TWTD: Faster = Better?

       How often do you hear the words “faster” throughout your daily life? For Instance cellular phones are becoming “better and better” every year because another level of G is coming out (2G, 3G, and now 4G). Also there are cars that have engines being worked on and upgraded to pump its pistons even faster to allow the car to pick up faster speeds. Whether is applies to technology, machinery or even traveling, is what makes the world “faster” actually better? For example, how often does that super thin 4G phone screen cracks or have technical difficulties? How many people die from speeding on highways/interstates in cars designed to reach ridiculous speeds? 

       I can understand that for some people the definition of a better world is advanced technology and a world where we can travel within seconds or do things with a lack of assistance or even having a robot as your very own house maid.  Although this may sound like the life to many people I believe this is not the life that God wishes for us all. I believe that if we continue to let everyday task and jobs become faster we actually become the robots that those futuristic lovers hope for.  To have everything at your command and your speed is what self centered politicians want and if we agree with them we then become their little drone following their every command. I heard many people say that the world is changing and we must tag alone. This is not true. However, I am not saying this means you stand up and fight against technology within your society because that would be taking us into the story line of terminator or some sort. But what I am saying is that you are not obligated to continue at this fast past of the world, but you can decide to slow down and enjoy what’s around you.  

        For Instance, when was the last time you noticed the growth of trees around your neighborhood or how the rain cycle works before you actually feel a drop. These are both things controlled by God that becomes a beautiful sight once you remind yourself of how it’s done and actually witness it first-hand. Try to notice the beautiful work of God around you as much as possible. In today’s society you see severally people in the downtown or city hall area of your city go to work and head straight back home without any conversation to someone outside of their workplace (don’t worry I was once one of those people as well). I believe those kinds of people and I was once afraid of confrontation. I encourage those who found many of the things I described noticeable traits or habits of their own to slow down and notice God’s gifts all around you because becoming too fast can lead to your downfall just like the screen of that new Mytouch 4G phone. I encourage those obviously too busy employees to share a conversation with at least one new person every two days because you will then make a small and unfinished replica of the world that God has planned for us. Try to create and live in the world that God has planned for us and not the fast moving society that us human’s designed.

Trip Lee (Christian Rapper with Reach Records) speaks about us falling into the cycle of the world and becoming Robots.

TWTD: No More Injustice

        Injustice is a growing crisis not only within the neighborhoods within every city, but around the world. People are being under paid or underfed because some believe the people who make the final decisions should be getting paid the large amount of money their being paid now. I encourage many to notice and become well informed of these issues of injustice and speak out to stop them also while thinking of ways you or friends and family could start on stopping this unequal act of injustice. Remember that one voice can barely be heard while a choir could sing to wake the entire city meaning one must speak to the citizen of the neighborhood and get their assistant in stopping these hateful acts.

TWTD: Who’s the true peacemaker? The LORD or the Law Enforcers?

When you’re in need of protection who do you call? Could it be the Ghost Busters? The Police? Well obviously it’s the Police because you would only call the Ghost Buster if there are ghost around. Why is it that we call upon the Police to handle man caused situations or problems? How is it that we call upon a sinner to handle someone’s sin being recognized or seen as an illegal issue or problem? I believe that you cannot call upon man to completely handle a man caused situation. We as humans tend to take man maid laws or gifts and believe in them as if they were the best gift/law you received. However, you should call upon the LORD who truly knows and understand the issue first. Call upon the LORD who will handle the situation with the up most equality and fairness. The Lord is the most righteous and just God I know. Clearly, I’m not encouraging you put down the phone to call the Police when you’re in need of help with whatever the situation may be, but to not come to praise man made laws and materials because God’s laws and gifts are far greater. Put no man-made object or law before the Lords because his gift or law is the key to a better place after life (Heaven).

I will also like to speak about the act of sin. Although we all will sin, sin should not be seen as an acceptable requirement, but as a requirement full of lessons for a human being. When one sins it should not be acknowledged or full confronted by another sinner, but acknowledged by the sinner who has sinned. This means one should not be mentally, verbally or physical abused for sinning, but loved and helped to learn from their sinful mistakes. You may be wondering how I can help someone learn from his/her mistake without acknowledging this issue. You must should the sinner the right way through example and love. This will make the sinner noticed right from wrong, and they would hopefully learn from their sinful mistakes to avoid similar mistake in the future. This also brings about the act of showing Love for your neighbors. If you notice a friend doing something that is wrong in the eyes of God, it would be unloving for you to let them continue to do wrong. If you love your neighbor that means you love them enough to help them change for the best of our almighty God. God is always forgiving and loving. God does not possess the qualities of love, but he is Love.

TWTD: Help comes in all Ages & Sizes

A vast amount of teenagers and college students believe that they are unable to help create a better world because they are in the process of learning and don’t wish to fail. I was one of them students who believed that I was unable to do much for my city as of now because I was only a student to the teachers who knew much more than I did. However, I now believe otherwise because I have witnessed many college students standing up for equality and peace throughout the world. I now plan to join the battle to better the world once again.

 I was motivated after hearing about current college students at Drexel University in Philadelphia taking action and helping the less fortunate. These Drexel students are motivated and mentored by a sociology and criminology professor name Cyndi Reed-Rickards who helps the student get involved with a program called LIFT which allows the students the opportunity to mentor and education those who can’t get access to a computer to look for jobs, find housing, and created accounts needed to better their chance of success. Rickards explained that the students come ready to work three hours a day willing to help anyone who walk through their doors. I want to take this time to congratulate those Drexel students who participate in this righteous and well-respected act.

Finding motivation to do missionary work and helpers is not so hard to locate in Philadelphia, but finding a Christ like solution and funding is very difficult. However, if one choose to do it through a community or non- profitable organization and ask God for guidance. The missionary work will be done through the will and grace of God. 

TWTD: Stereotypes are Destroying our Future

How often are teens put into a category representing violence? This is within the norm to a Philadelphia citizen because many teens are behaving in violent and ways. However, I believe all teens are being punished and looked at as vigilantes. Many teens are being stereotyped based on their appearance, race, sex, and possibly their birthplace. American children and teens are the future of America and if we continue to be put down and marked as tools of destruction and violence then our future only calls for far worst destruction and violence. I would like to shine on those teens that tend to stand up for them and fight against their stereotypes. How often are teens blamed for disturbing the peace or disrupting and destroying someone’s property? Stereotypes are beginning to become a huge cause for many hateful crimes.

For Instance, the most popular story today is the Trayvon Martin story about a 17 year old African American boy killed because he was seemingly thought to be a threat by a Hispanic neighborhood watch guard named George Zimmerman. Zimmerman proceeded to approach Trayvon after being told not to follow the young boy by the police which lead to a fist fight battle of the fittest. Zimmerman then felt the need to shoot the 17 year old boy multiple times taking his life. This whole altercation happened Florida where the self-defense rule stands, so Zimmerman still goes without arrest and many people are becoming furious do to injustice. Many believe this was a racial hate crime or an act of drunkenness by Zimmerman, but don’t really care and just want justice for the Martin Family and others who could be faced with a similar situation in Florida. Audio of Zimmerman’s 911 calls was also giving out to the public where he is heard saying, “These bastards always get away…” in an upset and stressed voice. This evidence proves that Zimmerman was feeling some sort of emotional distress against Trayvon. This is a very serious case that will speak on the behalf of many other children or teens out there that could possibly face a similar situation. If there is no justice done today then there will be no peace and assure safety for our teens and our future.

If you feel like justice should be made against Zimmerman here is a link for you to vote for his incarceration: http://www.change.org/petitions/prosecute-the-killer-of-our-son-17-year-old-trayvon-martin

This story displays a perfect example of how stereotypes are killing our future. I encourage every teen to fight against the stereotypes place against us and begin to create new positive stereotypes where more teens are recognize for success other than the destruction.

                                                           R.I.P

                      Trayvon Martin

TWTD: Call For Equality

I would like to open up with a question to the public, “How could a city put down those who are at their all-time low?” The city of Philadelphia (brotherly love) just passed a bill allowing Philadelphia Police to act against panhandling and those who are homeless without calling outreach to the people. 

This is a very disappointing act performed by the city of Philadelphia. Just a few weeks ago we had several people who believed this bill was just unfair and unjust to the homeless people of Philadelphia as well as the public. I believe there are many people who are against this bill in the city of Philadelphia who are fighting to do whatever it is they can to provide assistance for the homeless and those who are in need. For example, TSW (The Simple Way) has joined marches and protest session to stop this unjust act committed by the city of Philadelphia. I encourage many others to join the battle because you will never know when you or if you will be homeless and in need for assistance from the public.

TWTD: Religion (Christ) > Politicians = Better World

How often have you hear these words from those who are in the United States office, “I will make things better for the United States?” The people of the U.S. are told and promised change and a better world almost every year and nearly see much of this promise being fulfilled. I think in today’s society we see many of these issues being ignored and pushed off by the claim of a “bigger” issue that need to be handled. I personally believe we’re paying these Politicians to handle problems and make the final decisions for the best of the United States, but they seemingly never do. However, we have Politicians fighting for power and making decision for their benefit other than the U.S. citizens. I think some Politicians can now be known as people who are seeking power other than people seeking the best for the world.

We have many politicians fighting to become President, but less Politicians fighting to mold the world to a better place. Today’s elections are won based off what we are promised by the running candidates. I think elections should be won based on someone history of good deed for the U.S. I do not mean those who have served in a war when I speak about someone with a history of good deeds, but someone who wish for equality and participate in task to help the citizens of America. For Instance, if we had a president who feeds the homeless or gives a lot of funding to food banks and those in need as well as those who are wealthy our government would be a lot better. Although, many dominant people would see this as a sign of weakness because the president actually haves a heart. I would see this as sign of bravery and leadership because he/she understands that change for a better nation can’t be built unless equality exists (those who are hungry are no longer hungry and those who are homeless has shelter, etc.).

 So this is not to make everyone an anti-politician, but to just inform those who believe in politicians with their heart and soul that the world cannot become a better place without GODS help. So to my fellow Christians I ask you to pour your heart and soul to Jesus and trust in him to make the world a better place through you. Those of another religious view I encourage you to think about the one’s you praise and ask him to lift you up and give you the knowledge to create a better world. A politician is a political leader who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making, but when have we stop defining politicians in this manner and started calling them the "messiah?" 

 Here's a video done by a fan of Nas, a hip-hip rapper, who also noticed that Politics and Politicians are become a corrupt and drawling us farther from the one who truly guides us (God).