Transitional extinction

Praise the Lord and Saints.

Last week’s letter really brought out some very serious and hurtful points of interest.

The sad reality is that even though it was written some 10 plus years ago, we are still caught up.

Some of these “Buppies” I know personally and well, the letter described them to a tee.  If all the programs and projects designed “specifically” for underprivileged or “at-risk” youths were really for them and not just to get your business name or your photos in the papers, you can’t tell me that there would not be a major difference in the communities we now live in.

Segue moment. Special shout out to businesses like Advantage Village Academy (AVA) and University of Faith Florida.  Both of these companies I have a personal connection with and know for certain they are actually bringing about change for the better.  AVA was founded by my good friend Toriano Parker more than 10 years ago and is still going strong.  They are running into some speed bumps with the St. Petersburg Housing Authority (SPHA) and it would be a tragedy if the SPHA continues to decide to evict this genuine kids’ company.  AVA has made great strides in presenting several programs that have altered the lives of so many youths in the Midtown communities. It would be a sad day for youths in this community if SPHA continues their efforts to take their building away just because of greed, selfishness and just plain “hateration.”  Help us in the fight, go to www.advantagevillageacademy.com and donate.

Who or what is the University of Faith Florida you say? Well it’s the only faith-based religious institution located in beautiful St. Petersburg that focuses on giving our young adults another chance both academically and athletically.  Founded by Anthony “Bug” Givins back in 2013, we have been making great gains but we are still fighting the skeptics even though we have played two football games, one on ESPN this past weekend.

Some may speak to the outcome of these two games, but if you have something negative to say about the fact that we are giving your young men a second chance at college and an introduction to Jesus Christ on a personal level, then tell us what you have done to help them.  Instead of being a critic, go to our website www.universityoffaithfl.org and donate to help our young men build themselves to become productive positive citizens and not another statistic.

Transitional extinction is a term that is fairly easy to understand.  I call it the dinosaur mentality. Because of their inability to change, adapt, evolve, transition with the changing environment around them, they became extinct.

Our society, neighborhoods, communities and churches are on the pathways to destruction because of this same plague.  Some churches have had to close their doors and some are on the verge of following suit if changes aren’t implemented soon.

The Bible speaks of renewing your mind. (Rom 12:1-2) This renewed mind is not one that is completely erased and a new one put in its place. This new mind is transformed, transitioned into a new or different way of thinking. I use the phrase “paradigm shift” to describe this metamorphosis.

You have to now think left when you used to think right, up when you used to think down. However, be mindful not to make the mistake of totally removing everything in the past because not all was bad.  Winston Churchill stated that if you don’t “learn” from your past you would be destined to repeat it.

Create a different methodology or pattern for achieving a goal that you have been having issues with and one that hasn’t brought you the success or desired results you wanted. In the Marines we say the definition of stupidity is to continue to do the same thing and expect a different result. Hard word but is applicable. It’s not insanity because an insane person has been deemed not in control of your actions and thoughts at the time you committed the act.

When someone does something boneheaded they contemplated the act and its consequence prior to acting and for some strange reason thought that their mental telepathy was great enough to change the result even though they didn’t change what they did in the past.

I’ve also said in the past that age doesn’t automatically equate to wisdom. One could just be an old fool.  The bible speaks of several of them and Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 tell you that there is a way that seems right to a person in their own eyes, but the end leads to death.

Transition for life.

Till next week,

God Bless.

Dr. Rob