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This from Bro Mike, addressing those who want to leave a gang and the cost of the Christian walk. It ain’t easy but it’s worth it both now and for eternity…

Death, serious injury, plagues, economic reversals, jail, prison, starvattion.  These are part of the calling cards of the Christian life. In our ‘modern’ western civilization, we have forgotten that Christ was called to die FOR mankind; and those who follow after him will likely face the grave, at one time or another during their lives.  If you were willing to die for your gang; you should be willing to live for Christ with MORE of the same determination.

Being a Christian COSTS!  It cost Jesus EVERYTHING.  It cost those who followed him, male and female, boy and girl, everything.  We were put on this rock called earth to be ‘salt and light‘.  You can’t be salt if you are still in the shaker and in a cabinet; you can’t be light hiding.

Being a Christian COUNTS!  You don’t know how many people whom you are helping by staying out of your gang.  You claim to want to honor your family; but you ‘think’ that the pull of your gang is stronger.  Read Hebrews, Chapter 11.  Read I Corinthians, Chapter 13.  Read Galatians, Chapter 5.  Read Ephesians, Chapters 1, 2, and 3 out of YOUR Bible.  THEN tell me how ’strong’ your little punk ‘gang’ is, in comparison to what the TRUE Christian life is.  When trouble comes calling, have Jesus Christ to pick up the phone and answer it.

Being a Christian CREATES!  We BUILD!  We ENCOURAGE!  We TRAIN!  We TEACH!  Name me ONE TRUE Christian who is a Dope Dealer, Whore, or Gang Member, by our code book THE BIBLE?  Satan; the Devil; El Diablo likes to get Hispanics ‘wrapped up’ in saint worship; but not in Jesus Worship. Every time you focus on the devil, you need to focus on Jesus twice and the Bible THREE times.

Bottom line?  You ain’t leaving the earth till the Lord says that it is time to go.  As I’ve heard one preacher put it; the Christian is IMMORTAL until their task that God has assigned them is finished; THEN they go home to glory.  Ask yourself; are you carrying the good news to rescue other people OUT of their sins?  OR, are you spending too much time ‘whining’ about your lot in life.  Hey, I might not have all that I want; but the Bible maintains that I have what the Lord has provided and I need to be appreciative of this EVERYDAY.

We have become a nation of whimpy adolescents!  You are going to be 18 soon?  That means that you will be a MAN!  Several young men and women IN the Old and New Testaments–at 17–were already becoming strong for the Lord.  Daniel was a young man; David was a young man; Esther was a young woman.  Get my drift?  Like I tell my students; folk are going to insult you and talk bad about you as long as you live!  You can’t kill them all!  It’s a part of LIFE!  Either THEY are right about you; and you believe their lies…OR…you know and are secure in who you are, and ignore the catcalls.

This garbage of ‘…I’m gonna kill someone because they have talked bad about me…’  or ‘…I’m gonna take my homies out and kill someone because they wear a different color…’ is a bunch of COWARDS talking.  MEN BUILD; COWARD DESTROY…THEN COMPLAIN that there is nothing built to ‘help’ their communities.

You are WHERE you are because the LORD has ordained it!  You either fight it out THERE, or fold under the pressure.  Be a MAN…and not some PUNK moved about like grass.  Your family raised you to be an adult; gangs are for kids…or those who are stuck in the teen mode and don’t want to grow up.

Grown ups have responsibility…grown up Christians have a duty to spread the gospel and rescue others.

Thanks for buzzing in…and I pray that we have helped you.

Yeah, I know that you are scared; but IF you don’t do what God wants you to do…I’d be MORE scared of HIM!  Because you do NOT want to fall into the hands of the Angry God.

From Bro Mike.

Gangs Are Nothing But T.R.O.U.B.L.E

T: Thieves
You Learn How To Steal

R: Rebels
You Hate Good Advice

O: Obstinate
Only Your Gang Is Right

U: Uncaring
Coldness Towards Family & Others

B: Begging
Won’t Do Legitimate
Work

L: Lying
You Enjoy Lying To Others

E: Evil
Follow After Bad Things!

MEMO: NOW APPLY IT!

BY MIKE RAMEY

Now that young people are involved once again with the annual pursuit of knowledge, let me congratulate the brothers who are getting the GOOD grades! Furthermore, I give these young men a tip of the hat for staying out of trouble, keeping out of detention/jail/ prison, and spending as little time as possible `connected’ to the criminal justice system by a pair of silver bracelets and D.O.C ID numbers.

And the parents said: AMEN!

Much of our society doesn’t focus upon the subject of education in a realistic manner. We think of `getting an education’ as being the `be all and end all’ of life. More education will not make a person better if they are already bitter on the inside. Putting a PH. D in the hands of a fool just makes a person a better educated fool. Meanwhile, at the `other end’ of the debate–after the Civil Rights years–seeing young African American males exchanging their futures for `thirty pieces of thrill’ sagging, bagging, and dying in the streets (while their parents are blissfully silent) should re-energize every Black educator every day they enter a classroom.

In terms of our people and education, we have not met the enemy in some cases; we have given ignorance a pass, an Ipod, and a front row seat on Madison Avenue and BET.

The Bible is very clear about self-deception, my brothers. Not only do we have to have a realistic assessment as to who we are on a daily basis; we also have to PREPARE for success. Preparation is that hard work which is often unrewarded until the `test’ that you have been readied to meet knocks–or pounds–on your door. Life is NOT going to beg you to be successful; but it will help you to find your spot in defeat at any time.

Education isn’t an idol to be worshipped. It is a needed tool for survival.

DISTURBING STUDIES:

One of my heroes, author Tony Brown, said it well a few years back: “Speak and write the King’s English very well. You will need this for food, shelter and clothing. Speak anyway you want when you are at home.”

Over the last few months I have had the chance to keep up with some of the `side’ stories of the economic downturn this nation has been experiencing. However, a few are worthy of note when it comes to getting young men ready for real life outside of the classroom. The first item deals with the unemployment rate of young Americans; those aged 16 to 24. According to national reports, the `official’ unemployment rate for young adults is a record, resting above 52 percent. Add to this the fact that entry-level jobs are drying up in this recession, with little to no relief in sight.

Now, among people of color, the unemployment rate for the same 16 to 24 group USUALLY trends higher…about ten to fifteen percentage points higher. Thus, we can safely speculate that the unemployment rate for young people of color is hovering around sixty to sixty-five percent! Add to the mix? There are certain, well-placed economic gurus predicting that the national unemployment rate will hover above ten percent for the next few years. One can truly understand why an education is crucial to the economic SURVIVAL of brothers, young and old.

MANY STATISTICS ON THE UNEMPLOYMENT LINE:

Yes, I know. I can hear the catcalls already. School is too hard. It’s not `culturally sensitive’. Teachers are stupid. I’m not motivated to achieve. Public schools are broken. You are a sellout to your race IF you read, write, and speak well. You ain’t down with the struggle if you achieve.

Fill in the blank, in case you have an excuse I haven’t listed.

The DLS? In hard economic times, those `pieces of paper’ that some of you knock, brothers, are worth their weight in GOLD when it comes to getting your foot in the door for a job interview and being hired. Spin it this way: the more people that are spreading the lie that `education ain’t all that…’ are the same ones who are going to be stepping over the statistical bodies of those who believe the lie–as they are grabbing the brass rings of economic success!

To my younger brothers, apply what you are reading. Get your education! Treat it like a job everyday in the classroom and on campus. Motivate yourself! Your ability to get paid a legal wage rests upon what skills from reading, writing, and arithmetic you retain and how many subjects you successfully master. Make your BRAIN rain!

I have yet to read an employment application yet that has the following spaces:

A) How many words can you `tweet’ a minute?

B) How fast can you download a bootleg video?

And the employers said: AMEN!

UNEMPLOYABLE THUGGS? VOLUNTARY STATISTICS!:

There are two major consequences of doing wrong in the streets and living the thugg life (my personal spelling), besides a trip to the `state spa’–meaning jail or prison. First, in tight economic times, it matters little how many diplomas and degrees you earn behind bars–employers WILL RARELY hire a person who had done time for anything.

That is, unless they can `make money’ from the government off that ex-con.

Anybody remember the “Jobs Training and Partnership Act!!??

I know that this will hurt some feelings, and ruin some photo ops and PR opportunities, but let’s be `on the up’ about this matter. There IS something to be said for staying out of the lock up. Second, I don’t care how many re-entry programs that may exist. In times of economic peril, the employer calls the shots as to whomever gets that available J-O-B! Let me assure you; your `jailhouse diploma’ won’t work very well in a showdown with those brothers–whom you LAUGHED at–who got their education and stayed out of trouble in the process. The squares and un-hip rule in recessions, Amen?

You’ve read it all before. This time, apply it. You’ll be ready for success!

RAMEY is the Pastor of The Forward Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, and is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE. This syndicated column appears on fine websites and gracious blogs around the world. To correspond, buzz an email to him at manhoodline@ yahoo.com. © 2009 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications.

I would encourage any community-based program that
helps Black people to re-enter the workforce to take
this column, have their leadership put on their
‘Sunday Best’, take their annual reports and success
stories and start ‘making contacts’ with Black
companies–in their own home cities.

There is nothing wrong with us coming together–to
help us.

We don’t ‘need’ someone’s permission to help our own!

A few years back, I happened across an excellent
piece of writing on the realities of Black business
and the Black community. The column, written by
Hilliard Lackey of the Tennessee Tribune was entitled:
“The Naked Truth: Blacks Antagonize Black Businesses”.
Mr. Lackey put up some very real dilemmas faced by
Black companies. To quote him, many Black companies
face the “Give Me/Let Me Have/Hook A Brother or Sister
Up” machine, where a few try to ‘get’ all they can
from a Black company. Of course, the message conveyed
in the column was the following: No matter what some
manage to obtain from a Black-owned company, it is
never seen as enough.

I enjoyed that work, and could see Mr. Lackey’s
point. After all, I have worked for a few Black owned
companies over the years. I’ve seen more than a few
of us from the ‘streets to the suites’ try to ‘get
what we can’.

Make no mistake about it. Playing angles and using
street smarts as a means of gaining an advantage does
not end on the playground. In reality, it can also
extend into adulthood–and beyond. I have found that
truly successful businessmen and women often have a
bit of that ‘hustling’ instinct–IF they want to keep
their doors open. Donald Trump has been broke a few
times, but always manages to rely on his ‘hustle’ to
re-invent himself, re-open his doors, and re-invite
bankers to invest in his latest business venture.

But, I digress.

In the normal course of business, the ‘art of the
deal’ is paramount. Companies buy, sell, and show
with those agencies, organizations, and institutions
that can offer the best deal. One of the earliest
lessons I learned in the business arena while a
student in high school and college is pay your
accounts off early, and you will SAVE money. The
textbook example was: 2/10, Net 30. Meaning, one
could get a two percent discount on their bill if it
was paid within ten days. The business owner who
decided to wait to pay the full bill in thirty days
would not get a discount from that service provider.

There are truly different ways to hustle. White
owned companies may call it something different in a
textbook, but Black owned companies know ‘the hustle’.

A green dollar is still just as green in a
Black-owned company, or a company owned by Hispanics.
Money is still money. A good employee, though, is an
asset!

In this month’s column, I’m going beyond Mr. Lackey’s
commentary.

There is a better way Black business can invest in
the Black community.

We need our Black businesses, companies, and
publications to come together with their purses and
wallet and invest in US! In my view, because of the
challenges we face as African Americans, it is time
that Black-owned companies set up their own
community-based foundations to help those ventures
with a successful track record to train (and in some
cases resurrect) the education, skills, and work
aptitudes of our people.

It is NOT the church’s job to create new business and
job opportunities, but to point people to Jesus
Christ, then turn them loose to succeed. It is NOT
the government’s job to create new business and job
opportunities, but to provide the least amount of
government red tape to unleash the economy. It IS the
responsibility of Black business to help fund those
activities to help those of us in need to be
successful in the workplace, and in general society.

If Bill Gates can put up $50 million in grants to
help public schools in urban areas to re-design
themselves to turn out potential employees for HIS
company in the future; FIFTY Black owned companies can
come up with a million EACH to help re-train, re-tool,
and re-enter those among us who may have dropped out
of school, been locked up, or otherwise left behind by
the system.

PROGRAMS BLACK COMPANIES DO NOT SEE:

I have nothing against Black celebrities giving money
to HBCUs. However, HBCUs are only a part of the
picture. There is a workforce of Black folk that has
been left behind by Black celebrities and Black
business.

In my travels I have happened across some very good
to excellent local programs, run for and staffed by
us, to help put young men and women back on the right
track towards success. Whether it is with helping
someone get their GED, or learning how to write a
resume, many of these programs accomplish nothing
short of the miraculous–on limited budgets. There
are B-L-A-C-K professionals whom I know who work a
full time job AND spend their OWN time helping
troubled youth, or wayward teen mothers, or recovering
drug addicts, or those who have been released from
prison. Whatever stipends these professionals make in
running and administering these programs are
microscopic in terms of the out-of-pocket expenses
they pay.

One by one, these community-based programs have been
drying up, downsizing, or discontinued because of the
loss of grant/foundation dollars–oftentimes supplied
by the mainstream community. Other groups are helping
their own ‘left behinds’ achieve. When will MORE
Black companies ‘step up’ and help our OWN?

LESS ‘PARTY’ AND MORE ‘INVESTING:’

What truly irritates me is that I have heard Black
owned companies mouthing the same lines as White owned
companies: “We can’t find qualified workers!”

Black business owner–you know the answer to that
one!

As a people, we are worth $700 Billion dollars in
earned income EACH year, based upon the Internet
sources I check for Black financial data. We also
have some solid, well-financed Black-owned companies
who could write a few checks, and wind up putting
their logo on programs that will generate MORE Black
employees, not less.

Various U. S. cities are posting unemployment rates
of thirty to fifty percent or more for Black men aged
21 to 30. The unemployment rate for Black teens is
four to five times higher than the average for other
teens. Government funding–since 9/11–has been
drying up for job and education programs, which means
that job and education programs attached to the
justice system, the education establishment, and the
states are quickly being cut.

Black companies need to take up the slack–and train
and hire BLACK.

Here’s one way to ‘find’ the money that some of our
companies ‘claim’ they don’t have. In my home city of
Indianapolis, Indiana, we have several major Black
events that bring out a host of Black-owned companies
every year. Not only do they have their wares
displayed, they also contribute to some of the
lesser-known items of these events–from hospitality
rooms to lavish pre and post event parties. Here’s a
suggestion, Black entrepreneur: Spend less for the
parties and invest in community-based programs to help
our young people–especially our young Black men.

A Black man with a job and a future will build a
family. A Black man without a job and a bleak future
will help destroy a community. What are we seeing on
our streets?

Black businessman; put your corporate logo and ‘party
money’ into your brothers and sisters. A party lasts
but a weekend. A young brother with an education and
some job training will be able to start his employment
career with Y-O-U!

There is no BETTER party…than helping someone get
their first paycheck!

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

This from Brother Doulos on our team:

The UMP is an educational, multi-media Campaign designed to scrub away the Ignorance of the Urban Christian and Christendom as a whole. American Church Organizations send Hundreds of Thousands of missionaries to evangelize the world; yet we neglect to impact our own country.  Does you church have a functional active program for community evangelism?  If so your part of the small minority, sadly we losing more Christians to the world, then we bring into the Church.

What is the purpose of the Campaign?

Our mission is threefold; first, we must re-establish a health Fear of God (Psalms 33:8), second, we must restore The Name of Our Lord.  Third we must restore the Message of Consecration and Holiness to the Body of Christ.

To do this encouraging the Christian community (Parents, Christian Music/Retail Industry, Christian Business, Pastors, Youth Leaders, Laypersons, Churches) to boycott any influential Person, Organization, or Corporations that make Statements, Publish the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Why is the Campaign needed?

The UMP is needed because we’re losing our saltiness (Matthew 5:12).  The church is being trampled under the foot of men. We are no longer effective because we are now of this world.  The UMP was breathed to shake things up

is this a Hip Hop Movement?

Absolutely not! Actually a dear brother and friend was having trouble with his children and secular music and he compelled me (Full Arm Twisting) to return to music. For that I am forever grateful because Hip Hop/Rap music is the mouth piece and Main influence on this generation and many to come.

How Can I Get Involved?

The first thing is make sure this is more than just a good thing for you.  Urban Missionary work is hard stuff.  God will show you this you may not want to see or admit.

Second, please take this Spiritual Gifts test; we believe a believer is most effective and passionate working in the area of their gifting: http://www.kodachrome.org/spiritgift/

Third, consider committing $10 per month to West Coast Urban Missions we would like to have a Budget of about $30,000 in 2010.

Lastly, Get and read this book “Pagan Christianity” http://www.paganchristianity.org/

Others was to help:

• Pray
• Volunteer your time
• Give a Love offering
• Donate Your Talents
• Donate Your Facilities
• Stop investing your entertainment Dollars into the World, and Invest them in Kingdom Building.

It is critical that this program have the support and Prayers of the Body of Christ. We must get invested, in our communities, our young adults; consider when you were them, wishing someone would do something.

—————————————————————————————

The Urban Missionary Project:Mission, Values, Behaviors

Mission: Our mission is to establish an Urban Missionary network that facilities Urban Missions across the US.

Values: To bring the hope of the Gospel to the hopeless communities that has been forgotten.

Behaviors:
1.Do what Jesus did
2.People First, programs second
3.Share the Gospel and make disciples
4.Raise funds continually
5.Be good transparent stewards
6.Communicate with our donors
7.Follow up with people we help
8.Build coalitions that are agreed
9.Communicate the good we do to the World
10.Look for new missions

The Vision is plain who will run with it (Hab 2:2)

God Bless
Doulos

BREAKING GANG TIES-PART 1
Two Former gangsters from Los Angeles Dr. Levon Davis & Samone Colemanwho were both incarcerated for murder discuss their transformation and how they successfully transitioned from prison and criminal ties back into society.

I may have posted this before but saw it again this week and thought it deserved a fresh look:

FOUR TEEN ALTERNATIVES TO GANGS

1.  If You Want To Be A Leader, Or Develop Your Leadership Skills, Join Or Become A Part Of Non-Criminal Enterprises.

2.  If You Want To Follow Someone, Choose Those Individuals/Adults Who Do Not Have Criminal Records.  They DO Exist!

3.  If You Have Problems, Or, Want To Talk To Someone, Choose An Upright Adult Who Is At Your School, Church, Or Friend Of Your Family!

4. Y-O-U Have The Power To Make Sound Media Choices!  Do Not Feast Upon The Negative/Violent/Sexually Graphic! What’s Going In Your Brain?

THE FIVE MYTHS–AND REALITIES

Myth: “I Can’t Leave The Gang…”
Truth: People Leave Gangs EVERYDAY Without Consequences.

Myth: “I Need The Gang For Friendship…”
Truth: Your Friendship Is Best Given To Upright People.

Myth: “I Need The Structure Of The Gang…”
Truth: Structure ALSO Comes From Being Involved At Church, Work, etc.

Myth: “I Am Nobody Without The Gang…”
Truth: You WERE Somebody–THAT’S Why They Recruited You!
You Have Forgotten WHO You ARE Because Of The Gang!

Myth: “They’ll Threaten To Kill Me If I Leave…”
Truth:  If Someone Is Threatening You…Better Reason To LEAVE!

MEMO:  WHAT IT IS!
BY MIKE RAMEY

We’re back in the saddle ready to ride–and write–one more time.

The ground rules for THE MANHOOD LINE (which have been circulated far and wide) are very simple.  First, I write for M-E-N.
IF women get what I’m writing about, it is a blessing for them.  Second, I come at manhood from a biblical, business, and common sense point of view.  This means that this columnist KNOWS God exists and his rulebook is the Bible, preferably the King James Version.  Lastly, you cannot succeed if you are not ready to pay the price of preparation with your OWN work!

That’s “What It Is”!

NOTE FOR TECH WORSHIPPERS: P-SCHOOL STILL RULES!
Years ago, I added the phrase “What It Is” to my arsenal.  It means what is says, and says what it means.  A search engine cannot replace your brain.  An electronic gadget should not replace class nor common sense.
Unfortunately, we live in what I call ‘tech’ times; times where truth is becoming rare and endangered.  Folk are more interested in feeling good, rather than doing good–and are shocked that reality doesn’t reflect the ‘good feelings’ that they have been downloading from the electronic ‘self-esteem picnic!’  Truth: IF you get involved in criminal activity…do NOT be shocked to have some brothers and sisters on your doorstep with their holsters unsnapped!  BET, Lil Wayne, and MTV will not be at your trial!

That’s ‘What It Is’.

The starting point for today‘s column? Sadly, it STILL seems that the upright brothers are being left to the side as many modern women still want the neighborhood thugg.  What makes the situation even more bizarre…Some sisters are anxiously becoming neighborhood thuggs–rather than WIVES!

But–I digress!

There’s more!  Be warned, brothers!  Even during THIS recession there ARE some sisters in the workplace who have set their sights on bumping men out of their jobs through the file marked ‘sexual temptation!’

The ‘Office Seductress’ is licking her lips, sizing YOU up for a potential ‘fling’…then FIRING!  Making the fracture even more pronounced: some of these sisters are in positions of management and authority.

Let me share with you some words of wisdom from Pastor John Hagee about sin in general: “It’s the blast that DON’T last!”  Let me add the words of the late Pastor E.V. Hill, of Los Angeles, California: “Brothers, YOU have to keep control…of YOUR pants!”  In short, the man who cannot control himself in sexual matters is a man who cannot be trusted with more responsibility.  If ONE can’t control himself in the little things, forget being trusted to run a business, school district, or country. Truth: leave Delilah, Jezebel, and ALL of their cousins…ALONE!  The price for some ‘afternoon desire’ and/or a weekend spree is NOT worth it.

I met a young woman at a local store recently.  You could tell that she was a ‘modern’ woman as she wore a T-shirt with her ‘wisdom’ printed on her bustline.  Of course, I won’t tell you what the wisdom was…but we did manage to have a pleasant conversation, centering upon male/female relationships.  On that subject, I stated, flatly, that the man SHOULD pay…period.  “Well…maybe back in YOUR day…” she opined,  “…but things are different today…”

“What was good in MY day, is still good,”  I said.

Part of the reason that modern male/female relationships have gotten harder is that more upright sisters are allowing their scandalous cousins to dictate TO them what makes for a ‘successful relationship’…even though THEY have never had one last past a weekend.

And the Brotherhood said…AMEN!

Brothers, go BACK and listen to some vinyl.  Eddie–The Thin Man– Kendricks.  The Four Tops.  The O’Jays.  Marvin, Stevie, and yes–Count Basie and Duke Ellington.  Dating and courtship were–and are–W-O-R-K.  You couldn’t have a HINT of a criminal record and had to have a J-O-B.  He that findeth a wife, findeth a good thing–IF he is upright from the start!

I can hear the catcalls now.  “It won’t work…It can’t be done!”

BALDERDASH!  Demand standards in ALL your relationships!

Overseas, an interesting news item surfaced.  Some Italian wives got tired of their husbands being involved in criminal activity.  (Yes, we’re talking about Mafia country, where the death rate was HIGH)!  These sisters didn’t lecture, cry, whine, or ask for a government grant.  They clearly stated their concerns, and decided to “close up shop”.  To the uninformed, this meant that there would be no activity in the bedroom UNTIL the criminal activity in the streets DECREASED.  Would you dare to take a guess as to whether or not the crime rate went down?

Sisters, this is for you.  IF you want better men, start saying NO to the brothers involved in criminal activity and STICK to your guns.  I guarantee that you will be impressed with the result, and won’t need to wait ‘…forever and a day…’ for a marriage proposal!  Brothers, BE the right man, so you can court and MARRY the right woman and NOT her ‘seductive cousin’!

END NOTE:
The latest round of shouting matches between Democrats and Republicans is nothing new.  What makes the situation more grim is that there are those within President Obama’s own party who would like to see him fail.  REAL prayer by UPRIGHT people works where shouting won’t.  Lasts longer too!  The current mess that we are in was a TEAM effort.  If the home team isn’t in order, the church team won’t be in order, the community team won’t be in order and the government team won’t be in order.  TTFN!

RAMEY is the Pastor of The Forward Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, and is the author of THE MANHOOD LINE.  This syndicated column appears on fine websites and gracious blogs around the world.  To correspond, buzz an email to him at manhoodline@yahoo.com.  © 2009 Mike Ramey/Barnstorm Communications.

I’d be careful about going out all alone and especially at night. No one knows better how your gang works than you. When are they most likely to get someone? Then try and avoid that situation.

Now, during this time, you and your family should make plans to move. I know most people say that they cannot afford to move or they do not want to leave their home. But if it is a matter of life and death, money is no object and good memories of home do not compare to dying. In the end you all have to ask yourselves what is most important.

Find a way to get out of the area. Do whatever you have to do to get things together to move. This is the best way to ensure that you are not exposed to direct threats of violence. However, when you move, you MUST not ever make contact with those people again. You should not ever make contact with anyone from that neighborhood again. You must become like a ghost. I’ve seen too many young people leave the gang only to turn around and put them on their myspace page or go back to the neighborhood and hang out.

And wherever you go, don’t even mention your former gang life. Don’t seek out other gang members there and pretend you know nothing about it. If you have tattoos cover them up. Work towards getting them removed or at least covered up with a different tattoo.

You must let that life go completely.

Now I know that may not seem to be a practical thing to do, moving away and all. But hanging around an area where these people know where you live and constantly threaten you and your family is really not an option.

We would like that you keep in touch with us and let us know your situation. Sit down and explain to your family what is going on. Maybe they can even find a relative somewhere where you can go and stay.

Pray for guidance as well and for God to look over you and your family. But use the common sense that God gave you. Don’t sit back and expect God to protect you when you won’t do what you can to get out of the situation. Like praying for God’s protection as you jump off of a cliff, it just won’t work unless you use some sense.