Monroe Dispatch - No Struggle, No Progress

I love the Bible story in Matthew 8:5-13. It entails a beautiful encounter of a man of faith and Jesus. It tells of a centurion who came to Jesus on behalf of his servant, who he said was at home...

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee……. We have heard the saying, “Ignorance is bliss”. Well, what is ignoran...

Matthew 5:11-12 says, "Blessed are you when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is you...

We hear it repeated all the time- the phrase, “Life is too short”; yet, some of the same people saying it, are living like they'll live on this side forever. There are people making only temporary dec...

Dating and marriage are goals for many. There is nothing wrong with desiring honorable and healthy relationships; the thing is, many don’t. For them, anything will do—even going outside of the wil...

I am one person that cringes during election time. I cringe, because I abhor all of the well-dressed lies, that hide the naked and shameful truth. I cringe because I get tired of the poor and...

The goodness of God is so amazing and so vast. His love is incomparable. Because of His continuous mercy, it’s easy to forget that He is also a God of wrath. According to Proverbs 15:3, God’s eye...

In life, we all have needs and desires. We have our share of trials and tribulations as well. It can be frustrating, no doubt, but do we have faith in God, that He will surely work it all out? He...

I would like to advise any parent reading this to keep praying, trust in God, and encourage your child as best as you can. Don't let them give up; instead, provide hope, even when they make mistakes....

Jesus gave a parable of wheat and tares in the Bible. The two look so much alike that is, until they mature. Maturation reveals what is what. That’s what maturing in life does. That’s what hap...

We often do things knowing WHAT we’re doing, but do we ever think about the WHY? What I mean is, WHY do you want the new car? WHY do you want a good career? WHY is that your friend? WHY do you want t...

Many know of Lazarus’ story, but what we don’t consider sometimes is WHY it had to happen. Why was there even a need for a resurrection, when Jesus could’ve just gone on and healed? If Jesus loved...

John 9:4 I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. The times are getting darker; it’s evident. It’s dark, but it isn’t quite night yet. There...

I know I speak of Joseph a lot, but it’s because there are so many messages in his story. When God gave Joseph a Word in a dream, until the time that Word given to Joseph came to pass, that very W...

When I was younger, I would go to my grandmother's house in the country. I loved it! I worked on my uncle's farm there too. It was interesting, to say the least. I really just wanted the pay, not...

I remember buying my daughters some fun lights from the circus. They loved them while we were in the arena, but when we got them home, they were upset with how they looked. They kept shining the...

Psalms 33:12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. If there is one thing that is lacking in today’s society, it is the fear of the Lo...

Whether one reads the Bible or not, believes in Jesus or not, or has any spiritual authority, there should be something inside of us that knows what’s going on with our children today is wrong. The t...

When it’s time for something to go in favor of a person, he/she usually puts his/her best foot forward. People show their best side often, to win the favor of others. Kindness should be genuine and h...

1 Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you. One of my...

Ephesians 6:4 Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord. Parents, it is so important...

We live in a society, full of people who are encouraging others with very careless and costly advice. One thing that I hear often, that just vexes my spirit, is “Do you”. What an awfully irr...

We've discussed the story of Jonah many times. Mostly, Believers speak of Jonah's disobedience leading him in the mouth of the big fish, but few speak on what his disobedience caused others. Jonah...

Genesis 50:20 As for you, what you intended against me for evil, God intended for good, in order to accomplish a day like this—to preserve the lives of many people. We talk about the palace in the sto...

Psalm 105:1-19 Until the time when his word came to pass, the word of the Lord tried him. When discussing the Bible, one can't help but speak about the story of Joseph. It was horrible to be thr...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. When you think of gratefulness, it should be very often; honestly, everyday. Thankful...

Just imagine being hated Just because of your dreams. Imagine being excluded because of favor. It's what happened to Joseph. He was hated by his own brothers. Hate drove them to throw him into a pit,...

Ecclesiastes 9:10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom. Day to d...

Romans 6:23 For the wages of in is death, but the FREE gift of God is eternal life, through Christ Jesus, our Lord. A man and his small son spent so much time together. He loved his son so much. They...

I remember going to Subway restaurant and waiting in line with everyone else. I waited, to me, a lot longer than everyone else did. The line was moving at a great speed, and others were receiving...

Anybody observing what’s happening in Monroe, LA, whether resident or non-resident, can easily see a growing number of concerns that need addressing immediately. One of the concerns I will address i...

Leviticus 19:4 Do not turn to idols or make metal gods for yourselves. I am the LORD your God. There is a new age trend, that’s not so new to some. It is a destructive and very controversial trend (...

Without argument, anyone who knows anything about productivity in a city, would agree that a city cannot properly produce without the following: great vision, quality of life, satisfactory infrastruct...

Psalms 139:14 I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: Marvelous are Your works; and that my soul knows very well. There is an undeniable desire in humans, for acceptance amongst...

Acts 13:47 For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set you to be a light of the Gentiles, that you should be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Today’s generation is all about the g...

Matthew 5:14 “Ye are the salt of the earth….” These days, even six-year-old children are firing weapons, domestic violence cases are increasing, more parents are hurting children, and other ridic...

Philippians 2:4 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Leadership is more than just being in charge. It’s also being responsible, accountable, reliable, re...

There are very few things in this world, more needed than wisdom. By wisdom much greatness is established. By a lack of wisdom, are many things torn down. This is why wisdom is extremely important in...

Luke 15:7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. You have left “home”, your fir...

For as long as I can remember, my vote was shaped around what the elders in my family said, especially my dad. It was that way, because I valued the thoughts and opinions of my elders. There was...

Anytime in the Bible, where blood and violence were upon the land, so were curses. That land was defiled. It was deemed worthy of God’s wrath, especially when the people did not repent. Plagues, d...

Sometimes, a blessed place can look and feel a lot like a cursed place. When neglect, disorganization, disunity, discord, violence and poverty takes over an area, it begins to look desolate. Monroe,...

1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Lust is one powerful spirit, and it is NOT...

It’s been a long, challenging time for citizens in Districts 4 and 5. Monroe has suffered economically and negatively statistical wise, for years. Nobody though, has suffered more neglect and economic...

Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee……. We have heard the saying, “Ignorance is bliss”. Well, what is ignoran...

Daniel 2:21 He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; Is Monroe being properly governed? Has it been...

Where do the youth turn, when they go through difficulties? Who listens when they cry out? Who allows them to vent or converse without judging? Who is properly advising them? These questions need to b...

Lately, I have been observing a new trend. It’s the use of the word “toxic” amongst the youth, like it’s a good thing. Too many are taking great pleasure in being toxic. In the world of social...

Proverbs 19:18 KJV: Chasten thy son while there is hope and let not thy soul spare for his crying There is a cry that is loud and painful. That cry is sounding out through the little boys and girls...

It’s obviously that time of the year again. It’s time for bedtime curfews and early morning rising. It’s time for supplies, clothes, pep talks and so on. I just want to remind the parents of something...