“303 shootings in July is typical for Chicago” was the headline from Chicago this last month. The article doesn’t even convey shock or outrage that the cities street are a war zone. Had there been 290 shootings last month would the headlines have rung out about the decline?

People have become casual about the losses on our streets, if they’re not affected they don’t care. If they are affected and in a gang it’s an occupational hazard, if you’re an innocent bystander it’s a tragedy.

Until we come to a place that the carnage on our streets is unacceptable we will never have the will to address the issue and bring some resolution and peace to the streets.

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One to ponder from Bro Mike

Winston Churchill has been credited with the following quote which I discovered a few years back: “Never compromise; Never, Never, NEVER compromise!” I’ve been thinking of Sir Winston’s quote over the last few weeks as mayhem has reared its ugly head and challenged us, once again. Sure, one can have faith when the sun is out and all is well–but is it a faith that will stand in the storms of life? May I encourage us?

Here is my comfort, and the comfort of those who are firmly in the Christian faith which God lays out in the KJV Bible at the times we scream to the heavens `why,’ with tears in our eyes: God never moves! Men and women have the freewill to mock His standards, but God never moves! Accepting this first key fact will keep one’s Christian faith strong, vibrant, and growing. The second key fact? Jesus Christ is who He says he is and doesn’t candy-coat the potential for unseen evil residing in thehearts of men and women (Matt. 15:19). The Scribes and Pharisees `looked’ good and `sounded’ religious. Nevertheless, Christ did not spare them when their sins were made public.

In our city, much sin and tragedy has `gone public.’ The prophetic clock is on time and ticking to its logical conclusion (II Timothy 3:1-13). If one has the man-made brand of faith, one willingly accepts the candy-coating of sin at its beginning, and holds prayer vigils at crime scenes after sin has run its course. If one has the God-breathed kind of faith, one can focus unwavering on the triumph, and lean on Christ for illumination to walk them through any tragedy. The hurting heart can only choose one of these faiths to rest upon. Which will YOU choose, this day!

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This from Bro Mike…

Over the course of my writings, a few brave souls have asked where I hang my keyboard. Well, I reside in a quaint little burg known as Indianapolis, Indiana. We have the Super Bowl scheduled to arrive here in about 18 months or so.

Things in my home city have been getting quite interesting lately.

Around the beginning of summer, we had a 15 year-old boy try to ‘insert’ himself into an arrest attempt by our local police department. When one–regardless of their age–attempts to stick their noses into an arrest situation and fancy themselves to be a ‘street corner lawyer’, they may get some bumps and bruises–or worse–from the police.

The teen–got schooled.

Now, the official term is ‘resisting arrest’. The unofficial term is curbside justice. No, the teen didn’t deserve to get the lumps and bruises he got. Furthermore, in record time, out of the group of officers involved, the department recommended that one be fired and one be reprimanded. The investigation findings would also be turned over to the U. S. Attorney’s Office in our district for further review.

The cops–got schooled.

No charges were filed against the teen.

THE DRAMA EXPANDS AND CONTINUES:

A few weeks went by. Soon, it became time for the 40th annual Indiana Black Expo Summer Celebration. Rev. Al Sharpton came in for the kickoff church service. He spoke out about the assault on the 15 year-old (who was in the crowd and on camera by the way). But, Sharpton noted that, while the community should take a stand against ‘police brutality’ whenever it happens, it should also take a stand against the ‘thug’ element in our communities. An element–I must sadly admit–becoming more and more emboldened each and every time some soft-headed preacher or self-appointed ‘retread’ community leader decides that the realities of life are ‘not fair’ to an individual who decides that they are above the laws which govern the rest of us, regardless of race.

Well, a few days after Sharpton spoke, there was a march around police headquarters in downtown Indianapolis. The 15 year-old was there, still unrepentant. So were members of the local, socially-active cadre of churches. Media reports counted about 300 individuals involved in the march. The marchers demanded all of the cops that were involved in the ‘brutality’ incident to be fired.

Later during the same week, it was revealed by the police that various teenagers in the community were ‘taunting’ the cops to treat them the same way that the 15 year-old was treated. He got off–and the rest of the teen thug element thought that they could ‘cash in’ and take their chances in getting off too!

DOWNTOWN THUGGERY AND HEROIC COPS:

The weekend of July 17th saw the annual Black Expo downtown event which was aimed at the teens of our city. There were more than 350 police officers on duty in the downtown area as night fell. The teens were having a good time, and all was going well. Until another teen–allegedly gang-associated–decided the time was right for either a gang initiation or some gang-oriented payback by shooting into crowds of teens in at least two areas of the downtown. When the smoke cleared, nine children were shot, including a ten year-old boy. Another alleged unknown shooter was responsible for the wounding of another teen in another location our downtown.

The marching social preachers and self-appointed leaders–got schooled.

Our Indianapolis cops were true heroes that July night. Not only did they keep the shooting count from going higher, several risked their lives to protect teens caught in the line of fire. Further, within 48 hours after the shootings, police had a suspect in custody.

It turned out to be a 17 year-old Black teen–with a lengthy juvenile record.

After the bullets flew and the ambulances ran, there was plenty of finger pointing, press conferencing and a big sense of denial over the gang problems that have been going on in our city for a number of months.

The City of Indianapolis & Indiana Black Expo–got schooled.

A MATTER OF ‘THE CLIQUE’ OVER ‘THE REAL DEAL PEOPLE’:

Whenever an incident of tragedy happens in a community, whether it’s a ‘Columbine’ or a ‘Katrina’, there are those who are outside of the ‘meet-eat & greet cliques’ who usually spot trouble before it happens and sound an alarm. Many of these individuals have faith in God, believe in the Bible and the real Christian church.

I call these folk: ‘The Real Deal People’.

When the going gets tough, and trouble is brewing, these are the people who are the straight talk and upright living folk that you WANT to have on board with you.

Then, you have ‘the clique’. Be they political, educational, racial, or religious–they give the guise of attempting to ‘work’ with ‘all’ and ‘receiving’ advice. However, when the cameras are shut down and the microphones taken away, the clique will continue to uphold their ‘status quo agenda’–even if bodies are the end result of their willful ignorance. Yes…even in the African-American community, among ‘our folk’.

My column began with a Black teen who didn’t receive the right home training in how to talk to those in authority (the police) and my column ends with another Black teen not receiving the right home training to NOT pack a gun and fire into a crowd (of fellow teens) in public to ‘rep’ his gang.

One has two choices when schooling happens. The first: learn the lesson and change. The second: continue in ignorance until the next time of tragedy, harm and death. Brothers, I trust that your home city has learned the first choice. In my neck of the woods, the second choice appears to be winning the day: meet, march, eat and greet–to our own defeat.

RAMEY is the Pastor of The Forward Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. THE MANHOOD LINE appears on fine websites and gracious blogs around the world. To correspond, email manhoodline@yahoo.com. © 2010 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications.

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This from Bro Mike

WHEN YOU DISCOVER…

When you discover the Value of an education,
You will be less likely drop out of, be suspended from,
Or, get expelled from school.

When you discover the Joy of honest work,
You will be less likely to rob, steal, boost or cheat
Others out of their stuff…because you’ll have earned your own stuff.

When you discover the True Love of marriage,
You will be less likely to abuse the opposite sex and will
Put forth your energies to mature and learn how to build your own happy home and family.

When you discover the History of your people,
You will be less likely to victimize them or commit crimes against them.

When you discover the Worth of your own body,
You will be less likely to abuse it with drugs, alcohol, tobacco or other things.

Lastly, when you discover the Purpose that God put you on earth for, and the love Jesus Christ has for you,
You will be less likely to get involved in a gang or crime EVER again!

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I happened across a USA Today ‘Top 50’ Best Seller Books list a few months back. After scanning some of the current favorites, it was the cache of books that
were ‘below ‘ the Top 50 radar that caught my attention…some of them were ‘old friends’ from my junior high and high school days.

In pausing to reflect upon these past favorites, I made a few realizations.

We have popular books, music and culture that insults and enslaves, and:

We have a society anxiously pushing the church and the Bible into silence.

In further checking this list, I noted that there were more than a few ‘snack food’ books. There were woeful few books to challenge, uplift, or encourage men.

In short, many of the books I saw majored in fearfulness over courage.

I have been becoming more aware of the lack of fewer and fewer people coming along who are not featured in the mainstream press (MSM) speaking out against the
ills of our modern day. As a matter of fact, there are fewer and fewer men being raised up to do battle with the intellectual and spiritual forces of evil. We have folk who are more interested in taking less responsibility, and pushing the boundaries of victim hood as far as they can.

Then, in a local bookstore, I happened across a book entitled “Talks My Father Never Had With Me: Helping the Young Black Male make it to Adulthood.” by Rev. Harold Davis. The format of the book was simple, the message powerful, and the delivery encouraging and FEARLESS. The book had originally published in 1995.

You know I had to track down Dr. Davis and find out how men can get their voices back in a society not only hooked upon fear, but intent to create a new
generation of ‘fear junkies’ out of young men, thanks to the ‘smoke and mirrors’ philosophy of modern feminism.

Buckle up brothers. If you have ever had dream that you have wanted to ‘go for’, Dr. Davis provides hope and help for you to blast your fears into rubble, and do what you have been created to do: Being fear-less, instead of fear-addicted!

RISE OF KJAC PUBLISHING–ONE MAN AND ONE BOOK:

In our day of program after program, and book after book for this affliction and that problem, Davis’ writings are a refreshing standout. While many
authors seek to write books for thousands, (and even Christian authors have shunned KJV scripture for one of the PC modern versions), Davis sought to write a
book for a man in need of biblical teaching. “IF I can get my book to help ONE man,” said Davis in our telephone interview, “then I have done what the Lord has blessed me to do.”

Davis knew that he faced an uphill struggle to getting his books in print. Thus, he founded the Illinois-based KJAC Publishing, formed out of the first letters of the first names of his four children. He and his wife have been having a good laugh on other publishing houses ever since. “The church needs to rise up like never before,” said Davis, “and it is because it (the church) has become (so) female dominated that Black men have not been interested, nor attending church.”

“Talks My Father Never Had With Me” , is divided into seven sections with a total of 28 chapters. Each chapter has plenty of opportunity to highlight important points with a self-assessment test or quizat the end, plus the book has a section at the end ofits 236 pages for notes and observations.

“There is a lot of confusion among some young men today because of their being raised in a single parent (environment),” said Davis. “In order to get the
attention of these young men, older brothers will have to (lovingly) challenge them and be wise in talking with them about the issues of manhood.”

While this is not his first book, it has become a sought-after classic. It has spawned some sequels, one of them written by his wife, aimed at the need for women to address the issue of womanhood with their daughters and young women in their neighborhoods.

MEANWHILE, IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOLS:

Davis has expanded his teaching reach into his local community. He has written and coordinated a mentoring curriculum that has been used in the Champaign County,
Illinois school system. He has coordinated and helped to inspire, fire, and train more than 100 mentors in 21 different schools. “Everybody want ‘in’ to the
public schools, but church men are not (really) involved in the public schools in numbers they should be.” Davis noted. “While I had to re-write and expand the ‘Talks’ book to include all young men, and put the principles of scripture into a more visible manner, it is still the same timeless work attempting to address the issues of young men and the need for true manhood.”

Some of the highlights from the ‘Talks’ book center upon race relations, the twin terrors of gangs and drugs, the need for sexual responsibility by young men, the dangers of homosexuality, and one entire chapter dedicated to the issue of fear and how–if not acted upon–will cripple or kill the dreams of many a young man.

“I tend to write in a timeless manner,” Davis noted, while attempting to encourage future writers and publishers. “When I write a book, I put my heart into
it and ask the Lord to have it reach those to whom is it needed. He’s never failed to amaze me with the number of readers who have been blessed by what I’ve had to say.” By the way KJAC Publishing has its own website (www.kjac-publishing.com), and can be reached at P. O. Box 111, Champaign, Illinois, 61824. The website has six books pictured on the site.

What’s next for Davis? To encourage the older members of the brotherhood, in June 2005 his latest work hit the streets, entitled “Can I Call You
Solider?” This book is a 96 page shot in the arm, aimed at helping to build stronger, older men to help mentor those me in the church and society who may be drifting away from strong, traditional roots. It is intended to be a primer to get discussions started.

What are YOUR dream brothers? It may be time to blast the fear in your OWN life to make it happen. Why be fear-addicted when you can be blast the obstacles out of the way and put some traction on your actions and bring them to those who may be in need? Davis, among others, will be cheering you up the road of your success!

MIKE RAMEY is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE. A monthly column written for men from a biblical, business, and common sense perspective. This column
appears on fine websites around the world. Email, Bmail, and Pmail welcomed to the following: manhoodline@yahoo.com. ©2005 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm
Communications International.

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BY MIKE RAMEY

One of the things that I have come to notice over the last few years is the uplifting of the effeminate and the downgrading of the masculine among our young men by their mothers–and others.

Case in point: the remake of `The Karate Kid’.

Why is the Black male lead in cornrows–which makes him look like a girl?

Now, there will be some who think that I am making much to do about nothing, but hear me out. In our media-driven age, image IS everything. From You Tube to Facebook, to the Blackberry, we are consciously driven by what we see. Furthermore, since many of our Black actors and actresses are not in charge of their own production houses or distribution networks, image matters even more.

From time to time, I’ve had the discussion about `…how Black folk look in the media…’ with various individuals. I find it quite tragic that Denzel Washington and Halle Berry won Oscars for roles that degrade our people. For some, the check may be more important than the image–but how Black folk are viewed in the mainstream is how other races WILL see us. Until those Black folk IN the entertainment and political ranks get some guts and STOP becoming `working props’ for institutional idiocy, the stigma of degrading our people will continue.

The clean up must start among ourselves.

BLACK USED TO BE BEAUTIFUL AND PROUD:

While in the classroom, once upon a time, I had a male student `yell out’ that he was `Black and proud’. Of course, his GPA was somewhere below a D level, and he had disciplinary record as long as my leg. I just HAD to smile at his sheer ignorance.

Long ago, a local doctor in my town commented on the youth of the eighties. To paraphrase: “It’s not enough to be `Black and proud’. You have to live an upright life and have your individual actions `back up’ your words.”

His wisdom seems to have bypassed some in our current decade.

Now, I have never been a fan of cornrows for boys. I am less of a fan for the diamond earring (a.k.a. `stud’ or `studs’) in the earlobe for boys. I am least of all enamored with a young man who has cornrows AND earrings. Then, there are the associated `sagging’ pants, tats, and color scheme associated with gang life. There’s just something creepy about stuff like that. Nuff said.

The sad thing? Parents who think that it is `cool’ to let their sons go about the town looking like throwbacks to preschool–with the emotional stability to match. Of course, you can’t correct young people today, let alone their parents, because feelings are so `easily’ hurt.

Let me clue you to something, parents: If you won’t correct your own sons (and daughters), don’t expect those of us in positions of authority to do your job. We’ll just let your son slide on down the tubes and give our wisdom to those young men who not only want it…they’ll do something with it once they receive it.

Is that Black enough for you?

LOCKING IN STEREOTYPES:

I realize that we are only talking about a small universe of knuckleheads that won’t get with the program. Unfortunately, the mainstream press uses that `small’ universe to represent `us’ to the larger universe, further locking in a stereotype. Many parents haven’t learned the lesson about `Black pride’ that our elders tried to get through to them: Lessons which other races have not only learned, but capitalized upon.

Let me give you a `for instance’.

Modern Latino music, when it first burst upon the scene in the mid-eighties, could not gain acceptance into the mainstream. Did the Latinos stage a `sit in’? No. They understood basic economic thought. The worked with EACH OTHER. They pooled their money and talent and did their OWN music awards in their OWN electronic and written media. The result? Eventually, the established music hierarchy `discovered’ Latino music. Soon, all Latino music was held to be `cool’. Now you have ALL actors and actresses (who want to make a buck) learning how to speak Spanish, because the Latino culture OWNS its image!

Say what you may about my example; many of us will have to admit–thanks to Latinos being; a) proud of who they are, and; b) stressing an education to their young men–more of them are going to college and know how to carry themselves in public.

They have mastered how to keep their own image in a sea of stereotyping. More importantly, their young men are STILL represented as being young men.

GETTING THE SKILLS FOR MANHOOD:

To my young brothers: It’s not who can yell the loudest or waive a gun in the streets who is counted a man; it’s the brother who has the skills AND the wisdom to W-O-R-K! Your Mama may think that you are `cute’ at 3-4 or 5 with those cornrows in your hair. Maybe you were. But, at 13-14-15? Nope…not cute but pathetic! Among the brotherhood, you won’t get much training or sympathy because you haven’t be emotionally strengthened to deal with the `knocks’ that life has in store for young Black men in general, and MEN in particular. When an employer sees you coming in the door with cornrows, no matter how many brothers who are `on’ the job with them–they have stopped their financial progress.

Cornrows spell out `Do Not Promote Me’ in big, loud letters, no matter how cute they may look on a screen or a video. You don’t look like the work culture, and you won’t be given the respect that you are due. Economics and respect go hand-in-glove.

The style of Black hair used to be the fro. Now, it’s low, lean and clean. On the campus, the classroom or the job, MEN dress to impress, period. MEN have the skills to `back up’ their work record with their style and pride. No wannabes need apply for a man’s job in a depression– until they grow up, take a good look in a mirror and determine who they are–and whom they want to represent: Adulthood–or adolescence.

Young brothers: your economic future hinges upon the answer you choose.

RAMEY is the Pastor of The Forward Church, Indianapolis, Indiana. THE MANHOOD LINE appears on fine websites and gracious blogs around the world. To correspond, email manhoodline@ yahoo.com. © 2010 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications.

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Been living in the past too long, trying to grasp the past tighter every day and watching it slip through my hands like sand. Time to try to make it into tomorrow. Time be be prepared and ready for tomorrow and what it can bring, not worry about yesterday.

So it’s 5:30am (really!) and today I’m gonna turn the page gonna make the best of the day. Yeah yesterday has passed but God still blesses me today and whatever is done is done. I’m forgiven for my past and I got a lot of work to do to make the best of my future no doubt. For too long it’s been about me. It’s time for me to live, to give back. Time to help those who need support. It’s time to live a better way.

In Isaiah – Chapter 61 it says “The Spirit of the Lord GOD [is] upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of theprison to [them that are] bound;

To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;”

Sometimes I hate my own mental complexity, how my mind plays tricks, how I feel like an outcast. How friends regress progress even though I confess my stress. It’s easy to follow but tough to lead I guess.

in Ephesians 5:17 it says “…be ye not unwise…”

How many times have we seen on Gangstyle – “If only I would have handled that better…made the right choices – it would have saved me much so much pain.”

We’re all in the frontlne of this war and it seems like we have a mountain to move and we have a fine line to walk. It’s time for all of us to rise and become what we are, not what we have been. Only a few can understand the feeling but every one can make the change.

Jesus said in Matthew 17:20:

“You will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible to you. ”

If it is God’s will and we act in it, it can be done.

If you have been in the game for a while you know time is getting short and deep down you know the life ain’t worth the price of the few dollars in your pocket. What we do comes back and the cat you jacked a while back has revenge on his mind, maybe some of us are looking for revenge ourselves.

We need to get out of that mind set…Romans 12:19 says “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.” That takes a lot off our plate and allows us to move on.

It’s tiring and we gotta be done with it. If between us we can just reach one person and help them find Christ in their life that’s enough. Most of us don’t have much to show for life but that don’t mean we can’t show others a better way. Life tough out there for everyone, let’s use what we know to help others.

In closing check out 2 Corinthians 9:6 “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.”

We need to get out there and make a difference!

In Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”

Too many of us know this from experience but that was yesterday time to give our lives to Christ and start working for his Kingdom.

Peace.

One Love One God One Way

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Up until now, we have been discussing the situation that all of those who follow Jesus and accept him as their savior find themselves in initially in very human and worldly terms.

Our relationship with Christ though is more than just a human or worldly relationship; it is a spiritual relationship. Unfortunately, most of us when we first enter our relationships with the Lord are not spiritual beings. As Paul explained to the Corinthians: “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready.” (1 Corinthians 3:1-2 NIV) It is necessary to discuss the situation that we find our selves in as we begin our relationship with Jesus in human terms. It is necessary so that we can establish a common ground and understanding from which to begin a discussion about what the next step should be after you have accepted Christ. At this point though, it is time to consider these things in a more spiritual context. It is time to consider the question before us, to determine what path we should follow, what we should do, now that we have accepted Jesus into our lives and as our savior.

Previously in this discussion it was concluded that every individual’s relationship with Jesus is unique, but at the same time there are similarities and constants that exist between one persons relationship with him and another’s. Thus, since there are similarities and constants that exist in this relationship it is possible to look at the relationship others have had with Jesus to see what that relationship looks like, and how to develop such a relationship. There are many places were someone might look to see examples of this relationship, but the best place to start would be the Bible.

Throughout the Bible there are stories concerning the relationship between different people and God, and his son Jesus, both as groups and as individuals. These stories were left as examples and from these examples it is possible to learn about God and his son, who they are and what their nature is. It is possible to learn from these stories of the different relationships that people have had and do have with them, and to see how those relationships developed. Several of these stories were mentioned earlier for consideration and at this time it seem appropriate to discuses one of them, specifically the story of the formation of the first Christian congregation, of those that would believe in Jesus even though they had not known him, in more detail.

The story of coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost and of these first believers can be found in the New Testament book of Acts in the second Chapter. After the Holy Spirit was poured out on Jesus disciples they testified about him to those that were gathered in the city of Jerusalem for the Pentecost feast. Some of those gathered rejected their testimony though and accused them of being drunk, which lead to Peter rebuking them and explaining to them what was happening and who Jesus was. After hearing Peter speak those gathered asked what they should do. Peter’s reply can be found starting in the thirty-eight verse:

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2: 38-39)

Peter told the very first believers in Christ that the first thing they needed to do after recognizing and accepting that Jesus was their Lord and Savior, was to repent and be baptized. This seems simple enough, but few people understand what it means to repent and the concept of what baptism is has become an issue division and tradition, yet these are the first steps in forming a meaningful relationship with Jesus. So it is important to understand what the mean of these actions are.

Repentance is more than someone admitting that they have done something wrong or sinned and asking for forgiveness. True repentance is a remorse for the sins or wrongs that have been done and a desire to turn away from them and to make amends.

When someone truly repents they turn away from the wrongs they have been doing, the sins they have been committing and attempt to make things right. Sometimes that means accepting consequences for the things that have happened. This is where many people start having problems in their relationship with Jesus. Many people have an expectation that if they believe in Jesus and ask him to forgive them that everything is going to get better, and in the long run it will.

The problem is that before things can get better, the consequences of the past have to be dealt with. Forgiveness does not remove the penalty of sins, it prevents those penalties from cutting us off from God, and being able to be with him. Eventually everyone is going to die, this is the ultimate price and penalty of sin. But, those that are forgiven, that have accepted forgiveness made possible through Jesus, this is not the end of the story – they will be raised up and allowed to live with him in Heaven.

As for baptism, in the context of this discussion it is not possible or even logical to discuss what the mechanics of baptism are, nor is such a discussion important at this point. What is important is the metaphysical meaning and purpose of baptism, in what every form it takes. Baptism is a symbol of ones acceptance of the forgiveness that God offers through his son Jesus and a desire to follow him. How every it is preformed that is the meaning and purpose behind it. The forgiveness that God offers is free and open to everyone, but not everyone accepts it, even some of those that know Jesus is the Christ and understand that he died for their sins are unable or unwilling to accept this gift. This is because, once you accept it, once you believe and have faith in it, it drives you to change, to take action.

Many of those that were listening to Peter in Jerusalem that Pentecost accepted this gift, they took action. The writer of Acts tells us what they did after accepting the message that Peter brought them.

Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:41-47)

The writer of acts tells us that these first believers devoted themselves to four things:

- To the apostles’ teaching – they devoted themselves to learning about Jesus, about his life and his teaching and what they meant.
- To fellowship – they devoted themselves to spending time together, and making sure that everyone had the things they needed.
- To the breaking of bread – they devoted themselves to remembering Jesus and the sacrifice he made for them.
- To prayer – they devoted themselves to praying to and praising God.

These were the first steps that the first believers took in developing their relationship with Jesus. Unlike the apostles they hadn’t known Jesus personally, which means that like those us today that hear the message of salvation, the same message that Peter brought to them so long ago, they had to spend time developing their relationship with him. So, perhaps this is the path we should follow once we have accepted Jesus, if nothing else, it should at least give us a starting point in developing our relationship with him.

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When Gangstyle asked me to submit a follow up piece to his entitled “One Minute Later … Where Will You Be” I was both honored and humbled. To be entrusted by someone that you respect with an important task is perhaps one of the greatest a show of respect and trust that one human being can give to another, so I was honored by his request. At the same time, his request humbled me. I am well aware that not all people should be teachers. James the brother of Christ wrote, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” (James 3:1 NIV) I am not the wisest being around, I do not have all the answers, so it is with a humble and prayerful heart that I approach this task in hope that he that is the wisest, and does have all the answers guilds my words.

The task that I am to address in this piece, the question of what now, where do I go from here, now that I have accepted Christ, is no simple question to answer. There is no standard rule or advice that one can offer; there is no simple 2+2 formula to follow. This is because every individual is unique and has a unique relationship with our Lord. The relationship I have with Jesus, the way that I know him, is not the same as it is for anyone else and their relationship with him. But, though my relationship with Jesus is unique, it is more similar to the relationship that others have with him, than it is different. It is within these similarities that we can find a path to follow, a task to do, that will takes us beyond a simple belief and accept that Jesus is Christ and Lord into a real and meaningful relationship with him.

Whenever two people enter into a new relationship, whether that relationship is as lovers or friends, or simply as co-workers, there is an initial period of time in which they are getting to know each other on a more personal level. Sometimes this initial period of time getting to know someone passes quickly and easily and this new relationship develops or matures with little effort or drama. But, this is not always the situation, in fact it is probably not even the normal one. Sometimes it takes some time to get to know someone new for a relationship with that person to develop. The same situation also exists whenever someone enters a relationship with Jesus. There is an initial period learning in which they get to know him and begin to develop a relationship with him. For some people this initial period of time is short and easy, and for some it is a long and difficult process – what determines how this relationship will develop is the individual involved and their experiences and expectations.

There are many factors that may contribute how any given relationship might develop, but they can general be put into two categories, those categories being the experiences and expectations of the individuals involved. If the individual has had good experiences in past relationships, they may have an easier time develop new ones, but if they have had a bad experience with past relationships, then they may have a difficult time forming new ones. Likewise and often related to past experience, is the expectation an individual brings to the new relationship. If an individual has had good experiences in relationship with others – especially within their families, they are likely to enter new relationships with the expectation that they will be accepted as they are, or that they can trust others. But, if they have had bad experiences in the past with relationships, they may enter each new relationships with the expectation that people can not be trusted until they have proven themselves. Because of this expectation, it takes them a long time to form new relationships, much less a trusting meaningful one. Additionally, there may be unrealistic expectations or hopes that have no basis in facts or experience, yet have profound influences on how a relationship develops – and can actually prevent those involved in being able to see the truth of who each other is or the situation they are in. These same factors influence how an individual relationship with the Lord, with Jesus might develop. Because of past experiences they may not be able to understand what it is like to be truly wanted, accepted, and loved – they may not be able to accept them because they have never known them. Thus, it may take time and maybe even some drama for their understanding to grow to a point were they can begin to accept and believe in these things. These individuals may also have some unrealistic expectations that may prevent them from being able to see and understand who Jesus is, or what it really means to have a relationship with him, to accept him into their lives.

Thus, every individuals relationship with Jesus is unique, just as every individuals and their experiences and expectations upon entering their relationship with him are unique. At the same time there are similarities and constants that exist between one persons relationship with Jesus and another’s – the most important of these being who Jesus is, and who he is doesn’t change from person to person. Because Jesus doesn’t change from person to person, it is possible to look at the example of others and the paths they have followed as they started their relationships with Jesus and how their relationships developed. These examples can be found in the Bible throughout the New Testament and included such stories as Peter’s Confession of Christ (Matthew 16:17-18); The Rich Ruler (Luke 18:18-43); Peter’s Address of the Crowd at Pentecost (Acts 2:14-41) and the Fellowship of the Believers; Philip and the Ethiopian (Acts 8:26-40), and Saul’s Conversion (Acts 9:1-22) to name just a few.

I’ll leave you to check these outand return with the 2nd part …

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From Bro Mike:

WHAT A LOVED ONE CAN DO
IF A FRIEND/FAMILY MEMBER WANT TO JOIN A GANG

1. PRAY & REMIND Them That Gang Membership IS Dangerous.

2. PRAY & REPORT To Them That Gang Membership IS Going To
Cost Them YOUR Relationship.

3. MAKE SURE You Check Your OWN Connections To Jesus Christ & The Bible. This Is SPIRITUAL WARFARE At The Highest Level!

HOW TO HANDLE A POTENTIAL GANG MEMBER
WHO HAPPENS TO BE YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER

1. PRAY & REMIND Them That You Love Them, BUT Their New ‘Friends’ Will NOT Be Welcomed Into The Family Home!

2. PRAY & INFORM Them That You Will NOT Tolerate Items Coming Up ‘Missing’–Just So Your Child Can Impress Their Friends!

3. PRAY & TELL Them That You Would RATHER Allow The Police To Take Them Away…Than For A Mortician To PUT Them Away!

WHAT TO DO IF A CLIENT OR STUDENT
DECIDES TO GET INTO GANG ACTIVITY

1. PRAY & REMIND Them That They Have Free Choice In The Matter. Their Choice WILL Change Your Relationship With Them!

2. PRAY & EXPLAIN To Them About Others Whom You Have Read About And Know THEY HAVE LOST A LOT!

3. MAKE SURE You Check Your OWN Connections To Jesus Christ & The Bible. This Is SPIRITUAL WARFARE At The Highest Level!

MODERN STREET GANGS–GIVING MORE PAIN & LESS GAIN!

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