The Village

It takes a village to raise a child. Constant but gentle direction, positive and productive influence, warm intense heartfelt motivation, all wrapped up in a  living breathing example. That's what God provides for us every day.

Our example is Jesus. And we must live a life that is an example of his teachings.

This next instruction carries more weight than most understand. For me it speaks to core values, as well as education and most importantly, Salvation.

Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 NKJV

All throughout and every day of my life, God has been good to me. I pray and he answers. Grateful, I feel his love and the love of Jesus all around me.

Sometimes, I laugh and cry at the same time because I have a past that is continuously blossoming into my future / purpose. My testimony is unique because it is my personal growth on a road where I developed into a child of God. I share it with all who listen. My training was not a trade, praise God. It was my introduction to the man who is the son of God who died and rose from the dead for me. The good news: salvation. The best training my Mother could every provide for me.

As an adult raising male children, I didn't truly understand this passage. I made it my business that all in my house are / were saved. But a voice constantly encouraged and guided me to introduce my children to various opportunities that  included a multitude of cultures, ethnicities, and experiences.

And as they walk into adulthood, they have passion, skills, and trades. All three are productive citizens. But most importantly they know Jesus and are saved. They are not perfect and like me make mistakes. I am grateful they know how to go to God in prayer.

Now, I'm watching my nephews and understanding the differences of 6 year old twins. One carries a note book wanting  guidance as he writes. The other dribbling a basketball asking me to watch as he dribbles through his legs. Both are hungry for what's next. Our job is not done. Those seeds are growing and we (the village) must continue to introduce or expose them to other opportunities while being an example for them. For we must all do our part.

However, the most important influence we can instill is salvation. On a level they can understand.

But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 19:14 NKJV

Praying God's grace, mercy, love and protection over them all the days of their lives. God is so good he has already determined their purposes. I am so thankful.

Jesus is love and it is important to walk in love being careful and remembering Ephesians 6:4: And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.

In today's society the youth are searching for something. This quest is leading to death and devastation. Jesus has given us the greatest gift, Eternal life. He wants us to live an abundant life. There is a better way.

We the village must make sure all of our young men and women live a life pleasing to God. We cannot give up on our babies. We must find a way to reach and teach them. And we all must work together.

How will you use your influence? Jesus has his arms open for the babies. Expose, teach, lead, send them to him.

Praying for our children.

Lineage

I was born of one mother and one father.
That was my beginning; But guess what, it is not my ending.

You see there are levels to this thing.
Not a perfect circle but pretty close to a ring .
We ran tight which at times led to small fights. Never lingering never lasting , always ending with Laughing and singing sometimes all during the night.

Now for the line up.
Mama Mama - Mother Supreme  was at the top of the org chart. Used  wisdom, guidance, correction and prayer to mold young minds. Pure Genius bka Grandmother Art.

Then my Mother a strong woman who provided the roof and the rules. Never did I crawl, no scars for me, my legs never had a bruise. Love, strength, and values mixed with We will make it drive and determination.

Next her six sisters who are third in command My second Mamas. Love me like there own. My hurt makes their soul ache with explosive greif heavy heart expanded.

Then there's us: The 1st cousins. We may have not lived in the same house, but we where raised as siblings. This blood thing is deep. So when one hurts we all hurt. Over the years our lives have changed. Some moved away and others stayed. Nevertheless, we remain only a phone call away.

I know my cousins all got me like I got them. Then and especially now. The males are my brothers. The females are my sisters. When you see us , you know we are blood. We roll deep. #blood #clan. No denying thoses cheeks. Thank God for good genes. 

Many of them have had to step in and come to my aid. From advise to fighting my battles. I was always good when they step on the scene. That was then and now we fight a different way.  Instead of physical fighting, we  battle on our knees and pray.

No separations, we link up and come together with support and  kindnesses doing what we can. Remembering who we are. (Freeman clan)

Tooo many to name, too many memories to recount. We are bounded by blood and love. Remember this: nothing can separate us from the love of God. And nothing can separate my love for you.
PS - keep your head up B&T
-iamNicholesf & DYoung

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38‭-‬39 NKJV
http://bible.com/114/rom.8.38-39.NKJV

They say: “troubles don’t last always.”

The closer I move towards you, the more severe the attacks. I hear you and yearn for you. I know sometimes in the midst of the storm I am guilty of calling others while calling your name. In all honesty, that is growth because in the past I only looked to man for the answer, solution, escape or to validate my wrong. My memory is marked with this: “Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” I must look to you only Lord, only to you. So now I pray, I ask God to guide and direct my steps saying “Lord Have Mercy, show me what to do?”

Thankful for discernment, I have a purpose and choose to walk towards accomplishments. Also understanding that the attacks of the enemy are a scheme, evil ploy to distract me from the light. Therefore, I say, do not take your eyes off the light. For when you look around, you begin to sink, doubt, and lose faith. Think about this, God has always provided. He will continue to provide. God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” (1Cor 1:9) I repeat: He is faithful and time after time made a way.

I had to stop and ask myself: why do I run to man confessing, confiding, and seeking solace? And why do I feel empty after confiding, entrusting my secrets to someone who is not encouraging me to pray or praying for me? Well, that is because I know “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19). And as for man, we know: “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. “ (Romans 3:23). It is the nature of the world, meaning, Man provides a temporary fulfillment, gratification, or comfort. I am so grateful that God’s provisions are a life time of prefect peace when you leave burdens at the altar.

It is true: troubles will not last and the storms will always pass. The sun will rise and the tears will dry. Take everything to the Lord in prayer. Continue to believe in the power of his mighty word. Who else has created all we see by simply speaking it into existence? No one that is who. No one.

Solution: Try God for yourself in totality: praying, trusting, believing, and obeying. This is Key!   

What is this?

It is peace. That's exactly what it is. I have never in my life felt this. I thought I knew what true peace felt like. But nope, I did not. (Never knew peace and that is sad.) Infact, I didn't because I would allow the enemy to use doubt, distractions, and self pity to consume me and disrupt my life. I was living a daily routine. (Not living not thriving in life.) Jesus explains: " The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10 KJV

In my eyes, I was obeying God and following this fundamental principle: 
"But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you." Luke 12:31 KJV. Trying so hard to justify my wrong, I constantly debated with the holy spirit : God knows my heart. "Yeap , he does sweetie and you are not right." It was past time for me to realize I was lost and denial filled my heart.

God's peace is an amazing feeling. No words can begin to explain how incredible this is. Although the steps I list next are simple. They are not easy.
1. I restate the obvious: seek the kingdom of God. (Re-read top)

2 Arm yourself against the enemy by studying the word. "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7 KJV Meditate on scripute so you are always ready to fight the evil one who will appear in your mind or before your eyes,  in the flesh. And, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV

3. No offense intended, but I was surrounded by people, places, and things who / that didnt challenge me to be a better person. And no it is not their fault. No shade, I'm not passing blame. All this was me! My own mess, I had to clean up. I just had to say Yes to God and no to self. I simply chose to walk away. You think this is cold or extreme? Well, finding my purpose, Gods will for my life became my primary goal and it was necessary.  We are taught in Galatians: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,  Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.  And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.  Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another." Galatians 5:22‭-‬26 KJV So, I must constantly examine my motives. Pray daily for God to remove anything that is displeasing to him.

4. Hold up! It doesnt stop there. There is an area that requires constant strengthening / maintenance: my faith.
Faith truely is believing; It is confidence and assurances in God's promises.    
"Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;" Deuteronomy 7:9 KJV. Faith is not worrying but knowing God will provide. He always does. So why would he stop? He won't. He knew me before I knew myself, so he knows what I need. He loves me.

Thus, this is how I get here. "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7 KJV

Solution - Now here is the kicker. I must repeat all the steps daily to keep my peace.

Thank you to all the people God has placed in my life. You provide contant examples of fruits of the spirit. You also provide guidance and gentle correction.
(RS, HK, KMC, TW, HT, JJ, ACF, AD) (+)

So Grateful and Thankful.
Lord thank you for purpose.