Today’s a new day! Just because most of the media has jumped to other stories, do not stop having true and meaningful conversations about racism and injustice in America. It’s still real and still happening. Keep the conversations going. ~OC
Blog
Monuments of Hate
Lately, as I watch the news or scroll through social media, I see some people are upset about some monuments being taken down. I hear people making the argument that people are trying to erase our history in America. Especially Southern history. Let me share a little about the history of Southern monuments.
Most people think these Confederate monuments have been around since the end of the Civil War in 1865. This is not the case. The vast majority of these monuments were built between 1895 and the 1950s. Why were so many Confederate monuments built during this time period? Well, it had nothing to do with celebrating these dead soldiers. No, the building of these monuments had more to do with hate and intimidation. Let me give you a little history lesson.
1895-1915: Jim Crow laws are alive and well during this time period. There is a resurgence of the KKK and other white supremacy groups. A large number of Confederate monuments are built during this time.
1915-1955- Jim Crow continues to rule throughout the South.
1955-1970- The Civil Rights Movement kicks into high gear with the Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education decision. In the South, racist groups begin a reign of terror against African Americans and start erecting Confederate monuments again. The motivation was to continue terrorizing African Americans. Most of these monuments were placed in the middle of town and at courthouses.
So, when I hear my fellow Southerners complaining about “Our” history being washed away with these monuments being taken down, I wonder if you truly know the history behind these monuments. These monuments are not about history. These monuments are about hate. That is not the kind of history I want to celebrate.
Here is another history lesson for you. If you travel to Germany, you will not find monuments celebrating Hitler. If you travel to South Africa, you will not find monuments celebrating Apartheid. You will find museums remembering the victims of these horrible crimes.
Let me share one last thing. I do not believe people should be destroying these monuments. That’s just dangerous. Someone could get hurt. I think these monuments should be taken down by city workers and discarded. We need to stop celebrating a history of hate and intimidation. Those were not the good old days. ~OC
Hello Christian
Let us take a walk to your local mall and take a survey. No, not the Census. The survey we are going to take is much more important than the Census. Here we go.
The good thing about our survey is there is only one question. That’s right. We traveled to the mall to ask one question. I believe it’s a pretty important question. Here we go. The one survey question we are asking fellow shoppers is “What Do Think About Christians?” What would be their response?
Group A:
Would they say Christians are such loving people?
Would they say Christians are such giving people?
Would they say Christians are such forgiving people?
Would they say, I wish I could learn more about having a relationship with Jesus?
Group B:
Christians are against everything.
Christians are judgmental.
Christians are angry.
Christians are racist.
Christians are hypocrites.
Let me asked my brothers and sisters in Christ a question. If you personally did this survey, would you end up in Group A or B? I pray my brothers and sisters will take the time to honestly answer this question. Because the way you answer this question could change the world for better or worse.
“So I give you a new commandment: Love each other just as much as I have loved you. For when you demonstrate the same love I have for you by loving one another, everyone will know that you’re my true followers.” ~John 13:34-35
Celebrate Juneteenth
Happy Juneteenth! Today we celebrate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1865. Take time today to learn more about this holiday and its history. Take time today to learn more about African-American History and Culture. Take time today to have conversations about our history (the good, the bad, the ugly) with our African-American brothers and sisters. But, do not make this just a one day celebration or conversation. Let’s use today as a launch to have more conversations about the beautiful history of African-Americans and the ongoing issue of racism in America. -OC #Juneteenth
Experience God
Today’s a new day! If you truly want to experience God, spend more time loving and serving others. ~OC
Look Like Jesus
Today’s a new day! Jesus might be using the current crisis and unrest to help us look more like Him. ~OC
LOVE
Today’s a new day! People need to feel your love and concern, before they hear your words. ~OC
Unleash
Today’s a new day! Unleash Compassion+Unleash Love+Unleash Grace+Unleash Hope+Unleash Prayer+Unleash Forgiveness= A Changed Life & A Changed World ~OC
The Madness
Today’s a new day! My brothers and sisters in Christ, maybe our prayers should be less God rescue us from all this madness and more God please use us during this madness. ~OC
Need Some Hope?
This journey called life can bring many challenges. Then the whole world walks through a pandemic. Who needs some Hope? Do you remember Hope? Just watch the news. Just scroll through social media. All we hear about is how hopeless things are in the world. But I am still hopeful. That’s right. I am still full of hope. Here are some friendly tips to start living a hopeful life again.
* Start limiting your intake of the news and social media.
*Watch one of your favorite movies.
*Read a book.
*Have a Zoom call with your friends.
*Go for a walk.
*Call a friend.
*Watch some old cartoons.
*Volunteer and give back.
*Watch videos of puppies.
*Watch some videos of soldiers coming home.
*Pray, Pray & Pray.
*Spend more time reading the Bible.
*Start a relationship with God or rededicate your life to God. By taking this simple step, your life will be filled with a type of Hope you have never experienced.
I hope you enjoyed some of the above tips. Hopefully they will give you some rest from all the negative news. Oh, but my prayer is that you will embrace God and have Him totally change your life. That is the ultimate Hope. ~OC
The Blessed Overcomer 