Flame-Heart

Claude McKay (1890–1948)

SO much have I forgotten in ten years,
So much in ten brief years; I have forgot
What time the purple apples come to juice
And what month brings the shy forget-me-not;
Forgotten is the special, startling season 5
Of some beloved tree’s flowering and fruiting,
What time of year the ground doves brown the fields
And fill the noonday with their curious fluting:
I have forgotten much, but still remember
The poinsettia’s red, blood-red in warm December. 10

I still recall the honey-fever grass,
But I cannot bring back to mind just when
We rooted them out of the ping-wing path
To stop the mad bees in the rabbit pen.
I often try to think in what sweet month 15
The languid painted ladies used to dapple
The yellow bye road mazing from the main,
Sweet with the golden threads of the rose-apple:
I have forgotten, strange, but quite remember
The poinsettia’s red, blood-red in warm December. 20

What weeks, what months, what time o’ the mild year
We cheated school to have our fling at tops?
What days our wine-thrilled bodies pulsed with joy
Feasting upon blackberries in the copse?
Oh, some I know! I have embalmed the days, 25
Even the sacred moments, when we played,
All innocent of passion uncorrupt,
At noon and evening in the flame-heart’s shade:
We were so happy, happy,—I remember
Beneath the poinsettia’s red in warm December. 30

I’m seeking forgiveness from God – What do I do?

When seeking forgiveness from God, it is important to know that there is a wonderful promise given in the book of John. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). God has provided a signed and sealed guarantee that “whoever” calls upon the name of the LORD, shall be saved (Romans 10:13). The one who calls upon the name of the LORD Jesus Christ and believes in Him is saved, born again, and given the gift of eternal life.

What does being “saved” have to do with forgiveness? God forgives us when we come to Him in the way that He has provided and that is through the LORD Jesus Christ. Seeking forgiveness will bring the seeker to a place of understanding that one cannot “save” themselves or receive forgiveness apart from acceptance of the LORD Jesus Christ.

In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” We cannot work for our forgiveness or be “good” enough to earn it because forgiveness is a gift of grace and grace is receiving something that we do not deserve. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

We do not go asking for or seeking forgiveness unless we know we have a need. Therefore, the way we receive forgiveness is to recognize that we have a need to be reconciled to God and then seek after that reconciliation, which was made possible by the LORD Jesus Christ when He took upon Himself the “sin of the world.” All sin – no matter the severity – was forgiven at the cross. When Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30) that “sealed” the deal and satisfied the righteousness of God. When we accept Christ’s finished work for us, God then looks upon us as forgiven and He removes our sin from us. Psalm 103:12 says, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” It doesn’t matter what the sin is: sexual sin, murder, rape. All sins can be forgiven by God!

God’s forgiveness is a contract that He makes with every born-again believer through the LORD Jesus Christ. God forgives us for Christ’s sake. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). He never brings up our sin again and we are given right standing in Christ. “It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God – that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). All of this comes to those who are seeking forgiveness and they find it as they believe on the LORD Jesus Christ. “…Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” (Acts 16:31).

Int’l gay press claims PNP has two homosexual candidates

Friday, December 23, 2011

A website dedicated to news affecting the gay community around the world is suggesting that the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) has at least two gay candidates contesting the upcoming election and one of them is being targeted by the governing Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) in a homophobic campaign.

The website, Gaystarnews.com, has also highlighted PNP president Portia Simpson Miller’s promise to review the Buggery Act and not to discriminate against homosexuals in appointing her Cabinet as “positive”.

SIMPSON MILLER… no one should be discriminated against based on their sexual orientation  1/1

 

In a story headlined ‘Jamaican Opposition leader backs gay rights’ by Tris Reid-Smith, Gaystarnews.com reported that “the Jamaican Opposition leader has come out in favour of LGBT rights and reviewing the anti-gay buggery law during an election debate”.

LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) is a term which better defines what is usually called the gay community.

The story claims that the “PNP has selected a non-gender conforming candidate who has been the subject of a barely veiled homophobic campaign” by the JLP.

It said “Jamaican LGBT rights group J-FLAG has written to the JLP complaining about this tactic”.

In a response yesterday, PNP campaign spokesman Delano Franklyn said the party does not concern itself with what happens in persons’ bedrooms in selecting its candidates.

“We wish to condemn and deplore any scurrilous attacks against any of our candidates based on what is unfounded in relation to them offering themselves as candidates of the PNP,” Franklyn told the Observer.

“The PNP, in determining its representatives in the different constituencies, does so on the basis of their experience, knowledge and commitment, which they bring to the political process, and the loyalty and dedication they have shown in contributing to the growth and development of Jamaica. The party does not seek to investigate the personal lives of candidates in relation to what they do or do not do in their bedrooms,” he said.

Simpson Miller’s comments made in Tuesday’s national leadership debate with Prime Minister Andrew Holness also forced the PNP to issue a news release yesterday seeking to clarify that she promised to review — not repeal — the Buggery Act which makes gay sex illegal.

According to the website, “Simpson Miller said no one should be discriminated against because of their sexual orientation, and that she would have no problem appointing gays to her Cabinet if they were able to do the job.”

The website also reported that “she pledged to give politicians a free vote on removing the anti-gay buggery law from the statute books if elected prime minister”.

The website also noted the “different stance” taken by Holness.

“Holness went on to again imply that he would not support gay rights — at least until the majority were in favour of them.”

It quoted the prime minister’s statement in the debate that his “sentiments reflect the sentiments of the country”.

Gaystarnews.com describes itself as the first global 24-7 news site with the latest LGBT news, entertainment, information and lifestyle content.

It says it is owned by a company backed by international investment, with full-time journalists around the world covering stories affecting the LGBT community.

Yesterday’s release from the PNP stated that Simpson Miller would allow members of Parliament a conscience vote on the issue, and such a vote would take into consideration the views of constituents.

“The PNP president remains committed to her pledge to make appointments to a Cabinet led by her on the basis of competence”, the release stated.

Franklyn, in the meantime, said that when the Buggery Act is being reviewed MPs would be free to exercise their conscience in voting as to whether the Act should remain, be amended or repealed.

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