Today’s Photo of the day is Sean Bell and his beautiful family. Like I said, give it a few weeks and the hype would die down but the truth remains that in today’s world a black man can be gunned down by those who are supposed to serve and protect him and they can walk away scott free. We all should still be outraged by this hypocrisy disguised as American Justice. So not only can we “NEVER FORGET”, but we have to educate ourselves about our rights and the system so that we can effectively combat these atrocities. NEVER FORGET, SEAN BELL REST IN PEACE!

Photo courtesy of Bossip

13 of the 15 cops that brutally beat down 3 black men last week have been placed on a leave of absence from the Philadelphia Police Department. It is believed that the police officers acted this way because they “thought” the men they pulled over were those who recently killed a police officer. A case of mistaken identity in Philly gets three black men brutally beat down - physically and mentally.

The physical abuse is apparent just by watching the 1:32 clip. However the mental anguish these young men are dealing with is immeasurable. What does it feel like to be terrorized by the people who your taxes pay to serve and protect you? How does it feel to know that this type of injustice is only tolerated because of your racial make up and socio-economic background? I hope the Philadelphia Court System does more for justice than the New York Court system was willing to do in light of this recent tragedy.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzFEY8u1rRw&hl=en]

And I saw something else under the sun: In the place of judgment—wickedness was there, in the place of justice—wickedness was there. I thought in my heart, “God will bring to judgment both the righteous and the wicked, for there will be a time for every activity, a time for every deed.” Ecclessiastes 3: 16-17

I attempted to start writing the Pardon me this morning at 5am. I was in a daze, and I felt that it was my way of speaking to God and channeling what I was feeling. Well it is now 1pm and I can’t even find that message which may be a good thing. I found this scripture below the scripture I originally intended to use. The last line spoke to me, it spoke of a blind faith to me. A blind faith that God will correct things, that he will make things right despite the negative we see before us. As I prayed for a friend of mine, I prayed with a belief that the Lord would bless this person and that although the path may be dark right now. I knew for certain in my heart that this person would be blessed beyond measure and the dark days would turn to well lit skies.

The bible talks about there being a time for everything. In the place of justice, in the face of doing right we can somehow be wronged. Immediately we will ask why would God allow this wrong but I believe despite the wrongs we call life. When we remain faithful to the Lord, he corrects the wicked and wrong that others try to impart on our lives. No scripture or words of encouragement seem to suffice when a tragedy hits. We all lose the ability to find words to comfort one. But we never lose the ability to support. We never lose the ability to be an ear, a shoulder to cry on, or just a friend when our friends are in need. God will bring judgment to the wicked and he will place justice in our lives as a blessing to us for being his faithful children. Peace and Grace be unto you.

Vengence is mine sayeth the Lord

The police are gearing up for what they fear may be a riot tomorrow after the verdict is announced for the three police officers who killed Sean Bell in cold blood. I pray that we are smarter than to riot and destroy our own neighborhoods because of the injustice many expect after seeing similar court’s allow police officers to walk. Let’s pray that Sean Bell’s widow and his children find justice and they do not then we need pro-active solutions to make sure this type of tragedy does not happen again. Peace and Grace be unto you.

Queens Supreme Court Justice Arthur Cooperman will announce his verdict Friday in the trial of three police officers charged in the shooting death of Bell, 23, outside a Jamaica, Queens, strip club in the early hours of Nov. 25, 2006.

Dets. Michael Oliver, Gescard Isnora and Marc Cooper have been on trial since Feb. 25 for the shooting, in which two of Bell’s friends, Trent Benefield and Joseph Guzman, were also wounded and testified against the detectives. Bell and his group had just left his bachelor party at the Club Kalua when the fatal 50-shot encounter with cops happened.

March 6, 2008

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. Psalm 91: 1-5

pestilence: fatal epidemic disease

rampart: defensive wall or barrier

Good morning, you can find the definitions to two of the words within the scripture today directly above. I am not sure if you knew what these words meant ,but I for one did not and sometimes context clues just aren’t enough. Today’s scripture grabs me in a different way, I see it as a reward for our belief in God, and our continued growth in his understanding. Immediately one part spoke directly to me, when it spoke of not fearing the arrow that flies by day. Yesterday I spoke with one of my cousins who is fighting in Iraq and when I read these words I immediately thought of him. As I continue to think of him, I am happy that the Lord brought me this word, telling me that he is going to protect my cousin, and Lord willing protect your family who may be fighting in this war. Not just protect our soldiers but protect our families from the many troubles and sickness in the world. Secondly, a friend of mine recently had a tragedy in her own family. Her sister was hit by a stray bullet and is in the hospital right now. My prayers are with the family but I cant help but think of this scripture, rather than a loss of sight their family could be struggling with a loss of life. So we must take our victories where we can and be thankful that the our Creator is watching over us, keeping us from sickness and protecting us everyday as we are fortunate enough to return home to our families. That’s something to smile about, thats something to be happy about, man I’m happy for us; that we are fortunate to read this email and grow together spiritually. Darkness may present itself at every corner but as the scripture shows us we must not fear that darkness because we have a connection with a higher power, so we’ll be good; Peace and Grace be unto you!

When a needle falls into a deep well many people will look into the well but few will be ready to go down after it.