Black & Black

My first book, ‘Love Sees Her’, is set in South Africa.  Before my book was out, a British Nigerian acquaintance of mine posed an interesting question to me.  He asked, why was my book set in South Africa and not in Jamaica, which is where I’m from.

This prompted me to think about unity, culture, and value systems…

I remember watching a programme on Netflix called ‘City of Joy’. It is set in the Democratic Republic of Congo and examines the horrific violence that has been happening there. The number of deaths there is higher than that of the Bosnian war.  This is deeply shocking.

When I look at the state of affairs, I home in just for a moment on who is carrying out these horrific acts, and I see that the Congolese are carrying out these acts of violence among themselves even though it is influenced by the outside world. Something should be done to tackle this but there is no unity; no coming together to solve these life and death problems.  

The Eastern part of the country is rich in the four most commonly mined coltan, tin, tungsten and gold.  Every phone, laptop etc. is made from the material of coltan, yet with these rich resources within the country, the wealth is not being used for the better of the people.

I watched another documentary that got me to wonder about the complexities within humanity.  The documentary, on BBC iPlayer, is named ‘Africa Turns the Page’ which features Chinua Achebe, Buchi Emecheta, Jomo Kenyatta and others.  In the documentary, I noticed that some of the authors had an issue with the title “African Writer”, as if they were not proud of that title from their point of view.  But shouldn’t you be proud of being from the African continent.  If you are from there, your lineage is there and your plot is set in one of the countries in Africa, so, shouldn’t you be proud of that title. I would be, just as I am proud of Jamaica. 

In light of the civil unrest since the inhumane death of George Floyd and black lives matter, I could see the thoughts formulating in my mind regarding these societal problems.  There are complexities within the American black community such as class, wealth and more, but we all can agree that the death of George Floyd should not have happened in the way in which it did. This brings me to my point of unity.

My heritage is Jamaican, so I have that link to the black community.  Before I say what I am about to say, I must say that I do believe in doing your best, achieving, and that no man is an island by themselves. However, from the recent events, I get the sense that some people within the black community come across as if they are having to prove themselves.  And if not proving oneself then it is looking outside of the community for help.  

I must say, that regardless of our lineage and nationality, when my God looks at us, He looks at us all the same and it is our hearts He judges and not by the colour of our skins, eyes, hair, etc.

Watching these documentaries caused me to see distinct issues.  In America and England, I see black people having to prove or come up to statues to be inline with the white population.  In the Congo I see that blacks are killing one another, and there seems to be no support from what I call the cream at the top of black society, who are living abroad with no concerns for those who have been victims of the militia groups.

We are like crabs in a barrel, but to what extent.  I wonder how true this saying is when it comes to helping each other.  Is there no unity because black people abroad are so busy with their own struggle that to a fair degree have forgotten the black people within the African continent.  And do the rich and famous see this need too but also ignore.  This is my quest to understand these complexities.

By Kerri-Ann

Resilience

R- Self respect

E- The letter E in peace

S- Silence when needs be

I- I in dignity 

L- Love of Christ Jesus

I- The ink in my words

E- Envisage

N- Navigate

C- Caring

E- Earnest

There are distractions including noises which can simply be heard in one’s back yard yet without absolute truth. Asking the question why? Is there some validity and if so, should the rest of the noise be drowned out! Some would say you are either for or against but what if I disagree with and stand in the middle on my truth! I once heard of a mother of someone famous asked for her preference and she replied none of the above. 

I rest my case, which brings me to the word resilience. It has been shown over decade and beyond that within my people there have been good role models so let’s spread it over the masses and never stop; never stop, having nothing to prove. 

Walking in peace and if needs be in silence, holding our heads high. As I walk with my head held high staring into the space in front I see where He has allowed me to have over two books under my belt.  Although it may have been said I could not and might have been due to the short coming of not seeing through His eyes. However, I keep walking!

He puts the ink in my pen and gives me the vision on which to write as I learn to navigate this world, He so cares about. Remaining earnest enough to pray for it.

By Kerri-Ann

Picture

Third Camping Trip: Elk Neck State Park, North East MD. 

 The day was perfect, not too hot or cold. The family even went for a swim, the children splashed and had fun. 

The day continued to pass, soon we ate and washed up, time for bed.

It began to rain, the children fell a sleep, soon after I retired to bed. I drifted in and out of light sleep. My husband eventually retired to bed. I tried to drift off to sleep but could not because of the heavy patter of rain drops. I closed my eyes, my husband managed to sleep a bit but awoke after sometime; both of us awake. As I open my eyes I realised he had fallen back to sleep. I on the other hand noticed the sound of the wind with the heavy rain drops batter the canvas of the caravan so began to talk with my Lord until it was nearly day break.

 There are two faith points I see. First point- the scripture says Psalms 91:1 “he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most high shall abide…”  What does it mean? I read a commentary that said we as Christians are not visitors to the secret place. Talking with my mother, she hit the nail on the head, we are meant to live there! How does this come about? By making a choice to stay there, making our minds up to stay there! Back to the caravan I stayed inside it. What if I had gone out, something bad more likely could have happened. I stayed inside where it was safe, although I was hearing the noises.

 The following day late afternoon my daughter and I went back to the Elk River where it feeds into the sea. We went to the spot where the day before we had sat on a log in the sand; this time the water had risen closer to land. My daughter automatically bent her knees and stooped playing in the sand. I looked across the water, it has beautiful landscaping, brought my eyes back to the shore when I spotted the head of what looks like a turtle. Looking to see its shell, as it was swimming across the top of the water when I realised it was a snake. I quickly bent and pick my daughter up to show her the snake. By the time I did that and look the snake was in front of us, across in the water. It looked as if, it was about to turn it’s head to look when we basically had our feet in our hands.

 The second point of faith. My family and I were at the same spot the day before. It was scenic, no obvious harm or danger but I know that there are snakes in Maryland. Not because I don’t see them, it does not mean they do not exist. I also know my Lord protects my family because I am dwelling in the secret place of the Most high.

When we stay under the Lord’s umbrella then we are protected automatically and His promises fall into place.

By Kerri-Ann

A Piece

Words are powerful and I know what I want to say but where do I start? Life has twists just as in road trips with it’s curves. This suggests it’s complex but does it have to be so complex or can it be made much easier. This life is based upon the map in our minds and how it is read. Who else can retrieve the information to navigate, is it not us, so we can go a head in our journeys!

Being an observer seeing and hearing the events that surround me, I can hear a different voice saying the same words as mine, the words are familiar not everything is black and white. To extend upon these words every man should be content with his or her conclusion or conviction without malice or envy.

There is a great book but no one seems to want to read it which is filled with everyday you and I’s. There is matey (having another woman on the side), murder, betrayals, pointing of fingers, accusers, politricks (politics), religion and more. This great book has solutions too. Everyone seems to talk about Shakespeare and others but where is this book in the midst of all of this, I ask where?

By Kerri-Ann

Thinking Right

Choosing to type for less distraction. While talking to my mother on the phone two images I had a while back came to me. One was a viewing of my Lord after His body was taken down from the cross. He laid on the ground almost unrecognisable with the crown of thorns, blood that flowed from the crown of His head. The second image was of His face (resurrected), that had a traditional Middle Eastern look not the European image we often see. What got my attention was His warm, wide, gentle smile nonthreatening.

The above brings me to the writer Toni Morrison who is well known but new to me through a documentary program, one of her books is called Bluest Eye. I found this interesting after reading few Books of the Bible whereby Peter and Paul dealt with prejudices, segregation, religious practices (religion), Politics and general sin. There is no separation especially for those who recognised what Christ has done for us, receives Him, are seen the same way God sees the Israelites; Paul talks about this especially in the Book of Romans and that we are to love another.

As the conversation went on, my mother mentioned how it dawned on her, that in her prayer regarding the trinity how she would refer to the Father or say God then Jesus name but never really referring to as in talking with His Son Jesus. This brought to my mind a more recent dream where I saw two image one was the Son the other was the Father. The bible tells me in the book of Romans, Jesus is at the right hand of the Father and He makes intercession for us. In addition, Jesus said to His disciples when He was on earth, when you see me you see the Father. Back to the dream, in the dream the Son seemed disappointed. I do not know how, what I am about to say I can explain it, The Father seemed not to be disappointed but had to be because the Son was; now when my mother explained what had dawned on her, it explained the above dream I had, that made sense. 

By Kerri-Ann

The Storm

Paul’s journey to Rome, In the book of Acts chapter 27.

In verses 6, the Centurion found a ship of Alexandria, and put Paul and others on board the ship. Verse 9, Paul admonishing those on board and in verse 11, the Centurion believed the master and the owner of the ship, more than the things which were spoken of by Paul. Verse 14, But not long after there arose again it a tempest wind.

Before continuing in the scripture, the world faced the covid19 virus, people losing their jobs, dying from the virus, being at home then the death of G, Floyd. Followed by other events. In addition the USA election in November and if you are from the UK, Brexit is happening in December.

Please continue reading the next few verses that follows through to verses 19. In verse 20, And when neither sun nor stars in many days appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be saved was then away. Verse 21, But after long…Paul stood forth in the mist of them, and said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss.

At the start of the virus, I made an appeal for all of us to see the Lord. In verse 22, And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man’s life among you, but of the ship.

Pray or talk with him for, forgiveness (relating to how God sees us, and wanting us to come to Him). At the crucifixion Jesus says to the Father forgive them for they know not what they have done. Not knowing that the event which took place after my appeal, to ask for forgiveness was going to happen, happened. The times appears uncertain which can cause all of one’s emotion to rise for example anxiety, stress and confusion; but here in Acts verse 27, you see God’s mercies and grace. Verses 24, fear not…! Verse 25, Wherefore, Sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. My question is, are we going to believe God? May I ask another question what choice have you and I got? Well I can speak for myself, no other choice.

In verses 29 please read for yourselves. You could be the men that were in the ship unconvinced, and because they were making preparations to abandon the ship, as you keep reading through to verse 30. Verse 31, Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, except these abide in the ship, ye can not be saved, so they listened. Praise God!

Verse 33 and 34 Paul encourages the men to take meat for they had not ate, he also comforted them by saying ‘for there shall not an hair fall from the head of any of you’. Verse 35 Paul took bread, gave thanks then broke and eat. 36, the men were of good cheers and ate. 

I am guessing, I should be hearing from the Lord encouraging and comforting others, especially who, may not know the Lord. The numbers in the ship were huge so many lives were saved. Continuing on, there was another preparation made, seen in verse 38.

In verse 39 God provided because it reads there was a certain creek with a shore. Verse 41,…they ran the ship aground; and the forepart struck fast, and remained unmoved. How awesome is God’s provision so let’s us look to the Lord in faith and trust. 

There is a saying trust brings love. God already loves us, it is more the question do we love Him? Well let us learn to trust Him and see, how our love for Him will grow.

By Kerri-Ann

Part 2- of Mini Devotion On Faith

Mark 4:39 “And He arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm”. 

This morning I had my devotional as usual prayed then read the word, came across a writing from Charles Spurgeon saying “Faith and calm go together”. Who wouldn’t want calm specially at this time!

In going to bed the night before I had a left pain in my chest, woke up not really feeling myself but when I read what I am sharing with you, I felt an unexplainable release and thought this is good, I need it and others too.

The writing goes on “if you believe, you will rest; …”. My mind immediately went to the first devotional I called ‘Mini Devotion On Faith’. 

Here is a recap: However one true story that inspired me that my mother placed on her Facebook page was a man, whom I will call (P). P works within the health profession. The people he works with are tends and nervous. P’s respond by saying “he will trust the Lord and is doing the necessary precautions he needs to. His colleague said to him “you are not tends”. His response “can I ask you a question, if I cannot trust the Lord to protect and shield me from the infection of the virus”. How can I trust Him to give me the salvation that He has promised me”. P went on to say the atmosphere changed and the Presence of the Holy Spirit came.

It hit me meaning I better understood what (P) was saying. In Isa. 26:3 “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee (Him): because he trusteth in thee (Him)”. 

Charles Spurgeon “Oh, to get into that calm and remain in it until we come to that world where there is no more raging sea!.

Another quote “He gives sleep to His beloved”.  The Word of God tells me to hold onto my faith, that is the first part then the second is to trust Him. I am convinced that faith brings trust and trust takes you and I to that place of calm, where we no longer fight; and peace will be present because we know. 

In all of this, surrendering to Him is essential. I just love connecting the dots that’s me; 😊

By Kerri-Ann

Mini Devotional on Faith

Yesterday morning as I opened my eyes, the thought came; have we (laid down) accepted the virus! I am not ignorant to the virus and I do feel bad knowing that I no longer work in the hospitals (healthcare settings). In not working in health care and being at home, I know I am shield to an extent from the virus.

However one true story that inspired me that my mother placed on her Facebook page was a man, whom I will call (P). P works within the health profession. The people he works with are tense and nervous. P’s respond by saying “he will trust the Lord and is doing the necessary precautions he needs to. His colleague said to him “you are not tense”. His response “can I ask you a question, if I cannot trust the Lord to protect and shield me from the infection of the virus”. How can I trust Him to give me the salvation that He has promised me”. P went on to say the atmosphere changed and the Presence of the Holy Spirit came. I will re-share P’s video.

Mark 4:37-40 there was a storm.

39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.

40) And he said unto them, why are ye so fearful? How is it that ye have no faith?

Second line in St John 3:16 ….,that whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Mustard seed is a the plant referred to here is generally considered to be black mustard, a large annual plant up to 9 feet (2.7 m) tall, but growing from a proverbially small seed (Wikipedia).

By Kerri-Ann

Regarding the Kingdom of God

HEART OF THE MATTER

Jesus in Matthew 17:20 spoke on the subject of unbelief/doubt. There is no shame preferring to use the word doubt because at some point in all our lives we have had doubt.

The good news is we can ask for an increase in faith for example Mark 9:22 tells the story of Jesus who heals a boy possessed, in this verse the father ask for compassion. In verse 24 “And straight-way the father child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe help thou mine unbelief”.

The Word of God says we can ask, the apostle asked my Lord to increase their faith in Luke 17:5.

Mark 4 beginning in verse 26 talks about the Kingdom of God. Moving on to verse 30 “..where unto shall we liken the Kingdom of God? Or with what comparison shall we compare it?” I can just hear Jesus saying these words.

Verse 31 “It is like a grain of mustard seed, which when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth”.

Verse 32 “….when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; paraphrases (and provides shade)”. This reminds me of the two fish and five loaves.

What brought my attention to the above? I was drawn to because of a verse I read few weeks back that talks about having faith, while I spoke about the woman at the well.

The verse is Mark 11:22-23. In 23) For….I say….that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass: he shall have whatsoever he saith.

We can ask for faith! 

In addition we give Him what we have and see how He works.

By Kerri-Ann

Thinking on the Season we are in.

Heart of the Matter

Mark 2:18-22

In verses 22) “And no man putteth new wine into old bottles: else the new wine doth burst the bottles, and the wine spilled, and the bottles will be marred but new wine must be put into new bottles”.

I have read this then as I was listening to a teaching I was questioning what I had read but not in disbelieve just wanting to know.

I went back and read it. The first question I asked myself was who was Jesus talking to, who were His audience?

In verses 16) the scribes and Pharisees were questioning Jesus disciples, He heard and in verse 17) address them, by saying …..to bring sinners to repentance. 

The questions did not end there, in verse 18) the disciples of John and of the Pharisee wanted to know more so they asked Him a question regarding fasting. Jesus answered in verse 19). I won’t quote but He answered brilliantly. 

However I love verses 20) “Even more but the days will come, when the bridegroom shall be taken away from them, and then shall they fast in those days”. Well aren’t we in this time now! Here He is telling them about His crucifixion. 

In addition to that He was referring to the religious leaders. One sticking point for them was the day of rest which is the Sabbath. 

I am going to think outside of the box here, to say Jesus was saying to them that they many need to change the way some things were being done. Also to not let or allow (a term I like) legalism get in the way of ministering and or helping others.

What I am not saying is Christian core values shouldn’t be changed but the way in which we do things can be different in regards to the need at the time. If you continue to read the rest of the chapter you will see just that. 

I see this very clearly! Recently listened to Myles Munroe teaching on the mystery of the Kingdom of God. Interestingly one of his point we need to be innovative. Mark 4:11 Jesus mentioned to His disciples the mystery of the Kingdom of God, I believe there is a link to Myles teaching and my Lords’ right here. End 

By Kerri-Ann