Culture Awareness

Recently I finished a course in Intercultural Competence and it taught me a lot of new things when it comes to interacting with different cultures. In order to become aware of other cultures it helps to become aware of your own. I have learned that once we understand others cultures; we can then appreciate them, establish a relationship and build an alliance. To build a strong community it takes a large number of people to make it work. Each culture is unique and has perspectives and strengths that any community can benefit from. Having an understanding of every culture can help us to overcome as well as avoid ethnic and racial divisions. A community can win when people don’t struggle with the vision of what a fair, moral and harmonious society is. There are many cultures and of course many of us would like to know about them all a good way to start is finding out about who lives in our community, the kind of diversity that already exists, the struggles that exist between the cultures, the struggles that are openly recognized and the kinds of issues that the different cultures have in common.

When it comes to having a community that is united there certain steps that should be taken and there are things that should not be done as well. Let’s use the African-American culture as an example there has been a lot of bad things that have taken place. There is still a lot of hurt that has turned into anger which is present in America to this very day. Even though I am an African-American one thing is true making people feel guilty for what their ancestors have done hundreds of years ago will not help diversity to become effective. People tend to change when they don’t feel condemned or guilt tripped. One day I saw a post from a Facebook friend she actually apologized for what her ancestors had done hundreds of years ago and I commented telling her that it was unnecessary. It may come as a shock to many but I get called names a lot like sellout and even accused of not being true to my culture. I have gotten slammed on several occasions all because of my views. My Christian beliefs help to keep me hopeful no matter how a situation looks like. In my opinion when it comes to bring cultures together everyone must be included, a solution of what can be done to solve the issues with hope of getting it done together is a huge step into the right direction. Having a strong community can only happen by  people working together from every culture this will help to build a strong relationship that has a core.

As I have written in the beginning getting to know one’s own culture and other cultures builds bridges that can connect people in addition recognizing the differences is important too. Many times people don’t want to recognize cultures differences out of fear that it may cause division however it’s actually on the contrary. Learning about other cultures can actually bring people closer together. When people are aware of other cultures they learn how to interact without negativity happening. A mind closed mind is not open to knowledge and so ignorance grows. It’s important that we all keep in mind that regardless of our cultures being different we all have feelings,we are human beings and we are all God’s Children.

Galatians 3:26

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.

I’m Not Surprised

Recently a former pastor has been making the news by the name of Kevin Wesley. Kevin Wesley is a black man who says that he cannot lie to black people anymore about Christianity. One thing that disturbs me about nonbelievers is why can’t they not believe in Christ allllll by themselves why must they make it their mission to poison other people with their toxic views? Nonbelievers always complain about Christian people “cramming” our beliefs down their throats but aren’t they doing the same thing that they complain about? Most Christians spread the Word of God out of love we have no intentions of hurting anyone. The things that most Christians  do is done out of love.

The former pastor Kevin Wesley has me very skeptical about his intentions there are far from pure. Wesley made a point to say that he cannot lie to black people anymore which is trying to cause some division within the body of Christ. I understand why some black people have a problem with Christianity the Bible describes Christ as one way but we have seen pictures of something different. Let’s think Christ was around long before slavery did white people years ago abuse the Bible? Yes they did. Still we must take our eyes off of man and focus on God. Even the slaves had faith in Christ some of our best hymns came from them. There are many taking positions in the church and they weren’t called to do it in the first place 1 Timothy 1:11-12. Yeah  I said it! We can’t have weak people leading the church with their bad intentions. If  you wasn’t call sit down and stop causing people to fall. I refuse to allow a person who wasn’t called by God send me to hell. We must stay awake!!! No sleeping. Times are getting far too dangerous.

Everyday God shows us His work from the time when we wake up until the time we go to sleep. He demonstrates how faith is the thing that we need the most to survive think about it the one thing we need the most to live is the one thing that we cannot see and it’s all around us…air. In life there will be ups and downs just because you are a Christian doesn’t mean we won’t have to endure hardship. We can’t have a rainbow without the rain or a baby without labor pains. I don’t hate nonbelievers I pray for them because whatever is hurting them is cause them to hurt others.

Here’s my take Christians should cut off anyone who doesn’t respect our beliefs and pray for them. Our Christian beliefs is what keeps us strong in a very cruel world. I am not surprised at all about people falling away from the church Christ warned us of this.

Matthew 24:10-13

10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.

12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.

Do Nice Guys Finish Last?

Recently I watched a video and the guy was saying that nice guys always finishes last that mean guys get the beautiful girls. Immediately it got me to thinking about last according to whom? Who’s race was he watching? We all have hopes, dreams and wants I get it. But we cannot get caught up in man’s race. If we look at others as competition and try to keep up with what they are doing then of course you will come in last. When we try to race in someone’s else race we will always finish last in someone else’s race; it’s not our race.

I don’t know about man’s race but  I know that God keeps His promises every last one of them. God does not lie because He can’t lie!!! God’s timing is perfect. It’s okay to glance at other people’s blessings as an inspiration only not as a competition. Everything that God does is incredible especially His blessings. If we stare at other people’s blessings like driving on the road staring at another car we will miss our turn. If we keep our eyes on the road that God has destined for us only we can win. No one can finish last in their own race. Being in competition with others is very unhealthy anyway we need to focus on the road that God has already mapped out for us individually.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – To every [thing there is] a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

 

The Letter

My life keeps getting more and more interesting every minute. I’m a massive fan of the movie Immortal Beloved it’s about the life of Beethoven. There are so many parts of the film I love the actor Gary Oldman did a fantastic job. Gary Oldman brought the movie to life he’s a brilliant actor underrated for sure. This movie came out in 1994, perhaps my top favorite thing besides the music was a letter that Beethoven wrote to the woman that he truly loved. Ahhhhh yes I love the words “ever thine ever mine ours”  words from a great man ever. I know what you are thinking what is Tameeka talking about now? I’ll be getting to that in a minute. My ex and I are like opposites it’s the truth. I don’t hate him; I look back at what we had as a life lesson. It is what it is. The posts that I write are to encourage and inspire somebody. I believe that there is someone somewhere who’s going through what I am going through. Anyway back on topic.

It’s incredible when you are trying to move on things from the past fall out of nowhere. I found a letter written by my ex from five years ago. That’s right five years ago. I think the purpose of the letter could be for closure. It wasn’t about the letter being from him it was about what was in it. He wrote me many different letters it’s weird that this one suddenly appears. Out of all the letters written why this one I have moved from one address to another and this letter pops up. The letter had several different questions, so I assume that perhaps these are unanswered questions that he may have. I will answer the questions in this post it’s not like he’ll ever read it anyway it’s all about healing. Healing is a great thing.

When my ex ask questions he always wants it done with a “simple yes or no” well things aren’t always that easy.  The paragraph starts with,”Let me ask you these questions because it seems that I am not getting a straight answer from you just answer these questions with a yes or no let’s keep it simple.” Do you still want to be with me? Do you even miss me? Do you love me? Why don’t you ever say that you love me? Do you regret being with me? When my ex got locked up, it made me very angry. I wanted an intact family, and it got destroyed, so I was mad for a long time. When he went away to prison in 2007, I called about the status, and when the lady told me 240 months, I was devastated. My world came crashing down life that I knew had changed. I’m no different from other mothers I wanted the house with the white picketed fence things were ruined in a blink of an eye. At the time I did miss him, it wasn’t about the financial help our sons were growing up without him. He missed out on a massive chunk of our children’s lives so many memories he will never have. Did I love him ever yes I did? I will always have some love for him. Real women are in touch with their feelings, and they keep it 100. It’s amazing how people can’t see how a person loved them. I showed it and told him that too. I never regretted being with my ex; it took him to make our two sons. Our sons are like a replica of us; it’s quite astonishing. I never regretted him, and I never will.

I believe that closure can only happen when things are faced, or we will continue to think about things and reliving situations that have been long over. Being stuck in the past only robs the present, which is a gift. I can’t change what happened, but I have forgiven my ex as well as let go of lots of anger. My ex needs to let go of his anger too because there’s no sense in it. I pray for my ex’s salvation because he doesn’t believe in Christ. I pray that God powerfully touches his heart. For him to have a blessed a life, he has to let go of the anger and the hate it will only poison all of his relationships, including the ones with our children. Taking the same old bricks into a new relationship will only destroy it and I don’t want our children to ever blame themselves. Father God touch my ex’s heart so it will soften and he let’s You in so that You can give him a new start. Lord You know that I mean every word and it’s coming from the heart. Please handle it Father God everything is in Your Hands. I thank You in advance. Amen.

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things passed away; all things are become new.

Tameeka Simply I

Regardless of the number

Of the number of ladies

Who share my name

There’s only one with my

Personality and identity

I embrace my traits

The positive ones

And the negative ones

Negative things I

Give them antonyms

The positive things

I multiply with synonyms

Possessive becomes protective

Stubborn becomes determine

Weak becomes sensitive

Odd becomes unique

Passive becomes tolerant

Strict becomes punctilious

Old fashioned becomes standards

God made me

Who I am

And I say it proudly

I’m intelligent and funny

I’m heroic yet humble

I’m selfless and passionate

I’m skillful and helpful

My favorite thing prayer warrior

Daily I grow

I’ll let it all show

Not being boastful

As long as God knows

That’s all that matters

He made me to be awesome

I’m aware of my strength

And weakness too

Never am I ashamed

To admit to the truth

My spirit is beautiful

I stand by the people

Who I care about

Love ones as well

I love everyone

Anyone can tell

My passion everyday gets bolder

Standing tall like a British soldier

Always fighting for what

I believe in

Even though I am human

I don’t looks for rewards from man

Because I understand

That Jesus can

Do anything for me

He’s all that I need

With Him in my corner

I’m not afraid to be vulnerable

After all kindness in my nature

When you have the understanding

Of who God has called you to be

You know who you are

You then can fulfill your purpose

Which is to help others

I’m ready to do my job

In God’s kingdom

 

 

See I Would……But

You see I would get upset but

You see I would cry but

You see I would get mad but

You see I would shout but

You see I would stress but

You see I would cave but

You see I would retaliate but

You see I would be hurt but

You see I could but I won’t

The way my faith is set up

God has everything under control

He has a flawless track record

Things can only get better

God’s Rainbow Put Sum Respeck On It

Well it’s the month of June and many of us know what’s celebrated this month….. Gay pride. Look far be it for me to judge I just don’t like the way God’s rainbow is being represented. The rainbow is God’s promise to Noah so we have to put some respect on it. I get so tired of God being disrespected people should be afraid to do that. I know that I am not perfect but my lack of perfection is not a green light to not respect God’s work  nobody should that’s right!! Yeah I said it! The world is becoming more and more scarier it seems like with each and every moment that passes by. I will not stop being passionate about my walk with Christ I pray that I don’t ever lose it. There is so much pressure but I refuse to cave God will have the final say. You just wait. He is Not Pleased regardless of what some people want to believe it doesn’t mean that they are right.

I don’t push my beliefs on no one therefore I want to be treated the same way. Respect my beliefs and I will respect yours, no I don’t accept it though. A lot of problems happen when people can’t just agree to disagree. No one has the right to shove anything down another person’s throat. I admit I get so amp when I think of the goodness of God I just want to shout about it from every rooftop. God is awesome. He has brought us all a mighty long ways so let’s respect Him to the highest in each and every way. Okay.