“I’m Sorry”…Then What?

Sometimes, saying “Sorry” isn’t enough.

There is an immature and foolish belief held among many that apologizing gets us off the hook — we can simply wipe our hands of the offence and move on.

The truth is that it doesn’t work that way because “bandaids don’t fix bullet holes.”  (Taylor Swift – Bad Blood) It’s not about how things look – it’s about how things are. When people are wounded, the pain is deep, the offence lingers and the walls go up.

I once heard someone apologize to a loved one by saying, “I’m so sorry that I’m both the umbrella and the rain.” What a poetic way to express the reality that relationships are complicated.

Apologizing is a good start when you have offended someone or someone has offended you. However,  a trite or even an authentic-sounding apology made for the purpose of abruptly stopping the interaction and/or steering away from much needed further conversation doesn’t suffice or bring healthy closure to a conflict.

“It’s OK” is often not an adequate response to an apology. 

“I’m sorry” are powerful words and when spoken with genuine and meaningful intent, they can herald a conversation that moves two people towards change. An apology makes resolution a safer place to go but it’s what you do after the apology that truly counts.

To mean it means you’ll do something about it.

“I’m sorry. It’s my fault. What can I do to make it right?” is a better way to go because this apology admits fault, takes responsibility AND asks for feedback. 

Sometimes, we need help. We can be genuinely sorry but be absolutely crippled when it comes to the next step. Inward reflection for a time is always a good thing but ultimately, conversation and action are on the other end of an apology.

With an apology, there is unleashing of pride.

With forgiveness, there is grace.

With conversation, there is intent to understand.

With Christ, there is always hope and love. So, say “Sorry” and keep talking.

Let’s keep on pursuing those things that bring peace and that lead to building up one another.   Romans 14.19

BLACK HISTORY IS WORLD HISTORY

Before the Earth was I was Before time was I was you found me not long ago and called me Lucy I was four million years old I had my tools beside me I am the first man call me Adam I walked the Nile from Congo to Delta a 4,000 mile jog BLACK HISTORY IS WORLD HISTORY I lived in the land of Canaan before Abraham, before Hebrew was born I am Canaan, son of Ham I laugh at Arabs and Jews fighting over my land I lived in Saba, Southern Arabia I played in the Red Sea dwelled on the Persian Gulf I left my mark from Babylon to Timbuktu When Babylon acted a fool, there was me I was the fool When Babylon fell, that was me I fell BLACK HISTORY IS WORLD HISTORY I was the first European call me Negrito and Grimaldi I walked along the Mediterranean from Spain to Greece Oh, Greece! Why did you kill Socrates? Why did you give him the poison hemlock? Who were the gods he introduced corrupting the youth of Athens? They were my gods, black gods from Africa Oh, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle Whose philosophy did you teach that was Greek to the Greeks? Pythagoras, where did you learn geometry? Democritus, where did you study astronomy? Solon and Lycurgus, where did you study law? In Egypt, and Egypt is Africa and Africa is me I am the burnt face, the blameless Ethiopian Homer told you about in the Iliad Homer told you about Ulysses, too, a story he got from me. BLACK HISTORY IS WORLD HISTORY I am the Chinese China has my eyes I am the Aboriginal Asian Look for me in Viet Nam, Cambodia & Thailand I am there, even today, black and beautiful BLACK HISTORY IS WORLD HISTORY I used to travel to America long before Columbus came to me asking for directions Americo Vespucci on his voyage to America saw me in the Atlantic returning to Africa America was my home Before Aztec, Maya, Toltec, Inca & Olmec I was here I came to Peru 20,000 years ago I founded Mexico City See my pyramids, see my cabeza colosal in Vera Cruz and Yucatan that's me I am the Mexican for I am mixed with all men and all men are mixed with me I am the most just of men I am the most peaceful who loves peace day and night Sometimes I let tyrants devour me sometimes people falsely accuse me sometimes people crucify me but I am ever returning I am eternal, I am universal Africa is my home Asia is my home Americas is my home BLACK HISTORY IS WORLD HISTORY By Marvin X

The Black American Poem

I love being Black. I love being called Black. I love being an American.

I love being a Black American, but as a Black man in this country I think it’s a shame that every few years we get a change of name.

Since those first ships arrived here from Africa that came across the sea there were already Black men in this country who were free.

And as for those that came over here on those terrible boats, they were called niggah and slave and told what to do and how to behave.

And then master started trippin’ and doing his midnight tippin’, down to the slave shacks where he forced he and Great-Great Grandma to be together, and if Great-Great Grandpa protested, he got tarred and feathered.

And at the same time, the Black men in the country who were free, were mating with the tribes like the Apache and the Cherokee.

And as a result of all that, we’re a parade of every shade.

And as in this late day and age, you can be sure, they ain’t too many of us in this country whose bloodline is pure.

But, according to a geological, geographical, genealogy study published in Time Magazine, the Black African people were the first on the scene, so for what it’s worth, the Black African people were the first on earth and through migration, our characteristics started to change, and rearrange, to adapt to whatever climate we migrated to.

And that’s how I became me, and you became you.

So, if we gonna go back, let’s go all the way back, and if Adam was Black and Eve was Black, then that kind of makes it a natural fact that everybody in America is an African American.

Everybody in Europe is an African European; everybody in the Orient is an African Asian and so on and so on, that is, if the origin of man is what we’re gonna go on.

And if one drop of Black blood makes you Black like they say, then everybody’s Black anyway.

So quit trying to change my identity.

I’m already who I was meant to be I’m a Black American, born and raised.

And brother James Brown wrote a wonderful phrase, “Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud! Say it loud, I’m Black and I’m proud!”

Cause I’m proud to be Black and I ain’t never lived in Africa, and ’cause my Great-Great Granddaddy on my Daddy’s side did, don’t mean I want to go back.

Now I have nothing against Africa, it’s where some of the most beautiful places and people in the world are found.

But I’ve been blessed to go a lot of places in this world, and if you ask me where I choose to live, I pick America, hands down.

Now, by and by, we were called Negroes, and after while, that name has vanished.

Anyway, Negro is just how you say ‘black’ in Spanish.

Then, we were called colored, but shit, everybody’s one color or another, and I think it’s a shame that we hold that against each other.

And it seems like we reverted back to a time when being called Black was an insult, even if it was another Black man who said it, a fight would result, cause we’ve been so brainwashed that Black was wrong, So that even the yellow niggahs and black niggahs couldn’t get along.

But then, came the 1960s when we struggled and died to be called equal and Black, and we walked with pride with our heads held high and our shoulders pushed back, and Black was beautiful.

But, I guess that wasn’t good enough, cause now here they come with some other stuff.

Who comes up with this shit anyway?

Was it one, or a group of niggahs sitting around one day?

Feelin’ a little insecure again about being called Black and decided that African American sounded a little more exotic.

Well, I think you were being a little more neurotic.

It’s that same mentality that got “Amos and Andy” put off the air, cause they were embarrassed about the way the character’s spoke.

And as a result of that action, a lot of wonderful Black actors ended up broke.

When we were just laughin’ and have fun about ourselves.

So I say, “fuck you if you can’t take a joke.”

You didn’t see the “Beverly Hillbilly’s” being protested by white folks.

And if you think, that cause you think that being called African American set all Black people’s mind at ease…

Since we affectionately call each other “niggah”, I affectionately say to you, “niggah Please”.

How come I didn’t get the chance to vote on who I’d like to be?

Who gave you the right to make that decision for me?

I ain’t under your rule or in your dominion And I am entitled to my own opinion.

Now there are some African Americans here, but they recently moved here from places like Kenya, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Zaire.

But, not the brother who’s family has lived in the country for generations, occupying space in all the locations New York, Miami, L.A., Detroit, Chicago… Even if he’s wearing a dashiki and sporting an afro.

And, if you go to Africa in search of your race, you’ll find out quick you’re not an African American, You’re just a Black American in Africa takin’ up space.

Why you keep trying to attach yourself to a continent, where if you got the chance and you went, most people there would even claim you as one of them; as a pure bread daughter or son of them.

Your heritage is right here now, no matter what you call yourself or what you say And a lot of people died to make it that way.

And if you think America is a leader on inequality and suffering and grievin’, how come there so many people comin’ and so few leavin’?

Rather than all this ‘find fault with America’ fuck you promotin’, if you want to change something, use your privilege, get to the polls!

Commence to votin’!

God knows we’ve earned the right to be called American Americans and be free at last.

And rather than you movin’ forward progress, you dwelling in the past.

We’ve struggled too long; we’ve come too far.

Instead of focusing on who we were, let’s be proud of who we are.

We are the only people whose name is always a trend.

When is this shit gonna end?

Look at all the different colors of our skin…

Black is not our color. It’s our core.

It’s what we been livin’ and fightin’ and dyin’ for.

But if you choose to be called African American and that’s your preference, then I ‘ll give you that reference.

But I know on this issue I don’t stand alone on my own and if I do, then let me be me.

And I’d appreciate it if when you see me, you’d say, “there goes a man who says it loud I’m Black. I’m Black. I’m a Black American, and I’m proud”.

Cause I love being an American. And I love being Black. I love being called Black.

Yeah, I said it, and I don’t take it back.

Smokey Robinson
Def Poets, 3rd Season
May 16, 2003

LIFE WITHOUT BLACK PEOPLE

This is a story of a little boy name Theo who woke up one morning and asked his mother, "Mom, what if there were no Black people in the world?" 

Well his mother thought about that for a moment, and then said "Son, follow me around today and lets just see what it would be like if there were no Black people in the world." 

Mom said, "Now go get dressed and we will get started." Theo ran to his room to put on his clothes and shoes. His mother took one look at him and said "Theo, where are your shoes, and those clothes are all wrinkled son, I must iron them." 

But when she reached for the ironing board it was no longer there. You see Sarah Boone, a black woman, invented the ironing board and Jan E. Matzelinger, a black man, invented the shoe lasting machine. 

"Oh well," she said, "please go and do something to your hair." Theo ran in his room to comb his hair, but the comb was not there. You see, Walter Sammons, a black man, invented the comb. Theo decided to just brush his hair, but the brush was gone. You see Lydia O. Newman, a black female, invented the brush. 

Well this was a sight, no shoes, wrinkled clothes, hair a mess, even Moms hair, without the hair care inventions of Madam C.J. Walker, well you get the picture. 

Mom told Theo, "lets do our chores around the house and then take a trip to the grocery store." Theo's job was to sweep the floor. He swept and swept and swept. When he reached for the dust pan, it was not there. You see, Lloyd P.Ray, a black man, invented the dust pan. So he swept his pile of dirt over in the corner and left it there. 

He then decided to mop the floor, but the mop was gone. You see, Thomas W.Stewart, a black man, invented the mop. 

Theo yelled to his Mom, "Mom, I'm not having any luck." "Well son," she said, "let me finish washing these clothes and we will prepare a list for the grocery store." When the wash finished, she went to place the clothes in the dryer but it was not there. You see, George T. Samon, a black man, invented the clothes dryer. 

Mom asked Theo to go get a pencil and some paper to prepare their list for the market. So Theo ran for the paper and pencil but noticed the pencil lead was broken. Well he was out of luck because John Love, a black man, invented the pencil sharpener. 

Mom reached for a pen, but it was not there because William Purvis, a black man, invented the fountain pen. As a matter of fact, Lee Burridge invented the type writing machine, and W. A. Lovette the advanced printing press. 

Theo and his mother decided to head out to the market. Well when Theo opened the door he noticed the grass was as high as he was tall. You see, the lawn mower was invented by John Burr, a black man. 

They made their way over to the car and found that it just wouldn't go. You see, Richard Spikes, a black man, invented the automatic gear shift and Joseph Gammel invented the supercharge system for internal combustion engines. They noticed that the few cars that were moving were running into each other and having wrecks because there were no traffic signals. You see, Garrett A.Morgan, a black man invented the traffic light. 

Well, it was getting late, so they walked to the market, got their groceries and returned home. Just when they were about to put away the milk, eggs and butter, they noticed the refrigerator was gone. You see John Standard, a black man, invented the refrigerator. So they just left the food on the counter. 

By this time, Theo noticed he was getting mighty cold. Mom went to turn up the heat, and what do you know. Alice Parker, a black female, invented the heating furnace. Even in the summer time they would have been out of luck because Frederick Jones, a black man, invented the air conditioner. It was almost time for Theo's father to arrive home. He takes the bus. But there was no bus, because it's precursor was the electric trolley, invented by another black man, Elbert R.Robinson. 

He usually takes the elevator from his office on the 20th floor, but there was no elevator because Alexander Miles, a black man, invented the elevator. He also usually dropped off the office mail at a near by mailbox, but it was no longer there because Philip Downing, a black man, invented the letter drop mailbox and William Barry invented the postmarking and canceling machine. 

Theo and his mother sat at the kitchen table with their heads in their hands. When the father arrived he asked, "Why are you sitting in the dark?" Why? Because Lewis Howard Latimer, a black man, invented the filament within the light bulb. Theo quickly learned what it would be like if there were no black people in the world. Not to mention if he were ever sick and needed blood. Charles Drew, a black scientist, found a way to preserve and store blood, which led to his starting the worlds first blood bank. And what if a family member had to have heart surgery? This would not have been possible without Dr. DanielHale Williams, a black doctor, who performed the first open heart surgery. 

So if you ever wonder, like Theo, where would we be without black people? Well, it's pretty plain to see. We would still be in the DARK!!!! 

IF YOU GAINED ANY INSIGHT FROM THIS PLEASE PASS IT ON

Seven Cardinal Rules in Life:

1. Make peace with your past, so it doesn’t spoil your present. Your past does not define your future – your actions and beliefs do.
2. What others think of you is none of your business. It’s how much you value yourself and how important you think you are.
3. Time heals almost everything, give time, time. Pain will be less hurting. Scars make us who we are; they explain our life and why we are the way we are. They challenge us and force us to be stronger.
4. No one is the reason for your own happiness, except you yourself. Waste no time and effort searching for peace and contentment and joy in the world outside.
5. Don’t compare your life with others’, you have no idea what their journey is all about. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we would grab ours back as fast as we could.
6. Stop thinking too much, it’s alright not to know all the answers. Sometime there is no answer, not going to be any answer, never has been an answer. That’s the answer! Just accept it, move on, NEXT!
7. Smile, you don’t own all the problems in the world. A smile can brighten the darkest day and make life more beautiful. It is a potential curve to turn a life around and set everything straight.

How to know a godly lady that truly loves you

In some couple of days back, we have been looking by the Spirit of God at how to know a godly man that truly loves you. Today, we want to delve into ‘How to know a godly lady that truly loves you.

You see, you need to know that you cannot marry anybody and everybody. Marriage is a life determiner! Marriage is not a game. It is not like a Ludo game where you can afford to lose and then play again, walk away, scatter the game and play different antics. This is because God sees a marriage as a covenant.

It is imperative therefore to understand that marriage is very important and can often determine how your life turns out eventually.

Who is a godly woman that truly loves you?

1. She will truly be a God lover.
Dear young man, make sure your wife is God lover. It is the foundation of all things and it determines a lot and how your life will turn out. It determines how your home will look like. It determines what ambience will be found in your home. It determines what kind of children you are going to raise. It determines how they will turn out.

Don’t even get into a relationship with a lady who has no regard for God! It is not going to last.

How will you know whether she truly loves God?

It is indicated in her daily habits, words and actions. A lady that loves God will love you. A lady that loves God will love her children. There is a scripture that says a woman shall compass a man. It means she will determine a lot of things.

2. She will be a lady that truly has passion for the things of God
The things of God are spiritual things. There is a difference between a spiritual person and a natural person. The scripture says that the natural man understandeth not the things of the spirit.

Does she read her Bible regularly? Oh, you think that it doesn’t matter as long as she has hot legs? Well, it matters a lot. Is she a worker in her local assembly or she attends church only when it is convenient? Does she have a relationship with her Pastor? Can her Pastor vouch for her? What about tithing and giving? All these are yardsticks through which you are able to see some things. I am not saying that anybody that does these is okay as there could be religious people, but I am saying a lady ought to have passion for the things of God.

Her passion for the things of God will often determine her intention and actions as it relates to loving you and raising a family. It will determine how your children will turn out. It will determine whether you have somebody covering you in prayers when you are at the lowest ebbs in your life or you are just on your own! God helped me to get married to a woman that has passion for God, and that solves a lot of problems for me. That is the way it is. Your choice of marriage partner will often determine whether you will fight battles alone or you have a helper indeed!

Thank you Kokoette for sharing the knowledge to empower people.

Elder Dre

Reason, Season, Lifetime (Poem)

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.

When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.  They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.  They may seem like a godsend, and they are.  They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.  Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.  Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.  What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.  The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.  They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.  They may teach you something you have never done.  They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;  things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.  Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.  It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

 

— Unknown

BUT GOD...

“BUT GOD” really says it all, doesn’t it? 

Somehow or another when life gets turned upside and you can’t see your way clearly, . . . 

BUT GOD!  Hurts, troubles and turmoil knock on your door and you didn’t think that you would make it, . …. . 

BUT GOD!  Love, loss and disappointment with people left your heart broken and in shattered pieces, . . . 

BUT GOD!

God is our answer for everything that life can throw at us.  

God is our solution for every attack of the enemy.  

God is our peace when chaos seems to invade every crevice of our being. 

No matter what you face today, trust God to compassionately love and care for you and see you through to the other side because life can look a little crazy sometimes,  . . . 

BUT GOD!

A Black Woman’s Smile

Do you know how strong you have to be to make a black woman smile?

Do you have any idea what an accomplishment that is?

She has borne the weight of this country on her back for 400 years.

She has suffered the agony of unassisted, husband-less childrearing since the 1600’s.

Have you any idea how much strength it takes to put a smile on her face?

You need the strength of Sampson, the nerve of Joshua and the courage of David facing Goliath.

Cause she has cultivated in her womb the marvel of the universe, only to have her hopes and dreams aborted and her aspirations show up dead on arrival.

She has given birth to kings and queens and delivered on her majestic promise only to have her children kidnapped and sold to a criminal with no respect for her royalty.

If you can make a black woman smile, you are a miracle worker.

Imagine breastfeeding your child in Virginia and having snatched from your arms, branded; hijacked to Louisiana and publicly fondled on a New Orleans auction block.

If the memory of that pain was locked-bound in your DNA, would you be smiling?

If you breast-fed someone else’s child only to watch her grow old enough to call you Darky, Pickaninny and Nappy-headed Jigaboo, you wouldn’t be smiling either.

If you can make a black woman smile you have DONE something.

If you can make her smile you are stronger than Atlas, cause God knows she has been.

She’s been raped and ravaged and scorned and nearly annihilated.

She’s been pimped and pummeled and stoned and deliberately depreciated.

She has cooked and cleaned and sewn...and never been compensated.

She’s been forced to watch the offspring of her loins mangled and maligned across centuries.

Her character has been continuously smeared, assassinated over and over and over; again and again and again.

You ever thought about how strong you have to be, just to BE a black woman?

She’s had to make brick without straw after being stripped of all her customs, stripped of all her culture, stripped of all her traditions.

No other woman in the history of the civilized world has gone what she has gone through.

No other beings on the planet have endured what she has endured.

She’s been chastised, criticized, demonized and terrorized.

She’s had to stand when her man was bull-whipped for trying to stand.

She’s had to stand when her man was castrated for trying to stand.

She’s had to stand when her man was hung by his neck for trying to stand.

She’s had to carry her man, cause every time he tried to carry himself, he was murdered for trying to do so.

Ask Betty Shabazz about Malcolm; ask Corretta Scott King about Martin; ask Emmett Till’s mother.

If you can make a black woman smile you have achieved something.

Since 1619 when we came in chains, the entire world’s been messing with her brain, disrespecting her, calling her out of her name, and she’s tired, just plain Fanny-Lou-Hamer-tired.

Tired of being called B-words, and H-words and N-words and other-words and everything except the child of God that she is.

But the one thing in this world that will make a black woman smile is her man.

A real man!

If you’re doing what you’re supposed to do she will smile she will smile regularly and gladly.

So, man up my brother.

Man up and make your woman smile.

Treat her like the Queen that she is.

She deserves it.

And recognize this:

In all of God’s Creation there is nothing more alluring, more appealing, or attractive; nothing more beautiful, more charismatic, more charming or captivating; nothing more delightful, more elegant, or exquisite; nothing more fascinating, more gorgeous, more inspiring, or intoxicating; nothing more magnificent or lovely than a Black Woman’s Smile.

My dear brothers and sisters, I was moved by this poem by Ty Gray-EL and so much so that I just had to post it on my blog out of full appreciation.  Read, enjoy, be moved, and inspired.

God bless you all ~ Elder Dre

An Atheist’s View On Life vs A Christian’s View On Life

An Atheist’s View On Life

I will live my life according to these beliefs

God does not exist

It is just foolish to think

That there is a God with a cosmic plan

That an all-powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

It’s a comforting thought however

Is only wishful...thinking

People can do as they please without eternal consequences

The idea that

 I am deserving of Hell

Because of sin

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

The more you have the happier you will be

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

In a world with no God

There is freedom to be who I want to be

But with God

Everything is fine

It is ridiculous to think

I am lost and in need of saving

 

Versus A Christian’s View On Life

(Now…read from bottom to top to see a different view.)

 

I am lost and in need of saving

It is ridiculous to think

Everything is fine

But with God

There is freedom to be who I want to be

In a world with no God

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

The more you have the happier you will be

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

Because of sin

I am deserving of Hell

The idea that

People can do as they please without eternal consequences

Is only wishful thinking

Is a comforting thought, however

That an all-powerful God brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

That there is a God with a cosmic plan

It is just foolish to think

God does not exist

I will live my life according to these beliefs

 

~ Author Unknown but the person whom inspired me to post this does - thank you JáNet.

• p

A Beautiful Soul

I would like to express my heartfelt condolences to the Scott family, friends, and church members of Bishop William Darryl Scott Sr. - Senior Pastor Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, Virginia Beach, Virginia on his untimely passing today.

May GOD place you all on eagle’s wings, and continue to strengthen you, as you face this perilous passage of pain. Please know that your Faith is being tested, but this should be a time for celebration, not of sadness, as Pastor Scott.’s life was a celebration of agape love, because he brought Peace and Joy to the congregation and members of his beloved church, as well as thousands of others, who had the privilege to come into contact with this humble servant of GOD, over his 33 years of GOD ordained Ministry.

My friends, you will be undoubtedly experiencing the agony of deep grief, as part of your emotional state for some time to come, so make no attempt to hide it or avoid it. You need to express it openly, and face it bravely, as we bid farewell to our beloved Pastor's Blessed Soul. Embracing grief, would be the only way to purge the pain from your system.

Pastor Scott has now gone home to be with our Majestic Creator, and our LORD and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. He is now free of the distractions, and encumbrances of this dirt suit that retards us all. so let’s celebrate his sending home in a manner never seen before, his life has just begun.

Stay strong, and remain focused my friends. May GOD Bless you all richly, as you continue to administer his legacy of Love at PGBC…..To GOD Be The Glory!!!!

Who is Jesus?

Let me describe Him to you...

A

He is Alpha and Omega, the Anointed One, Author and Finisher of our faith, Author of life, the Altogether lovely One, All in all, the Advocate, Ancient of Days, Anchor of my soul, Almighty God, the Amen, Apostle and high priest of my confession, the Arm of the Lord.

B

He is the Blessed and only Potentate, Bright and morning star, Beginning and the End, the Brightness of the Father’s glory, He’s my Brother, my Bridegroom, my Beloved, my Banner, He’s the Bread of life, the Branch of the Lord, Baptiser in the Holy Spirit and my Blessed hope of a coming kingdom.

C

He’s Creator of all things, Commander and Captain of the Lord’s host, the Chief corner stone, Chosen of God and precious; He’s my Confidence, Counsellor and Comforter. He’s the Consolation of Israel. The Chief Shepherd, Circumciser of the heart, He is Christ.

D

He’s the Desire of all nations, the Door into everlasting life, Diadem of beauty, my Dwelling place, my Defence, and Deliverer. He’s David’s seed the Destroyer of demons and He’s my Doctor.

E

He is the Express Image of God, the Everlasting Father, the End of the law to everyone that believes, Eternal Light, the Exceeding great reward. He is Emmanuel - 'God with us'.

F

He is a Friend that sticks closer than a brother, the First born, First Begotten from the dead, the First fruit, Faithful and true witness, our Forerunner into heaven for us. He’s the Fairest of all, Former of all things, Fountain of living waters, Fortress of salvation and the Foundation that no one else can lay. He is the Forgiveness and Forgiver of my sin.

G

He is God, Governor of the nations, my Guide, the Glory of God, Giver of Salvation, the Gate and the Gift of God. He’s the Good Shepherd and Guarantee of our salvation. He is the Glory and the Lifter of my head. He is the Giver of the Grace of God.

H

He is the Head of all principality and power, the Holy One, Heir of all things, High Priest. Head of the Body, the Church. He my Hope, my Hiding place, my Holiness, the Horn of my salvation and the Hope of Glory.

I

He is the great I AM, the Image of the invisible God, Immortal, Invincible, Incorruptible. He is my Intercessor who ever lives for me.

J

He is Jesus the Just and Justifier of all who believe in Him. The Judge of all, and the Joy of the Lord who gives me strength.

K

He is the King of kings, King of glory, King of Ages, King of Israel, King of Zion. He’s the Kindness and love of God toward man appeared.

L

He’s the Light of the world; He is Love, Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the Lamb of God that was slain to take away the sin of the world. He is the Lamp of God, Leader of the Church, the Life giving Spirit, and Lily of the valley. The Last Adam, the Living One, Lord of lords, Lord of Hosts, Lord of heaven and earth, Lord of the living and the dead, Lord of the harvest and Lord of all.

M

He the Messiah, the Man at God’s right hand, Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. The Maker, Mighty to save, Most holy, Mediator of a better covenant and the Messenger of God. He is the Minister of the truth. Manner from heaven, Mighty God the Morning Star and Most exalted One. He is my Master.

N

He is the Nazarene, Near not far, the Name above all names.

O

Offspring of David, One who was and is and is to come, Only wise God, Only Begotten Son, Overseer of our souls and Offering for my sin.

P

He is the Passover sacrificed for us, Prince of Peace, Perfecter of faith, the Power of God, and a Prophet like unto Moses. He is Priest and Purifier, the Pearl of great price, Precious, my great Physician. My Provider and Provision.

Q

He is the Quickening Spirit and Quencher of darkness.

R

He is the Resurrection and the Life, Root and offspring of David, Ruler of God’s creation, the kings of the earth and Israel. He is my Rabbi, Rock of Ages, Radiance of God’s glory, my Redeemer. He’s the Righteousness of God, a Refuge in a time of storm, a River of the water of life, Rose of Sharon, Renewer of my mind and Restorer of my Soul.

S

He is our Salvation, Saviour and Servant, the Seed of the woman who bruised the serpent’s head, Seed of Abraham through which all nations will be blessed. Shiloh, Son of God, Son of David, Shepherd and the Stone rejected. A Stumbling block to those who do not believe in Him, Sun of Righteousness who rises with healing in His wings, He’s my Shield, my Strength, my Sword and Soon coming King. He is the SAME yesterday, today and forever.

T

He’s the Tested Stone, Teacher, the Truth, True Light, True Witness and the True God. He is my Thanksgiving to God.

U-Z

He is the Vine, the Way, the Wisdom of God; He is Wonderful Counsellor, Word of God made flesh who lived amongst us, Word of Life.

He is all this and more! He is THE LORD JESUS CHRIST!  “Which if all that Jesus has done were written of Him; there would not be enough books in the world to contain them.” (John 21:25)

By acknowledging Jesus as Lord and inviting Him to take care of you, opens the door to the wonderful partnership with Him and you.

Thank you  Pastor Jim Garlick of Full Gospel Church, Tasmania for blessing us with this wonderful work.  God bless you always.

WHOLE Bible verses deleted in the NIV

The following WHOLE verses have been removed in the NIV--whether in the text or footnotes...over 40 IN ALL!!!

Matthew 12:47 -- removed in the footnotes

Matthew 17:21 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." 

Matthew 18:11 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost." 

Matthew 21:44 -- removed in the footnotes 

Matthew 23:14 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation." 

Mark 7:16 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"If any man have ears to hear, let him hear." 

Mark 9:44 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." 

Mark 9:46 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched." 

Mark 11:26 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses." 

Mark 15:28 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors." 

Mark 16:9-20 (all 12 verses) -- There is a line separating the last 12 verses of Mark from the main text. Right under the line it says: [The two most reliable early manuscripts do not have Mark 16:9-20] (NIV, 1978 ed.) The Jehovah's Witness "Bible" also places the last 12 verses of Mark as an appendix of sorts.

Luke 17:36 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Two men shall be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." 

Luke 22:44 -- removed in the footnotes

Luke 22:43 -- removed in the footnotes

Luke 23:17 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"(For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)" 

John 5:4 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." 

John 7:53-8:11 -- removed in the footnotes

Acts 8:37 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. It's deletion makes one think that people can be baptized and saved without believing on the Lord Jesus Christ. Sounds Catholic. What are you NIV readers missing?

"And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." 

Acts 15:34 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"Notwithstanding it pleased Silas to abide there still." 

Acts 24:7 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands," 

Acts 28:29 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among themselves." 

Romans 16:24 -- COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. What are you NIV readers missing?

"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." 

I John 5:7 -- Vitally important phrase COMPLETELY removed [also deleted from the Jehovah's Witness "Bible"]. In the NIV it says,

"For there are three that testify:"

Compare the NIV reading with the following Jehovah's Witness reading--

"For there are three witness bearers,"

What are you NIV readers missing? What does the real Bible say?

"For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one."

This is one of the GREATEST verses testifying of the trinity. The Jehovah's Witnesses leave it out. They do not believe in the trinity and they do not believe that Jesus is God. Why does the NIV leave it out...? Whole books have been written on the manuscript evidence that supports inclusion of this verse in the Bible. Reader, do you believe in the triunity of God? If so, then this deletion should offend you. People are wresting and perverting the scriptures to their own destruction.

---

NIV Reader: Do you have enough confidence in the NIV to... 

tell God, OUT LOUD, that these verses do not belong in the Bible?

If not, you need to get an Authorized King James Bible so that you can have some confidence.