Stories - PushBlack Spirit (Page 27)

Stories

A collection of 671 posts

This is Why God is a Black Woman

This is Why God is a Black Woman

“I'm a black ocean, leaping and wide, welling and swelling I bear in the tide. Leaving behind nights of terror and fear, I rise. Into a daybreak that's wondrously clear, I rise. Bringing the gifts that my ancestors gave, I am the dream and the hope of the slave. I rise.” – Maya Angelou.

Would You Follow Your Pastor To Africa?

Would You Follow Your Pastor To Africa?

Habakkuk 2:3: “For the vision points ahead to a time I have appointed; it testifies regarding the end, and it will not lie. Even if there is a delay, wait for it. It is coming and will come without delay.” This minister had a vision for our people. How did he stay true to Black freedom?

Does This Biblical Story Really Justify Slavery?

Does This Biblical Story Really Justify Slavery?

In Genesis 9:25, Noah’s son Ham offends him. Noah exclaims: “Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.” This Biblical story has been used for centuries as a justification for slavery, but are Black people REALLY cursed?

For Love Inspiration, Many Turn To The Bible

For Love Inspiration, Many Turn To The Bible

Relationships can be hard, but there’s one four-letter word that drives us: love. 1 Corinthians 13:13 reminds us: “Now faith, hope, and love remain; these three virtues must characterize our lives. The greatest of these is love.” Here are five pieces of advice from The Word about love.

Detangling The Roots Of Locs: Who Really Invented Them?

Detangling The Roots Of Locs: Who Really Invented Them?

“During the entire period of their Nazirite vow, no razor may be used on their head. They must be holy until the period of their dedication to the Lord is over; they must let their hair grow long.” – Numbers 6:5. Is this the true origin of dreadlocks?

What Did These Black Church Traditions Mean To Our Survival?

What Did These Black Church Traditions Mean To Our Survival?

“No white theologian has ever taken the oppression of Blacks as a point of departure for analyzing God’s activity in contemporary America. Apparently white theologians see no connection between whiteness [culture] and evil or Blackness and God.” Dr James Cone. But what do we see in our Blackness?

The True History Of “Jumping The Broom”

The True History Of “Jumping The Broom”

Ecclesiastes 4:9 tells us, “Two are better than one because a good return comes when two work together.” And our people have a tradition that has represented our togetherness through the ages. Can you guess what it is?

House Design Tells A Forgotten History Lesson

House Design Tells A Forgotten History Lesson

Exodus 39:1 tells us, “For the priests who served in the holy place, they decorated finely woven garments with blue, purple, and scarlet thread donated by the people.” Blue was special to priests, but our people have a spiritual connection to this color, too. What is it?

Five Percenters’ Influence On Hip Hop Can’t Be Denied

Five Percenters’ Influence On Hip Hop Can’t Be Denied

“The 85% are those without the knowledge... The 10% are the bloodsuckers of the poor ... The 5% are the poor, righteous teachers who preach the divinity of the Black man, the god who is "manifest" … who will save the 85% from destruction.” How did these words find fruit in hip-hop?

This Free Black Town Birthed A Powerful Global Movement

This Free Black Town Birthed A Powerful Global Movement

Bob Marley sang “Most people think Great God will come from the skies, take away everything and make everybody feel high. But if you know what life is worth, you will look for yours on Earth. And now you see the light: You stand up for your rights!” But what actually happens when we stand up?

Crammed Within An Abandoned Wall, A Stunning Piece Of Culture

Crammed Within An Abandoned Wall, A Stunning Piece Of Culture

Exodus 35:31-33: “He has filled him with the Spirit of God – with skill, with understanding, with knowledge, and in all kinds of work – to design artistic designs, to work in gold, in silver, and in bronze, and in cutting stones for their setting... to do work in every artistic craft.”

Our Power Is In Our Unity

Our Power Is In Our Unity

“Behold, My Servant, whom I uphold; My Chosen One in whom My soul delights. I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not call out or shout aloud, Nor make His voice heard in the street.” –Isaiah 42:1-2. Can silence be a form of strength?

She Stood Tall Against The Threat Of Racism

She Stood Tall Against The Threat Of Racism

1 Corinthians 16:13 says, “Listen, stay alert, stand tall in the faith, be courageous, and be strong.” But how is it possible to stand tall in the face of racism? This woman knew how.

Could Her Powerful Love Resurrect Her Husband?

Could Her Powerful Love Resurrect Her Husband?

The Teachings of Ptahhotep: "The stomach of the loved will be content, your back will be clothed by it, his image will be over you for the life of your house. Your noble, the one you love, he is alive by it." But can the power of Black love overcome the power of a death brought on by hatred?

They Refused To Put Respect On His Name – So He Did This

They Refused To Put Respect On His Name – So He Did This

“The Lord said to Gideon, ‘With the three hundred men ... I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands. Let all the others go home.’ So Gideon sent the rest of the Israelites home but kept the three hundred.” –Judges 7:7-8. With faith, even a small number can overcome a much larger foe.

He Refused To Slaughter His Own People

He Refused To Slaughter His Own People

Philippians 1:27: “Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel.” What happens when we stand by our people?

What Holy Connection Do Our People Have With Jesus?

What Holy Connection Do Our People Have With Jesus?

Luke 23:26 tells us: “On the way to the place of crucifixion, they pulled a man from the crowd – his name was Simon … [t]hey put Jesus’ cross on Simon’s shoulders, and he followed behind Jesus.” What does this moment – a Black man helping Jesus bear his cross – mean for our people?

They Used Their Music To Fight Racism And Discrimination

They Used Their Music To Fight Racism And Discrimination

“Sing to the Lord with grateful praise; make music to our God on the harp” (Psalm 147:7). As spiritual people, there is something supernatural in our ability to touch hearts and minds with our music. And these women know that better than anyone.

She Gave Her People The One Thing They Needed To Win

She Gave Her People The One Thing They Needed To Win

“When you educate a man,” says Dr. Johnnetta B. Cole, “you educate an individual. But when you educate a woman, you educate a nation.” One woman decided to use her many gifts to help her people, who were being forced to abandon their religion and worship the white colonizer’s way. How did she do it?

She Defied The Pharaoh's Orders And Saved Her Son’s Life

She Defied The Pharaoh's Orders And Saved Her Son’s Life

Exodus 2:2-3: “When she could no longer keep him hidden away, she took a basket made of reeds, sealed it with tar and pitch, and placed her baby boy in it. Then she wedged the basket among the reeds along the edge of the Nile River.”

Sick Of Racist White Theology, He Promoted The Truth

Sick Of Racist White Theology, He Promoted The Truth

Black liberation theology recognizes our agency as a people and our birthright of Divine love. Galatians 5:13: “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”