My Quarals with the American School System

I wrote this about a month ago, and I haven't posted it.  Didn't really think that it went along with this blog as I rambled on and on about my views of the public school system.  However, these issues remain in my heart as being issues that people need to be aware of.  Also, this is my blog and I can write about what ever I want to write.  With that said, everything is a "work in process."  So, as I read, study,  and gain more insight, I really hope to add this to my book "Little Black Boy."

Forgive the mistakes, I did not proof read this . . . I did not complete because this will be a later project . . .

 August
(Your being set Up)
The School System

I want to talk about what happened last week on Being Mary Jane . . . 

Last week on being Mary Jane, Mary Jane went out into the field to do a story on an urban high school that was going to be turned into a Charter school.  If you are not familiar with the show, Mary Jane is a gorgeous, strong, independent, and successful African American female news anchor from Georgia.  She sits in the co-anchor chair of a popular morning tv show, broadcasting from one of the most prestigious stations in New York City.  She has a mind of her own as she takes a strong stand on equal rights and advocates for black progress.

I wanted to talk about the "Being Mary Jane" episode that aired last Tuesday on BET, 8-15-2017.  It really hit home and touched on one of the reasons why I am writing this blog:  The American School System.

I felt that the show which aired on August the 15th, painted a pretty good picture of things that are going on across this country.  The gravity of the situation seems to be so dismal that one might convince himself that this could not possibly be happening in our country.

I think people don't really realize what is going on in our urban school systems today.  There are underground tactics which are increasingly evil and more bold then ever.  Kozol wrote about these things about thirty years ago in books like "Ordinary Resurrections," and "Amazing Grace,"  as an observer of such modern day segregation and racists sabotage.   It seems like no one is doing anything about crooks stealing from our children.  The idea of people caring about our urban youth is almost unheard of, or perhaps, it's just not being promoted because then that would mean a promotion of hope.  I pray that people start waking up and listening to the problems that I am about to present in this post.

This was the situation in the show: The main high school in the school district was going to be sold to a charter school system.  The parents were protesting the sale because they were concerned for their children's education.  Mary Jane was broadcasting live from the scene and because she was out in the field, her anchor chair was being filled by someone who held an uninformed view of the Charter School System.  This person gave the impression, during an interview with a board member, that the Charter School was the solution for the failing high school.  The view point projected and communicated to the watching public was that it was the best move for the community.  

Meanwhile, the media feed that was covering the high school showed the reaction of the parents towards this interview.  The view seen on air conveyed an old stereo type of  "angry black ignorant mob starting trouble again."  The situation that arose was a riot of sorts.  The crowd of angry parents and students, not being heard or respected for their concerns, got into physical confrontations with  law enforcement.  The media twisted the truth once again, and the mob was shown as disrespectful, non-compliant, and dangerous. 

'They' have the money to control the media. 

The example above was just from a show, but this happens every day in our media.  It is all propaganda.  Not many people know what is going on.  It is easy for people to believe what they see with their eyes.  A voice over convinces us that it's explanation of what is going on, is the truth about what is really going on.  You probably think that this whole thing is just a pretty good story line for a BET show . . .

Sorry to inform you that you are in the Matrix! 

Do you choose the blue pill or the red pill?

But now I know all too well that the media portrays the views of those liars who are in control of the system.  The schools are not failing by mismanagement,  the system is not failing because of mismanagement.  The school system is set up exactly the way it is supposed to be set up. The system was set up to fail.  Everything is working according to plan.

In the show, the students didn't have the necessary classes on their roster in order to graduate.  The story sounded all too familiar to me.  I  would suppose that the students wouldn't graduate if they didn't have a teacher to teach them.  In the school district I worked for, they laid off the teachers.   The students felt there was no need to go to school because there wasn't much school to attend.  The drop out rates were high because the students felt themselves more useful getting jobs to help support their struggling families.  Older siblings leaving their education endeavors to perhaps provide a better chance for their younger siblings to finish school or at the very least have something to eat over the weekend.

Of course, we on the outside hear about the "failing schools," and  "the failing districts," but is anyone using their critical thinking to solve the real problems?  Do we continue to be bullied into the Charter School Nightmare or do we push back and tell the media to stop pissing on me and telling me it's raining?

Drawing parallels from the show, leads me to discuss that many schools in my district didn't offer the classes the students needed to graduate.  Why? Because they didn't have enough teachers!  Of course graduation rates will be low and the school would be labeled as failing. So the question to ask is who is responsible for firing the teachers.  Who is responsible for budgeting the money for these students to have access to the required course work?  Who is responsible for this?

In the show,  One student complained that she had three study halls and a lunch.  It would take her six years to graduate by the rate she was going . . .

In real life, just like in the show,  I came from a school district labeled as failing. Just like in the show, the media loves to blame the administration and school board for poor management of education funds.  The truth is however, the real "powers that be" have been stealing that money for years.  There was at one point that $600 million that went missing from our school district which was uncovered by an investigative report.  It was in the news, it was in the paper.  Mysteriously, the story faded away in the abyss of cover ups from generations past.  No explanation was ever told about what happened with that money.  Why did the story disappear?  Simple;  if the media stops talking about it, it's like it never happened.

Big business has found their way into the school system again.  Today, they came up with a more efficient and unregulated way to steal the money from  education, it is called the Charter Schools.

Now, the lie that they tell is that these urban schools are failing.  Propaganda says that they need help because test scores are low and graduation rates are deplorable.  The truth is that they are stealing money and making them fail on purpose.  And so many people are brainwashed to think that it is all our fault.  That poor people want to remain poor.

I can tell you from first hand experience that the State came into our school system in Camden New Jersey and set things upside down.  Teachers were losing their jobs left and right.  Administrative offices and Human resource workers were being demoted.  The State moved all their people in and all of our people out.  We would put in complaints to our union representatives and never receive responses.  The union would claim that they heard everything was working out well in Camden.  Board meetings would be held behind doors; parents and concerned teachers would wait for hours for them to come out.  No solution was being met about the schools they were closing.  No one really seemed to care.

Schools were closing left and right with explanations like:  The buildings are too old and the children are failing . . .

Lies, Lies, Lies!!

I can tell you that my little elementary school was very successful.  We had students receiving perfect scores on the New Jersey ASK.  Many of our students were A-B students, involved in the community and growing into respectable young men and young women.  All the staff were very shocked to learn that our school was going to be closing, it was going to become a charter school. . .

Sorry to inform you that we have been set up. 

Let me explain how they steal the money:

Maybe another time . . . but I do know things, the whole process is pretty sad.  But God did say they lie because they love their money.  The devise all types of plans because their hearts are evil and they have no conscious.

First day Back to Work

So, I enter a preschool class as a substitute teacher today . . .

Yes, it was my first day back to work after being home for a year.  Currently, as I conjure up the memories of today's events, I remember why I enjoy sitting at home, by myself, thinking, writing, and conceptualizing my thoughts.  I don't have to deal with people when I'm at home in my PJ's!  My introverted identity finds comfort in the atmosphere of alone.  It is not that I don't like people, I just don't like their judgmental attitudes.  OK, thinking about it more objectively; I don't like people.  Most people are judgemental.   I can feel their piercing eyes undressing me down to the marrow of my soul.  How personally degrading. I feel violated.

Yes, I'm the substitute today and their is nothing wrong with me.  We'll maybe there is a little bit something wrong with me but what ever that flaw is, it is none of your business!  Just like it is none of my business why you feel it necessary for you to raise your voice at a four year old to assert your authority around a new face.  Get over it, you are not the alpha.  Further more, I can care less who you are when you have already decided that I am less than.  Great thing about substitute teaching:  I will not be back tomorrow!


This gave me another idea for a book: "Bad Teacher!"  I know, I know; there is already a movie with that title but I would like to dispel the myth;  not all teachers are lazy, mindless, sacks of misguided potential.  No, most teachers begin as young self motivated education moguls who's vision is to change the world by making a difference in the lives of children.  What happens is that the education system slowly chips away at their fundamental foundations of creativity and self expression.  Ergo, the teacher no longer produces the passion which at one time fueled his/her desire to strive for change.  Why?  Because these teachers are no longer allowed to fully implement their ideas of how to teach, but instead are encouraged and trained to go with the program.  The program usually consists of crappy curriculum and horrible bosses.

Not all teachers are bad, but most teachers are tired!

Most teachers don't even realize that they have given up on changing the world.  They are just trying to deal with their ego driven energy sucker supervisors on a day to day basis.  They are also contributing to their energy sucking co-workers, and misbehaving energy sucking students.  Teachers are tired.  Most teachers are now just trying to survive.  And the energy sucking cycle continues because the drive for more rigor depletes the energy of our children.  Our children come out of the school system just as depressed and hopeless as those who run it.  How sad.  I do not want to go back to that.  I want to change it.

It's official, I'm not going back to the classroom in the public school setting.  I'm ready to see the whole system change.  I'm ready to change the world!

 

I have tried so much not to talk about this issue.  You know, because I'm trying to be that person for positive motivation.  Most of my blogs are about spiritual growth and finding your purpose in life.  But this is an issue that just irks me to my core.  The Public School System in America Sucks!!  It is not working.  I believe that it is designed not to work.  I believe that  God's people need to wake up and make the changes for a better world.  I believe that the world is the way that it is because of the powers of darkness and spiritual wickedness that have designed it to suck!  I believe that we all let it happen because deep down we are afraid of tampering with the system.  That just sucks.

Sorry, I just continue to use suck for lack of a better word!

Well, something happened to me and I'm not afraid anymore.  So, I am coming after you jokers just like my mom did to Boys II Men at the Philadelphia airport in the 90's.  She chased Sean down to the men's bathroom, grabbed him aggressively by the arm.    She proclaimed as loud she could:

"We see you,  and We know who you are!"

I see you, and I'm coming for you.  This is part of my purpose.

Until Next Time

Motivation for Monday

http://artteacher4purpose.blogspot.com/2017/08/live-life-post-174-its-supernatural.html

Tim Bowman Jr.- I'm Good

I was just listening to this song in the car and I was like . . . yes,  I'm good.  I'm good enough to do exactly what God created me to do.  If I can do it, you can do it.  Let us say it together:

 

I'm Good 

 . . .and you are good enough to have your Dreams

People say Tim Yo
You're my hero
How you doing?
How you stay strong?
Let 'em all know
There's so much that I've been through
I have my days when, it's true y'all
I just can't smile, I just wanna cry
It ain't easy, sometimes it's work just to be alive
But when I think of the goodness
That's come to me
It's easier to let go of all my grief
Sometimes you gotta tell yourself
That I'm not having it
Just take a good look in the mirror
Say to yourself I've come too far to quit
Good enough to love myself
(So good) Good enough to have success
(Yeah, yeah yeah) What you gain from all your stress is the freedom to know that you are blessed
(I'm good) Good enough to handle my biz
(So good) Good enough to raise my kids
(Yeah, yeah yeah) The past is the past and honestly
I'm happy for where I'm at because I'm good
People ask me am I confident
I reply with every now and then
But life comes down to two things
And that's rejection and acceptance
So I reject that there's no peace
And I accept that I am free
But that's all I have to be
That's all I'll ever need
Because when I think of the goodness
That's come to me
It's easier to let go of all my grief
Sometimes you gotta tell yourself
That I'm not havin' it
Just take good look in the mirror
Say to yourself, I've come too far to quit
Good enough to love myself
(So good) Good enough to have success
(Yeah, yeah yeah) What you gain from all your stress is the freedom to know that God is blessed
(I'm good) Good enough to handle my biz
(So good) Good enough to raise my kids
(Yeah, yeah yeah) The past is the past and honestly
I'm happy for where I'm at because I'm good
All my People let me tell
And I'mma say it loud and clear

And you listen

So you'll hear me
So you never will forget
You're good enough to get that job
You're good enough to drive that car
And on top of all these things
You're good enough to have your dreams
Come on let me hear you say
Good enough to love myself
(So good) Good enough to have success
(Yeah, yeah yeah) What you gain from all your stress is the freedom to know that you are blessed
(I'm good) Good enough to handle my biz
(So good) Good enough to raise my kids
(Yeah, yeah yeah) The past is the past and honestly
I'm happy for where I'm at because I'm good

Written by Arthur Ross, Johnta Austin, Leon Ware, Marvin Winans, Rodney Jerkins, Tim Bowman • Copyright © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, BMG Rights Management US, LLC

 

Performed by Tim Bowman Jr.

 

I like this . . . stay encouraged . . . stay blessed . . . and know that you are good enough to enjoy everything that God has for you.  This is a mind set game you guys.  You can, you can, you can Live Life!! 

Until Next Time 

 

Quotes- Daring Greatly

 

“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”

― Theodore Roosevelt

Exploring Spiritual Transitions

Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh:

Matthew 24:32

Exploring Transitions

I just wrote a post about the end times.  Check it out here:

http://artteacher4purpose.blogspot.com/2017/09/no-man-knoweth-hour-what-is-going-to.html

  

In it I said that I would post a chapter from my book .  Hence, this will be a very long post.  Before I cut and paste it in,  I need you to know the following.

The End is Very Near

Please Accept Jesus as your Personal Savior

God is telling me that there are still a lot of people confused about who God really is.  If you are confused, then you don't really know him, then you are going to be even more confused and angry when you get left behind.  This chapter in the book explores a little bit about how each of us have a personal journey with the Lord.  He is the master teacher so he wants to let us know why things are happening the way they are happening in this world.  He wants to show us a way out of the world.

Without further explanation, Transitions:

Chapter

Kicking, Screaming, and Throwing Chairs

. . .but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits. And they that understand among the people shall instruct many: yet they shall fall by the sword, and by flame, by captivity, and by spoil, many days. Now when they shall fall, they shall be holpen with a little help: but many shall cleave to them with flatteries. And some of them of understanding shall fall, to try them, and to purge, and to make them white, even to the time of the end: because it is yet for a time appointed.

Daniel 11:32-35

I remember a time when I first started teaching.  I had my own classroom, my own creative space to explore and expand my teaching pedagogy.  It was the preschool curriculum that I related to.  I was able to be creative, and use my art ability to adhere to the creative needs of the children I taught.   I was excited to begin my journey as a teacher.

    I also remember the thought that had occurred to me during that same school year, “I am not going to last more than 5 years in preschool!”  Why did I say this to myself?  Well it was a lot harder than what I thought.  I was OK with the rules, the curriculum, the people that I worked with.  However,  there was this one particular little girl that burned me out within the first week.  We will call her Shyann.  Helping Shyann deal with her issues was hard on me, my-co worker, and the students in my class.   It was Shyann and her constant outburst that made it a difficult year for everyone.  Her main trigger for her persistent negative behavior, were the transitions.

    The curriculum was a learn through play curriculum and my classroom was set up into several play areas.  As the teacher I developed a system for the children to move from one area to another.  We had a schedule to adhere to also, so, other things like breakfast, lunch, and outside play time was all apart of the system.  Of course the students were not accustomed to the routine at first, so I had to train them.  I had to train them how to act, how to treat their peers, how to treat the materials, what to expect next, how to clean up after themselves, and how to stay organized in order for the system to keep working.    

It would seem that it would be every student’s dream to play all day while still learning,  but that wasn’t the case for Shyann.  Whenever we would have to move from one activity to another she would kick and she would scream.  She would throw chairs and command the attention of the entire classroom.  One time she even managed to climb into the window and crouch down like a little live goblin ready to pounce.   I knew, as the teacher, that I had to help her control her outburst of rage and confusion because if I didn’t, the whole class would suffer.  I didn’t want my students to be hindered in their growth just because one student was not fully developed in their ability to handle change.

    So, you may ask, what exactly was the problem?

The problem had very little to do with the classroom environment, or me as the teacher, or  her classmates.  Instead, as I learned through observation and studying, it had everything to do with how the child understood, interpreted, and communicated with the environment around her.  It was the reality of the child that fueled the negative behavior around the child.  This four year old child had so much built up anxiety that she feared any type of change.  She resisted transitions into the next activity because she didn't possess the skills to deal with change.

What is a Transition?

A transition is simply a time period that one needs to prepare himself in order to change from one activity to another.  One may experience a change in surroundings, in  activities, or even people.  There is a time for everything.  Within each given time, there are specific goals that need to be carried out.  The time of transition is simply the space to give warning: hey things are about to change.

Often, you would find Shyann playing with the blocks.  While other students were exploring the whole classroom. Shyann, however, liked to stay in one spot.  If I tried to prompt Shyann to try something else, she would go into one of her tantrums.  Her tantrums were almost always violent.  It wasn’t until later that we found that this child had witnesses tremendous trauma as she watched her father repeatedly beat her mother.  Shyann was simply subconsciously mimicking learned behavior, as she was interpreting the transition as not having control of the situation.  She was losing control because she did not know what to expect next.  She did not want to leave the space where she was feeling safe, comfortable, and at peace.  Therefore she would resists the move from one transition to the other because she lacked the skills to adjust the feelings it made her feel.

    In school, we transition from grade to grade.  This is a big transition.  We may transition from one job to the next as adults.  Or we may be transitioning from being single to being married.  Whatever the transition, if we lack the skills to adjust to the transition, then the transition is that much harder, that much longer, and/or  that much more violent.   

Unfortunately for many of us, we struggle with the same fears of transitioning from one stage to another.  Our life is built in stages of growth.  We are designed to grow, to mature, to learn lessons of life, and help others learn those lessons as well.  Hence I present to you, not a conversation of the educational philosophy of transitions, but instead a conversation about the philosophy of life.

    This is where it gets interesting because I of all people never thought that I would have the intellectual or philosophical muscle to explore the meaning of life.  Nor did I ever claim to be the teacher of the year, parent of the year, or anything else that shows me to be of any importance.  I am just me.  I am a teacher who has been presented with a unique set of experiences and circumstances that allow me to see things the way that really are.

    I will not do a great song and dance, at this point, but instead I am going to get right to the point.  We are at the end of the end times.  There has been a great pouring out of the spirit of God and the season has recently changed.  This is a season where Christians (true believers) will start operating more and more visibly in the  power of God.  No more secrets and no more hiding.  This is truly a time to be bold for Christ.  This book is for those who have been feeling a tug to live life for the Lord, for our Savior Jesus Christ.  This book is for those who are looking for and desire a closer walk with the Lord.  If you know anyone who is also desiring answers; share this book with them.

    I know that my assignment is to help you through this major transition.  This will be a transition of complete surrender.  This is the time to do it.  I do not believe in accidents, but I believe divine revelation,  and divine appointment.  You are meant to be reading these words and because I understand how God works, this may not be the first nor the last time you read something like this.  As I listen to preachers preach and teachers teach, I hear God’s message become stronger and more powerful than ever before:

You must change your mind in order to be prepared for this major transition.

This transition will happen with or without you just like this spiritual season that has just changed.  The spirit of the Lord has awakened many to know who they are, and to know what their purpose is in this day and time.  There is a great boldness that is being raised in the kingdom of God.  Hence, I am not the only one who will be spreading this message, but I am the only one who has been prepared with my specific perspective to present it in the way that I am presenting it.

What has happened exactly?

I stated before that there has been a change in seasons.  God has given us  the natural example of the seasons, Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall to help us better understand spiritual seasons.  In between each natural season there is a time period when we notice a change in weather, temperature, and atmosphere.  In between each season there is a transition period into the next.  I believe that our generation has just experienced a transition period into a new spiritual season.  These last thirty years have been a transition into the end of the end times.  How do I know this?  Because God has allowed me to perceive, observe, and record the odd behavior of people in this world who are not prepared for the transition.  People of the world are kicking and screaming and confused because they have not accepted a teacher that can teach them how to handle themselves during a transition.  People of the world are very afraid of what is going to happen next.  Themselves do not understand why, what is going on, or why they are responding to their environment the way that they are.  There is an eternal struggle going on inside of them.  We as people in the world have experienced such great trauma and we don’t know exactly how to handle it.  And just like the little girl that I had during my first preschool teaching experience, people are throwing chairs during the transition.  It has nothing to do with the teacher,  it has nothing to do with the classmates, but it has everything to do with their perspective of what is really going on around them.

The Spiritual Change of Seasons

There has been a spiritual change in seasons.  Now some may not have heard of the end times or have a clear understanding of what that means exactly.  Briefly:  We have been living in the end times since the death of Christ.  The end times simply describes the end of this age.  We were only meant to be here for an appointed time and that time is almost up.  This is not only a Christian thing, only a Jewish thing, or only a religious concept.  This is an issue for the whole world.  This is happening in the natural world and the Spiritual world.

 When we talk about the spiritual world, I am referring to a concept of there being different realms.  There is a natural realm to which we see things and then there is a spiritual realm to which we actually are unknowingly operating in right now.  This is the realm to which the angels operate.   During the spiritual transition into the end of the end times the angels were preparing methods to separate the true believers from the non-believers.  This has been all happening under the direction and rule of the Angel of the Lord.  This transition was the end of the preparation period.  The transition has passed.  We are now in a season of harvest.

In this season of harvest the angels are gathering the the true believers as they are meeting their full growth as it was already preordained.  This wheat is already marked to be taken in this harvest.  There are also tares that have been growing with the good wheat.  They have been marked as well, and they will not be taken in this harvest.  Then there are all the wheat that have not yet been marked, but are still lost among the vastness of the tares.  This is why I am writing this book.  There is still good wheat in the field that the angels need to harvest, but this wheat look so much like the tares right now.  This wheat hasn’t grown like it should, it hasn’t received the living water, and it can not tower over the tares who will be burnt in the fire.

Also, during this season God said that there will be supernatural growth.  He will pour out his spirit to the point that he will change laws and make decrees so that his people will experience all of the blessings of God in this season.  There will be a major shift in the way that things have been happening and the way they should be happening.  To put it in teacher language:  All those who were causing problems and disturbing the class will be put on a major time out!

However, in the rise of God’s people, during this appointed time when the distinction will be made, many will fall away.  The ones who really know God will teach many the ways of the Lord.  This teaching will not be popular and these teachers will be persecuted for it.  Remember, what we see in the natural is limited.  I see a lot of our great prophets being killed and persecuted in the spiritual.  

Come out of her my people!

Transitional Thought:

We can no longer afford the time to waste to be stuck in worldly ideas about what it means to live.  The word of God is life.  There is life after the first death.

There will be people who just go with the flow of what they think they should be doing, not really surrendering their lives to God.  There will be people who take on a form of righteousness, but the angels are separating you right now.  There will be people who  appear to know and to practice the skills of smooth transitioning, but they really don’t know.  I pray that you learn from the great teacher, Jesus Christ.  I pray that you have real righteousness and not just the appearance of righteousness.  Be blessed and continue your journey in faith that this is real, this is happening.

The transition that we must all experience is the journey into a surrendered life.  When we arrive to the end of our personal transition we can really be examples of what it means to live for Christ.  This world will experience a transition into destruction, pain, and Antichrist Rule.  This is called the tribulation.  I am trying to complete my assignment, learn who I am, and live who I am so that I can be called up to the place prepared for me.  I want to experience the supernatural transition of the rapture.  The rapture is a good thing.  I am ready to live in a Kingdom ruled by Jesus Christ.

 I will explain more about transitions and why we really think what we think about Jesus.  Again, this is not from the world, but what has been given to me by the Holy Spirit.  The world will tell you to suck it up and stop complaining about it.  However it is because we surpress our feelings and emotions that we don't know how to deal with things.  We need to learn how to identify our feelings and deal with them appropriately as they come back to the surface.  We are confused about our feelings and Jesus wants to help us through that confusion.  He wants to help us develop the skills to get through this transition.  I pray that your eyes and ears will be open to what is really going on in this world.  People know, and they a choosing to live a life that leads to death. Will you please choose a life that leads to life?

“Just stop your cryin, it’s the sign of the times.

Welcome to the final show,

hope you wearing your best clothes  

You can’t bribe the door on your way to the sky

you look pretty good down here,

but you’re not really good.”

-Harry Styles

No Man Knoweth the Hour . . . What is going to happen Sept. 23 2017

 

This is a Crash Course !!!

I want you to share this one with everyone you know because it is very important that we understand that the end is very near!

 This Concerns the Whole World!

It is because I love each and everyone of you that I am sharing this with you.  I am not ashamed of the gospel of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.  I am willing to stand up and be bold and be thought a fool by the world.  Why?  Because I'm getting ready to see God.  I'm about to go to a party and I want you to be there too! 

This is what is happening today . . .

Matthew 24:-36

You will hear of wars and rumors of wars . . . nation will rise against nation . . . there shall be famines and pestilences, and earthquakes . . . and then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another and shall hate one another.  And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. . .

 

I have to separate these parts so that you are not confused on the order of events that will take place:  The order will be the time that we are living in now which is the time of sorrows.  Then the 7 year tribulation period where 3 1/2 years into it, the antichrist will sit on the throne of the rebuilt Temple in Israel.  He will then claim that he is god.  Then there will be the second coming of Christ.  So. . .

End time sorrows

Rapture

Tribulation 

2nd coming of Christ

 

We are in the end time sorrows right now where the increase of  hate is very carefully being orchestrated by those in power.  The storms are happening more and more often. (Let us pray for those in Puerto Rico, they just got hit with Maria a few hours ago.)  They are getting worse!  I will digress on  this point because there are so many signs.  I just need you to know that we are in the time of sorrows right now.  We will soon be entering into the tribulation period.  This is not a time that you will want to be here on this earth.  So, I ask you PLEASE, read through this post so that you know what to do in order to not be here!

So, this will sound ridiculous to those who don't really read the Bible . . . If you decide to be a believer during the tribulation and you confess that, they will cut off your head.  This is why I said you do not want to be here.  You have not realized that you have already been conditioned to transition into the world system.  This will be the easy road, the road that most will take, just to eat, just to survive.  There will be so many more road blocks to Christ then there are today, and there are a lot today!  But in the time of tribulation there will be even more:

. . .For there shall arise false Christ, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect . . . 

 

 . . .Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken . . . and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory . . . 

 

So, what about the rapture?  The rapture is when the Church is called up to be with the Lord.  True believers will not experience the time of Tribulation as others will.  We Christians believe that the true messiah and God of this world has offered us a gift of eternal life.  If you accept that gift, then you will be part of the rapture.  The Rapture is a good thing.  If you do not accept that gift then you will be here during the tribulation.

Verily I say unto you, this generation shall not pass till all these things be fulfilled. . . But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my father only. . . 

Nothing is Coincidence

First of all I encourage you to go back and look at that scripture in full.  Really go back and read the whole book of Matthew and grasp the importance of Jesus's messages on being prepared.  He has warned us again and again to be prepared for the day when the bridegroom will come for his bride.  Well, my friends we are days before the wedding feast, and if you are not  prepared, ready, dressed in the correct clothing, you will not enjoy the feast.

It is not a coincidence that Jesus taught the parables that he taught.  Get into the word of God.  Absorb it, know it, study it, test it and know that it is truth!

For some people this is a lot because they haven't been taught the truth about Jesus Christ.  People become offended when Christians say that Jesus is the only way to have eternal life.  Other people don't believe that we are anything important.  They don't believe that Jesus is who he says he is, or that there is such a thing as life after death.  Then I ask you this question . . .

If Jesus is so insignificant, why then does the world so significantly try to prove that he is not who he says he is?

Why make such a big effort?  Could it be because he is who he says he is?

What is happening now is the same thing that was happening in Noah's day.  Did you hear the story of the great flood and how everyone thought that Noah was WONKERS!!  Well, I'm wonkers for Jesus!

This is not a Coincidence.  There are no Coincidences . . . Everything happens for a purpose and a reason.  With that said there is a reason why you are reading this today. 

If you have not already done so, accept Jesus Christ today as your Lord and savior. This is a gift that he is presenting to you in this day in time. Will you not admit to yourself that you need something different? You need a savior to save you from your way of thinking.  Ask Jesus to come into your life today and save you from your misunderstanding. Say this:

“Lord forgive me for my past way of thinking.  I believe that you came and died for me in order to renew in me a righteous mind.   I believe that you are the God that loves me and saves me from my sins.   I give my life to you.”

 

Now you have to confess this with your mouth and believe it in your heart and you will be saved.

 

If no man know the hour, then what is the big rush?

We don't know the hour, but we know that the time is near.  The thing about time is that God gave the stars and the heavens as a sign of time and seasons.  There are things that are happening now that are marking a change in the spiritual seasons.  I just wrote a whole book call "Transitions into Life" where one of my chapters talks about understanding transitions how we understand seasons.  There are always signs that the natural season is about to change, and therefore there are signs that the spiritual season is about to change.  We  actually just entered into the end of the end times.  It is a harvest season.  I  will post that chapter after this post because I'm not sure I will be here long enough to see that book published . . We will see! 

We are experiencing signs of a transition into the next season.

So, do we know when the rapture is coming? Not exactly, there has been a a lot of changes to the calendar, so the best place to look for the answer is in the Bible.  However, the most wise thing to do is to welcome the real Jesus Christ, God, The Holy Spirit into your life as your personal savior today.

Today!!

This whole year on this blog, I have tried to encourage you to develop your relationship with the Lord.  Do that, and accept his gift because it will be real hard during the tribulation.  If you are here during the tribulation, check out the video below to find out how to be saved if you get left behind.

My dad always said this verse when we asked the question:  What is the sign of the end of the world? 

 

  . . .An evil and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas: For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here. 

 Matthew 12:39-41

 

Please, change your mind about  Jesus.  We must believe that Jesus is the son of the only True and Living God.  We must believe that Jesus is God (not just a god, or just a prophet, or just a great teacher, or the brother of Lucifer, or a yoga master).  We must believe that he is the promised Messiah sent here to save the whole world.  Christians are not confused by this.  God is God and we are saved by the grace of God.

So what is going to happen September 23rd?

Look probably nothing of that great importance but it is interesting to note that the video below points out the sign that had happened in Jonah's day as being an eclipse,  like the one that we experienced last month.  I just wanted to forward you these two videos so that you can get a better understanding of what is going on.  You may choose to watch them, you may not.  Just like you may chose Jesus and you may not.  Totally up to you, I love you anyway.

Disclosure  For Believers!!!

Don't Stress Out!  I'm not sharing this because I believe that the 23rd will be my last day on this earth, but I do know the time is coming soon.  Someone sent me these videos and I have to say they have some pretty compelling evidence for Sept. 23rd being the rapture. HOWEVER, God told us not to worry about these things, do not be fooled, do not stress, just keep living your life for Jesus.  Your responsibility as a Christian is to Watch and be prepared.  Everything will work out.  I like these videos because it gives a good illustration of the order of events.  He draws a time line so that you can understand what is going on. 

Also, Find out what you can do if you missed the Rapture:

 

I'm a little out of breath, but I pray that you receive this in you heart as truth.  I pray that you will be with me at the party!!

I almost forgot to tell you that if you don't get saved either now or during the tribulation, there is another really bad place that you don't want to go.  It is a place that wasn't even made for you . . . you don't want to be there forever . . . God made a way for you not to end up there . . .

 

What is happening to this world?

http://artteacher4purpose.blogspot.com/2017/09/exploring-spiritual-transitions.html

Praying for you Always

Until Next Time

 

Have you Heard of the Term Apologetics?

I was talking to a friend recently and we started discussing our growing interests in Apologetics.  I am a bible believing Christian and this was not a term that I was familiar with until about a year ago.  The Holy Spirit started to guide me in the vicinity of the term when I started to study the bible more.  So this is my attempt to briefly introduce you to Apologetics . . .

What exactly is Apologetics?

In short, Apologetics is the attempt to formulate and present an argument, or to argue in favor for something.

A Christian Apologist is someone who defends the faith of the Gospel.  An argument or discourse is usually formulated in response to questions like "Why do you believe what you believe, or how can you possibly believe that?"  When questions like these are raised, an Apologist proceeds to share evidence that supports his beliefs of the Word of God.  Of course there are many forms, techniques, and mediums to do this, but that is the gist of it.

Apologetics is then the practice of making a detailed, scriptural based, theological, philosophical, conclusive argument of why the bible is the only inspired, infallible authoritative word of God.

It is not until recently that I have come to realization that I am doing what many apologist are doing, I'm presenting the evidence that displays the truth.  I'm explaining why the word of God is right, and why Jesus Christ is the only way to the Father.  At least that is one of the things I attempt to do in this blog.

I am no expert.  I believe that I am in training.

 

We are all going through a process of training. Each and everyone of us are being painted; being created into who God needs us to be. It is our duty as Christians to give our life to God and let him use us . . . this is our reasonable service. The message that I would like to present to you in this post is this: God doesn't have to prove anything to us, yet he tells us to test his word in order to see if it is true. How do we do that? By believing in it and living it. When we do this, we will see the manifestation of all the blessings of God.

When we as believers, successfully let God change our heart, he will teach us how to defend his word.  He will teach us how to present it, how to teach it, and how to prove that it is truth. The word of God provides all the answers that we seek.  We have a responsibility to live the word of God  in order to proof it to others.   Understanding this, is to understand the essence of Apologetics.

There will be a time coming when so many people at once will be running after the truth.  Current believers have to be strong enough to teach the word, the real word of God.  We have to be prepared so that we can prepare others.  The strong in God will instruct many.

I used a quote from an apologist that I follow because God truly is using him to the fullness of his teaching talent, Ravi Zacharias.  I had no idea how Apologetics was applied in a conversation or a debate until I heard him speak . . . just awesome!  God gives him an answer for every question that the world throws.  He answers the hard questions that people can't quite wrap their understandings around when they try to understand God without knowing God.  Questions like, Why does God allow suffering, war, and death?  If God is all powerful, then why doesn't he just fix all the problems in the world?  Why is God so angry?

You can check him out on YouTube.  Here is one link that you can check out if you want to get a better understanding of what Apologetics is about.  In this clip Professor Zacharias answers the question: How do you know that Christianity is the one true world view?

So, Apologetics can be displayed and used differently.  The main goal is to prove to non-believers that the word of God is for real.  It is to help build the faith of those who are not so sure, or always searching for another truth.  The Bible is all truth.  It holds so many answers in it but the world just doesn't want to hear it.  Apologetics allows the Word of God to reach the ears of people who are overly intellectually competent in worldly knowledge.  Presenting a well supported historical, scientific, theological argument allows people to really think critically about the content of the bible.

Being a teacher, I understand that children learn differently, at different speeds, and with different conceptual understandings.  Like children, adults have their own learning style.  Our God is so awesome that he allows and equips his people to teach the nations according to their needs.  Apologetics is a pedagogy that the world needs in order to convince them that God is the one true and living God.  He is the creator, the Alpha and the omega.  Additionally, he himself came down to earth in the form of a man, named Jesus, so that he could redeem us from our sins which separate us from him.  He does this with the power that is himself,  the Holy Spirit.

I don't need proof of this.  Why?  Because I just have Faith!  But if you need proof, keep researching and listening to Apologists like Ravi Zacharias.

I hope this was helpful.  I also provided a link to the website that I used as a reference.  Check it out because it gives you more of a history and a rational of what Apologetics is, how it is used and why it is used. Check it out.



https://bible.org/seriespage/2-what-apologetics 


There is so much more to say, but like I said I was trying to be brief.  God bless you.
-Until Next Time

Motivation for Monday

Not everyone will see the hard work that you do.  Don't expect accolades for the time you put into something, especially if that something is purposeful and for Jesus.   The enemy doesn't seem to allow people to encourage you when you are working towards God's purpose.  Just learn how to do the work with out their approval.

 Not everyone is going to see your sacrifice, or see your passion, or  see your drive.  But when God gives you a vision, then you know that it is for you.  You have faith that it is going to happen for you.  So, you keep putting in the work.  You keep taking those classes, you keep spending the time today that is going to impact your future.  

Commitment is the Key . . . keep going . . . keep pushing . . . keep doing what the Lord says to do.

It doesn't matter what the naysayers are going to say, ignore them.  Better yet, don't spend time in their presence.  You may have started small, but you are going to finish big.

Don't Procrastinate!

Do it Today!

 

Do the Work!

 

Live Life and Keep walking in your Purpose!

 

Check out the Live Life board on Pinterest by clicking the link below. 

Stay Motivated.

https://www.pinterest.com/AT4purpose/the-live-life-project/

 

 Until Next Time

Motivation for Monday

Let me hit you with the 1 2 3.  These three quotes are for those who are struggling with letting go and letting God.  It is ok to listen to the voice of the Lord.  It is ok to do what he tells you to do.  You are protected, he has you.  He will catch you.  Don't be afraid to trust God to fulfill all your hopes and all your dreams.  How do you know your dreams are from God?  Well, that is a whole other issue to explore.  You can try reading through this blog, but better yet you should read your bible and get to know God.  He will tell you exactly what he has in store for you!

 

Sometimes we just don't see things how God sees them.  It is ok to be scared in the process of learning how to trust God.  You are not alone. God has many plans for you.  He has equipped you with all you need to succeed. Stay encouraged and stay motivated in the Lord.

Until next Time

Until next Time