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11/4/08-VOTE! OUR OBLIGATION....

Obama or McCain? Who you voted for is not the question. But the question that face us as Christians and even moreso, African-Americans, is the duty and obligation we must repay to our Ancestors who have died that we might have this freedom today.

Am I talking about supporting a black man for President because he's black? No. But is it a celebratory time in the African-American Community? Yes! And any African-American that has taken the time to study Our History must acknowledge that to see a black man nominated for presidentcy here in the U.S.A. is an accomplishment and a compliment to our people in the highest.

Maybe you're just concerned about being a Christian and about Christ's mission for the world and His agenda for the world does not include" Voting"  in an election. But I graciously beg to differ and show you how Scripture tells us that whatever heritage you are: Black, White, Hispanic or Jewish, honor what improvements and accomplishments have been done for your people -- yet, without hating other ethnic groups.

This very familar Scripture reads: "These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. These days would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what hapened ever die out among their descendants." (Ester 9:28 NLT)

"And Mordecai the Jew became the prime minister...he was very great among the Jews, who held him in high esteem, because he worked for the good of his people and was a friend at the royal court for all of them." (Ester 10:3 NLT)

The Jews were saved from being annihilated as a people. And when they were saved, they called this day, "Purim", which was to be remembered and celebrated and the memory to never die. I ask you to look back to Our Ancestors being bitten by dogs, watered down with hoses, walking 50 miles to get to a voting booth, just to be turned away because of the color of their skin. And guess what, their skin color is the same skin color as yours. Take a look at Our History below:

"In 1789, African-Americans were defined in the Constitution as 3/5 of a person for counting representation, and could not vote at all. (Constitution's Article 1, section 2, and elsewhere)

In 1865, following the Civil War, African-Americans were given the right to vote and the "3/5ths clause" was rescinded. (14th and 15th Amendment). "The right... to vote shall not be denied or abridged... on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." (the "previous condition of servitude" meant that states couldn't deny the right to vote to those who had been slaves)."

I voted today! And you have a duty, my Christian friend. You have a duty, my African-American friend. The argument is notwho you voted for but did you VOTE? If not for yourself, do it just to say, "Thank You" to our Ancestors. You're free to 'sound off' in the guestbook...

God Bless, Jodi

11/1/08-JODI HAS BEEN FEATURED IN THE "PRECIOUS WOMEN" ONLINE MAGAZINE FALL ISSUE. She candidly gives advice and speak out on Domestic Violence Against Women. Click the link below to read the article!

www.summercheers.4t.com/survivors.html

8/1/08-NEW WEBSITE LAUNCH!...

Jodimatthews.org has just launched its new website this month!
Hello to all! The day has finally come! Much preparation and planning went into designing this website. May you find the site to have a more streamline design, a more intuitive navigation structure and better content. Check out the "New" audio clips of Jodi speaking. Check back weekly to gain wisdom from the "Motivational Quotes" as they will change each week. Stop by the "Guestbook" to leave comments or to say hello. Your comment just might end up on the "Home Page." God Bless and Enjoy!