The Essence of Life

Human life can become complex with its obligations both written and unwritten. Yet, I believe the Creator’s original design intended a simple way of life centering on your ability to worship from HIS chosen purpose. One can easily discern the original purpose in Scriptures before the fall of man. “And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it.” (Genesis 2:15 KJV) From this verse, notice the simplicity of God’s original design. 

          The Master Designer, God created the ultimate garden with an array of flowers, bushes, and trees, which produced all kind of fruits both edible and nonedible. Just imagine in one location, you could see all types of fruit, vegetables, and nuts. For instance, this paradise had plenty of fruit-bearing trees like oranges, bananas, apple, figs, and tangerine. Also, it contained nuts-producing trees of all kinds like pecans, almonds, walnuts, as wells as edible vegetables – carrots, tomatoes, spinach, collards, etc.  Here, the Master Designer created man in HIS image and placed him, an intelligent being like HIM for the sole reason to cultivate and nurture this paradise.  Therefore, the Garden of Eden provided the ultimate worship center as man performed his only specified task of maintaining and cultivating these plants and trees for producing fruit. In this garden, man found harmony with meaning as he performed this specified purpose “to dress and to keep it.”

          Today, we perish in this complexity of life when we move from our simple purpose to our ego driven-passions.  Similarly, the tempter (Lucifer) turns us away from God by feeding our ego of selfishness.  When you observe the scenario with humankind and the serpent (Lucifer) via the conversation with Eve. You will notice the shifting from simple to complexity purposed by Lucifer. “The serpent said to the woman, ‘Surely you will not die, for God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will open and you will be like divine beings who know good and evil.’” (Genesis 3: 4-5) Planting such a thought in ones’ minds quickly moves you away from cultivating HIS purpose to desiring your own garden. Likewise, the tempter used this same technique with the Savior. In Matthew 4:3, “The tempter came and said to him, ‘If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become bread.’” If you analyze the tempter’s routine, you will notice a similar pattern with each person he entices. The tempter reminds you of self-fulfilling outcome, which entices you toward selfish desires instead of God’s will. In other words, the tempter wants you to move from dependence on God to independence from God. While Adam cultivated the Garden of Eden, the tempter used the terms “you will be like divine beings” in other words you will have no need for God for you will become God. Likewise, the tempter used the same tantalizing words with Jesus, “If you are the Son of God.” How often do we feel unfulfilled from lack of purpose or we feel our job seems meaningless because we have yet to prove ourselves or to establish who we are among others. Again, the tempter uses ego driven-passions to move us from God’s dependence to our independence while thinking we can control the outcome if we do this or that.

        Recognition of our dependence on God becomes the key that will open the simplicity of harmony and peace that awaits us. We must realize our true purpose of being ourselves and fulfilling that simple task of cultivating the work where God puts us right now, instead of where we want to go. Whether you are a student, employee, or retiree, you must execute this simple purpose to dress and keep the fruit of your life pleasing before God so ultimately you will remain as God intended – sons of God.

Example for Children

This truism extends blessings...

This truism extends blessings from generation to generation by creating an eternal marking upon one’s offspring. Take a look at your past photos of your parents and even your parents' parents. Can you identify similar features that you share with each of them? If one recognizes physical resemblance, what about the intangible similarities to include characteristics and traits that you share? Because of such a profound connection with self to one’s family, the Savior proposed a unique question to his disciples when questioned about who is the greatest in the kingdom. He placed a child in midst of them followed by this statement: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me.” (Matthew 18:1-5) Although, this lesson explains humility, the Savior points the disciples to their younger selves when they too were children of innocence. So notice that this truism reminds us that a blessed child results from a righteous parent who never forgets his child-like spirits.  The need for greatness and outward distinction becomes less in the child’s mind than the adult way of thinking. A child incurs the dependence on his parent less than an older self. So a child develops into adult-like traits By imitating his parent. Consequently,  the humbleness of mind as demonstrated in selflessness returns when one has a child-like spirit. As one resonates his child-like spirit, it will lead to righteousness, resulting with blessed offspring.

If one subscribes to old idiom, “the apple does not fall far from the tree” meaning that children are like their parents. I can definitely agree with this idiom; simply because I see my father’s ways and behavior as I interact daily with people. So as one avoids the pitfall of self-centeredness and gravitate toward a humility mindset, your child will tap into positive experiences instead of negative experiences as life unfolds. In other words, a person gravitate toward his parent’s action under life stresses from a learned behavior instead reacting in one’s best interest under such challenges. For instance, if one seeks aspiration to have a blessed child, then one must demonstrate how to bless others through humility to implant such behavior in his child. Remember, the writing of Apostle Paul to the Philippians, as he explained humility in describing the role of the Savior: "Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." (Philippians 2:5-9) As Jesus imitated his Father through humility, likewise; the recipient of a blessed child emanates self-effacing for his child to replica.

Remember that a heavenly mindset allows you to impart the same selfless life style to your child. So the formula for a blessed child evolves around you living the same child-like life in front of your child. Equally, the child will repeat the same imparting to his child, reflecting a child-like spirit comparable to the truism – “The righteous lead blameless lives; blessed are their children after them." (Proverbs 20:7 NIV)

Lessons Learned from my Father-n-Law

I grasped a new revelation regarding the role of a father as Rev. Rufus Grant (pastor of New Beginnings Missionary Baptist) explained the difference of a hireling and a shepherd during Sunday service. Although, I have heard similar sermons about the “Good Shepherd” but today his message unfolded a new revelation from an unlikely Scripture. “Let the Lord, the God of the spirits of all flesh, set a man over the congregation, which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.” (Numbers 27:16-17). This verse provides the necessity of a shepherd for the congregation likewise each family needs a shepherd to aid with the growth of the family. During his sermon, I thought about the role of a father like the Good Shepherd for a congregation. For instance, Rev. Grant listed five points in his comparison of a hireling:

     1. The hireling is a hired person who works for money. Hired individual only considers the gain that he receives during the course of his serving. 

     2. The hireling as a hired person lacks the value of working because his heart centers on the profitable gain of monetary value.

     3. The hireling runs away when the work faces opposition.

     4. The hireling lacks faithfulness if such service become unprofitable.

     5. The hireling seeks only self-gratification.  

Unlike a hireling, God places a father in charge of the family. Likewise, a father must value his role wholeheartedly. He must demonstrate an unwillingness to relinquish his family responsibilities despite oppositions. In John 10:12 (NIV), “the hired hand is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep. So when he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf attacks the flock and scatters it.” This Scripture reveals that a hireling runs away from the sheep when the wolf comes comparably a father faces the wolf unwavering while protecting his family with an attitude that he will lay down his life for them. As demonstrated in John 10:15… “I lay down my life for the sheep.” Since, the wolf symbolizes any issue that bring hard times, the father serves as the resilience for the family while each family member explores the various opportunities of life.  

Unselfish love drives the will of the shepherd unlike money for the hireling. The monetary profit for a shepherd generates an irrelevant commodity since a shepherd’s perception coincides with a heavenly outcome. Likewise, the father views his family through the eyes of love while making decisions from the heart instead of a selfish mindset. 

Ultimately, the father through love becomes the center of gravity that sustains a family for each member to live life fully and abundantly. So I encourage fathers to awake to this new revelation and fulfill your shepherd's roles in the family. 

Reasons for Groaning

For verily in this we groan, longing to be clothed upon with our habitation which is from heaven:
2 Corinthians 5:2

What if no person ever dies? If persons live forever on this earth, will we have a need to grow spiritually? We noticed that in the New Testament that we groan for a heavenly presence while on earth echoing a need to exist beyond this earthly realm.

Groaning can easy communicate a painful effort of moving from one state to another state. Such occurred to me after a knee surgery when I accidentally rupture my patella tendon playing basketball. During rehabilitation which immediately occurred the next day after surgery, I literally cried from the excruciating pain as I tried bending my knee. I wanted to rest but the bending of the knee to a certain degree became paramount to prevent freezing. Therefore, my groaning resulted in exercising the knee at the prescribed level that eventually enabled me walk again.

Equally, life situation causes us to groan and to escape such groaning ones must recognize the need for growth. The groaning provides a glimpse of being clothed in your heavenly body while living on earth. Therefore, life situation that causes us to cry on earth brings us closer to the growth needed for heavenly preparation. So instead of criticizing your situation just embrace these earthly circumstances with groaning while realizing that each groan enables growth needed for heavenly profits. As noted in Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

What is the age of accountability?

His parents answered and said, we know that this is our son, and that he was born blind: but how he now seeth, we know not; or who opened his eyes, we know not: ask him; he is of age; he shall speak for himself.                                                                                                        

St. John 9:20-21

How many times as parents, we linger with our parenting responsibilities for an extended time?  When can a parent stop acting as parents?  My mother-n-law (Granny) quotes, “children cling to your knees when they are young but when they get old they weigh on your heart.”  Conversely, in Saint John chapter 9, you see a different parental attitude for the parents of the blind man that Jesus healed. When questioned by the religious authorities, they quickly suggested that their son was of age meaning that he is accountable so he can defend for himself. 

Jewish tradition suggests that a child after the age of 13 becomes accountable for his or her actions. However, many states put the age of majority at 18 or 19 which allows a person to enter into a contract or even vote and run for a political position. Although when declaring independence for federal financial aid purposes, the applicant must reach the age of 24 unless he or she meets other exceptions like being married or having legal dependents.  Yet, Scriptures incline another age of accountability that we often tend to overlook. When the Israelites entered the Promised Land after wondering in the desert, the ones who entered were 20 years or younger when they first left Egypt. The primary reasons for their wondering of 40 years involve unfaithfulness by adults making ill-decisions. So the 40 years of wondering was the consequences when these adults failed to display faith. “So tell them, As surely as I live, declares the Lord, I will do to you the very thing I heard you say:  In this wilderness your bodies will fall—every one of you twenty years old or more who was counted in the census and who has grumbled against me.” (Numbers 14:28-29) Thus, this passage recognizes age 20 for accountability.   

These age disparities easily create a vague picture of pinpointing the exact age of accountable. As parents, we must analyze our perception about our children despite their poor choices and allow them to learn from mistakes to better their selection for future opportunities. In other words, allow growth to occur from poor choices instead of rescuing them from consequences.  At the age of 12, I delivered a weekly advertisement flyers for the local grocery store in the neighborhood for an earnings of $1.00 every Wednesday. Until I decided to ditch the papers in a nearby gully because it was too cold to ride my bicycle on that day. When my father heard of multiple grocery sale papers flooding the gully, my rationale for this decision was pointless. I suffered severe consequences from my father which lead to an apology to the store owner. Afterward, the store owner rehired me, and I recommenced delivering those colorful sale papers. Now, I am earning only $0.50 per week. Recanting this story as an adult, my father decided to include some missing gaps.  My father met with the store owner prior to our visit and explained that he wanted to teach me the value of work. So dad negotiated with the owner that he will pay the owner $1.00/week if the owner will allow me to deliver the flyers again.  My father actions uncovered a valuable parenting lesson for us reflecting as accountable parents who increase opportunities for their children will make them responsible.     

Defending children poor choices can easily prey upon self-consciousness of failing at parental duties. When children face consequences they become responsible for their actions. As parents, we must never overcompensate for failure with irrelevant justification and excuses to avoid consequences. Embrace choices that teach responsibilities; knowing, that responsibilities lead to better selection of choices in the future.  When our youth become responsible, then each parent can easily say, “he is of age; he shall speak for himself” creating accountable adults who value their choices. 

Are Angels Similar to Humans?

Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God… Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

                                                                                                                  (I John 3:1-2 KJV)

If humans are sons of God, are we compatible to angels? Have you ever wonder about the similarities of humans and angels?  Such questions often ponder my mind, so I wanted to resolve these questions with clarity from a different perspective.

The Scriptures mention angels over 273 times with various descriptions of depicting such angelic beings. Many angels lack wings as we tend to never imagine. Although, some angelic beings are bright and shinning, others resemble ordinary humans. Just as the Creator created humans, angelic beings assumed their creation likewise. “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.” (Colossians 1:16 NIV)  The same source created everything resulting in more similarities than one realizes. For instance, when the Savior taught his disciples to pray, he used this example. “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10, NIV) According to this prayer, the ultimate goal revealed an earthy existence very similar to a heavenly design. So the beings who inhabit these two existences have very similar characteristics to fulfill their purpose as occupants of each realm.

Angels like humans must fulfill their sole purpose as demonstrated in their behavior when humans turn to their true purpose. "Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." (Luke 15:10, NKJV) However, any deviation from the original intent always undercover fallacies for both angels and humans. For instance, earlier in history, Scriptures revealed that angels and humans produced children resulting in serious condemnation. In Genesis 6:4 (NIV), it states that “The Nephilim were on the earth in those days—and also afterward—when the sons of God went to the daughters of humans and had children by them.” This story demonstrates the capabilities of both humans and angels in producing offspring together. In order for species to reproduce, their genetic structure must have similarities resulting from their physical design. Unlike animals, their genetic structures prohibit any cross breeding with humans regardless of scientific efforts. Nevertheless, the seeds of angels and humans produced offspring resulting in the destruction of the first earthy habitats with water.  Thereafter, the Creator directed humans to multiply and replenish but not with angels. Since Scripture reveals that humans will become like angels at such time they will cease from procreating as noted by the prohibition on marriages. At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven. (Matthew 22:30 NIV) 

However, earthy humans must progress toward a heavenly likeness, therefore; habitats of each realm conduct similar activities. For example, we are told that angels are ministering spirits that protect, aid, encourage, and comfort. Likewise, humans serve other humans in the same capacity. Even our society embraces hospitality, health, education, and service industries with the sole purpose of aiding others. Just think how you feel when someone with narcissistic tendencies enters your company. This person demonstrates extreme self-centered behavior with an exaggerated sense of self-importance instead of focusing on the greater good. As sons of God, you can easy identify this type of person. As noted earlier in I John 3, sons of God resemble the Savior while possessing characteristics just like the angels in heaven. 

Finally, I realize that humans can emerge as angel-like being based on the fact that we, sons of God, have entertained angels unaware (Hebrew 13:2). So become an angel today by serving others. 

Gender Identity

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11. KJV)

Recently, I read an article in which the Church of England endorsed exploration of gender identity for its youth. The new guidance stated as follows:

“Children should be afforded freedom from the expectation of permanence. They are in a ‘trying on’ stage of life, and not yet adult and so no labels need to be fixed. This should inform the language teachers use when they comment, praise or instructions. It may be best to avoid labels and assumptions which deem children’s behaviour irregular, abnormal or problematic just because it does not conform to gender stereotypes or today’s play preferences.” 

Rev. Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury and spiritual leader of the world’s 80 million Anglicans endorsed this guidance. (Church of England: Kids should be able to explore gender identity | Fox News | http://fxn.ws/2hqEymP | November 14, 2017)

Is gender identify a new fashion or the rewording of an old concept that satisfy selfish decisions?  Since our species consists of two genders – male or female, the medical definition of gender identity states as follows: “the totality of physical and behavioral traits that are designated by a culture as masculine or feminine.” Since our culture tends to categorize humans into masculine or feminine, so when a person gravitate to either we associate that person as being a specific gender. Have you questioned the importance of categorization? Can categorizing constrain ones’ expectation? Most categorization centers on two specifics – good or evil, black or white, outside or inside, left or right, man or woman. As human, our minds can evolve beyond seeing people from a bilateral perspective which only allow an equal dividing of anatomical parts into halves. Yet, we can better exam our surroundings by using a trilateral analysis.  

In other words, as complex persons we can identify individuals overcoming many oppositions by defying the odds. Therefore, we must stop imposing rules of limitation from a bilateral perspective like gender identity and resume a different type of measuring. The utilization of trilateral analysis enables one to see beyond the obvious. This concept allows the recognition of true intentions. For instance, Scriptures proclaim truth in three occurrence. When identifying the authenticity of the Messiah, the writer reminds his readers of three significant events, “And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one.” (I John 5:8 KJV)  Likewise, as human, our existence occurs in three aspects, the physical, the mental, and the spiritual. So when all three of these agree, a trilateral analysis evolves.  

Many individuals focus on their physical and mental growth; yet their spiritual growth tends to error on undernourishment because people fail to understand the source of spirituality. Your spiritual growth only occurs when you commune with your Creator. Even the Son of God, often left the company of others to commune with His Father (Mark 1:35, Mark 14:32-34, Luke 4:42, Luke 5:16, Luke 6:12). Such commune reacts in harmony allowing your trilateral analysis to identify and remove the self-induced choices while emerging a greater purpose. Notice how Jesus explained that His true purpose in John 5:18, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things so ever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise.” A trilateral analysis will incorporate a spiritual association. With a matured spirit, a different persona will evolve as your physical and mental abilities formulate harmony with your specified gender. Otherwise, using a bilateral analysis that originating from your physical and mental capacities will only reflect from your natural feelings. As complex humans, true satisfaction occurs only when these three aspects (physical, mental, and spiritual) align in agreement. 

Remember, exploration creates experiences that shapes our perceptions. Nevertheless, exploring the source of our spirituality along with physical and mental growth will allow you to transcend. This transcending will occur above selfish exploits that stagnant true progress and allow persons to tap into a trilateral analysis. Thus, children will become mature adults and discover a greater purpose of life beyond their imagination.