Good afternoon to all. I pray you are enjoying this beautiful day. I wish to remind everyone of the open invitation to our Family and Friends Day on October 9, 2022 starting at 10:00 a.m. at the RR &BBB Farm, 16601 Tanyard Road, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772. It will be a time of worship, fun and feasting.
Secondly, we will be collecting toilet tissue for the homeless, so feel free to bring your items on that day or make provisions prior to. We look forward to seeing you.
See today’s message below:
Last week while watching the early morning news on television, I was alarmed to hear about so much gun violence nationwide and in the DMV. It sounded as if we were back in the days of the wild-wild west. If you are familiar with some of the old western movies, you may recall that the cowboys, when entering a town, had to turn their guns into the sheriff’s office before they could leisurely walk the streets. Have we reached a point when such a requirement will have to be enforced? It is evident that things are out of control as it relates to gun violence, but no one seems to know what the resolution is for the problem. Or, is it that people in high positions could really care less as long as it does not affect or impact them personally.
It is alarming to know that there are more guns in the United States than people according to a Small Arm Survey. The United States has the highest rate of guns per person, and is the only country with more guns than people. This does not mean that every person in the United States own a gun, rather some people own several guns.
Our illustrious County Executive, Angela Alsobrooks, is to be commended for the good work she has done in Prince George’s County regarding safety, but implementing a curfew for our young people may not curtail gun violence. However, it is an attempt to do something, so let’s give credit where credit is due. Doctors and health care providers in the United States are calling gun violence an epidemic. We are no longer safe on our streets, in our schools, on our jobs, in shopping centers or even in our churches. We may not know what the answer is for fixing this problem, but what we do know is it will take all of us working together. Eldridge Cleaver said it best, “You’re either part of the solution or you’re part of the problem.”
The resolution to the problem is not as simple as asking people to wear a mask as we have done during the pandemic, for this problem is manifested by bad behavior. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if it were as simple as finding a vaccine for evil? Law enforcement marching down the streets of Washington, D.C. with a bull horn telling people to put their guns down is not going to work. Let’s be for real, but again they are at least attempting to do something.
Parents will have to take on a greater responsibility for their children as a means of assisting in correcting the problem. Realistically, a person under the age of 17 has no business in the streets all hours of the night. Our children need to understand that when parents know where they are at all times, their anxiety level is down. Even as an adult, I try to be home no later than 9:00 p.m.
There have been times in scripture when God had to institute a curfew. Moses told the elders in Genesis 12: 22-23, “And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians; and when he sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you.”
In Joshua chapter 2, Rahab the harlot helped save the Israelites who came to spy out Jericho. Rahab was told to bring her family and relatives into her house and tie a scarlet cord on the window, and as long as they stayed indoors, they would be safe from all hurt, harm and danger.
In both cases above, God made an attempt to save his people from harm by simply directing them to remain in their homes. Today our political leaders are asking us to keep our children inside their homes so that communities will be safe, and parents won’t have to worry about the whereabouts of their children.
I leave these words with you today from the apostle Paul, “Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:2-3)
Please be safe and do not do anything that will agitate or provoke a person to do harm to us. Much of what is happening in our communities mostly is done according to free will.
Peace be with you!
Robert Earl Slade, Pastor
