the police, claiming that putting him in the system was the best option.

Unfortunately, for some students - especially males of color - their "acting out is often judged more harshly than their peers and they are not only suspended at higher rates (for the same offensives), but they are also incarcerated at higher rates as well.

To those of us still living with our heads stuck in the sand this phenomena is something new, however, the seasoned among us, realize that detaining and confining people of color is a practice that this country has always excelled in.

Some might remember that in 1942, the United States government herded thousands of Japanese Americans into "War Relocation Camps".  Law abiding, tax paying, American citizens were removed from their homes and sources of livelihood into segregated internment (prison) camps.

Decades later Congress issued legislation that said the government's actions were based solely on 'race prejudice and a failure of political leadership". 

President Ronald Reagan apologized for the internment on behalf of the U.S. government and eventually disbursed more than $1.6 billion in reparations to Japanese Americans who had been interned and their heirs.

Makes one wonder what happened to reparations for African Americans who had been subjected to slavery and their heirs?

Still, a few others may re-call that in 1984, Readiness Exercise 1984 (Rex 84) was written by Lieutenant Colonel Oliver North.  While working in his capacity as National Security Council White House Aide and (FEMA) liaison, the United States Government developed a plan to suspend the United States Constitution, declare martial law, and to detain up to 21 million, law abiding, and tax paying American Negroes.

And last, but certainly not least, is the King Alfred Plan, a plan thought to be, a CIA-led scheme supporting an international effort to eliminate people of African descent.

Specifically, it defined how to deal with the treat of a black uprising in the United States by cordoning off black people into concentration camps in the event of a major racial incident.

A major racial incident might be something similar to an incident fueled by an innocent verdict for the murderer of Trayvon Martin.

Needless to say, our children are under siege.  Satan and his imps are busy. The sad part about the war on our children is that while
contingency planning readiness exercises and programs are being implemented across the country, we that claim to know God are sitting idly by waiting, I imagine, for a savior to come floating out of the sky to rescue us from the mayhem that is sure to  come.

God works through people.

People that are not afraid to act like Christ and stand up for righteousness and justice.

Marvel not; ye must be born again.

                                            TG4RG

                             Choice of Colors.......Curtis Mayfield

KNEEGRO

Knee-gro (kne`gro) n. 1. a member of any of the indigenous dark-skinned peoples of Africa. The dialectal variant of the word kneegro, according to Mr. Webster the voice of linguistic authority, is the word kniggar or in some circles knigus.  However you want to split this hair the word kneegro on the 2010 senseless oopps!! -- census form is causing quite a stir. 

Take for instance, Christine Sloan, a reporter for CBS in New York, she states that, "The word "kneegro" is now featured on an official U.S. document and now many are questioning if the Census Bureau is being insensitive."


Insensitive!! 


The U.S. Government being insensitive to people of color, now thats a twist.


The U.S Government wasn't being insensitive when Hurricane Katrina raveged New Orleans it was more like being invisible.


Still, droves of commentary and explanations for the use of the word keegro on the census form have been coming forth. Including comments made by  J. Michele Brown, a columnist for the St. Louis American Newspaper. She states that on several occasion's we as  Black people have been so easily offened, but believes that this time it is without just cause. She further reminds us to not lose focus.  Before we boycott  the U.S. Census, we should think smart. Census results will determine federal  funds for our community based on the number of people counted in it, as well as determine representation in the U.S. House of Representatives. 


Really.


For the record,words like insensitive and phrases like so easily offened shouldnt even be used to discribe anything regarding AfricansnAmerikkka. One of the many problems adding to the most definite demise of Black people is that we quickly forget the atrocious behavior we have been - and are still being - subjected to here in Amerikkka.

In the infamous words of comic and actor, Jim Carrey from his "In Living Color" days  Letmetellusomthin.


This time around the U.S. Census is counting prisoners where they are. There are over 1.3 million Americans in state and Federal custody and a million more in local jails. Nine times out of ten prisons are located in sparsly populated rural communities where, frequently, the prison population is larger than the poulation of the entire "prisontown."


State Representives from prison populated districts routinely protect the prison economies in their districts by blocking any attempt to reform draconian sentencing policies. Meaning that people of color will continue to be the dominate presence in prisons. How unfair is it to count these men and women in these districts and yet those incarcerated will not be able to recieve any service or support from those districts or the elected representives?  Further, counting prisoners where they are as oppossed to counting them in the communities they came from results in delusional demographic statistics for the prison towns. Thus resulting in a shift in government support for infrastructure, higher education, and other programs away from the home communities of the prisoners.


Catch 22 and 23. 


Any true representation for incarcerated individuals must come from the communities in which they resided prior to being imprisoned. These are the communities to which they will likely return and attempt to reintergrate. These are the communities that need the most support, aid, and assistance from the government, the private sector, non-profits, and religious organizations to help facilitate a "born again" atmosphere and attitude for these returning ex-offenders.


Whatever label you chose to claim  the fact remains that we, as people of color, are in serious trouble.


When you have 15 year old hooker's pimpin' their seven year old little sisters  --  who really cares what term they are identified by on the Census?
When people of color are dying more from AIDS and abortions then any other people on the planet -- what does it matter if they are called by a name that is or is not politically correct?
When we are spending billions of dollars a month on, not 1 but 2, undeclared, unpopular, unnecessary, and last but not least ,unwinable wars does it really matter what words are on the Census form?


There is an evil spirit in this country that is breeding a sickness of unmeasurable proportions whether you live in America or Amerikkka.


The illness is racism.


 How unfortunate it is that a vast number of the citizens who are "up in arms" protesting the New Health Care Reform for America are also professing Christians.  These individuals make it so apparent that this country has hit rock bottom. Anytime you have the moral majority that claims to love a God that they have never seen yet hate their brothers and sisters that they see everyday makes it very clear that something is seriously amiss in America.  What we have in this country are religious fanatics who advocate the love of Christ yet don't want for their fellow-man what they want for themselves.


Racism is the chant of the hour and it doesnt matter by what name people of color chose to be called. Its obvious that we are still knigus - from the White House to the poor house.


Here is some food for thought: 


Prior to the construction of the Suez Canal in 1869, there was no such term as the Middle East. That portion of the continent was called East Africa or Far East Africa. The continent was just what God created it to be, one huge land mass called Africa. That being the case, and according to Mr. Webster's definition, the man that we refer to as Jesus the Christ would also be deemed a kneegro, or the dialectal variant -- kniggar or knigus -- based on nothing but the truth.

In the 1930''s the Creator of the World, just because He loved us so much, established in St. Louis Missouri, under the leadership of the late , great,  Reverend Sherman Glover, "a saving station", where every man and woman , boy and girl could come and be released from the bondage of their mind, body and spirit. I thank God today, that that same "saving station" is still available today. For "whosoeverwill."
 
Ye must be born again!!!!

                                           TG4RG

Niggers Are Scared of Revolution..........The Last Poets.....1972

POLLY-TICKS

Poli-tics(pal' e tiks) pl.n factional scheming for power and status within a group, relating to politician a person skilled or experienced in practical politics or political science.

Apparently, Governor of Illinois, Rod Blagojevich, didn't read Mr. Websters definition before he started endeavoring in pay-for-play politics.

 According to Chicago Sun Times columnist, Mary Mitchell, Mr. Blagojevich, didn't and doesn't have, any skills in factional scheming(smile). She wrote: "I suspect that Blagojevich's biggest sin, and the thing that has members of the General Assembly gnashing their teeth, is that he was so inept at the sleazy gamesmanship that is an integral part of Illinois politics."

Is anybody really surprised that another politician in Illinois, or anywhere else in America, or in the world got caught with their hand in the cookie jar?

 Is corruption in government, in America, really news?

The tentacles of corruption extend to every city and state in America to some degree. Lets just face the facts, the system of government in this country is corrupt. So even when you have decent individuals who go into politics with the desire to do the right thing, the corruptness of the system soon weighs heavy on their good intentions and many falter under the pressure.

Does anybody remember Fred Hampton, a leader in the Black Panther Party, who was cowardly murdered in his bed, as he slept?

 Hampton once said, referring to politics that, "Politics is just War without blood shed and War is just Politics with blood shed." Hampton is absolutely correct. The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and the so-called War on Drugs in our communities as well, is just politics in full effect mood.

Somewhere along this journey we call life we forgot just what politicians do.
Politicians by intent and design look out for themselves and people in their click or circle.

The vast majority of us are not in any politicians click, so why do we assume that they are going to look out for our best interest or do what is right regarding our everyday situations?


Harry S. Truman, believed by many to be the greatest president this country ever had or ever will have is quoted to have said,"My lot in life was either to be a piano player in a whore house or a politician, and there is really no difference between the two."

 Judge/Politician Jackie Glass, recently sentenced O.J. Simpson to 30 years in prison. She said," I'm not here to try and cause any retribution or any payback for anything else." RIGHT!!!!!

The only regret I have with O.J., right , wrong, or indifferent, is that he should have never given them the satisfaction of seeing him break down.

Actually, it was almost comical seeing him almost come to tears trying to describe to a heartless Judge/Politician why he did what he did........because he wanted his stuff back......his stuff back???????????

In my estimation O.J. should have become the Invisible Man after getting his life back the first time. Now for the next ten or more years him and all of his stuff will be confined in an area the size of a bath room.

In the bible it says that "for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out."
No matter if you are a corrupt politician, a sports icon, are the soon to be former president of the united states there will be no U-Haul truck parked at your grave site... full of your stuff.

The longer I live the more I've come to appreciate the teachings of the Reverend Sherman Glover.

 Reverend Glover is quoted to have said referring to politics(pollyticks) that "Polly was a whore and a Tick is a blood-sucker now you put those two together and what have you got?...........a blood-sucking whore.

                                                                          TG4RG


Marvel not; Ye must be born again.

Dot Dot Dit Dit Dot Dot Dash or Damned If I Know(diik)

During the turbulent times of the 1960's and 70's there was on the seen a prophet, poet, lyricist, musician and just plain ole gifted artist known as Gil Scott-Heron. He coined a new phrase or saying and called it, "Dot Dot Dit Dit Dot Dot Dash or "Damned If I know(diik)". The reason this phrase was necessary was because so many things were going on during those times that no one really had an answer for or could get a handle on just "why" this or that thing was happening.

 For instance, why was Martin Luther King killed? - (diik) or why was Malcolm X assassinated? - (diik), or what about the state ordered massacre at Attica State Prison? -(diik), or the innocent students gunned down by the government at Kent State University? - (diik), or the bomb dropped on the house of the Move Organization, also ordered by the city government? - (diik). 

Then, as well as now, we are confronted on a daily basis with more and more revelations that make us uncertain of things we thought we were positive about. Because of this fact I feel it necessary to have a resurgence of the phrase, Dot Dot Dit Dit Dot Dot Dash - Damned If I Know(diik)(smile). Maybe, some one might feel the need to make use of this phrase when you ask yourself why are we fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan? (diik), or why is the prison population of this country greater than the total population of South Korea? - (diik), why is the stock market crashing? why is there no money for health care but plenty of money for bombs? why are we graduating students who are functional illiterate? damned if I know, damned if I know, damned if I know!!!!!

It should be obvious that this country, whether you live in America or Amerikkka, is in need of a change. Not the kind of change that politicians build their campaigns on making promises that they cant keep, but a spiritually change, a spiritual revolution.

 Understand I did not say a religious revolution.

 A religious revolution is nothing more than a religious revival that would and does keep us divide. What we need is a spiritual revolution, a revolution that would unite us, and let us realize that we are one in spirit. A God sent man, the one that we refer to as Jesus, once said that "Ye must be born again".

                                                                        

 Today, thousands of people, as well as myself, give thanks and praise to the Creator of the world for sending His Holy Spirit, again, in our life time, manifested in the flesh of the Reverend Sherman Glover, to show the world just how being born again of The Spirit of God can be achieved.