Once a year we grimace while considering that another year has past. This is especially true for those who have finally reached the blooming age of over 30 years. It is easy to be lost in the moment or to even take for granted the blessing of the moment. While our birth is important, what is even more fundamentally important is knowing that God is walking with us on this life journey. 


If we even examine the birth of Jesus Christ for instance,many people fall into the "Christmas" trap, thinking that the birth of Jesus Christ is to be celebrated by man. It is very clear from the bible, that there was never such a celebration. In fact, there is no even a mention of the word "Christmas" in the bible. While I could examine the whole history of the celebration, and how it was coined from a pagan holiday then adopted by the Catholics, time just does not allow such a discussion. The only point is that Christmas is not mandated or authorised by God. What should stand out in our minds is that Jesus Christ came to this earth to suffer a cruel death on the cross, and then to be raised from the dead on the third day. Without his death, burial and resurrection, we would not have the hope of salvation. That is why we celebrate his death by partaking of the Lord's Supper, every first day of the week as commanded by God.


His birth was important, but more important was him following the will of God, that he should be a living sacrifice for us. Let's look at Ephesians 5:1-2, " Be ye therefore imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, even as Christ also loved you, and gave himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odor of a sweet smell."  Without that sacrifice we would be lost and without hope.


So while our birthday is important, what is more important is that we also present ourselves as living sacrifices unto God. Roman 12:1 teaches us this profound message, " I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service." For without God we are unholy and unacceptable.


I love celebrating my birthday with family and friends, but I more prefer to be right in the eyes of God. Without him I would not even have been born. When I was 6 months old I suffered chronic bronchitis and the doctors told my Mom that I was going to die, I didn't, thanks be to God. When I was 14 years old and walking home from school, on my avenue I heard gunshots, when I looked a policeman was shooting at a gunman right in my path, I survived, thank God. When I was 21 years old I had to do major surgery, doctors said it was supposed to last 20 minutes, it lasted 1hr and 15 minutes, I survived, thanks be to God. All these experiences have taught me that each day is my birth, each day I rise to walk again with God, thankful and gripping each breath.

"Let's take the time to place our bare feet on the earth, being one with mother nature, God is truly great."
DCA

We often go through life hearing people say that they "forgive but they don't forget". It seems the old wounds of some dreadful injury have not healed, or has partially healed. I have also uttered such nonsensical words from my mouth. In my ignorance of my understanding the true concept of forgiveness I have been sucked into the abyss of the world's corrupted beliefs.

The truth of the matter is that if we truly took the time to understand God's love for us then the reality of forgiveness would be staring us in the face. When God sent his Son into this world, the true meaning of forgiveness was displayed. Let's be real about who we are as human beings, because far so long we pretend to be someone else, trying to fool those around us that we are all good and perfect beings. The truth be told, human beings from the fall of man in the garden have been totally and completely sinful [Romans 5:12]. This was the birth of spiritual death, not the physical death that some believe. Evil cloaked as knowledge overtook man, and he fell miserably. From that time till now, that has not changed, we are still under the cloud of sin.

When God sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross and be risen on the third day, the gift of forgiveness was given to mankind. This only happens when a soul decides to turn his life over to God, by following the steps to salvation, which are: hear the word, believe, repent, confess Jesus as the Son of Man, and be baptized in water. It is by taking these steps that God forgives us of our sins. For we know that John 9:31, teaches that "We know that God heareth not sinners: but if any man be a worshipper of God, and do his will, him he heareth." We must be God's child for him to hear our sins. 

Jesus love for us was unconditional, no strings attached. He didn't just forgive us, he forgot everything single sin that we committed before we were his. Can you imagine that? If we were to count the number of sins we commit daily, is there any book that could hold the amount? I would say not even the Red Sea could hold our sins.

Yet we still have the tendency of the world. I can remember so many persons I have spoken to saying the words "I forgive him, but I don't forget". It is time that we see that this argument is anti-God, and that the sacrifice of his son would have been fruitless if this was God's approach.

We are expected to forgiveness without any strings. Now we are also expected to learn from these things. Just as Roman 6:1-2,"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?"  teaches us that at some point we must stop our sinfulness, so too  the one that sins against us must learn from their mistakes and not continue to be sinful. Remember at some point in time the shoe will be on the other foot. 

If love lives in us then why can't we appreciate these simple things that cause so many problems. When I do my self examination on a daily basis, I realize why so many people have side stepped me, because I really have not forgiven them, I have only forgotten, the hurt still remains, and that is a sad thing. God is not pleased with me, and I have decided that I will change my outlook and do what God expects, starting today and forever....

It was with sheer pleasure that I read that the Bank of Jamaica (BOJ) Govenor, Derrick Latibeaudere being relieved of his position. This should have been done from the JLP took office. This man has been paid twice as much as the Federal Reserve Chairman for the last 8 years, and what has been the benefit. It is just crazy what is happening in beautiful Jamaica. How can anyone in their right mind be paid $38M a year and the country is in such a mess? Does this man even have a heart? To me it seems that Jamaica is just falling and falling, and soon will be beyond reach. Now we are hearing that Omar Davies is saying that the reason for his firing is no true. Mr. Davies was the man who put this guy in office in the first place, he should be ashamed of himself. The poor taxpayers have had to continue to support this type of non sense for too long.


When will this end? When will Jamaicans wake up? Bwoy dis is amazing to say the least....

"Blessings abound all around us, we just have to open our eyes."
DCA

"Following the crowd oftentimes mean you lose sight of the path."
DCA