Teens Talk - Tis the Season

The Grand Rapids Times
12-26-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Once again it is Christmas and time to celebrate the birth date of all dates. The birth date I am referring to is that of our Christ, Lord and Savior.
It is not a time to be boastful about the gifts you do receive and it is definitely not a time to be unappreciative because of the gifts you do not receive.
Most of us won’t be able to celebrate Christmas because everyone refuses to take out the trash.
When trash is left in a room for long period of time it creates an unbearable stench. It attracts flies which later on brings on maggots.
If someone would volunteer to take out the trash when it is ready to be taken out then the extra baggage such as the unbearable stench, flies, and maggots wouldn’t be a problem that needs to be dealt with.
The trash that I am referring to is the drama and the grudges that are held within families because of previous disputes.
There are the depressed parents that are upset because they can’t afford high priced gifts and there are the children who are ungrateful because they don’t realize that they receive gifts everyday.
I consider the following chaos to be trash; it is trash because it’s ridiculous baggage that people create themselves.
Why can’t the thought of a person being in the presence of their family be a blessing from God and a present? Some people will not have the opportunity to even see their family this Christmas and they will still be able to celebrate the season.
Why are some of us upset when we aren’t able to receive presents during Christmas when we receive gifts everyday?
If you have a coat on your back then you can say Merry Christmas.
If you have shoes on your feet then you can say Merry Christmas.
If you have a house to live in then you definitely can say Merry Christmas.
An individual that has all of the following things or more, and still feels the need to complain, needs to take out the trash. I smell a stench and it is coming from the family that can’t even sit down and celebrate Christmas together.
Somebody needs to take out the t5rash because sister is mad at sister for attracting her boyfriend. Mama is still mad at daughter for lying about her pregnancy.
I see the flies coming. They smell the trash.
Dad is still angry with son for not following in his footsteps.
The trash continues to sit in the house and as long as it sits the celebration of Christmas will cease to occur.
I’m going to leave you all with this; II Kings 14:26; For the Lord saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.

Teens Talk - The Unwrapped Gifts

When I was a little boy, Christmas was always my favorite holiday for one reason — the presents.
Every Christmas Eve, I would give my parents unbearable headaches because of the one question I would constantly ask, “When is Santa coming?”
There were years when Christmas was great, times when I would get 20 presents or more. There were also years when I would come down the stairs on Christmas day to find no presents under the tree at all. I would force myself to believe that Santa had just forgotten to stop by my house, or, that I was on the naughty list.
As a child I was too blind to see that I had received gifts, the greatest gifts of all, unwrapped ones. I couldn’t see the unwrapped gifts that were right in front of my eyes because I had my heart set on the gifts that were in big boxes and sealed under wrapping paper.
S.T.O.P. Stop is something that everyone needs to do this Christmas.
If we can’t see the unwrapped gift of life, then how can we celebrate Christmas?
If we can’t see the unwrapped gift of family, we need to stop and open our eyes.
If we can’t see the ultimate unwrapped gift of all, the birth of Jesus, then we are clueless to what we are even celebrating.
How did the celebration of Christmas begin as the celebration of the birth of Jesus and end up as the emptying of bank accounts to please others?
We need to stop this Christmas to recognize the gifts that matter before we go broke buying the gifts that will eventually deteriorate.
I’m not going to make a Christmas list this year because I myself need to focus on the unwrapped gifts that are in my life everyday.
We as individuals tend to get ourselves worked up and anxious to see what is in the boxes underneath the Christmas tree only to disappoint ourselves when we find out that we received something that we didn’t want. Like me and so many others, we do not realize that we have had things we wanted all our lives; we have had the unwrapped gifts.
I’m going to leave you with this, Matthew 1:21; “She will give birth to a son, and you are to name him Jesus, because he will save his people from their sins.”
God saw that we were the unwrapped gifts in His life. Why Christmas day can we not see Jesus as our unwrapped gift?

Teens Talk - The Everlasting Bad

The Grand Rapids Time
12-12-2008
By Marcel Gamble

People have an awkward way of operating. They act as if they are mechanical machines that constantly have to be upgraded.
Unknowingly they complain and take things for granted. I know because I am one of those machines that break down on a daily bases.
I break down because even though I own 8 pairs of shoes already, I am mad because I still don’t own a specific pair.
I break down because although I have clothes on my back I don’t own the hottest name brands.
It’s accurate to say it’s not only bad that influences me to act a certain way like so many others. It’s also stupidity that gets the best of me.
First, my computer needs reprogramming because I constantly forget that I am blessed with more then I should have. There are machines that do not have a roof to live under, a bed to sleep in, and a bathroom to use.
I think that I am experiencing some shortage in my mechanical body because I should be ashamed to think I am not blessed.
We all need to realize that God blesses us in so many ways that we don’t even notice because we are caught on being known as the best in the world. Set your mind on things above and not on things on this earth.
Secondly, my bolts need tightening because I am always falling apart due to my body that I continually claim is aching when I don’t want to do certain things.
I feel like a worthless machine when I think about the machines that are actually missing limbs and who have physical disabilities.
There is an everlasting bad that is present, surrounding and affecting everyone.
Even in church bad is brought up frequently and good is barely mentioned. Pastor may say, “I am tired of seeing these kids on the corner with their pants hanging off their behinds.”
Unfortunately, pastor doesn’t get around to saying, I’m proud of these children that are changing their lives around. Young machines hear these messages and feel neglected in the church and they eventually stray away from their church families.
If bad is all a young machine hears then its only nature that a young machine burns out before hearing the good.
This bad is making us blind to good.
This bad is causing us to have a materialistic greed.
For example, there is a machine that has a house, a car and a family, but then this machine turns on the television and realizes that his life is still empty.
He wants the house that has a balcony, 4 bathrooms, master bedroom and an indoor pool. He wants the car with the 24 inch rims and leather interior.
He is no longer satisfied with the wife that he has been married to for years. Now he wants 3 girlfriends on the side.
This machine is currently out of order and beyond the stage of reprogramming which means now this machine is scrap metal.
As long as we all allow bad and negativity to control our lives then we all will become scrap metal. There is good in the world. The problem is that we don’t choose to see good.
Galations 2:20; “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

Teens Talk - A Christmas Gift To Die For

The Grand Rapids Times
12/5/2008
By Marcel Gamble

When I think about Christmas, to be honest, I think about presents, Christmas music, and family dinner.
My thoughts about what I will be receiving and giving overpower my thoughts about the true meaning of Christmas.
I am ashamed to say that the birth date of my Savior is the last thing that is on my mind during the Christmas holiday.
Like so many others, I am caught up in pleasing my loved ones with expensive gifts rather then being a servant of God and professing to younger individuals the true meaning of Christmas.
Many of us lose the true meaning of Christmas because we get blinded by the gifts that are to die for.
Well, this year, we can all appreciate Planned Parenthood of Indiana because they have gifts that people die for.
“Looking for an unusual, yet practical gift this holiday season? Planned Parenthood of Indiana (PPIN) is now offering gift certificates for services or the recipient’s choice of birth control method. The gift certificates can be purchased on line in increments of $25 or for any amount at some of PPIN’s 35 health centers.”
Jesus was born on the glorious day of Christmas, and now people think that it is a gift to take the lives of innocent babies during Christmas.
Planned Parenthood of Indiana is giving everyone a gift to die for this year.
According to an ABC News report, “Planned Parenthood provides contraception, pap smears and other routine health services for women, as well as abortions. The gift certificates, ranging in values from $25 to $100, can be redeemed for all clinic services.”
Let me remind you all that Planned Parenthood of Indiana refers to these gift certificates as being unusual, yet practical gifts.
I don’t know about practical, but I understand these gifts to be ridiculous.
What is so Christmas about encouraging others to have abortions by giving them gift cards to do so.
What is so Christmas about aiding someone in taking a life out of the world the day Jesus was brought into the world?
Through these gift cards what are we telling teens that have already went through the process of abortion?
This present to die for, is this truly what Christmas is about?
Each man’s sacred gifts are his own, but what he gives to the priest will belong to the priest.’ “ (Numbers 5:10).
Once a gift is given to someone, it is his or hers to keep permanently.
Some of us need to think about the permanent damage we are creating this holiday season.

Teens Talk - The Woman Within A Man

The Grand Rapids Times
11-28-2008
By Marcel Gamble

I dedicate this article to Alvin. Your words of wisdom were definitely inspiration for this piece.
Many young men are living their lives behind a lie.
As Alvin would say, “The only time they call themselves men is or when they have a gun in their hand or when they are on top of women engaging in sex, and the women are saying that they are the man.”
You, young men out there who believe you are gangsters, some of you really got things twisted.
You see, to be a gangster you have to be a man; and some of you all are not men.
A man looks people in their eyes. His eyes do not wander when he is having a conversation.
A man is able to hug another man because he is secure about his manhood. Most of you so - called gangsters begin to trip when a man is within two feet of your face.
You see, a man handles his own battles. He doesn’t call his boys to have a 15 against 1 brawl.
That’s not gangster; that’s straight up punkish. Anybody can be seen as the man when their boys have their back, but what happens when their so - called boys disappear?
Not to downplay women, but most of you gangsters have the same attributes and characteristics as women.
Could this be the reason why women are attracted to gangsters?
Maybe the gangster image of a gangster doesn’t attract a woman. Maybe the woman within the gangster attracts women.
So, to you all reading this who are caught up on maintaining a gangster image, you should stop trying.
Don’t pretend to be something that you are not.
If you are intelligent, then don’t have your butt out on the corner smoking weed.
If you have goals and ambitions, then get out of the drive by cars and go after accomplishing your goals.
Believe me. I once was confused about what a man was, and I had to learn the hard way of what a gangster truly is.
I am thankful today that I still have my life; but some of you all might not be granted a second chance. That’s why so many people are trying to help you all get it right the first time.
It is so important that you all listen and stop being hard - headed.
I am able to say that I am a man; and I want all my peers to be able to say the same.
Email me at marcelgamble@sbcglobal.net and let me know if you know what it means to be a real man.

Teens Talk - Car Pool

The Grand Rapids Times
11/21/2008
By Marcel Gamble

Many of us have had to endure the awkward experience of car pooling.
You can remember the time when you and Susie from the neighborhood were going to the same summer camp and mama didn’t want to waste money on gas.
So she made you ride to camp with little Susie and her parents.
Well, currently that isn’t the case anymore. Car pooling really doesn’t exist now.
It doesn’t exist because of fear. The fear is a result of a few bad youth involved in violence.
There is fear that this young man might have drugs on him because he is labeled as a drug dealer.
There is fear that this young man might have a gun on him because he is known as a gang banger.
Since youth can no longer be trusted, and car pooling no longer takes place anymore, then what is the point of incorporating time and marking dates on your calendar to spend with youth?
This is the attitude of so many people who are already where they need to be in life; individuals who have made it to college and people who have their careers.
This is the attitude of people who have forgotten that they used to be these youth in the past.
You see, people still believe that carpooling is all about saving gas; but car pooling is about saving lives.
You might not realize it; but by guiding a youth in the right direction, you are car pooling.
You are offering a seat in your car so someone else can become successful in life.
Do not turn your back on disengaged youth because there once was a time when someone had to lift you up and brush you off to car pool you in the right direction.
It’s good to know where you are going but don’t ever forget where you are from.
I would like to commend an organization called Urban Young Life for remaining faithful towards upcoming youth.
I want to commend them for believing that the children of today are somebody and will continue to be somebody.
Quentin Henry and to the rest of the Urban Young Life organization, I want to thank you for car pooling for our leaders of tomorrow.
I’m going to leave you all with this, Ezekial 1:2, Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
Since our inheritance must go to strangers and our houses to aliens then why should we have a problem investing time into our leaders of tomorrow?
Marcel Gamble, a 2008 graduate of Kelloggsville High School, is a student at Calvin College.

Teens Talk - Double Dutch

The Grand Rapids Times
11-14-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Jump in little girl; jump in;
The rope will not stop turning.
1964, your family hosed down to the floor;
Two decades away, a man is beaten to death for being gay.
The drinking fountains are rusty;
The bathrooms for you to use are dusty.
Innocent heroes are beaten for pleasure and ridiculous reasons.
Slave owners fornicate with heroes that they love to hate;
You are a prime example of what rape use to create.
Stop, do not celebrate; your heart should be filled with hate.
Jump in, little girl, jump in and gaze to see
two married heroes hanging from a tree
Jump, little girl, with me; and familiarize yourself
on how life used to be.
See how the past resembles now and how now resembles the past.
Make room for all heroes that are placed in one class.
Do not stop jumping; keep your heart pumping.
Jump into hurricane Katrina see thousands living in trailers provided by FEMA.
Jump into 9/11 and bless the souls on their way to heaven.
Jump, little girl, jump.
Jump right into Iraq and see millions of soldiers
lying flat on their backs;
Jump into Rwanda but bring a tissue for your eyes –
See limbs removed from bodies, become a witness to genocide.
Jump into a neighborhood where gangsters battle for a throne;
See thugs dying for a corner that they will never own;
Take a crack rock as a souvenir and photos of the block to tell others you have been here.
Jump into a society that’s controlled by men in million dollar tuxedos.
Don’t jump too far, little girl, because they tell heroes where to go and who to know.
Jump but avoid becoming a puppet in a puppet show
Now, jump and do tricks; do some twists and turns;
Make sure you give the other children a turn.
Everyone must become educated, so they must learn.
Jump, little boy, jump.
No! I don’t feel like jumping today;
Let’s play another game; its time for a change.
No more jumping, no more reason for my heart to be pumping,
My feet stand firm because my time for jumping is over.
Stop turning the rope; the little girl’s legs are tired.
Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. marched for us to get higher.
Langston Hughes spoke of a dream differed, but we will never expire.
Madam C.J. Walker created the perm so that we can be flyer.
Spike lee said, “Do the right thing.”
So stop turning because she is tired.
Ghandi fought in peace, and Chavez hit the streets.
Little girl, these people jumped so we wouldn’t have to jump anymore.
Now you can hang the rope up;
we don’t have to Double Dutch no more.

Double Dutch

The way some people live is similar to the way that scratched CDs play in CD players. They never get past a certain part in a song.
Some people get scratched in life and never heal appropriately; this hinders them from truly experiencing the rest of life.
Everyone experiences depressing times that may damper their spirits and cause them to lose motivation.
During this period of time, many of us begin to Double Dutch.
We begin to Double Dutch to the past to find excuses to why we aren’t succeeding in the present.
Some of us jump to the past not to lift ourselves up today but to find excuses not to succeed tomorrow.
It doesn’t matter what race you are, your descendents did not put their lives on the line for you to Double Dutch.
They didn’t fight so that you can jump and come up with thousands of reasons to why you can’t go to work.
You should be thankful that you have the job you have.
Heroes before you did not boycott just so you would have the opportunity to stand your butt on a street corner.
Too many of us are choosing to Double Dutch.
Individuals before would have died to have the opportunities that we have, to be accurate they did die.
Why are we so quick to jump rope and so slow to pick up on our responsibilities?
Why would we want to share the same characteristics as a scratched CD and be stuck on something that prevents us from moving on in life.
When we jump rope, we are only hurting ourselves we fail because we speak failure and place failure into our lives.
Rosa Parks didn’t overcome her fears to sit in the front of the bus for us to give up now.
All of the greats before our time paved the way for us to become successful beings.
I call them heroes because they said that there would be change and indeed in the year of 2008 there is change.
My generation and generations under me we can be thankful for this change or we can act ignorant and throw away an opportunity that many of us have waited many years for.
It is all up to us to change or to Double Dutch.
Email me at marcelgamble@sbcglobal.net and tell me how you plan to put down the rope.
I’m going to leave you all with this; the future is yours; don’t fall short of utilizing it by Double Dutching.

Teens Talk - Tears of Joy

November 4, 2008, will be a day that will always be remembered because it is the day that America fulfilled the dreams of millions of people.
It is the day that so many others and I cried tears of joy.
This is the day that Barrack Obama was selected to become the next President of The United States.
America we have come far.
There used to be a time when individuals of African American descent weren’t allowed to become elected officials; well, America, we have come far.
Some of us were and still are in awe of America’s decision to elect Barrack Obama, while others of us continue to cry tears of joy.
We cry because in our generation we have the opportunity to experience the dream that we have read about in textbooks.
If Martin Luther King Jr. were here, he would say, “America we are free at last.”
We cry because as a country we have made it.
No longer is the United States of America a white nation; it is a unified nation with all races interacting with each other.
So many people have died while fighting for change and change has finally arrived.
Unfortunately, many civil rights leaders did not live to witness the electing of Barrack Obama.
They are not here with us because they decided to give their lives so that my generation and I would see better days.
Now that we have better days, let’s not take them for granted.
My minority brothers and sisters, stop embarrassing yourself and this nation and put on some clothes that fit.
Women, we don’t need to see your body– a part hanging out of tight clothing; and men, everyone doesn’t need to see your pants down to your ankles.
America is beginning to clean-up and change. It is time for us to do the same.
If you are not in school, then get your butt in school.
If you are a drug addict, it is time to put down the harmful substances and get into rehab.
America is pushing for change; and you should be too.
We can’t fight for change and not want to change ourselves.
I have tears of joy. The history I used to learn about no longer is history; now it is present.
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. and so many others can now rest because, America, we have made it.
If you are an individual that doesn’t like the change that is occurring, oh well, it is happening any way.
You have the choice of fighting it, or you can have tears of joy.
I’m going to leave you with this: “An ignorant person will never succeed in this world because their jealous ways stops them from doing so. ”

Teens Talk - Aquafina

The Grand Rapids Times
10-31-2008

When people need to use the restroom, they stop whatever they are doing at the time, and they use the restroom.
When they are hungry, they eat; and when they are thirsty, they drink.
I have one question – why do people display a since of being thirsty more than they show that they are hungry and etc.?
I’m not referring to being thirsty after a strenuous workout, I am talking about being thirsty during your every day activity.
We all have those days when we need our pure water.
When I see a young lady that is not completely dressed and I decide to make comments about her figure, there is no question about it – I am thirsty.
I am not only thirsty for the lady I am making rude remarks about, I am also thirsty for some pure “aquafina” water.
If people around me ask me to drink liquor during the weekend and I decide to because I had a rough week, then, unquestionably, I am thirsty for pure “aquafina” water.
God throws “aquafina” at us on daily basis, but a majority of us decide to reach for another liquid to quench our thirst.
When your teenage boyfriend is pressuring you to have sex, take a swig of “aquafina”; leave those other drinks alone.
When your friends tell you that it’s okay to get behind the wheel of a car under the influence, you need to give up the keys and find you some “aquafina”.
You see “aquafina” is a pure liquid and God is also pure. By sinning everyday, we are telling God that we are thirsty for Him and we are telling Him to provide us with “aquafina”.
The “aquafina” is the guidance that we strive to receive from God each day.
Someone should have told the individual who murdered Jenifer Hudson’s mother, brother, and nephew to drink some “aquafina”.
We all can tell when there are masses of people who chose to pick up other liquids and not “aquafina”.
Someone decided to pick up other liquids the night my uncle was murdered. There are a number of other people who can relate to that.
Everyday when a woman is beaten by her man, other liquids are involved.
Every minute when rape occurs, another person is corrupted who makes the choice to turn down pure “aquafina” from God tothey up other drinks from the devil.
Staying pure is the way to go if you don’t already get some “aquafina” in your life.
Accept God’s hands when He holds them out to you; don’t run to what you know is wrong.
I’m going to leave you all with this, everyone personally has to learn how to use discernment, don’t give others the opportunity to choose your path for you.
Marcel Gamble, a 2008 graduate of Kelloggsville High School, is a student at Calvin College.

Teens Talk - Something Different

America, I’m cold work with this pen, I’m persistent with the messages that I deliver, there is only one word to describe your boy and that’s sick.
They call me boss because that’s exactly what I am; everybody knows I am if you don’t already know you need to get with the program.
I’m on something different, don’t get mad because honestly it doesn’t matter what you are on, it’s all about me.
Why can’t I have an ego?
There are thousands of other people who are on something different in this world.
Why can’t I be on something different?
If Play Boy Bunny Ashley Harkleroad can auction her virginity off for 3 million dollars on television then why shouldn’t I be able to be on something different?
There are millions who are discriminating against Barack Obama because he is African American.
There are millions who are discriminating against John McCain because of his age.
So what makes it wrong for me to be on something different?
One thing that makes it wrong for me to be on something different is that this world doesn’t revolve around me or you. The world revolves around everyone as a whole.
This week I decided to do something different. I want to take you all on a trip around the world.
Tamar Mesa, “Some things that are difficult for me while I am in America are the reading and writing assignments in college, American style writing is something different to me.” Mesa is an international student at Calvin College from the East Coast of Spain.
Arum-Jugu Galadima, “One thing that is difficult for me while I am in America is managing my time in college; the college life is something different to me.” Galadima is a freshman international student from Jos, Nigeria.
Eden Hagos, “One thing that is difficult for me is dealing with the issue of having too much freedom, making many of my own decisions is something different to me.” Hagos is a freshman at Calvin College from Windsor, Ontario Canada.
There are people all around the world who are on something different facing real life issues. These individuals are on something different by living everyday lives and facing hardships to get where they want to be in life.
They are on something different naturally not by choice, they are not creating their own issues like Obama supporters or McCain supporters.
They are not on television like Playmate Ashley Harkleroad trying to be on something different by selling their virginity. There are people that go through something different and they understand what legitimate issues are.
I can brag all day about being sick with the pen and delivering my messages but then I would be on something different that’s fake because this world is not about me it’s about everyone.

I’m going to leave you all with this; Numbers 23:19 “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Doers he promise and not fulfill?”

Teens Talk - Math Doesn't Add Up!

The Grand Rapids Times
10-17-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Back in elementary school, when math didn’t add up right or when a problem was too difficult to find a solution for, my teacher use to take me back to the basics.
Not to insult or mock anyone’s intelligence in math, but I have to take you back because there is an equation that is not adding up correctly.
That equation once was solved that then became a problem and later on became problematic.
Every one remembers the infamous math equation of 1+1=2; if not, then take a mental note because the equation is key in the problem that I am about to discuss.
First, let’s begin with the solution of the number 2; you have a great nation of people that admires God and admires the life that God gives them.
Don’t worry, I am not referring to our nation today because our nation doesn’t resemble this.
All people in this nation are neighbors; they live for community, and they are willing to die for community.
The people in this community create a social welfare system amongst themselves and with God.
These individuals admiration for God expands so much that they decide to get as close as they can to God by building a tower that reached to the heavens.
Their ambitions aren’t to reach the heavens because they want to glorify God; they want to reach the heavens to glorify themselves.
Sometimes, in math you have to retrace your steps in order to check your problem; so I want to backtrack for you all.
The people didn’t want to reach the heavens to glorify God; they wanted to reach the heavens to glorify themselves.
This is where the equation changes significantly. The solution is no longer 2, now; the solution is one.
The divine response from God to this community for their actions was to confuse everyone’s languages within the community so that they could no longer communicate.
The confusing of the languages caused the people to disperse throughout the world, breaking the community apart. This is why the world is divided.
We live in a world that is divided because before we have a social welfare system with God we choose to have a welfare system amongst ourselves first.
We strive to get the solution back to the number 2; but then when we are in trouble ,we go to our best friend instead of God.
We rely on each other to provide the necessities that we need instead of depending on God.
You see, we will never find a solution to our problem because we are not ready to contribute to the equation.
We don’t have healthy communities today because we fail to recreate a social welfare system with God.
We have different communities within the church because the churches compete with each other.
We have so many different communities that exclude others because we are all glorifying ourselves and not God.
This gang hates that gang; this ball player despises that ball player, and this man is more important than that man because he is richer.
The people didn’t want to reach the heavens to glorify God, they wanted to reach the heavens to glorify themselves.
qThis is the picture of the world today; the equation is 2-1=1 because we live in a broken world with a distant relationship with God.
The community that the world had before the tower of Babel is the community that this world needs to transform back into.
The equation needs to be 1+1=2; God and we equal community.
I’m going to leave you all with this: God should come before anything.
Marcel Gamble is a student at Calvin College in Grand Rapids and a 2008 graduate of Kelloggsville High School.

Teens Talk - Life Behind Lies

The Grand Rapids Times
10-10-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Recently, in one of my classes at school I became furious when the issue of racism was being discussed.
I became angry because from my point of view I believe that racism isn’t a prevalent problem anymore. I have been clueless to the fact that it has been occurring around me everyday.
I’m aware that it does exist; but when it isn’t a problem for me, I seem to forget about it completely.
Like myself, there are so many other individuals out in the world who have learned to accept racism for what it is, that some of us have just been sweeping the issue under the rug.
Well, this time when we clean up, we need to sweep racism out the door because it’s a contagious disease that is spreading rapidly.
I say it’s contagious because racist people don’t even realize that they are being racist anymore.
We joke and say things such as, “You know they black because they cheap,” or “Only white people go and investigate when danger is lurking,” and ”He is Asian so he knows karate.”
It’s ridiculous how the issue of racism has become a playful matter.
We rather sweep the issue under the rug and find other ways to cope with the hate than to come face to face with the monster of racism.
The number one thing that frustrates me is that when racism is discussed it always centers on the colors black and white.
Why?
Unquestionably it is a disease that is worldwide.
Let me tell you what happens to something that continues to be swept under the rug.
What people fail to realize is that things that are swept under the rug eventually build up; they build up so much that they begin to lift up the rug.
Meaning that when you just set something aside and don’t choose to deal with it, whatever it is it will begin to deal with you.
Well, racism is dealing with us so much now that its affecting the younger generations who don’t even know what racism is.
There are four- year- olds who have the idea in their minds that black is bad and white is good.
Stop sweeping this issue under the rug.
It’s a shame when there is a study done on four –year – olds, and they are placed in a room with a white baby doll and a black baby doll.
and are told to choose what doll they believe is the good doll and the bad doll.
It’s heartbreaking to see more than half of these children choose the white doll as the good doll and the black doll as the bad doll.
I don’t blame the four- year olds for their actions. I blame the thousands of people who have allowed such a horrible disease to spread so speedily by sweeping the issue under the rug.
So, if you are a person like me who once was oblivious to the fact that racism still is within close proximity and still exists, you need to stop sweeping racism under the rug and face it face – to - face so that the generation after you doesn’t have to suffer.
We are blind to the fact that this disease is getting so bad that it’s even causing individuals to have hatred against their own race.
If you want to know why so many brothers are killing so many brothers, well, you don’t have to search very hard for your answer.
Think about it if four – year - olds are learning that black is bad how do you think that’s affecting them as adults?
If they learn that black is bad, how will they ever have the ability to love another black individual?
It doesn’t take a physiologist to figure out that racism is killing life around us.
I’m going to leave you all with this; Leviticus 19:18

“ ‘Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.' "

Teens Talk - Questionable Life

The Grand Rapids Times
10-3-2008

By Marcel Gamble

Tomorrow
Confused and misguided,
Divided unknowingly, we are creating our own exile.
Meanwhile, we are trapped in a world of deceit and denial
Caught up on materialistic things
Keeps us from individualistic dreams.

No one has their own canvas; we are all painting the same scene.
My boy hates you and your boy hates me.
He got the Jewels and I have the green.

We want nice cars to be seen as stars, and one night stands with chicks that are thick and resemble movie stars.
We are reaping mob because money comes first.
We pour out liquor for our boys that are stretched out in the back of a hearse.

It’s a curse; today gets worst-
Teenage boys are not able to see tomorrow.
The hood is grieving; light is leaving.
Darkness falls over the hood.
People flagging with their bandanas out,
And crack heads are always on a mission searching for a handout.

Lord, O Lord, please hold your hand out,
We need to see tomorrow because maybe it will be a better day,
A day when infants will open their eyes and see their gangster fathers joined in unity preparing to pray.

We need to see a day when no one is left astray.
God we need you to pave the way.
Dudes are cracked up and strapped up ready for war
My homies are ambitious but they are not prepared for ……… you
They are persistent in the things that they do but they do not make time for……….. you

God please hold out your hand.

Questionable Lives

Why are we living questionable lives?
God created us all to be beautiful creatures; unfortunately, some of us are acting like we don’t recognize that.
Some of us go and spend millions of dollars on plastic surgery to redefine our unique features.
Others of us buy endless supplies of make up to cover up God’s beautiful creation.
My boys choose to spend thousands of dollars on jewelry and expensive clothing to run from their own identity that God has given to them.
Why are we choosing to live questionable lives?
God, we need your hand.
We need your hand because we are choosing to live questionable lives when we kill others out of jealousy.
If you have to ask yourself if that comment is directed towards you, then you are definitely living a questionable life.
God, we all need your hand; but some of us need it more then others.
We lie, we cheat, we steal, we commit adultery; Lord we need your hand.
Many of us claim that we are thankful for the skin that you put us in, but our actions say different.
If we don’t fit the status of a Hollywood star or a musical artist, then we are dissatisfied.
Get buff, get buff or you are not a man is the illness some of us speak into existence.
“You are too fat to be doing all of that,” is what some of us tell others.
“You are always broke; you need to get your paper up,” is what we tell people who are less fortunate than we are.
God, please hold out your hand; not just one hand, Lord we need both hands.
It’s time for everyone who doubts the life that God has given them to ask themselves why they doubt God’s creations.
We undergo ridiculous changes everyday just to please our peers without realizing that we are upsetting God.

I’m going to leave you all with this; stop questioning God and His actions and begin asking yourself why you can’t be the way you are.

Teens Talk - To Vote or Not to Vote

The Grand Rapids Times
9-26-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Many of my readers may wonder why “Teens Talk,” is devoting an article to the subject of, voting or not voting, in this historical Presidential election.
Well, my answer is to the point of no return.
Voting is very important in any election whether it is for national or local leaders. Voting is a privilege extended to all law abiding American citizens of our fifty states.
I personally believe that voting is an obligation for all who desire to challenge our leaders into implementing laws which would enhance the quality of life for the citizen body of this great nation.
The many noted failures in a Democracy form of government appear when people become compliant and transfer their powers to others.
In exercising the right to vote, the voter is engaging in the sharing of power with his/her elected leaders.
In the last few weeks, and even days, our national and local newspapers and television news media have disclosed the bailing-out of financial sectors and homeowners with troubled mortgages.
These bailouts don’t just have preliminary consequences, they have long range disadvantages that you and I, as young Americans, will have to pay for from our first pay check until retirement.
This is why “Teen Talk” has devoted this article to the question: “To Vote Or Not To Vote?”
How can we as a generation of young Americans not seriously exercise our right to vote?
This is my first year of college, however, I don’t think so kindly of being burdened by my portion of $700 billion rescue of the financial sector.
When I graduate from college, I hope to enter graduate school, and assist my community, and possibly have a family down the line.
I don’t want to have this $700 billion bailout, and other mistakes that our present national leaders have made, to limit me in providing well for my future family.
We must, as young and older adults, educate ourselves about the issues that will leave lasting impact on our generation and future generations.
We need to keep check on the leaders that we elect into office.
I think it is a good practice for all of us to let these leaders know that American citizens will be handing out report cards during their tenure in office.
“To Vote Or Not To Vote,” is not the question in these times of national security, financial problems, high unemployment, high oil prices, and bailouts of General Motors, Financial sectors, and mortgage foreclosures.
The question should be: Who is the right man or lady, to be elected, to release us young Americans from “Juvenile Bankruptcy?”
My generation and your children are headed for “Juvenile Bankruptcy,” and we have not even had a chance to make our own debt yet.
If you are not registered to vote and you are age 18 and above, or will be 18 on or before November 4, 2008, please register to vote by October 6, 2008. Go to your nearest Secretary of State Office.
If you are not 18-years of age, yet, and you have brothers, sisters, parents, grandparents, aunts or uncles that are old enough to vote, please plead with them to cast their vote this November 4, 2008.
If the masses of Americans exercise their right to vote and take back their personal political power, the term “Juvenile Bankruptcy” may never commence on this and future generations.
There is a wise saying: “If you do the same thing all the time; you will get the same results.”
So, if we did not exercise our vote last election, do so this time. If you voted last time, continue to exercise your vote this time.
Change is a powerful and scarce commodity in our government, but we can assist by being one of the change agents if we go out and vote. Let us vote for Change.
I’m going to leave you all with this, Ecclesiastes 3:1; “To everything there is a season, and time to every purpose under the heaven.”
Now is the time for our generation to make a difference and vote.

Teens Talk - Let it Go

People who have sexually transmitted diseases or multiple sexual relations, those who have been incarcerated, and those who have committed horrific crimes are the individuals that are looked down upon in today’s society.
Well, many may disagree and may even despise me for it, but I look up to the people who commit sins and take full responsibility for the sins that they commit.
It’s one thing to commit a sin and take ownership for the sin, but it’s another thing when a person commits a sin and lives in denial.
Don’t get it twisted. I don’t give individuals praise for doing wrong; I commend them for opening up to God and admitting that they do sin.
We live in a world that won’t let it go.
A majority of the people who claim they are Christians run from the truth.
A sin is a sin, how can someone repent for his or her sins and not admit to committing them?
It’s crazy how some of us will sit up in church all day and look down upon people who are in the streets.
Truthfully, the people in the streets probably have stronger relationships with God then we do; do you know why?
Because maybe the people in the streets don’t hide, maybe they tell God about their sins.
In reality, I believe some Christians are afraid to let it go.
A majority of the Christians in the world won’t let it go because they are confused.
They want strong relationships with God but they are afraid of what their peers would think if they discovered that they sin.
Some of us are so caught up on our reputations that we fail to realize that the only judgment that matters is the judgment from God.
If I disrespected and demeaned women in the past, I’m not afraid to tell you all because what everyone thinks of me doesn’t matter. I live my life for my homie above and Him only.
If I had pre-marital sex, don’t you all worry about it God and I already had this conversation my sin is washed away.
LET IT GO.
If loved ones around you hate on you because you let it go and choose to give your sins to God, then just smile at them.
Smile at them and tell them just let it go.
You’ll discover that most of the time people are mad at you for letting it go because they don’t have the courage to do it themselves.
As Christians, we have to learn to grow some muscle and be bold.
I’ll say what everyone else is afraid to say, you know why? Because I don’t answer to anyone on earth I answer to my God.
You can call me a thief because I have stolen before.
You can call me a liar because I have lied before.
You can call me a cold- hearted person because I have beaten people down in the past with no remorse.
You know what you really can call me; you can call me a CHRISTIAN.
I let it go, and I encourage everyone who is reading this to do the same.
What ever baggage you are holding on to grow some muscle and let it go.
Once you let your sins go, you have to realize that you are walking with God.
You have to let your sins go and not go back to them.
I’m going to leave you all with this; before people can get closer to God they have to let it go.
Marcel Gamble, a graduate of Kellogsville High School, is a freshman at Calvin College.

Teens Talk - Wise Streets Is What I Call Home

Dark alleys, broken glass, fatherless children, drug addicts, drug dealers are all images of things many people have to wake up to every morning.
Some people refer to the aforementioned setting as the ghetto; well I refer to it as home.
It’s offensive when I hear my home being labeled as the ghetto, because my dwelling is the greatest environment in which an individual can live.
My so - called ghetto or trashy streets, as some would say, are very wise.
Wise streets are what I call home because on wise streets you aren’t able to place a blindfold over your eyes and shield yourself from everyday life.
I call wise streets home because in wise streets you learn what it’s like to struggle to obtain the necessities in life.
In wise streets, one gains the wisdom to value the gifts that he or she receives from God.
So, when you call my home ghetto, I smile because I know that no one is referring to my residence as the ghetto, because I rest on wise streets.
Some people are able to stay in the streets their entire lives without gaining an ounce of knowledge; others are able to move beyond the wise streets to receive an education in order to spread more wisdom within the streets.
Well, currently, I can say now that I have been on both sides.
I have lived my life in very wise streets; now I am pursuing an education in order to spread more wisdom within my community.
Just because an individual leaves their home doesn’t mean that they are divorcing their community.
Everyone has to leave their wise streets at one point in time in order to gain knowledge to spread more wisdom to upcoming generations.
Everyone has to branch out from his or her comfort zone in order to experience life.
There is a whole world filled with mystery and adventures, and people can never experience that if they stay within their wise streets.
God did not create the green earth we live on just for us to stand on one corner everyday.
He did not give us thousands of acres of land for us to fight over little territories within our wise streets everyday.
If people honestly want to make change within their communities, they have to leave their communities to gain knowledge on how to bring about change.
It’s amusing to witness people change into a variety of different outfits for a number of different events just to look their best.
When it comes to an individual changing their ways then change is simply labeled as being impossible.
My entire life, I have complained about the living conditions in my community and now that God has given me the opportunity to get an education at a luxury college, I understand.
I understand that I was complaining, and no change was being made because I am a part of that change.
People in all are the change.
If we refuse to change our actions, ignorant ways, and hatred towards others, then we will live in what some people call the ghetto and not wise streets.
I’m going to leave you all with this; It’s not about where you come from it’s about where you are going in life.

Teen's Talk - Home Away From Home

The Grand Rapids Times
9-5-2008
By Marcel Gamble

I find it humorous when other species have no problem adapting to their surroundings while some species such as humans find it difficult to adapt when stripped from their normal environments.
For example, there are forests that are ripped apart on a daily basis. Animals are forced to relocate and build a home away from home. Even though they are forced into a new environment, they have the capability to adapt.
Unfortunately, sometimes it can be difficult to adapt when your surroundings become unfamiliar.
Like birds there are many people who have to be pushed out of the nest, to be able to fly. Meaning sometimes we have to leave home in order to see the world.
Well, this week I’m that bird; and I had to leave the nest to be introduced to the world of college.
With my eyes I have seen people from all over the United States.
So far I have seen people with morals that I’m not use to, but I’ll hold on to my morals and I will adapt.
Already, I have meet people with different religious views. I will continue to praise the Lord the way I do, and I will adapt.
Adapting is not about forcing people to give up their way of living; adapting is about standing firm in your individual beliefs and also compromising with others.
I never thought that I would ever see myself at a private school such as Calvin College; but in the midst of it all, God has placed me here, and I will adapt.
College is not my normal habitat because I am a freshman. However, thanks to all of the other students at Calvin with their warm personalities I find it easy to adapt.
People would live better lives if they would learn to adapt to theirs and others environments.
I’m going to leave you all with this; Matthew 13:43:
“Then the ones right with God will shine as the sun in the holy nation of their father. You have ears then listen!”

Teens Talk - Class Is Back In Session

The Grand Rapids Times
8-22-2008
Marcel Gamble

It’s time for school once again; some people are moving up to elementary, some are advancing on to middle school and a number of individuals are stepping foot in to the world of high school.

Students everywhere are preparing for a new year.

They are shopping for school supplies, school clothes, dorm furniture and getting ready for another school year. There is one item that I know numerous of people are forgetting to buy and that is a new swag.

Some individuals just don’t care. They treat education as if it is not important.

Well, any student starting in 9th grade since 2007, and don’t choose to care, better pick up a new swag those who don’t choose to care better pick up a new swag because now there are two ways to end your high school career, either by receiving a diploma or a certificate of completion.

Your swag is the decision-maker behind what your future will look like.

It’s amusing how a person is quick to put on a new swag when a new year comes around.

It’s amazing that an individual can put on a new swag when things begin to go downhill in his or her life.

I find it funny when one puts on a new swag to attract people that he or she has interest in.

Some of us put on a new swag for everything else besides our education.

How are we advancing on to higher grades when our attitudes remain the same? We begin the school year with the same goals that we already met or failed to meet in previous years.

If I had the goal of becoming a “B” student last year, then I should have the goal of becoming an “A” student this year.

It should not take a new hair cut or some new shoes for us to have a new swag about our education.

If I were on the honor roll twice last year, then I should be on the honor roll 4 times this year.

If the teachers knew my name by heart from my being the problem child, then this year they should know my name for my being the problem-solving child.

An outfit doesn’t create a new swag; it is up to each and everyone of us to create our own swags.

Things are changing for Grand Rapids Public Schools, and as my peers, you all need to be aware. Starting off this school year with a poor attitude as a student will not be a good idea because GRPS has a new swag.

As a student if you don’t know about work keys, then you better find out. Maybe work keys can have an effect on what kind of job you get in the future. Your ACT scores matter for going to work and to College.

I’m just saying that it’s time for some of you all to start acting like you all care.

If you are a student that has many excuses as to why your performance at school is horrible, then this year you will have a youth advocate specialist help you find answers.

As the youth of this city you all have to realize that things are changing; and if you are a person that is not willing to change, then you will be left behind.

Some students already have their new swag and it’s time for you to get one too.
I’m going to leave you all with this: It’s time to be wise and thankful that you are able to have the opportunity to get an education. Don’t let anyone stop you from reaching your dreams in life.

Teens Talk - The Three Meals That You Need

The Grand Rapids Time
8-15-2008

Most people understand that in order to get through a day you need three nutritious meals for your body. After you wake up in the morning to get your mind stimulated and your limbs operating you need breakfast.

In the middle of the day when you feel stressed and burned out, you need lunch to help you function.

Finally at night before you go to sleep you need dinner to keep your body content until the next day.

Many of us are not healthy. Why?

We are not healthy because we are not eating three meals a day; some of us are skipping meals and some of us are just grabbing snacks. Individuals grab snacks because they say that they don’t have time to prepare a meal. People skip meals because they claim they are too busy to eat.

If millions of people are just grabbing snacks then how are we getting fed? We can’t get fed if we don’t thank God for life each morning when we wake up; we’re skipping breakfast.

We definitely can’t get fed if we don’t take time out of our busy days to praise God for allowing us to achieve what we achieve; we’re not eating lunch.

Before we close our eyes at night if we aren’t telling God of our worries and joys then we are skipping out on dinner.

There is no doubt that we are becoming unhealthy. We need to get fed and it’s up to us to take the time out to eat.

If we choose not to eat, where would the strength come from that we need to fight off temptation? We should take the time out to think about getting fed, because if we are not getting fed spiritually by God, then where else is our food coming from?

No matter your age or what type of relationship you have with God, everyone should be getting three meals a day.

I’m going to leave you all with this: “He who scorns instruction will pay for it, but he who respects a command is rewarded.” (Proverbs 13:13)

Marcel Gamble graduated from Kelloggsville High School.

Teens Talk - Mama You Raised a Man

The Grand Rapids Times
8-8-2008

When a child is beginning to learn how to take his first steps they fall, and their mother is there to pick them back up. Well I’m about to take my first steps out into the world and I am going to fall, but I will be able to pick myself up.
Throughout life you told me that God is my strength: mama, you raised a religious man.
If you are an individual that has been fortunate enough to have a mother who has been there for you, then you need to be thankful. Not everyone has a mother who is capable of raising a child under the blessings of God.
When I was young you were the one who protected me from danger and kept me safe. Now that I am grown, danger approaches me daily and I am able to use discernment to protect myself.
Thank you mama, for raising a wise man.
Growing up you told me that my mind was one thing no one could ever take from me. As I am entering college I realize that education isn’t something that one should play with.
I thank you for raising an educated man.
As a child you would whoop my behind, to set me straight after I would do something wrong. Now I’m not constantly running from the law or living life behind bars.
Mama, I thank you because you have raised a free man.
When I began to get older you kept it real with me. Everyday now I keep it real with others and share my testimony.
You can smile now, because you raised a real man.
When I was younger we weren’t wealthy but we survived, you showed me that it’s not money that does it, but God is what makes the world go around.
You don’t have to worry any more, you raised an appreciative man.
I remember when we would cross, busy roads, and you would hold my hand. Well I’m about to cross some roads alone and it’s okay, because God has my hand.
19 years ago you held me in your arms as I opened my eyes to the world. Today I am able to open my eyes to the world once again as a man.
Mama I was once your baby, and I will always be your baby, but I want you to know that you raised a man.
Everyone should realize the things their parents have to go through in order to provide for them. If you have made it this far in life and you are blessed from God, then you should thank those who are close to you for making you who you are today.
I’m going to leave you all with this: A good man leaves what he owns for his children’s children. The riches of the sinner are stored up for those who are right with God.

Teens Talk - No Homie, That’s Not Black

What is black?
Like other colors black is a color that displays an expression that people identify as being the identity of the color. Since the color black has a dark appearance it is associated with melancholy, dark objects and thoughts.
Why do we associate such a beautiful color with negative and depressing things?
Did people begin to attach negativity to the color black after our people went through the horror of slavery? Our ancestors were beaten because their skin color was black. Great individuals before us were stripped from the families and deprived from their rights to vote and to have an education..
Are we out of our minds?
Our ancestors have gone through the ultimate struggle just to eliminate the burden of negativity attached to the color of black. Some say they are tired. Well I am fed up. I am ashamed to say that it has taken me 19 years to wake up. I am through with being a puppet to a confused nation.
Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., his dream wasn’t for African Americans to face horrible times and overcoming horrific times to just associate ourselves to negativity once again. Black should now be a glorious color and because we are living in a confused nation the color black is far from being glorious.
Why are we saying that being black is wearing jeans low and our hats every other way then forward?
Why are we taking pride in being thugs fully covered in tattoos, tattoos don’t fly in the professional world?
Why are we saying that being tatted up is being black?
Why are we proud to use profanity and take pride in being loud. Why do we call that being black? I feel ashamed of myself for doing it and I am not the only one.
Men, why have we made it acceptable to label our African American women as being bitches and hoes?
My black community, we should not be proud to attach negativity to our color. Other people in the world already place negativity on the color of our skin, why are we helping the haters in the world bring us down?
We all might as well drop out of school because that’s being black.
All of us might as well be imprisoned or slain on the streets because that is being black.
The color black was formed to give off negative expressions but that doesn’t mean we can’t create new expressions for our glorious color. You are not real if you are not being black.
No, you are not being real if you are not being yourself.
I’m going to leave you all with this: It is time to stay real to ourselves and our African American nation. To make our color be identified with positive expressions doesn’t mean that we are selling out, it simply means that we are creating a glorious color.

Teens Talk - Eve Completes A Man

The Grand Rapids Times
7-25-2008
By Marcel Gamble

In the Book of Genesis, God speaks of the creation of Adam and Eve. First God created Adam from clay in the earth and breathed life into him. Secondly, God created Eve from Adams ribs.
Reason being man is only complete with woman.
God didn’t create man to be without woman, neither did he create woman to be without man.
The life we live is in shambles. No one is willing to find their Adam or their Eve anymore. Why?
I will tell you why. Because Eves’ are mad at Adams’ for disrespecting their bodies and emotions. Adams’ are mad at Eves’ for not respecting their goals and the time they spend earning clean money.
Eve is supposed to complete a man.
Now Eve is saying, “girl forget men, all of them just play games and dog you in the end.”
Now Adam is saying, “I’m tired of these gold diggers; all they want is my money that I work hard for.”
Adam and Eve are not meant to have confusion between each other. Eve is meant to complete her man and Adam is supposed to be Eves’ other half.
Everyone speaks of being independent and that’s fine, but no one can be independent for life. Adam and Eve are meant to console each other, consoling can’t happen when someone is living an independent life.
It’s alright for people such as Lil Boosie to spread a message about being independent, but when God created man and woman, His intentions was for them to be dependent on each other.
A woman gets divorced on television. She tells the whole world that she doesn’t want her Adam. A man gets convicted of rape. He tells all women that he isn’t respectful enough to have his Eve
Even with people in my generation many aren’t respecting their Adams’ or Eves’. I stop to ask myself, if Eve is my other half then why do I treat my other half with so much disrespect? Why have I cheated on, belittled, and lied to my other half?
Eve, wherever you may be, I’m sorry.
Why have I had other women on speed dial knowing that I had you Eve?
Eve, I’m sorry.
Chaos has been going on for too long between Adam and Eve, it’s about time for Adam and Eve to put an end to their separation and become one once again.
I’m going to leave you with this: Everyone has their Adam and their Eve waiting for them some where out in the world. So while we are waiting to find our own Adam or Eve we shall not corrupt the future Adams’ and Eves’ of others.

Teens Talk - The Crazy Things People Do For Love

The Grand Rapids Times
By Marcel Gamble

There are thousands of cases reported of abusive relationships each day. The number of abuse victims continues to grow because of a feeling known as love.
People are dying. Being healthy isn’t their main prerogative. Many choose to eat the greasy foods that they love..
Individuals die on the street everyday. Money is what they love.
There are teens’ worldwide committing crimes. Their motivation is their homies in the hood showing them love. I now realize that people put a lot of energy in loving the things that they love in life.
Where is our love for God?
We put so much of our love into things that we are willing to die for and we give God whatever love that is left over. God doesn’t deserve to get the love we have left over from dealing with abusive lovers and spouses.
Many of us are capable of doing crazy things for love, but not willing to give the same dedication in loving God.
Everyone always say that love is a strong word that shouldn’t be played with. I’m left with the question, why is everyone playing with it then?
We need to do some serious thinking around who we are giving our love to and who we aren’t giving our love to.
Yes, our significant others love us while we are on earth but who loved us enough to put us on earth?
I’m going to leave you all with this (1 Corinthians 13:6),“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

Teens Talk - Closed Eyes Upon The World

The Grand Rapids Times
7-11-2008
By Marcel Gamble

When I was brought into the world my eyes were closed; my eyes were innocent and shielded from danger and destruction.
As I matured into the man I am today my eyes that have once been innocent have now been corrupted.
Since my eyes couldn’t remain closed forever I have been introduced to what life as a struggling Christian is like.
As I continue to get older I wish that I could have closed eyes upon the world. Although I am a Christian and faithful soldier of God I struggle in this world with open eyes.
I want to go to the club because I love to dance. Does that mean that I am struggling as a Christian?
I love to be around God’s beautiful creatures known as women. Does that classify me as being a struggling Christian?
Sometimes for entertainment I place myself in non-Christian environments. Does this mean that I am a struggling Christian?
My eyes have been opened upon the world.
Yes, I am a struggling Christian and just because my eyes have been open to view the world it don’t make it right for me to do the things I do.
If I am not struggling in life then I wouldn’t have the right to label myself as being a Christian.
All of us after birth have had to open eyes upon the world and it is time for all of us to realize that we are struggling and make some changes.
None of us are blind anymore and for the individuals that are, God still has given you ears to hear out of. We have been exposed to the world and it’s up to us to make the right decisions.
I’m going to leave you with this: as struggling Christians we have to admit that we are struggling and come up with solutions to our problems.

Teens Talk - I Want to Stay Day Dreaming

The Grand Rapids Times
7-4-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Don’t wake me while Î dream
I’ll dream until my dreams become reality
I’ll dream until reality becomes my dream
In life I can’t touch clouds
In my dreams clouds touch me
On earth I admire stars that pay me no attention
In my dreams I see stars
with no admission
Everyone loves one another while I rest my head
The moment I awake there’s another one dead.
I want to stay dreaming forever.
Please don’t wake me
I don’t want to hear about war
And thousands of casualties found O Lord
Don’t wake me
I want to stay dreaming forever.

Many of people have been awaken from a dream that they never wanted to end, just to be exposed to the reality of life.
We should all continue to dream; at the same time we should focus on bringing dreams to life. It’s a challenging task to encourage each other to bring dreams to life when dreams are more satisfying than life.
I don’t blame my peers for wanting to dream. I rather dream when I hear about a young male dying each week.
I don’t want to wake up and hear about another baby growing up fatherless. I rather dream when I see a teenage woman walking down the street with an infant in one arm and a baby in her stomach.
I have good news, the time that we have all been waiting for is finally here. We no longer have to dream.
According to www.michigans children.org Michigan has had a 20% decline in the rate of teen births. We don’t have to dream anymore. We can wake up.
Since 2007 there has been a 40% decrease in the percent of high school dropouts. We can all open our eyes; our days of dreaming can come to an end.
As long as Michigan continues to improve we can live in reality and we should not have to dream no more.
Email me at marcelgamble @sbcglobal.net and let me know if you are finished dreaming and ready to live in reality.
I’m going to leave you all with this, Ezekiel 36:33, “This is what the sovereign Lord says: On the day I cleanse you from all your sins, I will resettle your towns, and the ruins will be rebuilt.”
There is no need for us to dream anymore. God will make our lives as pleasant as our dreams so we can all wake up.

Teens Talk - Future Overlooking The Past

The Grand Rapids Times
6-27-2008
By Marcel Gamble

People spend most of their lives thinking about things that they believe should have happened or could have happened. Personally I believe people waste too much time pondering about the past and not thinking about the future.

If the past is unchangeable why do we bring it up all the time?

The past can bring up good and horrible memories. Lately the past has only become an excuse for individuals to hold grudges that have been leading to deadly disputes.

We have to learn that we can’t turn back the hands of time no matter how bad we want to.

We can’t bring loved ones back who have left earth to be with God. We can’t spark up old relationships that have continuously lost their flare. It can be challenging at times but we have to learn how to move on with our lives.

For some time now many of us have been letting our past overlook our future.

Some of us have been throwing our futures away by making poor decisions to pick up firearms. A number of us have been throwing our future away because we have been allowing revenge to be the solution to our problems.

It is time for us to let our future overlook our past and stop giving our past the privilege to overlook our future.

It has been a difficult lesson for me to learn, so I’m not saying that leaving the past behind is easy.

There are so many of us that have to realize that God allows certain things to happen for a reason. Some things he allows to happen because He wants us to make changes in our futures.

There should never be a reason why one should let their past overlook their future.

I’m going to leave you all with these words of wisdom, “Your past is unchangeable so don’t give it the ability to freeze your future.”

Teens Talk - Just Another Contact

By Marcel Gamble
The Grand Rapids Times
June 20, 2008

Throughout life I noticed some of the strongest people fall from insecurities. I saw individuals who were so insecure of their abilities that slowly they allowed life itself and others take control of their images and who they were individually.

When people continue to doubt themselves unknowingly they leave others with ammunition to take advantage of them.

A lot of people allow themselves just to become another contact.

There are two different types of contacts in life. There are the contacts that are used only when something is needed and there are the contacts that are used frequently for numerous of reasons.

Lately people have been setting themselves up to become contacts that are only used when something is needed. Young ladies are usually victims of this type of contact.

Not only young ladies but everyone should watch who they give their trust to and most importantly who they become sexually active with. Everyone should be secure about who they are and their body before they trust someone else with their bodies.

If you are someone’s contact make sure that you are not just a contact. Make sure that you are their only and number one contact.

Don’t be a person that an individual calls when sex is needed. Have more respect for yourself. Don’t just become a contact that people call when they are too lazy to use their mind and would rather use yours.

Don’t set yourself up to become someone’s personal bank either. Don’t let people just call you when they need money. Stop yourself from becoming just another contact.

Have respect for yourself to not become just another contact.

I’m going to leave you all with this, Deuteronomy 24:6, “Do Not take a pair of millstones—not even the upper one—as security for a debt, because that would be taking a man’s livelihood as security.”

Teens Talk - Put Some Interest On It

By Marcel Gamble
The Grand Rapids Times
June 13, 2008

It is not about how much money you make, in the end it’s about how much money you keep.

Economically times are hard and as they continue to get harder people are not making it easy for themselves to live. An individual’s expenses should never exceed their income.

Statistics and media constantly display African American communities, as struggling communities, when it comes to managing income. We need to put some interest on our money instead of spending it.

I say we because I too struggle with poor spending habits. I know that I should be putting money in the bank for my college education but instead I choose to spend money on the hot new pair of gym shoes that are about to come out.

It’s time for me to cut my spending habits and begin to put some interest on it.

Honestly, at a young age it is complicated to understand the concept that the name brands that we wear aren’t making us any money, they are making a rich person richer. As a youth we need to make ourselves rich and put our money in the bank so that it can gain interest.

I’m not saying that we can’t buy the things that we love, I’m simply saying that we have to begin going about buying those things in a smarter way. Instead of getting the brand new gym shoe as soon as it come out, you can wait until the shoe goes on sale.

Instead of blowing the remainder of your paycheck away on miscellaneous things, be responsible and take out at least 25 dollars and place it in the bank. As it was stressed to me, by the adults in my life, we never know when we are going to need emergency money.

So to my fellow teens, I’m sharing wisdom with you all this week that was shared with me. Put your money up and put some interest on it.

I’m going to leave you all with this, Romans 15:30. “I urge you brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me.”

We are all at times going to struggle with something. All we need to do for each other is pray and stay strong.

Teens Talk - There's Electricity in the Water

By Marcel Gamble
The Grand Rapids Times
June 6, 2008

Everyone should know that the collaboration of water and electricity only leads to danger.

My question is that if a number of people are already informed of what the outcome of electricity and water is, why do individuals continue to mix the two?

Why do people continue to instigate drama when they know, eventually drama will lead to someone’s death?

My peers, tell me why so many of us are encouraging others to inflict pain upon are Brother & Sister when they are in arguments? Do we not know that we are mixing electricity with water?

Some of us need some serious smack right.

Electricity in water this month alone has caused death amongst teens due to arguments that could have easily been settled.

It is time to leave electricity out of water and stand up to be leaders not followers. It amazes me how some of us get amused by the loss of other teens. Why are we mixing electricity with water?

All of us, including myself, we all need some serious smack right.

Yes, so many of us want the mixture of electricity and water to end but to be truthful sometimes we just shrug our shoulders and say what a shame. If we allow violence and ridiculous slayings to happen then we are not standing up and fighting against those few individuals that are tearing our society apart.

There are ways to help put an end to electricity in water just by voicing your opinion diplomatically. You can stand up and fight without getting involved in the conflict.

Many of us have friends and family members, who are involved in gang violence, and it hurts to lose them. Education needs to start at home.

If we reach out to our loved ones there will be no more electricity in water. Some of my peers just need a stable caring mentor in their life to make better choices. You can be that mentor, I am that mentor.

Wisdom and guidance can come from you! Start at home. I know that I am starting with my younger brothers and sisters. Your parents are really clueless to what’s happening in the streets or at school. But you aren’t.

Stop and make a stand to be determined to not let the streets electrocute your siblings.

I’m going to leave you all with this, Numbers 1:16 “These were the men appointed from the community, the leaders of their ancestral tribes. They were the heads of the clans of Israel.”

When God appoints us to be leaders, He expects us to lead.

Teens Talk - First Place Prize

The Grand Rapids Times
5-30-2008
By Marcel Gamble

Many people don’t believe it but it is possible to excel in a race even if you don’t receive the first place prize.

No matter what your future plans are and no matter what drama you went through last week. I just want to say, “Class of 2008 we have crossed the finish line.”

Even though some of us did not cross with honors and awards, we still made it. Just because some of us weren’t Class Valedictorian doesn’t mean we didn’t receive a prize.

God has blessed us all of these years to live to see graduation day.

We have lost friends to drugs and violence on the way to the finish line. There have been troubling times that we have had to experience in order to make it to the finish line.

One thing that we can all say is that we have all earned the ultimate prize, we have graduated.

People forget that after one race is finished another race always begins. Class of ’08 now that we have made it through high school it is time to begin our race in life.

The race through high school might have been a breeze but this race through life will be very difficult if you don’t choose the correct path.

There may be multiple water breaks when bills have to be paid and you’re all out of money. There may be breathers in your education when you have children and you were already struggling to provide for yourself.

This race will not be easy and you are going to sweat. We have to realize that a race can’t be completed if there is no path for us to follow.

God creates a path and it is up to us to follow. God makes it a little easier by guiding us to make the correct choices in life.

You will fall off the path from time to time but God will always be there to guide you back to the race and always put you in first place. Once you run a race with God you are only a first place winner.

Class of ’08, we have made it!

Let me know what you feel about the first place prize.

I’m going to leave you all with these words of wisdom, ”God knows what you are going through let Him help you through your race.”

Teens Talk - What Would Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Say About My Generation

The Grand Rapids Times
5-23-2008
Teens Talk
By Marcel Gamble

April 4, 1968 at 6:01 p.m. is a day and time that America mourned the lost of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It has been over 40 years since this great man was taken from this world and stripped the African-American race of a great leader.

I believe that we have been wandering just like the Israelites in the dessert for 40 plus years without direction.

I didn’t discover the true profound teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King by chance. This great leader was dead before I was born.

I only know of the Rev. Dr. King through history books and personal accounts from my grandparents who were fortunate to live during his era and experienced his teachings firsthand.

As a young child, at the age of twelve, I also was wandering without direction or a foundation for the meaning of my life. I laugh about this today, but I must thank my mother, Oscatte Gamble Hendler, for the true introduction on the philosophy of Dr. King’s teachings.

My mother was wise enough to realize that I was wandering and she took me back to her roots, which her mother, Dr. Barbra Gamble had taught her.

See, I wasn’t such a cooperative student at that time. I, like a lot of youth, would test the waters. I thought I was a man, disrespecting teachers and not completing my studies and having the nerve to lie about it.

My mother took me out of school and home schooled me. My mother showed me what being a true man was with the help of my father, Bill Hendler.

I worked as a man in the mornings with my father before he went to his second job, then, I was placed in my mother’s hands for educational instructions and lessons.

Those were the longest days of my life and my parents truly instilled a rooted foundation in me during those six months.

My mother’s curriculum consisted of, “The Bible” and studying the philosophy of Dr. Martin Luther King’s life, speeches and letters. It is from this foundation that transformed my life.

Dr. King was truly a remarkable man. I have been pondering over writing this column and taking a good look at my generation and wondering what would Dr. King say if he were here today. As a generation are we carrying on his dream? Does my generation make Dr. King’s death be an action appearing to be in vain?

In my opinion, Dr. King’s “I Have a Dream” speech was his strategic plan to lead his people out of bondage.

What would Dr. King say about the decreasing number of African-American teens graduating from high school? Simply answered, Dr. King understood that all men needed education to survive and better the group of society as a whole. Dr. King’s teachings were not only for Black Americans, it was for the entire human race.

What would Dr. King say about the increasing number of Black teen males and females incarcerated in America?

Dr. King would in my opinion first research the root causes of the problem. Dr. King was wise enough to know that solutions, to problems, only come out of knowing what the cause and effect of the problem is on society, as a whole.

Once Dr. King could define the problem and its cause he could then begin to find solutions to the problems of incarceration of minority men and women.

What would Dr. King say about the unemployment rate of African-American teens in America? What would he say about the teen gang violence in America? Dr. King preached against any kind of violence for any purpose. I am sure Dr. King would say, “Violence is not the answer, my son.”

What would Dr. King say about the fact that 88 percent of African-American children are living in poverty? What would he say when there are African-American children going to school hungry and going home without food for dinner? In my opinion, I think Dr. King would tell American Youth to make better choices in life. Choices we make in our youth many times impact on our families in negative ways. Poor choices keep groups of people in poverty, and I think Dr. King would want us to work hard to break the chains of generation poverty.

Dr. King isn’t here; his voice was taken on April 4, 1968 at 6:01 p.m., but you and I are here and our voices should be loud.

Dr. King established a voice for the depressed people of America, his words and wisdom live on and each and every one of us should be able to find many aspects of spiritual wisdom in Dr. King’s dream.
Many of us have not taken the extra step to take action.

I believe that Dr. King is weeping from the grave; this wasn’t his dream for my generation.

As I approach graduation from high school, I am told what a great achievement that I have accomplished; I am an exception to my generation.

No, I and all of the graduates of 2008 have done what should be considered the norm. I am who I am because of my community exercised their voice, and my mother took action.

Where have the values gone when getting a high school education in 2008 is considered to be an extraordinary achievement? Are we moving back in time to look at this as when African-Americans were not allowed to have an education or vote?

Dr. King’s dream can only stay alive and work for the society, as a whole, if each and everyone of us stands up to do our part to keep the dream alive.

If you see your sister or brother falling by the way, give them a hand. Don’t talk negatively about them. We are all in each word of Dr. King’s dream speech. We must play our part to keep this dream alive.

Do something positive, not violent; love, don’t hate your fellow man. Get educated , not just street-wise. Take pride in yourself, family, and heritage. These were the things the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King was saying in his speeches and actions.

Let us live by the “Dream.”

I’m going to leave you with this, Luke 12:48 “But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”

Leave a message on the Community Forum and tell me how you are keeping Dr. King’s Dream alive.

Teens Talk - Kill Us With Inflation

The Grand Rapids Times
May 16, 2008
By Marcel Gamble

I thought that America would never have to experience a severe case of inflation again after undergoing the great depression.

Evidently I was wrong because it seems as if inflation is currently haunting Michigan.

The number one necessity that a majority of us need is becoming unaffordable due to inflation. I use to laugh when my parents would say that gas use to only cost 80 cents a gallon. I am not laughing now because I wish 80 cents per gallon would be the price of gas.

At four dollars a gallon gas is becoming inflation and it is killing us.

I remember a time when I use to be able to just put 5 dollars in my gas tank but now 5 dollars is almost worthless thanks to inflation. In result of gas prices raising other merchandise also raised in price.

I feel sorry for kids because when I was little, Little Debbie snacks use to only be 25 cents and now they are 35 cents.

What are minimum wage workers suppose to do when they are forced to cut a large percentage of their paycheck on gas? What if the portion of their check that they are forced to cut for gas is their budget for food, what should a minimum wage employee do?

Since inflation is beginning to occur I guess they have no choice but to suffer seems how minimum wage isn’t going up anytime soon and gas prices aren’t going down anytime soon. Inflation is killing us and it is going to increase the crime rate.

With kids to feed after suffering a major pay cut at work, some individuals are going to seek out alternative ways to make ends meet.

For example instead of people being robbed for their jewelry and money, people are going to begin to get robbed for their gas.

During this time of inflation instead of individuals reaching out to crime and violence they need to reach out to God for His guidance.

I guess the question that many of us should be asking is, can we live? Inflation is killing us. Can we live?

I’m going to leave you all with this: Hebrews 13:6, “So we say with confidence. The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.”

Peculiar People

The Grand Rapids Times
5/9/2008

Wright retired and went on vacation. They continued to call him out. When he came out, and did what he has done for years now – spoke his mind – he was vilified and pilloried by the press, which ultimately caused Barack Obama to respond and “disown” Wright in no uncertain terms.

Where do we go from here? Well, like Wright said, “I am not running for office.”

Barack is running, and he cannot (or will not) say anything that will indicate in the slightest way that he is not advocating for a so-called “colorblind” society.

How do we manage the reality of Wright’s words versus the idealism of Barack’s words? What is the proper Black perspective in this situation? Was Wright wrong, or was he wronged? Was Obama correct in his assessment and subsequent disowning of a man he said he could no more disown than he could his grandmother?

What are you thinking about the Obama/ Wright issue?

Peculiar People

The Grand Rapids Times
5/9/2008

Wright retired and went on vacation. They continued to call him out. When he came out, and did what he has done for years now – spoke his mind – he was vilified and pilloried by the press, which ultimately caused Barack Obama to respond and “disown” Wright in no uncertain terms.

Where do we go from here? Well, like Wright said, “I am not running for office.”

Barack is running, and he cannot (or will not) say anything that will indicate in the slightest way that he is not advocating for a so-called “colorblind” society.

How do we manage the reality of Wright’s words versus the idealism of Barack’s words? What is the proper Black perspective in this situation? Was Wright wrong, or was he wronged? Was Obama correct in his assessment and subsequent disowning of a man he said he could no more disown than he could his grandmother?

What are you thinking about the Obama/ Wright issue?

Teens Talk - Yield Signs On The Streets

The Grand Rapids Times
5/9/2008

The pot holes which are on a number of different streets throughout the city have come to be known as the cause of destruction of so many automobiles. I try to go around them and swerve away but honestly that doesn’t work when there is one right after another.

Like so many other individuals who are forced to experience bumpy rides due to pot holes, I become furious. The holes in the city streets bring out the anger in me because they are everywhere.

Without putting a positive light on pot holes it is fair to say that they have a reason for being placed where they are. It is also fair to say that after experiencing rough rides many people will slow down as they are traveling over pot holes.

To be honest the pot holes on the streets remind me of the yield signs that God places in our lives. The yield signs that are suppose to send us a message which informs us to slow our butts down.

If you are a frequent gambler and you begin to go in debt, as a result your house is reposed. That is a sign of God telling you to take control of your addiction and slow your butt down.

If you are a person who loves to cause drama and for once the drama is placed back on you. God is telling you it is about that time for you to slow your butt down.
He is not promising smooth rides in result of people slowing down.

God is telling people that they will have better control over their lives once they slow down. Pot holes are just like the yield signs that God places in our lives to warn us that if we choose not to slow down chaos will be the result of our actions.

The next time you are driving down a street covered with pot holes just treat them as yield signs and slow down. Save yourself from adding drama in your life and damage to your car.

Remember life becomes so much better when everyone slows their butts down and gets back on the right path with God.

I’m going to leave you all with this; Matthew 5:8, “blessed is the pure at heart, for they will see God.”

No matter what form God comes in to address you, you will see him. He can be anything, even a pot hole that telling you to slow your but down.

Teen's Talk - The Celebration of '08'

The Grand Rapids Times
May 2, 2008

Teens Talk
By Marcel Gamble

The count down is on. It is only just a matter of days until the class of “08” take their last steps down the hallways of the many high schools. There will be smiles of excitement, tears of joy, and memories that will never be forgotten.

Until then “08” we have to make it to the celebration. It is difficult, especially now when a majority of us have the credits that we need to graduate.

Some of us are straight A students, and can afford to slack off. A number of us have lost interest in high school and are anxious to take the next steps in our lives. We have come too far to let senioritis affect us.

“08” We have finally made it. Are we ready to throw away all of our accomplishments just because our minds are ready for a break? Personally, I understand that we are enduring a challenging time right now to be honest even I have been experiencing senioritis.

Loved ones around me have let me know that there are only days left I shouldn’t give up. They have informed me that just because I have been accepted to college, doesn’t mean that I have made it to the celebration of 2008. Loved ones shared with me that my last transcript will be revealed by the college that I am attending.

They wanted me to know that it is not time to celebrate just yet.

I have loved ones looking out for me and encouraging me not to let senioritis kick in. I am going to do the same for all of you. We all will be making it to the celebration of 2008 together. Don’t give in class of “08” and continue to battle senioritis because it is almost time for the celebration.

I’m going to leave you all with this, Romans 12:12; “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer“

The celebration is almost here class of “08” we just have to keep pressing forward and hang in there.

Obama for President

Who would want a man in the White House that actually believes in law and order, refuses to vote for illegal wars, pledges not to drop atomic bombs on civilians, works with the church, and devotes his life to alleviating human suffering in preference to enriching himself?

Teen's Talk - Time to Dry Off

The Grand Rapids Times
April 25, 2008

Teens Talk
By Marcel Gamble

Learning how to swim was a challenge that I wasn’t enthused about as a child. Every time my family went out on the lake my brothers and sisters swam while I sat in the boat and watched.

Eventually, my days of sitting on the boat came to an end when my dad became impatient with teaching me how to swim and he threw me off the boat. As I was struggling and panicking in the water, I realized that it was up to me to get back to the boat where I knew I would be safe.

I wanted to get back to safety so badly that I was touching the back of the boat before I realized I was actually swimming on my own.

As I near graduation I have come to view the world as an enormous lake and all of us are like beginning swimmers. When we get thrown into the world it is up to us to either learn how to swim, set goals and work to achieve them, drown, or throw in the towel and fail. If someone wants something bad enough, like I wanted safety the day I learned how to swim, a person will “swim” and work to succeed.

As a child I drowned continuously due to my bad choices, but now I swim with my head above water because I have learned to make wise decisions.

This week I would like to thank my parents, Bill and Oscatte Hendler for throwing me into the lake and teaching me how to swim. You have made me devote endless hours to scholarships, my school work and because of this I have made it to the next step in life, graduating from high school.

It’s not time for me to dry off now I am still swimming on my way to college.

This week I would like to especially thank Jamila Goldsmith, Aarie Wade, Jerri Ann Wade, Autumn Smith and the entire Martha Chapter No.1, P.H.A. You have all thrown me out into the lake and introduced me to the world of modeling.

I want to thank you all for your patience, time and generous scholarship. The modeling experience has given me confidence to try new things and it’s because of you that I am able to swim with my head above water.

There is no towel needed because I am going to continue to swim.

I’m going to leave you all with this, Isaiah 25:9; “In this day they will say, surely this is our God; we trusted in him; and He saved us.”