Birth of a Nation

Birth Of A Nation

(Vol.1)

(The Great Awakening)

Chapter 1

“Slow your ass down!” An older man walking down the sidewalk said as he was nearly knocked over.

“Sorry Mr. Weston,” Joshua says as he rushes to the temple. “Ah man, I’m super late! I hope I make it in time to hear some of the Prophet’s teaching.”

Running full speed, he nearly knocks three people over and is almost hit by two cars. At the light across the street from the Church waiting to cross, Josh hears the Minister and becomes anxious. He darts across the street, nearly being hit by three more cars.

Dashing up the stairs, Joshua burst in the front door! The congregation goes silent as he comes in and interrupts. Walking up to sit in the front, the minister just watches. Once he is seated by his best friend Kyrie, the Preacher finishes teaching.

“We’re glad you could make it this Friday afternoon Joshua. I think you’ll like today's teaching.”

Joshua replies, “I could hear some of it from across the street..”

The minister smiles and starts preaching. "Like I was saying, what we are going through as a people in America isn't because God doesn't love us. It's because we as a people chased after other gods for worship time and time again.

Then when he sent us a man to redeem us of our sin, and uplift us from our fallen state of being. We as a people rejected him. All because his teaching was considered Radical in that day in age. The Pharisees wanted to hold on to what little power they had. While being more afraid of the legs of iron other than God. So no matter how many signs Yeshua performed, they wouldn't believe him. The fear of God was no longer with them.

It was our ancestors who committed this last heinous act of rebellion against our God, and why we suffer now. Dominion was given by our creator unto those who would do us harm. God knew that their rise was going to happen at that time in human history. He also knew what we were about to go through.

This was the purpose of Yeshua and his teaching. And this is why his disciples were given the spirit to go profess his name after death. So that no matter what there would always be a body of believers.

Let me say this, now is the time if you want to know how to obtain salvation. We have been living in the revelation. However, the signs that are about to set upon us, are ones that Yeshua professed in the time of his ministry. There will be signs in the heavens above us that no man can fabricate.

These rich devils have learned to control the weather with their Weather Oppressor Radiation Machine or W.O.R.M for short; There will be signs in the weather across our country and the world that will undeniably be God. The earth has been set to die by fire. The FIRE though is one of our very own creations, but I'll speak on that some other time.

Yeshua taught us there will be wars and rumors of war. Well now let’s think about this. How many wars has there been since we have been in our fallen state as a people? I'll wait! Now think of how many there have been in the last four centuries. The worst of wars came from this great city of Babylon we live in now. And war is still upon the lips of a country that is referred to biblically as Sodom Egypt.

Ever since the dragon which is a beast, and “beast” are kings or kingdoms biblically, came out the sea and gave a second beast, or national power. War wasn’t what it is now. Rome, with the help of the fallen angels who still walk among us, helped to build the current society we live in.

It was in the industrial age where things got bad in human history. It has been through the mass production of tanks, fighter planes, and nuclear weapons that the two beasts, or nations of Gentile, have gained their power.

Sadly we as a people have had to sit back and watch as these things happened. It was because we defied God that we were made the tail. We were forced into slavery and used for our intellect. And we as a people could say nothing. It is and was our fault for what we suffered. These were the curses of Deuteronomy that would come after we killed Yeshua through fear!

We have been oppressed for too long. Were still killed like dogs in the street. First, they enslaved our people in all four corners of the Earth. Then made us into a byword. We're forced to build whole civilizations for pig scraps.

Then when we're given our "FREEDOM", they separate us from themselves. Through segregation, they tell us we're not good enough for their establishments. So we create our own and it starts to thrive, but what happens next? They come in and destroy what we've built.

Following this, we were integrated into the same society that we're told we're not good enough to be a part of originally. Their way hasn't worked, and after four hundred years we still suffer. Before we were given freedom through the abolishment of slavery, they created a "Public Servant Protection Program," or The "Police" force to keep us in check. They have been evil incarnate to not only us but to all the minorities throughout the world.

When their people forced us into slavery, we were just fulfilling scripture the feet of Nebuchadnezzar's statue in his dream. After Rome was broken up, which was the legs of iron, we were then forced into captivity and started to mix with the Romans. God said he would destroy this current state with his kingdom, and we will be slaves no more. Just be patient and wait on God!

They fear that we will rise and side with one of their enemies and defeat them. Why, for a saying of their own making, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend." These words never appear in any form of spiritual text. Their fear is their own. We serve a much stronger and more powerful God than that. The need to retaliate for the past is Yahweh's alone.

It's time now that we remember we're the children of Israel. We must come back to the full understanding of our lineage, heritage, and history. As black people or the true Hebrews of the Bible and Quran, it is our nature to be peaceful and sensible to others.

Sadly it’s also our nature to defy our creator. This is why we live with the curses we do now. This is why our people have been enslaved for so many years, disobedience. And the worst part now is we are only enslaved to our love for worldly gain just like the heathen.

Rather it is to just get by or to get rich, we've become like the heathen we were told to resist. In this age of technology, Satan has become very persuasive. He invites us in through his social media sites, daily programs where people are programmed daily by the shows they watch, cell phones, and a wide variety of other devices.

Everything that we don’t use to educate ourselves on God is a device guaranteeing our descent into hell. When Satan made our parents fall in the Garden, it wasn’t through force or anger. It was through seduction that he deceived Adam and Eve which led them to eat from the tree.

So don’t think for one second that his strategy has changed. He has simply employed other means to distract us from the straight path that leads to God. Satan attacks our soul, which is nothing more than your heart. He attacks your emotions so he might gain mastery over your thoughts.

This goes back to last week's teaching about the fall of the first civilization, and what happened to their spirits afterward, or "Spiritual Warfare." I won't go into that this week though, because if I did we would be here for another three hours."

Everyone laughs as the sharply dressed man standing on the Altar smiles. He had a dark blue suit on and black leather dress shoes. The prophetic Minister continues to look upon the multitude of people and smiles.

"I want to leave you with this for the day. If we wait for reparations they will never come. The white people who enslaved us are dead, and their children reap the benefits and rewards from our ancestor's hard work. For four hundred years we picked cotton.

We were hung by trees, burnt alive, and our women raped and killed. Now trillions of dollars later from our hard work, they refuse to acknowledge our struggles; they refuse to acknowledge our heritage, and now they refuse to give us an equal share.

Their feelings towards the matter are that we are free now and that was so long ago. Even though they became trillionaires from the free labor of our people. Their thoughts are, we should forget about our everyday struggle to catch up. Though we've come out of forced labor, they've enslaved the minds of our people. Even their own suffer at their hands. No real justice has been given on our part by them.

The thought is, the past is in the past. I promise you my brothers and sisters, God has said differently about the matter. Everything that has happened to us was written because we defied God and killed our Messiah. They took advantage of the opportunity to trample us down and make us into their puppets. The same ones who chose this path are the same ones who are also demons in the flesh we fight now.

God was the one who gave them their authority. In the Bible, he told us not to think because we have Abraham as our father we would be safe. He raised our oppressors upon our disobedience and gave them power and dominion. The very same scriptures that condemned us for our misdoings, have said it's time for us to awaken as a people, and remember who we are. It's time we truly lead God's fight against his and our enemy, Satan.

His devices are many, but we have the strongest of all devices, The Bible. So many of our people are on the road to destruction. Old demon spirits find new vessels to inhabit daily. We are the power of God and his instrument of choice. It's on us as believers to foil the machinations of the devil!

We are on a battlefield and most of us don’t even know. The scriptures say the road to destruction is wide, and many shall find it. Look at the world's current state and how war has affected us.

So is our government and its established set of rules is the reason our young and old are the way they are, why are so many people persecuted if the problem is the system in which they live? I’ll tell you why, because our country is double-minded and unstable in ALL her ways. And her day is coming.

We need to separate ourselves and be not partakers in her sins and have to bear any more of her plagues. We have to first separate ourselves in mind, then as a body of believers in the flesh. The day is coming when no one of us will be able to escape punishment for continuing to defy our God.

Please keep this in mind as you depart today! I love you all, and I wish you all a safe passage as you leave. Take care and Peace be upon you!”

The whole congregation except for the new visitors responds in one accord, “Peace be upon you!” They all stand up and start to leave.

Chapter 2

Kyrie speaks, “Man you missed a good lesson today. Why were you so late anyway?” They both stood up.

He responds, “Well I had to…”

“Joshua before you leave I would like to have a word with you before you leave!”

They look over and see the Minister standing on the altar staring directly at them.

“No worries prophet, here I come.” Joshua looks at Kyrie and says, “I’ll tell you after. They walk over to the altar. “Yes sir, did I do something wrong?”

The minister smiles, “No Joshua, not to my knowledge. I just wanted to know why you made it so late. My teaching is very important, and you’re one of the brightest young black minds that we have.”

Joshua gives him a crooked smile. “The thing is Minister, my mom believes I’m wasting my time coming here. We were raised as Christians and told to serve Jesus as God and we have to believe he came to die for our sins so we may live. Whereas you teach us that Jesus was a man sent by God to be an example of how to obtain the power and glory of God. I believe in this teaching.”

The minister nods and agrees.

“But now sir, because I refuse to worship Jesus as God and only praise God as God. My mom thinks that you're trying to mislead us and she doesn’t want me to come here anymore. Not to mention I mow yards, rake leaves, and do whatever I can to help provide for my house. My father is not there anymore, and I’m the oldest of my mom’s four kids. Today I was running late because I had some yards to mow to help pay the electric bill.”

When the Minister heard all this he remained silent for a minute. He knew that Joshua had great Mental capabilities, and the potential to excel all others in matters of God if he applied himself. After a moment of silence, he speaks.

“Well, I’m sorry your mother feels that way. I am only attempting to uplift my black people from our fallen state that has come upon us. It is due to our defiance against our creator, and killing our Messiah, Yeshua.”

"I attempted to tell her that pastor," Joshua said frustrated.

“Well how about this,” the Minister puts his hand on Joshua’s shoulder. “I will come over this evening and have a word with your Mother.”

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea,” Josh said out of nervousness.”

“Don’t worry about your mother-son, I will speak with her. Minds like yours and Kyrie’s are very important to the cause of God. I don’t know if my speaking with her will work, but I’m willing to try.”

The boys both smile.

“Okay Prophet, I will tell her you’ll be stopping by this evening.”

"All right, son sounds good. You two go enjoy your evening and Joshua, I'll see you later."

“Okay sir, “Joshua said as they walked away from the altar to leave.

Now outside they walk across the street in the direction of their apartments. “So were you for real earlier when you said your moms don’t want you coming to the temple?” Kyrie said anxiously.

Josh looks over, “Yeah bro. She thinks it’s a complete waste of my time. Honestly, she thinks the minister is racist and is promoting racism.”

“Nah she can’t think that, the prophet only explains the teachings of both the bible and the Quran. He explains to us how we are the true children of Israel. He doesn’t want us to hate others. He just wants others to acknowledge our lineage and heritage.”

"I know! I try telling her that but she starts bugging out. She got real Stockholm Syndrome. If I told her that though, I would end up in the hospital and never be let out of the house again," Joshua said as he pictured himself saying it and what would happen."

Kyrie laughs. “I already know, your mom doesn’t play. Remember that time I stayed at your house and we snuck out for like an hour. Then when we got back and crept back in and she was waiting with the extension cord?”

Josh smirks and tilts his head, “Man please don’t remind me.”

“Well, I am! The worst part was when I moved out of your way thinking you were the only one bout to get popped, and she started beating us both.”

Joshua laughs. “Yeah, I remember. Then she took you home by the ear and told your parents.” He continues to laugh hysterically.

“Nah that wasn’t funny,” Kyrie said. “I thought my mom was gonna fight your mom for whooping me. Instead, when y’all left I got it from my mom’s and pops.”

Joshua starts crying.

“Yeah laugh it up J, just know I know how serious your moms can be. I hope everything goes smoothly tonight!”

Joshua stops laughing.

“Ain’t so funny now huh?” Kyrie laughs.

They stop in front of a corner store.

"Whatever, can I borrow a couple of bucks to get something to drink?" Josh asked while they walked into the store.

Kyrie goes into his pocket, “I thought you just mowed some yards before you got to the temple?”

As he pulls five bucks out of his wallet Josh grabs water. “I did, but you know how that goes. Moms needed that to help with the electricity bill.”

He hands Josh the money, “I thought she gets government assistance?”

Josh laughs, "Yeah if that's what you wanna call it. The only thing they assist with is enough for rent. Oh yeah, that's right, and some food stamps that don’t last until the end of the month. Then we spend it in the stores of their rich friends, building the pockets of the wealthy.

Their kids go to big expensive colleges from the money the government gives us to spend in their store. They’ve created a system to build their money while we struggle. It’s a backward cycle and every time I explain it to my mom she gets mad at me and goes in defense of the government as if they’re her God. Shit’s sad.”

Kyrie looks, “Yeah you’re right! This is how it is in every hood across the country. They’ve created a race of dependents, dependent on their assistance.”

They grab some snacks and walk to the counter. An Arabic man with a turban on his head stands behind the counter that has bulletproof glass. They pay for their items and walk out of the store.

Continuing walking down the block Josh gets a weird look on his face and Kyrie sees it. “What’s wrong with you? Why did you start looking so worried out of nowhere?”

Josh stops, “Well…” He pauses for a moment. “I’ve been having a lot of weird dreams.”

Kyrie turns towards him, “Well that’s nothing new. You’ve been having crazy dreams since we were kids.”

Josh agrees. "I know but these have been different."

Kyrie now curious asks, “How so?”

“I’ve been attempting to make sense of the dreams I’ve had recently. I know I saw myself coming down an escalator from Heaven. God and some of the Angels were standing at the edge of the clouds while I was coming down. They were looking as if I was coming down for some important mission.”

Kyrie looks crazy.

“That’s not even the craziest part. The next day, I see in a dream a group of buses. On one was a man sitting in the driver's seat. Now I can’t say for sure it was God, but his presence was omnipotent. I was instructed to get off and find more people. It was like an evacuation going on.”

“Wow, that’s deep. Have you told anyone else about it?” Kyrie said as they passed by the park.

They see a group of guys wearing black rags selling drugs next to the park. Four of them had guns showing under their shirts. Off to the side of them were kids playing on a run-down jungle gym.

“Listen, I haven’t told anyone other than you about these dreams. If I did, they'd probably think I’m batshit crazy.”

“Kyrie thinks for a second, “You’re probably right.”

Josh huffs, “I know I’m right, but I know God’s showing me all of this for a reason! I’m just tryna make sense of it all.”

Well don’t think too hard on it,” Kyrie said as they walked up to their building. “How are you going to tell your mom the minister’s coming over?”

Joshua thinks about it for a second. “I don’t know yet. To be honest I might not tell her at all and just let it be a surprise.”

Kyrie looks dismayed for a second. “Surprise!? Your mom bro!? Listen, just tell me where to send the flowers too,” he laughs.

Joshua not seeing the humor in it doesn't laugh. "Going to the temple is important to me. It's like an escape from our everyday lives. The prophet gives reassurance that better days are coming. I just wish my moms could see that."

Kyrie laughs even more, "Fat chance! Your moms ain't tryna hear none of that!"

Joshua agrees, "I know, but I gotta try."

Kyrie nods, “Yeah whatever you say. Just hit me up later though. I gotta go help my pops out with a car today.”

Josh looks, "At least you gotta dad. I gotta be the son and the man of my house." He takes a deep breath and sighs.

Kyrie doesn’t allow him the time to feel down. “Nah bruh having a pops at home ain’t all it’s cracked out to be.”

Joshua cuts in, “So says the cat with two parents in the crib.”

Kyrie smiles, “Just means I got two people down my throat about everything I do.”

Josh turns with a look of sarcasm, “Yeah whatever, I still say it’s better. I’ll hit you up later though.”

They smack hands together then go to their apartments.

Chapter 3

Joshua walks up to his door and hears his mother on the phone. He sits at the door while she talks.

“I know my bill was late. I told y’all I was gonna be. I have the money right now.”

"Well Mrs. Josafat, We've been holding off as long as we can. We've sent you notice, after notice, after notice."

Vivian stops him, "Look I have the money right now if I make it down there today can y'all come cut my lights back on. I have 4 kids and no help, can you please just work with me." She starts to become edgy. "I got food in my fridge that’ll go bad. I don't have a car, but if I leave now I might be able to make it before you close. I might be just a couple of minutes off, will you be able to send someone back out today?"

The representative answers, “Well as you know miss Josafat, it’s Friday evening. The chances of it getting cut back on today are slim, but if you get your payment down here we can try our best. That’s the best I can do.”

She grabs her coat and says, “Okay I’m headed there now,” then hangs up.

Joshua walks in when he hears her hang up.

“I’m glad you're here Joshua, I have to run to the electric company.”

Walking to the fridge, he opens the door and the light doesn't come on. "They cut us again mom?"

She puts her shoes on, “Yeah I gotta run down there real quick with that money you gave me earlier.”

He shuts the fridge door.

“Watch your sisters and brother for me until I get back. I’ll be back in a few hours.” She kisses him on the head and runs out.

Joshua runs out the door behind her. “Ma Duke! I have to tell you something. The Minister... “

She cuts him off. “Tell me when I get back. I don’t have time right now.” Vivian runs down the stairs.

He walks back into the apartment.

“I'm hungry JJ,” one of his little sisters says as he walks back in.

Joshua stares at her for a second, then smiles. “I got you just hold on.”

He walks into the back room and grabs a big orange extension cord. He goes across the hall and knocks on the door. After a couple of seconds pass a young black woman answers the door.

“What’s up ReeRee? I need a huge favor?”

The young brown-skinned woman stares awkwardly, then she smiles. “I got you J. I heard your mom over there snapping on the phone. That lady was going in on them folks!" she jokes as he walks in.

Josh walks over by the plug-in. "I know, I sat in the hallway until she was done. She always spazzes on those people."

They both laugh.

“So have you figured out what you wanna do for your birthday?” Renae asked curiously.

He thinks for a minute.

"You know Josh if you want, we can go to the movies, or we can go to the arcade. I still owe you for the last time we played that zombie game!"

She pushes him on the shoulder.

Josh turns his face up. “Never! You can never beat me. You already know though!”

She smiles, “Yeah okay! I got you next time don't trip. So is that what you wanna do for your b-day then?”

After a brief pause, Josh speaks. "I don't know yet. I'm thinking about just going to the temple."

Renae becomes discouraged.

“I can’t explain it, but it feels like God is drawing me to the temple.”

She looks crazy, “Yeah I bet. They brainwash all of y’all over there.”

Josh stops smiling. "I'm serious! Something is drawing me to the word of God. I can't explain it." He walks back out the door. "You should come to the temple with me. With talks of another terrorist attack on American soil, and the financial meltdown, I think getting closer to God is most important."

She thinks for a moment. "Yeah, you might be right! You know it’s just me and my mom. She didn’t really raise me in any churches. I know who God is but.

You used to do more. We used to be together twenty-four-seven when you ran the streets. Now you just stay in the house; Or go to the temple"

He blows her off. "That person had to die. I want to be better for my family now that my pops have been gone."

She remains silent.

“Listen ReeRee I know you don’t understand, but if you come to the temple you’ll get it.”

She shrugs, “Yeah maybe we’ll see,” then shuts the door.

Coming back into the apartment his little sister was waiting by the door. “You took so long. You always take forever to come back when you go over there.”

Joshua says, “Shut up. You wanted something to eat right?”

She replies, “Yes.”

"Okay then well, I couldn't just ask to plug the cord in and not say anything." Josh grabs some pizza rolls out of the freezer and puts them on a plate and throws them in the microwave. He plugs it up, puts the food in, and starts it up. "Mya, go tell Brianna and Johnny we're going outside to the park after you eat."

She smiles big, Okay!" Mya runs into the back room. All three of them run out.

"For real? You're gonna take us down to the park," Johnny said excitedly.

"Yeah, but y'all gotta eat first and put some clothes on." They dart into the room to get dressed. Joshua smiles.

A few minutes pass and the microwave dings. Josh takes the pizza rolls out and sits them on the counter. He grabs his phone and sees the notification light blinking. There’s a text from Kyrie.

“Whatcha doing bro?”

Josh responds, “About to take my sisters and brother out to the park.” After sending the message he puts the phone on the coffee table. Sitting down on the couch his thoughts take hold of him and start daydreaming. He sees a vision of a community not like his own that he wants to build. It was separated from the cities. A completely new city of his own.

He always has dreams about becoming wealthy and freeing his mom from city life, and dependence on government assistance since his father left and was killed. While envisioning a whole new society he wanted to create, his phone buzzes. Josh picks it up and he sees it’s a text back from Kyrie.

It says, "Just watch out for Guano and the old homies. You know how they feel bro, just stay safe."

Replying he says, “Don’t trip, they know what it is. I ain’t worried about it. They're only mad because we don’t want to run with the crew, and sell drugs no more.”

Brianna runs out first. “Okay big brother, we’re ready.”

Josh smiles, “Okay well eat first then we can go okay?” His phone dings.

“Okay big brother,” Bri said, running over to the kitchen table.

The other two come out and walk over to the table as well.

J looks at the phone. “I know you ain’t worried bro, just be careful.”

He jots "Always" and then he turns off his screen. Joshua walks over to the table where his siblings are finishing their food. "Okay let's go outside."

Chapter 4

They grab their jackets and walk out the door. As they get close to the stairs they hear a voice yell out, “Wait for me! You could have told me you were going out.”

“Hi Renae, you're gonna come play with us?” Mya asked out of curiosity.

Josh looks her in the eyes as she comes closer.

Ree glances back for a second then looks at Mya. "Yeah, I'm gonna come to play with y'all. I thought you were my best friend."

The little girl responds, “Yeah I thought I was too. That was until I saw you and Josh staring at each other and flirting all the time.”

“Shut up Mya!” Josh says as he becomes embarrassed.

ReeRee smiles then whisper loud enough so everyone can hear. "Well, I gotta make him think he's important. You know how boys and their big egos are."

Mya smirks and says “Mmm Hmmm” then smiles.

They all walk down the stairs and go out to the park. The three youngest runs to the swing as Josh and Ranae walk in their direction.

"So are you gonna accept that scholarship to that top University? I mean that's big J. You'll be able to get out of here and make something of yourself. Not to mention you're the fastest person I know, and mad smart too.

Unlike those losers over there who'll never do anything more than what they're doing." She points over to a group of guys sitting on the side of the complex selling drugs. "You got a real opportunity to make something of yourself. Why would you want to stay here?"

Joshua stares her in the eyes and imagines himself saying, “I don’t wanna leave because that is too far away from you.” He snaps out of it. “I can’t do my mom and them like that. They need me. You know ever since my dad…

Interrupting she says, "Don't give me that, now that your dad's gone you think you gotta be the man of the house stuff! For real you gotta think about your future and what's best for you. And why are we speaking about what's best for you, have you figured out who you're taking to the Prom?"

After contemplating her words, he puts his head up and rubs a couple of hairs on his chin. "Hmmm? I don't even know yet. With all the mad honeys blowing me up, it's kind of hard to choose."

She laughs.

“What’s so funny. You know I’m the man!” He flexes his arms.

Ree-Ree smiles. "Yeah that may be true, but all the girls at our school are thots who give it up to anyone."

Josh stops her and laughs. "But you're one of the girls that go to our school.

She gets serious. "I'm for real Josh! I mean I had a couple of people ask me, but I was sort of hoping it was you."

His heart starts racing. “If you would have told me that months ago I would have picked you, but Keesha asked me yesterday and I told her I would go with her… “

She goes silent.

"I’ll call her and tell her I can't. I'd rather go with you!"

Processing what he said, she replies, "It's cool. Take her, don't do her like that. It's my mistake thinking that you would have asked me since we live right across the hall. And I've been your friend since the second grade."

Listening to the tone of her voice Josh becomes remorseful. “Look I’m just gonna text her and tell her I can’t do it.”

“Nah for real don’t do that. If you did you’d be like every other jock in the school, and that’s what makes you different.”

Josh thinks. “What makes me different?” Ree Smiles.

"See it's that right there. Without even knowing you don't become cocky or arrogant, you immediately question yourself before you get a big head. Listen, I'm not mad. She got you for the night. And it's ONLY for the dance! Then afterward we can hang out."

"Bet," Josh said.

Mya called Renae over to push her on the swing. She walks over there. As Josh was about to follow behind a dark-skinned boy wearing a black designer jogger outfit and designer tennis shoes crept up behind him.

“What up J. ''

Startled Josh turns around and looks. “What up Guano? How are you feeling?"

"Nah the question ain't how I'm feeling, it's how You feeling homie? We don't see you around much lately. You know ever since you decided to stop banging and joined the brotherhood at the Temple."

Now standing face to face Guano says, "I saw the people come to cut your electricity off. You know whenever you need to you can always come back to the crew. Ain't no hard feelings this way. You were a go-getter. Wasn't nobody shining like you?"

Josh cuts him short. “Yeah and it’s for that same reason those cats ran up on the block, and I almost got shot.”

Guano lifts his shirt up. "I already told you that shit's dead homie. Ain't no one running up on our turf again. All the homies are strapped, locked, and loaded. We are ready to blow a hole in anyone who comes back on our block." He lowers his shirt as he looks around to see if anyone saw him.

Josh looks and says, "It's that right there homie. I can't be a part of that life. I want to do something with myself, and ending up in prison for murder, or even an accomplice doesn't work for me. Even though the money is good, and I see you're packing, I have to worry about my future."

Guano replies, "I do too! Shit, why do you think I'm out here every day? Just like you, I'm trying to retire early Mr "Trackstar.!" Unlike you though not all of us got the same gifts as others. We are a product of our environment and we've accepted it. These peckerwoods ain't gonna give us shit. We gotta get it ourselves."

Josh laughs. “It’s funny you said that because the minister was just saying the other day how we need to build for ourselves.”

Guano kills the conversation. "Listen bruh, if you choose to go to the temple and be a God freak and one of the pastor's puppets you do that. As for me and the homies though."

He throws his arms up and yells out “what up” as another person walks up to the group he’s with.

“Me and the homies gonna get this money, and these bitches, and live.” He starts to walk away and turns back around. “Aww yeah, when you get tired of slaving for chump change mowing them white folks front yards for pennies on the dollar, come holla at me. You know you're still good with me and the homies.”

Turning to Renae, Quano shouts, "ReeRee when are you gonna come back to the house and watch some Netflix and chill?"

She turns her face up and says, “The same time your pops comes back home and teaches you some manners!”

He stops, “You know my pops got popped. I told you about saying that shit.”

"Yeah Guano and I told you about asking stupid questions like that. So until you stop asking dumb questions, I will continue to give you dumb answers."

He squints his eyes and fans her with his arm. “Yeah whatever you better stop saying that shit though for real.”

She rolls her eyes and twists her head at the same time.

He looked at her, then back at Josh as he went back to his group.

Joshua goes over where Renae and his siblings are.

“So what did he want? I hope he wasn’t trying to get you to bang and sell drugs again.”

He snuffs, "When ain't he trying to get me back on the block. After my pops, being found dead, and then that shooting, I knew it was time for a change. They can call me a coward, scared, a chump, or whatever. None of that means anything when it comes to my life. I'm not willing to lose my life fighting my brother over territory that isn't either one of ours.

If the government comes in right now with the cops, or military and shut the block down, how many of those same tough guys are gonna go fight and shoot with them? I’ll answer that, not one of them.” I don’t see the need to sell drugs for the government.”

She laughs.

“What’s so funny,” he says.

"That's why you're my best friend," she says as she hugs him.

“I knew he was your best friend!” Mya said as she slid down the slide.

Renae winks at her.

He smiles and winks back, looks at Josh and sticks her tongue out, then runs back up the slide.

"Ah yeah, that's how you feel?" Joshua said, chuckling. While laughing with Renae he gets a text.

“Hold on real quick,” Josh said as he turned his phone on. He reads the message and responds.

“Who’s that?” Renae said as she waited for him to finish texting.

“Mann! Nosey much?”

Renae grabs his phone. “Boy stop playing with me!” She goes to his last message.

“For real? You just take my phone and go through it?”

“Shut up J! Don’t act brand new like you don’t know how I am already.”

Joshua sighs.

“So the minister’s coming over to your house tonight?”

Josh snatches his phone back as it looks like she was trying to go through it. "Yeah! He wants to speak to my moms about me being able to go to the temple more. I told him moms don't wanna hear it, but neither does he. So I'm just gonna let them go at it. I just hope I'm able to still go outside afterward."

She smacks her lips. "Yeah, good luck with that one. And your mother texted while I was being nosey."

"My moms said she'll be back in less than an hour, and the minister will be here in less than forty-five. I gotta go upstairs and clean up before he comes. I don't want him to come to see the house dirty. Mya, Johnny, and Brianna let's go."

"Ah, man do we have to?" Johnny said, climbing across the monkey bars.

"Yeah, we do! Now jump down and come on."

They climb down from the jungle gym and start to walk over.

“Why are you worried about him seeing your house dirty if you ain’t got any lights? He won’t see anything anyways.”

“Haha, funny funny.”

They walk through the grass back to the front door.

"Aye Josh," Guano said as they got close to the door.

Joshua nods as they walk in.

Renae looks over as they walk the stairs, “I know you're not thinking about it for real?”.

"Hell Nah! The only thing I'm thinking about is what's gonna happen when my mom and the minister talk."

"Yeah, you have much bigger problems than selling drugs. You gotta worry about World War III starting in your house tonight."

Joshua starts to envision what might happen.

"Snap out of it, Josh. You don't have time to daydream. You got a lot going on."

He snaps out of it.

Chapter 5

Now standing back on the tenth floor about to go into their apartments Josh says, “Listen I’m just gonna hit you up when I get done.”

Renae shakes her head. "No. I'm about to help you straighten up then I'll leave. I don't wanna be there when the minister and your mother bump heads."

Joshua sighs. "Bet thank you! I could use the help, but you don't have to.?"

“I know what I ain’t gotta do. Don’t act brand new like I haven't always helped you clean.”

“You're right, come in.”

He opens the door to his apartment and the kids burst in the door.

"Y'all slow down," Josh said as they walked in.

"Yo, why didn't you plug this cord into the fridge?" Renae runs over and hurries to plug the fridge up. I thought you would have plugged it in before you went outside seeing as this is your food supply."

“I didn’t even think about it,” Josh said as he straightened up the front room.

“How are you the smartest guy I know, but such an airhead?” Renae laughs as they continue to clean up.

As they’re doing the dishes, Josh, lost in thought, asks Renae a question.

“Do you think it’s crazy for me to want to do better, stay in the temple, and get closer to God?”

She thinks about the question as she hands him a plate to dry. "I don't think it's crazy to want change for the better or getting close to God, but all your time at the temple… You can get closer to God wherever you are."

“I know but it’s like, when I’m at the temple, I’m filled with the presence of peace. Something takes hold of me and I don’t want to leave.”

Renae becomes surprised by his response and doesn’t say anything. They finish the dishes and she goes to leave.

“Just hit me up later when the minister’s gone.”

Knock knock knock three taps at the door.

ReeRee Steps back

Joshua opens the door.

“You don’t have to wait for me to leave to come back, you can stay.” The minister is standing at the door. He smiles as Joshua invites him in.

“I didn't mean it like that minister.”

I know you didn’t but if you want you can stay and hear what I have to say.”

“Nah I’m okay, you have a good evening.”

He laughs, “That’s fine. You should come down to the temple sometime with Josh though.”

“We’ll see.” She smiles and walks out the door.

“My mom isn’t back yet, but you’re more than welcome to stay and wait.”

"Well, I wasn't about to leave after coming this far."

Josh smiles and the minister sits down. He looks around, 'where are your two sisters and brother?"

“In the backroom, you want me to call them in?”

“No, that's fine. Looks like your lights are off?”

"Yeah, my mom is gone to pay the bill. That's why she isn't here right now."

"That's fine. So how're your grades in school going?"

“They’re okay, not the best, but I’m passing.”

“That’s good, but you should always attempt to push yourself more than you did yesterday.”

“I’m learning, minister, it takes time.”

“I know it does and that’s why I’m proud of you. Most kids your age don’t take the initiative to make a conscious decision to strive for positive change. Young men like you and Kyrie are the reason I still do what I do. It’s not my will to try and be a mentor to you, but rather the will of the most high God.”

"Well minister, most guys my age haven't suffered as much as I have. They don't understand what real struggle is. They believe picking a gang, selling drugs on the block, or surviving prison is a true struggle. I don't think so though. Honestly, minister, I believe true struggle is attempting to do good in a world designed to see us turn evil is harder."

“I agree, but the devil's devices have made it seem bad is good and good is bad.”

“Right! It wasn’t until I stepped away from the world and started to isolate myself to the temple, home, and school that I started to see the reality of things. There’s nothing out there for me. Because of it some of the people I used to hang out with don’t even deal with me. They think I’m weird now, and others just want me to slang and bang to build their ranks. I refuse to be a puppet for anyone other than God.”

The Prophet laughs. "Well, you know what son, there's nothing wrong with that. I just wish I could get more young men like you to do the same."

“I believe in you, and I feel like once things get worse in society for us, then they’ll come looking for you.”

"And when that day comes I will welcome them with open arms. See we were all taught wrong. We were born into a sinful world. Then shape in the iniquity of this country. To become better, you have to know what is right.

The problem for our people is we were forced into slavery, then taught by our oppressors, and then given the freedom to act like them. We were never taught the proper way to live or serve our God. We treat each other as if we're expendable, but to God, each life is as precious as the next. No one of us is greater than the next. We're all in this struggle together no matter the color of our skin.

We're all suffering under tyranny. If you haven't noticed yet when I speak to people, I don't speak out of my fanciful design. It's all the will of God. I do it because we as a people, not black people, but as lost children of Israel have been oppressed. Because of our oppression, we have lost our identity.

Your identity identifies you and who you are. We have been given the identity of other people. Their names, their ways, and habits. That’s not the worst part, the worst part is we believe we are the byword we were turned into, “Nigga’s”!

They want us to believe we're African American. That's not good enough. They want to hide our truth, but through you, they will see the truth. If you stay with the temple you will be the sword of God that will slay our enemies."

Josh looks crazy.

The minister smiles. "When I say sword to slay I mean you're the one who will use your words to destroy Satan's establishment. Some scriptures are fulfilling daily and the time is coming for you to play your part just like so many of us do. The time of awakening is coming and you too will have a choice to make as many of us have.

If you choose right, you'll be the light of God and you with all of the oppressed will be able to recreate the promised land. There are things about to come to pass that you won't be able to ignore. God is about to reveal his signs and everyone will know.

Josh, you are one of those signs just like I am now. You still have to come into the full understanding of who you are on the chessboard we call life. Look at it like this Earth is the board and we are all pieces. Until we come to a conscious understanding of life we're just pawns. When we wake up we then have a choice, life or death. What I mean by this is that you can gain on either side. Gain wealth, fame, and fortune."

Josh nods his head.

“Before you nod your head you gotta know who’s playing.”

"Well, who's playing?" Josh asked anxiously.

"Well, the players are God and Satan, Heaven and Earth, two different kingdoms. This is very important in your situation. Revelation 3:15-16 speaks on how you have to choose a side. You either are gonna be on fire for God or as cold as the earth, but you can't be both. We were told to walk by faith and faith without works is dead. So no matter what we do as long as we live, every action thought, and feeling is judged.

Yeshua said it best, "Unless a man is reborn he in no way can see the kingdom of God."

"So now that you know who each player is and no matter what you do on the board of life will move you either for God or Satan. So every day and every second we make a choice. In the Quran, it speaks on how we have Angels, one to the left, and one to the right. They're always recording our omissions and commissions.

In the bible, we're told there should be no Idle time between us and God. This means no matter what we do we will always move on the board. The Bible speaks on how we should be mindful of the devil's devices. These devices are meant to distract us from focusing on God and what he wants and thinks is best for our lives.

I'll give an example of music. When you listen to music and depending on how you feel at that moment you'll feel a certain way. If you're happy your music reflects it. When you're angry it reflects in your music. Ablis knew this and still does. He uses it to manipulate our thoughts and emotions.

While we're pawns we are unaware of this. We move about on the board not realizing anything I just explained to you. However, when a person goes through an awakening, God sends messages to make you aware, now that you're thinking consciously.

With this new conscious thought or rebirth of the mind, which some people never obtain, you have to make the choice. Now that God has made you aware of the players you can’t continue acting unaware. You have to choose to move for God or Satan. In your case, the awakening will be much different."

Vivian walks in. When she sees the minister she is shocked. “I apologize, Minister. I didn’t know you were going to be here. I wish you would have called me before you came over here.”

Joshua cuts in, "Well mom I tried to talk to you before you left. You told me to tell you when you get back. Well, you're back so." He smiles.

Vivian doesn’t look as if she is happy at all. “So what is it you're here for? I didn’t ask the temple family for any help or ask for any personal appearances.”

The minister laughs. "Well, I just wanted to come over and talk to you for a little bit just about Joshua and his attendance at the temple."

"Let's step into the other room." Vivian walks with him into her room and shuts the door.

Joshua being nosey puts his ear on the door to listen.

"Boy get away from this door," Vivian said, knowing Josh was outside the door.

Shocked Joshua moves away from the door.

Chapter 6

“So what’s the real reason you're here? Even before Joshua was killed I stopped coming to the temple. And I still feel chasing a dream you were selling him got him killed.”

“You know, just as I do, I loved Joshua Sr too. He was a righteous man who served the will of God. You know just like I do his bloodline has been chosen. The moment Satan became aware of who he was, his forces attacked from every quarter. It wasn’t me who sent him anywhere, but rather his willingness to serve God’s will.”

“It was your words that led him to his death. Because he wanted to serve your temple.”

"Now just because you chose to leave you must understand that is not my temple. The temple is a house of God. We all serve God's purpose only in there just like brother Josh did. You know though, It was never Josh's mission to free our people, or lead us, it was his son's. The prophecy says it will be your son. He is the one who is meant to bring us back to the full understanding of who we are and free the people of our oppressor's grip."

"Minister, I'm tired of hearing that. That's all I ever heard since Joshua Junior was born."

“That’s because the scriptures were not written in vain.”

“I believe in the scriptures just not the part about it being my son. I never once saw in the Bible where it says my son has to lead our people.”

"Well, no matter if you want to believe or not there will be an astronomical alignment of the planets. It will be this event where he will be awakened. We don't want the dragon to take his vessel. We want God's Angel to take hold of his vessel. His battle is about to begin no matter if you or I want it. I just want to make sure God wins the fight for Joshua."

Vivian looks nervous. "I've heard this so much I don't know what to believe."

“All I ask is that you allow Josh to continue to come to the temple. We just want to teach him about the way of God while he’s interested. He was in the streets and almost lost his life. That wasn’t the temple, that was the streets.

The temple has been a haven in the community for years. The temple protects those who seek it, and Josh came in search of refuge. Why would you deny him the opportunity to get closer to God? He will be eighteen in less than a week, and his awakening in eight days, he's going to need all the help he can get."

Vivian goes silent and thanks for a minute. She becomes worried and concerned about what the minister said. "Well, I won't deny him to come to the temple if that's what he wants. As far as this awakening he's going to go through, if it doesn't happen then I'm going to stop him from coming and he'll be attending a regular church with me."

The minister smiles. “That’s perfect because I put all my faith into Allah so I believe in the fulfillment of the scriptures.”

“I do too. I just don’t believe it’s my son's destiny to be the leader of our people into freedom.”

"As a fleshy being, I doubt things too. I just don't doubt God. And if you needed some assistance you could've come to the temple. You know we would have helped you with your lights."

"No, we're good. Josh and I got this."

"I know their dad's gone, but you can't make the junior feel the shoes of the senior. You have to allow him to live, and not be weighed down with the responsibility of being the man of the house. We will help you with anything you need help with."

The lights pop on.

“Well minister thanks for your concern, but like I said we got this. And Josh chooses to help. He stepped up on his own. I’m not treating him like the man of the house, just a man in the house.”

“Whatever you say,” the minister chuckles and then goes to walk out of the room. Opening the door Josh falls into the room.

“Boy! Didn’t I tell you to get away from the door?”

"Sorry," Josh said as he picked himself up off the floor.

The minister walks to the doors.

"Well Josh we talked and you're able to come to the temple as much as you want, but you already know that nosey. I have a lot to discuss with you. You are very important to us and Allah." He laughs and leaves.

Josh turns to his mom. "So I can go to the temple?"

"Yes, you can. A lot is going on and you will play a major role. I want you to prepare yourself for the coming battle."

Josh looks lost, “Coming battle?”

“Yes, the Minister has important things to teach you and I need you to pay attention.”

Josh is clueless as he sits there.

Eight days later an astronomical alignment of the planets took place. About one forty-two in the morning Joshua wakes up out of his sleep. Thirsty and needing to use the bathroom he gets up and goes to the restroom.

His phone buzzed as he finished. He grabs his phone and sees he has a text.

Guano texted "We need to talk asap!"

He sets his phone back down. Afterward, he walks into the kitchen to get something to drink. He gets a weird feeling pulling the pitcher out the fridge, and everything goes black. He hits the ground.

"Are you okay?" Vivian said as she stood above her son who was starting to gain his consciousness back.

As he opens his eyes Joshua says, “I’m here, I made it!”

Vivian looks at him weird, "boy what do you mean you made it?"

Joshua stares at her for a second and says, “I made it through. after two thousand years, I’m back!”

To Be Continued in

Birth of a Nation

(New beginnings)