Hold your children accountable

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.  Proverbs 20:11

In other words, a tree is known by it’s fruit, and a man by his doings.
As a parent it can be difficult to discern what we should and when we should expose our children to certain things. But what I have learned and witnessed over the years, from childhood to parenthood is, the Word of God holds no punches when it comes to telling the truth, even to children. Now you’ve heard me say often, that the Bible has an answer for everything we face in life. But here’s the trick, you ready, we have to open the Bible to get those answers. And so it is with children. We adults are always saying they are too young for this or that, but in the Bible, children are taught from very young ages what God requires of them, how they are to treat their parents, those in authority and each other. I mean hey, there was a king who was 8 years old. It also shows consequences from wrong actions. We are living in a sin sick world – just spend 5 minutes watching the days headlines. Without God’s Word for guidance, the world will chew us up and spit us out. No one is doing your child a favor if you allow them to grow up thinking the world owes them something. They should be taught to respect authority, from parents to teachers, to pastors and their elders. They should also be told when they actions bring about bad results, as well as good. I won’t even tell you about the kids and the bear in the bible, for fear that you will think I’m condoning that extent of punishment. I’m not, just saying it is OUR, THE ADULTS, responsibility to teach children that they actions, good or bad have consequences. They need to witness the results of their actions aka those consequences.
My children are 10 and 7, and I hold no punches when it comes to telling them and showing them the consequences of their actions. Whether they disrespect me, their teacher or anyone else in authority. When they are unkind to friends or classmates at school. No matter what, I don’t allow it to slide, because one day they will slide into adulthood and disrespect others and possibly lose great advantages and opportunities,  like disrespecting their first boss and getting fired, simply because we weren’t parent enough or authority enough to tell them the truth when we had the chance.
If you have children or work with children, don’t take that privilege for granted. Don’t miss an opportunity to impart into a child’s life with life long results. Stop saying what’s too much for them to know and see. Please, many of them already know and see more than we think. Equip them & prepare them to be the respectable and productive next generation.
Stop ignoring the gigantic white elephant in the room, and address it head-on,  with the Word of God.

My Black History Moment

My Moment in Black History read at my church, Lakewood Church International on February 12, 2017.

When I was asked to do a black history moment I asked myself, “Who will I read about?” The list was extremely long and the accomplishments of my people have been enumerable. So, I decided that since I am a writer and I know a little about black history, being black and all – that I’d write something.

Over the centuries, we, as a people, have had many names or labels, if you will, since unintentionally landing here on this “stolen” land called America. Those names have included Africans, niggas, specks, spooks, baboons, negro, colored, black and, of course, our most recent politically correct label, African-American.

Over those same centuries, we have been enslaved, beaten, killed, and abused to levels I dare not mention in this setting. And still, despite our battered, bruised, beat down and despised history, we have made some significant contributions to history.

For example, as a published African-American author, I can appreciate the sacrifices made by such people as Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American poet and the first African-American woman to publish a book.

Garrett Morgan, an African-American, was the inventor of the first traffic signal.

Daniel Hale Williams, a black man, performed the first open heart surgery in 1893.

Or there’s Sojourner Truth, who was born Isabelle Baumfree. She changed her name when she began traveling the country preaching God’s Word. She also spoke out against slavery and fought for women’s rights.

And there’s Dred Scott, a slave who was bold enough to sue his owners for his freedom in 1843. The case went as far as the Supreme Court. Although the Justices said Scott could not sue because he was black, he was eventually given his freedom by his owner’s son.

Then there’s Rosa Parks, the hard working, tired African-American woman, who simply wanted to rest on her ride home from a long day of work. Parks, who refused to give up her seat for a white man, was arrested. Her bravery and the hateful actions of others led to a bus boycott like never seen before. This boycott led to the desegregation of public transportation.

And let us never forget an accomplishment, many doubted would ever happen in our lifetimes, President Barack Obama, an African-American, a black man, serving as Commander-in-Chief. The President of the United States, The leader of the free world.

Although the accomplishments are many in BLACK history – there is the most important history we can all celebrate in the house of the Lord. This knowledge does not lessen the fact that I am black history. We are black history. But more importantly, we are RED history, for we have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. I am WHITE because his RED blood has washed me whiter than snow. We are no longer defined by the color of my skin, for MY GOD doesn’t look at the outward appearance. He looks at our hearts.

So today, I can add to the list given above – my most important and everlasting name – REDEEMED!

May we as a people never forget where we came from. But most important, be sure of WHERE you are going!

Happy Black History Month