I was watching Bill Winston Monday I believe and he said something that made me go hmmm...He said we as a people most importantly believers do not have a money problem or a health problem, we have an image problem. When speaking of image he nor I are speaking of how others view you, this directly refers to how you see yourself. If we truly saw ourselves the way Yahweh sees us we would be a lot better off than we are now.
That is not to say that every situation in our lives would be perfect that is to say however that our words would line up with that image. So how does Yahweh see us?
"No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us." (Romans 8:37)
"Because I master all things by The Messiah who empowers me." (Philippians 4:13)
"Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever." (Psalm 112:3)
"The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want." (Psalm 23:1)
"but the seed of the righteous shall be delivered." (Psalm 112:3b)
"A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;" (Psalm 34:19a)
"But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." (1 Peter 2:9)
"Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place." (2 Corinthians 2:14)
"And the LORD shall make you the head, and not the tail; and you shall be above only, and you shall not be beneath; if that you hearken unto the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day, to observe and to do them:" (Deuteronomy 28:13)
So let's see a few things that Yahweh says about us, we are the head and not the tail, above and not beneath, your seed (children) shall be delivered, we always triumph, we always win, we always have the victory, we are a royal priesthood, yes! you are ROYALTY, your seed shall be delivered, you shall not want, and overwhelming victory is yours. This is just a start of scriptures that you can meditate on everyday when you get a chance. Meditate on them until they are engraved in your heart. There are plenty more scriptures that you can find on your own. If the problem is our image we have to go to the source who created us to find out what our image is.
Most importantly we were created in the image of Yahweh. So if your actions and words do not line up with the Word you are not living and embodying your true image. Enough of that Yahweh made me the way I am. No Yahweh made you in His image so if you are doing anything contrary to that image Yahweh did not place that in you.
Your image is reflected in the current state of your life. I do not know about you but I definitely have some work to do!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
A blog created to E-nspire, E-ncourage, E-ngage, E-nform, and E-mpower!
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Thursday, October 20, 2011
SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS
Resources and Opportunities for African-Americans
1. Wake Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to attend its MBA program for FREE, and so far, the response has been very poor. Please pass along this opportunity to your friends, families. This is a great school and a tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate school. See the details below, the contact person is: Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, Rm. 3139 Worrell Professional Center, Babcock Graduate School of Management – Wake Forest University_ WINSTON_SALEM N.C 27109-8738 email: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu or visit www.wfu.edu phone# toll free (866) 925-3622
2. Black Male Teachers needed. Do you know any Black Males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The CALL ME MISTER program offered by 4 historical black colleges in South Carolina, Benedict College, Chaflin University, Morris College and South Carolina State University – visit the www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl details online application or call 1.800.640.2657
3. Harvard University is offering free tuition to families of HONOR STUDENTS and their income is less than $125,000 per year. Visit www.fao.fas.harvard.edc or call 617.495.1581.
4. Syracuse University School of Architecture is desperately seeking young women and men of color interested in pursuing a 5 yr. professional degree in Architecture. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean School of Architecture, 201 Slocum Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-1250 (315) 443-256 www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php
5. A free pair of eyeglasses from Target for any child ages 12 and under brings a valid prescription for glasses from their doctor. You can find stores with optical departments at www.target.com
6. APPLY NOW - If you have/know young adults between the ages of 18-31 with a High School Diploma. Can earn up to $100,000 and earn benefits. The Federal Aviation Association is taking application for Air Traffic Controller School visit the website www.faa.gov/
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Epiphany Essential
1. Wake Forest University has an opportunity for minority students to attend its MBA program for FREE, and so far, the response has been very poor. Please pass along this opportunity to your friends, families. This is a great school and a tremendous opportunity to attend a top graduate school. See the details below, the contact person is: Derrick S. Boone, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Marketing, Rm. 3139 Worrell Professional Center, Babcock Graduate School of Management – Wake Forest University_ WINSTON_SALEM N.C 27109-8738 email: derrick.boone@mba.wfu.edu or visit www.wfu.edu phone# toll free (866) 925-3622
2. Black Male Teachers needed. Do you know any Black Males who are seniors in high school who want to go to college out of state for FREE? The CALL ME MISTER program offered by 4 historical black colleges in South Carolina, Benedict College, Chaflin University, Morris College and South Carolina State University – visit the www.callmemister.clemson.edu/index.htl details online application or call 1.800.640.2657
3. Harvard University is offering free tuition to families of HONOR STUDENTS and their income is less than $125,000 per year. Visit www.fao.fas.harvard.edc or call 617.495.1581.
4. Syracuse University School of Architecture is desperately seeking young women and men of color interested in pursuing a 5 yr. professional degree in Architecture. Contact: Mark Robbins, Dean School of Architecture, 201 Slocum Hall, Syracuse, NY 13244-1250 (315) 443-256 www.soa.syr.edu/indes.php
5. A free pair of eyeglasses from Target for any child ages 12 and under brings a valid prescription for glasses from their doctor. You can find stores with optical departments at www.target.com
6. APPLY NOW - If you have/know young adults between the ages of 18-31 with a High School Diploma. Can earn up to $100,000 and earn benefits. The Federal Aviation Association is taking application for Air Traffic Controller School visit the website www.faa.gov/
Be blessed and be a blessing,
Epiphany Essential
Thursday, September 22, 2011
TROY ANTHONY DAVIS: I AM FOR CAPITAL PUNISHMENT BUT...
If you asked me was I for or against capital punishment, I would have to say that I am for it. How as a Christian can I say this? Ecclesiastes 3 "A Time for Everything
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
So yes the good book says there is a time to kill. More importantly God works through you and I just as Satan does. Many people said that who are they to kill a man, they are not God. This is true no one on earth is God but God cannot move in the land and act on earth without people. He needs you and I for his will to be done. It took David to slay Goliath, it took Moses to free the Israelites, it took Joshua to bring the walls down in Jericho, it took Jesus to free us from our sins. They were all mighty men of God, God's grace was upon them, they were able to do the supernatural in the natural because of God's omnipotence that he worked through them.
So as people, citizens, Christians we have to take a stand. Is it enough to put a convicted murderer behind bars and let them rot in jail? Maybe. Is it ok if you know someone has murdered thousands and thousands of people to take their life? Maybe. The one thing with death row and execution is that those who are on it have the choice and the ability to ask for forgiveness and make a mends with God. So it is not a situation where one cannot right their wrongs.
Now do I agree that Troy Davis should have been executed? Absolutely not. There was reasonable doubt surrounding his conviction. There are plenty of cases where people spent years in jail only to be exonerated by DNA and other evidence and later freed. So it is not far fetched to believe that Troy Davis did not commit the murder and was innocent.
We as people have to think about when someone is murdered or a crime is committed how we desire and want justice, we want someone caught and convicted of the crime partly so that we can feel safer knowing that a murderer or criminal is no longer out on the loose. So we have to question and examine ourselves and our motives. We have to be less emotional and more logical in our thinking and stand for justice for ALL.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, 6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace."
So yes the good book says there is a time to kill. More importantly God works through you and I just as Satan does. Many people said that who are they to kill a man, they are not God. This is true no one on earth is God but God cannot move in the land and act on earth without people. He needs you and I for his will to be done. It took David to slay Goliath, it took Moses to free the Israelites, it took Joshua to bring the walls down in Jericho, it took Jesus to free us from our sins. They were all mighty men of God, God's grace was upon them, they were able to do the supernatural in the natural because of God's omnipotence that he worked through them.
So as people, citizens, Christians we have to take a stand. Is it enough to put a convicted murderer behind bars and let them rot in jail? Maybe. Is it ok if you know someone has murdered thousands and thousands of people to take their life? Maybe. The one thing with death row and execution is that those who are on it have the choice and the ability to ask for forgiveness and make a mends with God. So it is not a situation where one cannot right their wrongs.
Now do I agree that Troy Davis should have been executed? Absolutely not. There was reasonable doubt surrounding his conviction. There are plenty of cases where people spent years in jail only to be exonerated by DNA and other evidence and later freed. So it is not far fetched to believe that Troy Davis did not commit the murder and was innocent.
We as people have to think about when someone is murdered or a crime is committed how we desire and want justice, we want someone caught and convicted of the crime partly so that we can feel safer knowing that a murderer or criminal is no longer out on the loose. So we have to question and examine ourselves and our motives. We have to be less emotional and more logical in our thinking and stand for justice for ALL.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Who's Right Who's Wrong?
This blog is inspired by the recent execution of Troy Anthony Davis:
Right vs. Wrong, Justified vs. Unjustified, Kill vs. Murder, what side you are on and the stance that you take will differ and vary based on the situation. Before you say no it won't I am on the side of justice allow me to prove my point. If you have a differing view point please share, I am open to contrary view to my opinion.
Someone breaks into your home, you own a gun, you feel your life is threatened, you cock your gun and you shoot and kill the person whom intruded your home. Chances are you will go to court but you won't be tried or convicted of murder you will get off and be back at home in no time.
On the other side of the coin, the intruder was someone's relative, friend, lover, etc. They may have suffered from mental illness and missed taking there medication. They may have been in desperate times and felt they needed to steal to provide for themselves and their families. To somebody, somewhere their loved one was murdered.
Who's right and who's wrong? Who's justified and who's unjustified? Who killed and who murdered?
The answer depends, what does it depend on? It depends on you and I and our ideals. Some people on both sides will be for and against. People will bring God into the situation and quote scriptures to support their point of view. So again who is right?
I guess we all won't know until judgment day!
Be a blessing and blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Right vs. Wrong, Justified vs. Unjustified, Kill vs. Murder, what side you are on and the stance that you take will differ and vary based on the situation. Before you say no it won't I am on the side of justice allow me to prove my point. If you have a differing view point please share, I am open to contrary view to my opinion.
Someone breaks into your home, you own a gun, you feel your life is threatened, you cock your gun and you shoot and kill the person whom intruded your home. Chances are you will go to court but you won't be tried or convicted of murder you will get off and be back at home in no time.
On the other side of the coin, the intruder was someone's relative, friend, lover, etc. They may have suffered from mental illness and missed taking there medication. They may have been in desperate times and felt they needed to steal to provide for themselves and their families. To somebody, somewhere their loved one was murdered.
Who's right and who's wrong? Who's justified and who's unjustified? Who killed and who murdered?
The answer depends, what does it depend on? It depends on you and I and our ideals. Some people on both sides will be for and against. People will bring God into the situation and quote scriptures to support their point of view. So again who is right?
I guess we all won't know until judgment day!
Be a blessing and blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
TROY DAVIS #TOOMUCH DOUBT
If you are reading this and asking who is Troy Davis but you know what is going on with JLO, Beyonce, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, etc. I encourage you to expand your horizons on what you read and take in on a regular basis.
A Georgia parole board has denied clemency to Troy Davis, the death-row inmate whose case attracted international attention amid what supporters say are significant doubts over his guilt. With the failure of Davis' last-ditch appeal, announced Tuesday morning, he appears all but certain to be executed by lethal injection Wednesday at 7 p.m.
"He's guilty," Joan MacPhail-Harris, the widow of the Savannah cop who Davis was convicted of killing, told reporters Monday before the board announced its decision. "We need to go ahead and execute him."
Davis, 41, was convicted of the 1989 murder of Mark Allen MacPhail, an off-duty Savannah, Ga. police officer. MacPhail, who was running to the aid of a homeless man being pistol-whipped, was shot three times in a Burger King parking lot before he could draw his weapon.
Davis has always maintained his innocence, and several witnesses who testified at his trial have since recanted or backed away from their testimony, alleging they were improperly pressured by police.
The case has generated worldwide attention, with opponents of the death penalty depicting Davis' case as a perfect example of the inherently flawed system of capital punishment. Davis' supporters have sponsored a series of protests and fundraisers for his case in New York, Washington D.C., Paris and Oslo. Last week, supporters delivered petitions with about 650,000 signatories calling on Georgia state authorities to free Davis.
"We're just praying for a good outcome," Davis' sister, Martina Correia, told reporters Monday, before the board's announcement. "We believe in our brother's innocence."
Monday's eleventh-hour appeal marked the culmination of a lengthy effort on Davis's behalf. In 2008, the same parole board rejected a bid for clemency (three of its five members have since been replaced). The following year, the U.S. Supreme Court took the rare step of ordering a federal judge to convene a hearing to consider new evidence. But in 2010, a federal court ruled that Davis had failed to prove his innocence, and denied him a new trial. The Supreme Court declined to get involved a second time, which meant that Monday's hearing represented Davis's last lifeline.
A Friday rally in support of Davis involved civil rights figures including NAACP president Ben Jealous and Martin Luther King III. "The only thing left to decide is whether you have the courage to do the right thing," the Rev. Al Sharpton said, addressing members of the parole board.
One witness who testified at Monday's parole board hearing said she once heard another man who was at the scene of the murder, Sylvester "Redd" Coles, say that he fired the fatal shots. Coles was the first person to implicate Davis to the police. Another of Monday's witnesses was a juror from the original 1991 trial; she had voted to sentence Davis to death but now says she has doubts. Two other jurors signed affidavits asking the board to spare Davis' life.
Former FBI director William Sessions called for Davis' sentence to be commuted to life in prison, writing in an opinion column Thursday in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the case is "permeated in doubt." In addition to the witness recantations and allegations of police pressure, Sessions pointed to a "lack of relevant physical evidence."
But Spencer Lawton, the former district attorney who prosecuted Davis and was seen at Monday's hearing, wrote in a 2008 op-ed in the same paper that the witnesses who recanted their testimony were "not believable." Lawton added that shell casings recovered from an earlier shooting linked to Davis were fired from the same gun found at the scene of MacPhail's murder. (http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/troy-davis-executed-parole-board-denies-clemency-131916604.html)
If you tweet use the hash tag #toomuchdoubt, if you can sign a petition this is of course if you believe in the cause.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
A Georgia parole board has denied clemency to Troy Davis, the death-row inmate whose case attracted international attention amid what supporters say are significant doubts over his guilt. With the failure of Davis' last-ditch appeal, announced Tuesday morning, he appears all but certain to be executed by lethal injection Wednesday at 7 p.m.
"He's guilty," Joan MacPhail-Harris, the widow of the Savannah cop who Davis was convicted of killing, told reporters Monday before the board announced its decision. "We need to go ahead and execute him."
Davis, 41, was convicted of the 1989 murder of Mark Allen MacPhail, an off-duty Savannah, Ga. police officer. MacPhail, who was running to the aid of a homeless man being pistol-whipped, was shot three times in a Burger King parking lot before he could draw his weapon.
Davis has always maintained his innocence, and several witnesses who testified at his trial have since recanted or backed away from their testimony, alleging they were improperly pressured by police.
The case has generated worldwide attention, with opponents of the death penalty depicting Davis' case as a perfect example of the inherently flawed system of capital punishment. Davis' supporters have sponsored a series of protests and fundraisers for his case in New York, Washington D.C., Paris and Oslo. Last week, supporters delivered petitions with about 650,000 signatories calling on Georgia state authorities to free Davis.
"We're just praying for a good outcome," Davis' sister, Martina Correia, told reporters Monday, before the board's announcement. "We believe in our brother's innocence."
Monday's eleventh-hour appeal marked the culmination of a lengthy effort on Davis's behalf. In 2008, the same parole board rejected a bid for clemency (three of its five members have since been replaced). The following year, the U.S. Supreme Court took the rare step of ordering a federal judge to convene a hearing to consider new evidence. But in 2010, a federal court ruled that Davis had failed to prove his innocence, and denied him a new trial. The Supreme Court declined to get involved a second time, which meant that Monday's hearing represented Davis's last lifeline.
A Friday rally in support of Davis involved civil rights figures including NAACP president Ben Jealous and Martin Luther King III. "The only thing left to decide is whether you have the courage to do the right thing," the Rev. Al Sharpton said, addressing members of the parole board.
One witness who testified at Monday's parole board hearing said she once heard another man who was at the scene of the murder, Sylvester "Redd" Coles, say that he fired the fatal shots. Coles was the first person to implicate Davis to the police. Another of Monday's witnesses was a juror from the original 1991 trial; she had voted to sentence Davis to death but now says she has doubts. Two other jurors signed affidavits asking the board to spare Davis' life.
Former FBI director William Sessions called for Davis' sentence to be commuted to life in prison, writing in an opinion column Thursday in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that the case is "permeated in doubt." In addition to the witness recantations and allegations of police pressure, Sessions pointed to a "lack of relevant physical evidence."
But Spencer Lawton, the former district attorney who prosecuted Davis and was seen at Monday's hearing, wrote in a 2008 op-ed in the same paper that the witnesses who recanted their testimony were "not believable." Lawton added that shell casings recovered from an earlier shooting linked to Davis were fired from the same gun found at the scene of MacPhail's murder. (http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/troy-davis-executed-parole-board-denies-clemency-131916604.html)
If you tweet use the hash tag #toomuchdoubt, if you can sign a petition this is of course if you believe in the cause.
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
HOLD ON TO YOUR DREAMS!
Last night I watched Unsung on TV1, the episode was about The Spinners. As I watched there were a number of ideals that popped in my head, determination, drive, faith, good ego and resolve to succeed.
In 1954 a group of men came together and formed The Spinners. There first song hit the charts in 1961 at #27. In 1963 the label The Spinners was on was bought out by Motown Records. They wouldn't see a song hit the charts again until 1970 at #14.
The best part of the story for me however, was that one of the singers in the group stated while signed to Motown, since they weren't making chart topping top 10 hits, they had to survive and make ends meet. So they all did odd jobs at Motown Records, one member worked in the shipping and receiving department, another member worked as a driver for the label. That is were drive, determination and a willingness to succeed entered my thoughts as well as good pride. I saw these characteristics in these men because they did not have what I call bad pride. Bad pride would have said I am a singer/musician I am not a driver, I didn't come to Motown for this I came to Motown to make records and make money. The Spinners could have thought to themselves its been over 10 years and we have yet to make a top 10, we are obviously not cut out for this, let's just part ways and pursue other things. They could have but they didn't, they held on to their dreams. There is a scripture that says humble yourself and let God exalt you. (James 4:10)
Finally, in 1972 they got their break. Their contract with Motown ended, they signed to Atlantic Records, Thom Bell came along to produce for them and their first album with Atlantic was a hit! Not only that, they dropped single after single and they were hits after hits. They dropped album after album, all hits!
It took almost 20 years after they formed as a group for them to see success on the charts and be recognized as one of the top groups of their time but it happened. It happened because they all stuck together, held on to their dreams and believed. Not only that Thom Bell believed in them, he told them your next album will be a hit.
So I dare to ask you what dreams do you have that you feel have been on delay or you have simply giving up on? What type of attitude do you have right now about those dreams? Are you looking for immediate gratification or are you willing to put in the work necessary to fulfill your dreams? Do you view obstacles or set backs as God's way of trying to tell you, you are going the wrong way?
I liked Bill Winston preaching this morning he said "you can be in the perfect will of God and encounter a storm". God didn't send the storm, Satan did, Satan sent the storm to steal you faith so that you don't reach the other side or get to your land flowing with milk and honey.
So if you have dreams, go for them and pursue them with a vengeance. If you have given up on your dreams, go back pick them up and move forward with a vengeance.
Hold on to your dreams and keep the faith!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
In 1954 a group of men came together and formed The Spinners. There first song hit the charts in 1961 at #27. In 1963 the label The Spinners was on was bought out by Motown Records. They wouldn't see a song hit the charts again until 1970 at #14.
The best part of the story for me however, was that one of the singers in the group stated while signed to Motown, since they weren't making chart topping top 10 hits, they had to survive and make ends meet. So they all did odd jobs at Motown Records, one member worked in the shipping and receiving department, another member worked as a driver for the label. That is were drive, determination and a willingness to succeed entered my thoughts as well as good pride. I saw these characteristics in these men because they did not have what I call bad pride. Bad pride would have said I am a singer/musician I am not a driver, I didn't come to Motown for this I came to Motown to make records and make money. The Spinners could have thought to themselves its been over 10 years and we have yet to make a top 10, we are obviously not cut out for this, let's just part ways and pursue other things. They could have but they didn't, they held on to their dreams. There is a scripture that says humble yourself and let God exalt you. (James 4:10)
Finally, in 1972 they got their break. Their contract with Motown ended, they signed to Atlantic Records, Thom Bell came along to produce for them and their first album with Atlantic was a hit! Not only that, they dropped single after single and they were hits after hits. They dropped album after album, all hits!
It took almost 20 years after they formed as a group for them to see success on the charts and be recognized as one of the top groups of their time but it happened. It happened because they all stuck together, held on to their dreams and believed. Not only that Thom Bell believed in them, he told them your next album will be a hit.
So I dare to ask you what dreams do you have that you feel have been on delay or you have simply giving up on? What type of attitude do you have right now about those dreams? Are you looking for immediate gratification or are you willing to put in the work necessary to fulfill your dreams? Do you view obstacles or set backs as God's way of trying to tell you, you are going the wrong way?
I liked Bill Winston preaching this morning he said "you can be in the perfect will of God and encounter a storm". God didn't send the storm, Satan did, Satan sent the storm to steal you faith so that you don't reach the other side or get to your land flowing with milk and honey.
So if you have dreams, go for them and pursue them with a vengeance. If you have given up on your dreams, go back pick them up and move forward with a vengeance.
Hold on to your dreams and keep the faith!
Be a blessing and be blessed,
Epiphany Essentials
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