Praise

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God…………………..1 Corinthians 4:5

Interesting that the judgment which is given to our Lord Jesus Christ continues to manifest itself in the power and might of men. As self confessed Christians many of us continue to make judgments on the hearts of men that lead us into the shadows of the light available to us. Making assumptions as to who are  genuine followers of our Lord and the motives of men’s hearts continues to plague and rob us of His power. Visiting the statements of our reported leaders and politicians (on the right)it is apparent that some of us as Christians continue to miss his word stated in  1Corinthians 4:5 which illuminate His power concerning men’s hearts.

As Christians we should not engage the power of God to either condemn a process of leadership for this nation or empower it to subvert a class of people. Listening to those on the right of the political spectrum in the United States who continue to condemn the President and refer to him as “Satan” is not the heart of those who confess Christ. As I understand it God is the one who installs the governing authority. I read this out of the Romans Chapter 13. Here is what it says; “Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.  For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.” Interesting how the rhetoric from the so called Christian right misses this point. On the contrary it illustrates the opposite. Figure that.

I believe as a Christian man I will continue to look into the Word of God and its power to help me steer clear of the evil presented in this fallen world toward men. My decisions will be motivated in the judgment of Jesus Christ through His word and not in the power of men. Amen

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it…………………………….   Matthew 7:13

The Line

The Line is indicative of the struggle in the African American Community related to jobs. Unemployment in the City of Newark is easily eclipsing 18-25%. If there is a word to describe the plight of black men in this community it is devastation. We are devastated with the lack of opportunities available to those who make an effort to live a decent and free life. Knocking on our doors are the illegal and desperate practices that destroy our communities in every way.How can we manage our lives and our families in this present climate politically and economically? When  we do not honor our commitments concerning our children the first recourse in the courts are incarceration. What will that accomplish ? Nothing. It is a way to incorporate the new found manner  of slavery and  voter suppression that is indicative of the God complex instituted by this society and white men.. It really is an attack on the manhood of the African American male. In this our sons become so deficient that the only way to win is rebel against the established manner of the American psych.. That which presents a illustration  of the African American man as deficient in all  of his affairs.  God help us all. 

Damn

As we go into the fall most of us look at the jobs situation as bleak if not dismal in this country. Unemployment in the City of Newark is at least 25 to 40 % on the surface. Although the national average is considerably lower at 9.1 it still equates to unemployment. Collectively as a whole the nature or our positon in this country concerning umemployment is basically our own doing.
Looking back to the end of the Clinton administration this nation along with the cites enjoyed a modest increase in jobs. During the election of 2000 our nation was hijacked and put under seige by a conserative agenda to dismiss the progressive movement in this country at the expense of the Bush family and there revenge on Saddam H. Our priorties shifted along with the elected officals by way of a criminal move from the Supreme Court. It has not been right since. As a result this nation has not had an increase in jobs for over a decade. The point that I am making is that we the people are responsible for this. If we spend as much time scrutinizing elected officials as much as we do entertainers and reality disfunction on television we would not be at this place.
Looking at poll numbers here recently we find disfavor with our current President. Why? As far as I am concerned he has done more for the rights of the working and middle class in his term than the previous had done during his eight years in office. Understand he is not the perfect answer concerning the jobs situation but the fact of the matter is that he is still President. Those elected officials who have prided themselves with the destruction of the Obama presidency will eventually bring down this nation.  Realizing that a house divded can not stand I understand the President's position to try and mediate this political catastrophe from the middle and as a result he is damned if he do and damned if he don't.
The jobs situation will not get better in this country if we continue to neglect the issue. My hope this evening is that President Obama's plan is one that will get the ball rolling. Nevermind that the Chinese can take 300,000 of there citizens out of poverty to the middle class in the last two years at the expense of the American consumer isn't encouraging. Instead of creating markets for ourselves we spend to much time celebrating celebrity and reality disfunction instead of opportunites for American entreprenures . It is not the President's job to elect officials to the houses of congress that right belongs to the people. Lets become more pro active towards the process and eliminate these harbingers who disquise themselves as representives for the people with leaders who will represent this nation as a whole.

Nick A

Getting in some practice with the Legend Nick Ashford. May he rest in peace. Amen

Sleeping Beauty

During this very rainy Sunday and Monday sleeping and reading was the main motivation for the day. As for myself I find these moments to be very liberating forms of creative exercise.

Happy Birthday

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. Romans 13:1,2

Happy birthday sir. Never thought in the 51 years of my life that I would ever see a President of Color. Who in there right mind would want to champion the virtues of this contry after 8 years of Cheyney(Bush was a puppet) a struggling economy, two wars,political parties so rooted in championing there idealogies that common sense is thrown out the window. Racism that is so prevalent that it appears not to be a factor. And most of all a decaying infrastructure that resembles a third world nation instead of the greatest nation in the world. Think about it why would you want be President of this ungreatful, narcissitic divided place? The answer is found in this piece out of Romans 13:2. This forecast by the Apostle Paul through the spirit of God is among us today.

Moving forward we need to respect the authority presented to us in the person of President Obama. In light of the present political climate and the state of affairs concerning the economy his efforts and leadership take on a negative tone from the far right and far left. As a result it appears that he is damn if he does and damn if he don't. But notice the humble manner in which the President deals with each attack and criticism concerning his governing ability. Faced with all of these challenges it would take a humble heart and a supernatural attitude to manage all of it. Inspite of what we think President Obama was positioned for this time not by the people but by God. If you are reading this and you ideals are to the far right or left this would appear to be unreal. There is a piece in Matthew 21 starting at verse 28 that will illustrate the point that I am making. Not only is his presidency verified through these two illustrations from Romans 13 and Matthew 21 but confirmed by the very makeup of his paternal and maternal lineage which incorporates the properties that at the root divides this nation. It is race.

Today I witness the celebration of 50 years in preparation by God of a man who leads the most powerful nation on earth. His election to this position was no accident. It was manifested in the heavens for such a time as this. Amen.

The image Damn is available in a fine art print at www.mirhez.org

Winehouse

Or again, how can anyone enter a strong man's house and carry off his possessions unless he first ties up the strong man? Then he can rob his house. Matthew 12:29

The truth of this statement visits me when I look back at a time in my life where addiction robbed me of life. There was this notion that the extent of my using was coined as recreational and fun. I was still a functional human being because I went to work and managed my relationships in a reasonable manner. I harmed no one or violated any laws. Using was the in thing to do amongst most of my friends. My recreational use afforded me an escape from the pressures of life. All of it was a lie.
Today I realize the truth of the manner. It was not necessary for me to use any substances to manage my life. The pitfalls (ups and downs) that occurred in my life are there to present an image that life is to complex and valuable to loose over substances and situations not under my control. The deceit and lies are manifested in a world fallen away from what the creator (God)intended. The strong man (Satan,devil) continues to rob us by virtue of his ability to deceive us and lead us from the truth of who we are. Lets not get it twisted in order to rob him of the power he has over us we have to bind him with the truth of God's word about who we are and the power we have in us to bind the strong man.
Ms Winehouse short lived life is the result of the strong mans lies about who we are. Although her wonderful talent as an artist was there it could have never manifested in a fallen world unless the strong man was bound. He robbed her of the life the creator had intended for her.

Miss U Dad

He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse." Malachi 4:6

An interesting statement from the last testimony of the prophets in the Old Testament. It actually is the last statment of the Old testament according to most of the versions of the Bible. I created this image as a reminder to me and many men that the creation model for our children and ourselves rest in this last statement from the old testament. Myself in particular is feeling the power of this statement , not in the glory of God but in the strength of this fallen world (my flesh). My son has been estranged from me by his mother over the past few months and as a result I feel the power of this statement. In lies the curse. As my heart is driven towards him I am quite sure he seeks to hear my voice at any moments notice. The nature of the curse lies in the uncompromising nature of myself and his mother to resolve our differences that brings us to this place. Although there is a action taken by the courts both sides have been in contempt in dealing with the details spelled out in regards to my relationship with him.
Today my prayer for myself and other fathers is that we line up with glory of God concerning our children. No court, doctor ,psychologist , job, friend, family,woman or mother can
reign over the creation mandate concerning our children. Until we realize the power the last statement of the Old Testament book of Malachi we will always live out the curse. Amen

Rihanna

Wonderful subject to practice with.

Profanity

Profane:
to misuse (anything that should be held in reverence or respect); defile; debase; employ basely or unworthily. to treat (anything sacred) with irreverence or contempt; violate the sanctity of: to profane a shrine.


Good Morning Lord! As this day began my thoughts and meditations were centered around the extreme profanity present in our culture. Magnified greatly in the African American community it robs us of the glory you took to the cross on our behalf. In many ways the thoughts and attitudes apparent in me from time to time settle on this profane nature that desecrates and destroys what is most valuable to you myself.
Lord I ask your forgiveness and mercy on my behalf and on my brothers behalf. Minister to my heart that it presents your glory as defined in the book of Galatians 5:22-26. Help us to enter into the strong mans house(Matthew 12:29) that we may bind him in order to spoil his goods. Continue Lord to shape our hearts into the image necessary to recieve and prepare for you coming. our eternal future depends on it. Amen.

And , behold, I come quickly ; and my reward is with me,
to give every man according as his work shall be.
I am Alpha and Omega the beginning and the
end, the first and the last

The words of our Lord and Savior Jesus the Chirst
as they are ministered in the
book of Revelation 22:12,13

The image Man Down at the beginning of the piece is a testament to the profane nature that

rests in the African Anerican community.

Carolyn

Some of my best work comes when I passionately feel the subject . Although the focus of this piece is the love of my life it presents a tremendous amount of excitement to see the finished product. Nice!!

Mom 3

In reference to the wonderful mother’s day here in the New York area. I was compelled to render this wonderful image of a mother and son. Although my mother has passed into glory the image of a loving mother can minister to the best and the worst of us. As a momma’s boy it is pleasure to reflect upon such an image. Enjoy

Restore

Then one who looked like a man touched my lips, and I opened my mouth and began to speak. I said to the one standing before me, "I am overcome with anguish because of the vision, my lord, and I am helpless. How can I, your servant, talk with you, my lord? My strength is gone and I can hardly breathe." Again the one who looked like a man touched me and gave me strength. "Do not be afraid, O man highly esteemed," he said. "Peace! Be strong now; be strong." When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, "Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength……………….Daniel 10: 16-19

Good morning Lord Jesus as I began this first day of 2011 I set my heart and mind to hear from heaven concerning your coming. In the midst of my mediatation you directed me to your Prophet Daniel who you esteemed very highly. As he humbled himself you began to direct his heart and mind toward your coming. Lord Jesus I believe whole heartedly that the transformation of your kingdom starts and begins with each one of us. The word that you ministered to Daniel on the side of the river to strengthen him applies to me today. I noticed that as you appeared to Daniel he was the only one who “ saw the vision; the men with me did not see it, but such terror overwhelmed them that they fled and hid themselves with him fled in fear” And just like then now men hide in fear of you Lord.
Lord I know that the process you began in me will continue to live out throughout eternity. I solely belive that unless I bind the strongman (Matthew 12:29) I can never enter into his house to rob him . Jesus I am with you all the way. Holy spirit minister to me that power our Lord ministered to Daniel. Help me to encourage a generation unto the coming of your Kingdom for the signs are already appearing here in the earth.(Matthew 24:6-9) Lord my take is that as I began to speak it you have already been to the hearts of those who will receive it. (Acts 18:9-12) I bless you Lord for presenting this opportunity to be lived out unto your glory. For yours is the kingdom for ever and ever Amen.

Sonrise Over Darkness

Yet I am writing you a new command; its truth is seen in him and you, because the darkness is passing and the true light is already shining.............1 John 2:8

Good Evening Lord. This evening as I was reminiscing on times spent with Emmanuel (my son)I became somewhat heavy and dark. Immediately I removed myself from the apartment I was preparing for rental and began to meditate on the promises you have for me. Lord it becomes a challenge when we miss living out your word as fathers. Malachi 4: 6 is very real in my heart and whenever I fall short of your glory concerning it I slip into these shadows of darkness. Father I ask in the name of your Son Jesus to send a mighty wind that will align me with your glory concerning this challenge. Jesus you are Lord over my life therefore I have to surrender in order to see the light which is already shining. Love you King and what you have done for me at the cross. I plead your precious blood over all my challenges this day and those to come. You are my hope and glory forever and ever. Amen

Bathing

One of the greatest pleasures in life bathing is the one I believe to be the most gratifiying. In our present hour with all the economic, social, racial, global, educational, cultural religious, and moral challenges we face it can be a very soothing reminder of how valuable a time out is.