Memphis Crime, The National Guard, Liberalism & The 117th Annual Holy Convocation

From New Bethel COGIC Facebook post:

Recently, Presiding Bishop J Drew Sheard released a statement regarding safety and security at the upcoming 117th Holy Convocation, suggesting that to the Saints that they not be "afraid" due to the presence of the National Guard.

I posted the following regarding that statement:

"Why would anyone be nervous when the city is more safe now than it has ever been??? 

You have missing kids that have been found, folk are reporting that they can walk and shop freely without fear of being robbed or mugged and our church feels we need a "disclaimer" regarding people keeping safe???

Can't be serious that we are that obtuse."

I would like to affirm this statement. It seems that, like many political liberals, we have been sold on "looks" and "appearances" greater than results. The result of the presence of the National Guard has been positive for the citizens of of Memphis and have provided a long needed sense of safety for her residents.

The "spill-over" effect is that Memphis will be a much more safe place than ever for the Saints attending the 177th Annual Holy Convocation.

I would hope that we can rise above the negative political epithets that divide us as a nation and body of people. It is the people we serve, the Black and minority community, that have been the first recipient of a safer community. No matter who has facilitated that beneficial measure we should rejoice and encourage the Saints rather than add a level of fear based on erroneous stereotypes and political leanings.

THE EXTRA

The last 2 statements regarding major events, such as the murder of Charlie Kirk and this one regarding Memphis and the security of the Saints, have been underwhelming. 

Charlie Kirk was just as much of a Christian and follower of Jesus as anyone else who serves Christ. and it seems that the Presiding Bishop's statement stopped short of claiming that he was a Christian and represented Christian views and moral ethics. The overall statement regarding Charlie Kirk was disturbing. 

But then, to top it off with a statement disregarding the vast benefits that a new and revised community safety and community plan has afforded the citizens of Memphis, TN., and the lives that have been saved as a result, makes us question is this church truly seeking to serve ALL men, or only those who embrace liberal and Democrat politics and political leanings?  

Let's be TRUTHFUL...Our leadership is not short on political and social liberals at the highest levels and ranks. We have Bishops, some of whom, support, and at the very least are silent about abortion, homosexuality and even transgenderism. While some may be politically and socially conservative, they certainly keep it to themselves.

Then, we have yielded our spaces and Holy Desk at the Holy Convocation to them who even have views contrary to the scripture and antithetical to Christ, community and Biblical Values...YEP...I can name them...I can present what THEY themselves say and teach regarding topics of racism, social and moral ills and values, and their views fall far short for anyone representing holiness...

Then, when we exit the social and political realm, in the last year, we have allowed at least 3 (certainly more) Pastor's stories to go viral regarding their illicit affairs, pedophillic abuses and sins without saying a word or distancing ourselves from immorality...Don't believe me? See HERE, HERE and HERE and this doesn't mention why we're calling the police on National choir members  such as Sybil Finney, or explain how we plan to address the issues raised HERE...Are we arresting folk, talking about good, faithful church members, in our churches now???

All these things have resulted in us becoming a laughingstock as noted...HERE...

No, I have not written about these issues as they are adequately covered by others who are delivering RECEPTS...I don't have time, these folk are grown and I really want to focus on things that will benefit the Body of Christ instead of focus on COGIC issues and our ability to overlook problems and shout on anyway...

However, to the point, it would seem that with all that we have going on in our church at this time, that we would welcome the safety and security that many of the residents of Memphis have found with the presence of the National Guard and a heightened police presence within the City.  

TOO MUCH LIBERAL SOCIAL and even LIBERAL POLITICAL THOUGHT has come through this church. No one can say that there was not a concerted effort to keep Bishop Wooden off of the Church's General Board because of his openly conservative political and social views. I don't think an argument can be made to the contrary. 

Black liberal "association" does not guarantee any benefits for Black people or for the Black community. In fact, many of our most popular embrace the worst political and social policies contemplated. Policies that have damaged our communities and kept whole segments of our community, the communities which the church serves, the Black population in particular... DOWN for generations. 

I would hope that we could see the benefits of diversity in political and social thought within this church, rather than buying in to stereotypes and lies of the culture. We are serving a generation who is rising and waking up every day to a better and more real truth than what we have been pushing. 

Hopefully, we can join the stream of them that want true reform and restoration for our children and families, rather than just to simply look good. 

Blessed!

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Sonya Massey Trial Verdict...Was Justice Served?

 

While we all agree that good law enforcement and police protection is essential to our life and safety as a community and even society, just imagine this:

• You call the police to protect you against a threat.
• You feel threatened by the police
• You begin to rebuke the devil you see in the posture and demeanor of the alleged officer
• The police (officer you called for help) points a gun at you and tells you, if you go for that boiling water I will shoot you in your face...
• You say, "I'm sorry"...
• Then, without further provocation, the police, whom you called for protection, shoots to kill you, you from a distance of 10 to 15 feet or not more firing his service weapon 3 times, but striking you once in the head... 

Then, when asked why he did this, the alleged officer says, he was in fear for his life, as he feared that you would scold him with a pot of hot water that was on your stove...But unfortunately, you're not here to hear any of this, because the alleged officer didn't protect YOU, he murdered you!

THE VERDICT

On Oct. 29th in the city in which I reside, Peoria, IL, a 2nd degree murder verdict was delivered upon the head of Sean Grayson, an alleged former Sangamon County Sheriff's Deputy, who, when he was called to help a woman and family struggling, (Sonya Massey), but ended up killing her in what he claimed was an act of "self defense". He stated that he felt threatened, at her potential ability to throw a pot of boiling water on him, (from 10 to 15 feet away, I might add)

Although, the prosecution was for 1st degree murder, which I believe his actions deserved, the jury was instructed on their ability to also impose 2nd degree murder and returned with the 2nd degree verdict. 

Attorney Christopher Mccall of Peoria, IL stated the following regarding the 2nd degree verdict:

"This is the law in everyday language. Second-degree murder occurs when someone knowingly and purposefully kills someone but a jury finds mitigating factors such as: the defendant subjectively believed that he or she was acting in self-defense, but the belief was UNREASONABLE. In Illinois, second-degree murder is a Class 1 felony that carries a sentencing range of 4 to 20 years in prison. A judge may also be able to sentence a defendant to probation instead of prison time. But PROBATION is EXTREMELY UNLIKELY to occur here. A fine can be issued up to $25,000. A defendant convicted of second-degree murder can be ordered to pay restitution for all out-of-pocket expenses and losses directly caused by their actions, including medical bills, lost wages, property damage, and funeral expenses."

Although the Sangamon County Sheriff's Office (Springfield, IL) previously settled with the Massey family for $10MM, the largest settlement in their history, there are yet still serious questions regarding this convicted criminal with a badge? Will he get what he actually deserved? 

WAS THIS VERDICT FAIR?

Opinions range in this case, but I don't believe that any reasonable person can view this incident and the result without asking about fairness. Ms. Massey DID NOT deserve to die or be threatened by police. Ms. Massey DID comply with the alleged officer and had an instrument, hot water, that she DID NOT use and dropped as commanded. The alleged officer's actions were over the top and in our opinion he deserved a greater sentence than 2nd degree murder...One can argue, as the defense did, that he didn't enter to kill Ms. Massey, but certainly, at some point, no matter what she did, he intended to inflict harm and obviously, by shooting at her head, he intended for her to not simply comply, but intended to kill her.

Yes, we need police reform...however, we can't lump clowns like Grayson in with good officers who actually protect and serve the community. 

I used to live in Sangamon County. Springfield, IL to be exact and yes, the County Sheriff's Dept. in the Land of Lincoln, was horrible at that time. I received some tickets and was even in a holding cell for a few hours at one time for a traffic ticket...I am familiar with the "corn-fed", "good ole boy" racist attitudes that existed at that time. Hopefully, since the reorganization of the Department and her culture has changed. However, it is sad that we have to loose a life before things change. 

1st Degree or 2nd Degree, this whole trial was sad and something that never should have happened. Whatever, justice that was left undone, believe me, will be accounted for before the ONE TRUE AND JUST JUDGE of ALL...Our Lord Jesus Christ!

May the Lord BLESS the memory and the family of Ms. Sonya Massey!

Blessed!

References: 

USA TODAY

NBC News

CBS News

FOX 32 Chicago

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Chicago Simeon High School...More Than About Basketball

Chicago Simeon is one of the most successful high school Basketball programs in the State of Illinois.  With a list of celebrated alumni, such as former NBA star, Derrick Rose, Simeon strives to be at the top of its game every year and one of the last teams standing when tournament time comes around. 

Coach Tim Flowers, who was also a teammate of Rose when he played for Simeon, is at the helm of the program and like many of us who coach inner city youth, seek to make the best of our opportunities to expose kids to the world and help them gain a greater sense of place and purpose which directly impacts their futures.

And such was the case when the Simeon team was invited to play, in its off season, in a SLAM tournament in China. The problem was that exposing the kids to greater opportunity led to a team penalty and coach suspension under the so called IHSA (Illinois High School Association) rules ...You see, this Association, which has bylaws and procedures, some of which are ridiculous, suspended this coach and his staff because allegedly, high school coaches and staff, are under restrictions during the off season and cannot "coach their teams"...OK, if it were that simple, this would be a non-story...but it's not that simple, especially in light of the cultural upheaval that we are witnessing within our community today. 

Coach Flowers followed the rules. After being penalized some years ago, this time the coach, as you will hear in his own words, followed the rules and received APPROVAL from his school AD (Athletic Director) and Administration. Neither the school district nor the local school was on the hook for cash. Kids, were excited and came with completely new perspectives and, as they expressed, found a level of respect that they had never experienced before. YET...all that began with a violation of IHSA Rules, at least according to the IHSA. 

I hate to use this as a time to point towards public policy, but in Illinois, it amazes me the lengths that the powers that be go to, to keep the community and Black people in particularly, down...I mean we have a totally ignorant Chicago Mayor, who would rather see Black youth killed and illegal migrants in his city, and a totally lunatic Governor on the same political trope, all with the result of damaging the Black community above all others that suffer...For them, and evidently the IHSA, it's like, let's single out who we wish to single out and they don't care what the implications and results are...

Interestingly, in track and field, the IHSA does similarly...while not officially having oversight of an indoor season, they regulate what events and which places the athletes can compete even prior to the season opening, EXCEPT when it is an event THEY want to endorse, such as the Indoor Top Times meet in Bloomington, IL,. which is by the way, overseen by mostly "White" organizers...YEP...Looking back...there was a meet in Chicago, called the VibeFest, overseen by Black individuals, and mostly inner city teams and the IHSA sent messages that schools were not to use any resources to support the meet and had to register as independent athletes, and could not wear school uniforms...This was atrocious, but along the lines of what the IHSA does...

Why??? BECAUSE that can...

Listen to Coach Flowers as he explains this, while trying to tip toe through this mine-field and not draw any more sanctioning of the IHSA...The school seems to have abandoned him, so he may as well speak for himself. 

Blessed!

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The Foundation Of Spiritual Gifts Within The Church Pt. 1

 

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