This has amazed me since I was a child when I went to church
practically every Sunday. As I got older, still a child, we would sit in the
back and laugh as benches were turned over, congregation members shouting all
over the little small church we attended, in which to us at the time was big,
just as we saw our little house as bigger than what I see it today. Now, fast
forward, now 63, I understand why this was happening, because this was an
expression of oppression that we had practically no control over, nor the
know how to move ourselves to freedom. Now, when I see this happening, I am
still amazed that here we are in the 21st century still doing the same thing
with the same pivotal results. I know we are a rhythmic people with unique
gifts and talents, but I never felt the need to exert my God energy in this
manner. By the time I was 12, I knew this type of expression was not how I
would express my spirituality. I believe it was because I saw the poverty
around me, in my own house and I knew early on that something was gravely wrong
with anyone struggling regardless of color when it was taught that God is Love.
Now as an intuitive person, I believe in the Bible, but I always saw it
differently than most in my circle and still do for the most part. I saw the
Bible used to benefit some, while a disadvantage to the masses who relied upon
it as their sole salvation the way we were conditioned to believe to continue
the slave mentality and entrapment, yet in the black community I saw more
poverty than anywhere else but we appeared to be the most religious people I
had ever witnessed. Note I said religious because I separate Religionality from
Spirituality, in which I believe Religionality and Politics to be the most
divisive two establishments known to mankind. When I read other self-help,
self-development and empowerment books, I see biblical overtones in all, many
that quote scripture to aid in understanding how to get what you want. In
reading the entire Bible, I now see the benefit of this book when used properly
to empower and it says everyone should live in abundance, not just the few who
lord it over and many pastors while many in their congregations are struggling
just to make ends meet. Poverty is one of the major sources of despair and
disease. Shouldn't the shepherd ensure his flock is well taken care of to reap
the best and most fruitful harvest? If that is not happening, instead of
exerting your energy in this manner, why not question why you are struggling
and get answers that make common sense instead of keep giving and praying. We
have been giving and praying for hundreds of years, yet the poorest group
collectively in America compared to the time we have been in this country. That
is alarming and we must look internally for answers and use our God given
brilliance to realize our power, which lies within and it is over due to let it
loose. I believe in God and the power of prayer, but I also believe in ACTION
and being my brothers and sisters keepers and assisting in sharpening their
tools as others assist me to sharpen my tools to take control of my life and
take personal responsibility for my life. YOUR POWER LIES WITHIN YOU - LET IT
LOOSE! LOVE and LIVE!
Note: This article was inspired by a video post on Faceback that shows how black churches tend to conduct praise worship.
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