Say Their Names...

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

This is what I keep having to remind myself every time I see an unarmed person of color killed in the news.  It's completely out of control and I feel so many things all at once.  I'm saddened that for a certain group of policemen, black and brown lives don't matter, I am sickened by people that feel their privilege gives them the right to take another life carelessly and without remorse or punishment,  I'm angry at the abuse of power and position, outraged at the media and their ridiculous shaming of the deceased, beyond disgusted at the blatant and subtle racism that is devouring our country, deeply concerned for our future generations of black/brown babies, and ashamed that many with platform do not use it for what matters.  I don't speak much on these things publicly because I know what my weapon of choice is, and it's powerful beyond anything I could post publicly.

Even in the midst of feeling all of those things I am STILL hopeful!  I have faith that God will intervene, cover, protect, and vindicate.  I don't have all of the answers, I don't have any grand ideas and solutions other than the instruction book that we've already been left. What we're up against isn't flesh and blood, it's a spiritual attack on generation and a nation of people who have power to effect change if only they truly understand how powerful they, we, are.  One of America's biggest fears is that the minority will recognize it's power and rise up against the systems that "they" designed to help us.  

What many people don't realize is this spiritual wickedness in high places goes far beyond a person or a title.  Its systems, infrastructure, ideals, and paradigms.  It needs the people to carry out agenda, these principalities and powers and rulers of the darkness of this world operate through people.  We're so focused on the people that we're being tricked by the enemy again and again.  So we keep fighting the battles from the wrong place again and again and losing sons, daughters, moms, dads, brothers, sister, friends, co-workers...

Our efforts are ineffectual because we have not sought understanding and have not followed instructions.  2 Corinthians 10:4KJV tells us

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;

Our fight won't be won with guns and violence and outrage in the natural.. Our battle can only be won on our knees and our faces.  Now don't get me wrong... I am not saying that physical efforts don't pay off or that other tactics don't create movements..  What I am saying is this...  America has never been great.  It is a country founded in rebellion, theft, slavery, plundering and pillaging. It was built on the backs of people who were degraded, stripped of their identities, sense of humanity and torn from places of power and regality to be enslaved.  We're trespassing on land that was stolen, treading on generations of genocide committed at the hands of "our forefathers", and walking right into a repeat of history.  

For too long we have allowed any and everything to be accepted, overlooked, tolerated, and brushed off.  Now the people who have loathed in secret, plotted in the dark, harboring hatred in their hearts are coming out of the woodwork.  They have been empowered and endorsed by a raging idiot riding on the spirit of the Anti-Christ.  Again, none of our battles are carnal... our enemy is not flesh and blood... it's the spirit operating through the flesh and blood. 

Our General has given us orders in 2 Chronicles 7:14 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

step 1. we have to be HUMBLE and let go of pride and this sense that we're the best

step 2. PRAY AND SEEK HIS FACE- don't just shout a bunch of commands up at God but really seek the presence of God in everything we do.  We can't get to His face without first having His presence... Once you're in His presence, take the time to listen and find out His will, His plans, His heart for us.  Pray unselfishly for others, our country, our leaders and the lost...

step 3. TURN from wicked ways- it does no good to be humble and pray if you're going to get right back up and continue in wickedness. 

THEN, THEN, THEN... Somebody say THEN..He will hear from heaven...

We have to do our part.  God gave each of us free will and if we continue in sin and wickedness why beg Him to change the environment we keep creating?

THEN He will FORGIVE our sin.  

THEN He will HEAL OUR LAND.  

Why is the healing of the land so important?  It goes all the way back to Genesis 4:9-11 where the spirit of murder was released.  

And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.  And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand;

This was the very first time a murder was committed and it opened the door for the spirit of murder (and its friends) to come and wreak havoc in the earth realm.  Our land has to be healed because the blood of millions of our sisters and brothers are crying out from the ground... I don't have all the answers.. Right now I have to be like David when he faced Goliath and used the weapons that have been tested and tried... I know prayer works.  Prayer brings answers, solutions, protection, and peace...

so today I speak some the names of those wrongfully taken... in honor of the life that was stolen from them, the light that was smothered, and the void in the hearts of their loved ones.... 

Alton Sterling, Delrawn Small, Kendrick Johnson, Ezell Ford, Akai Gurley, Tamir Rice, Rumain Brisbon, Jerame Reid, Artago Damon Howard, Jeremy Lett, Lavall Hall, Thomas Allen, Charly Leundeu Keunang, Naeschylus Vinzant, Michael Brown, Tony Robinson, Anthony Hill, Bobby Gross,Brandon Jones, Eric Harris, Walter Scott, Frank Shephard, William Chapman,David Felix, Brendon Glenn, Kris Jackson, Spencer McCain, Victor Emanuel Larosa, Salvado Ellswood, Albert Joseph Davis, Eric Garner, Darrius Stewart, Samuel DuBose, Christian Taylor, Victor White III,  Trayvon Martin,Yvette Smith, McKenzie Cochran, Jordan Baker, Andy Lopez, Miriam Carey, Jonathan Ferrell, Carlos Alcis, Larry Eugene Jackson, Jr, Deion Fludd, Kimani Gray, Jordan Davis, Sandra Bland, David Joseph, Gynnya McMillen...