Standing On the Promises of My Ancestors

By Anderson Henry Ruffin

Never has the gap in mutual acceptance and understanding between generations been as large as it is now. Massive societal and cultural shifts, fueled by changing technology, increasing differences in the age of young parents, globalization, and disconnectedness of society toward moral laws, have caused a deep divide between those born in the first two-thirds of the twentieth century and those born in the latter decades. This book aims to identify the causes of this gap, quantify the effects, and suggest solutions.
Although applicable to many different aspects of society, it is the parents’ responsibilities to pass knowledge on to the next future generation.
Many methodologies that have been tried to remove the division have failed. Society has decided not to bother or continue to discover working solutions, as evidenced in the high rates of teen pregnancy and incarceration.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Oct 31, 2017
• ISBN: 9781543915440

Book preview

STANDING ON THE

PROMISES OF

MY ANCESTORS

Dr. Anderson Henry Ruffin

bookbaby publishing

7905 north Route 130

Pennsauken, NJ 08110

I decided that I need to be smart instead of popular.

My focus changed when I began to think about the future.

My grades began to rise, and no one was laughing at me anymore.

Copyright © 2018 by Dr. Anderson henry Ruffin

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, without prior written permission.

Dr. Anderson Henry Ruffin/Book Baby Publishing

7905 North Route 130

Pennsauken, NJ 08110

www.bookbaby.com

Publisher’s Note: This is a work to encourage the younger generation with a strong scriptural support to success. Names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the authors challenge of trails and successes.

Book Standing On The Promises Of My Ancestors

Dr. Anderson Henry Ruffin

Print ISBN: 978-1-54391-543-3

eBook ISBN: 978-1-54391-544-0

Copyright © 2016 by Author Name

Table of Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

INTRODUCTION

Standing On Promises

Adolescent Behavior

Making Choices

A Servant’s Attitude

Parents Training

Education Is Vital

Where Do You Stand

Controlling Your Mind

Getting Used To Blessings

The Joy Of Good Character

The Days Of Youth

Walking Worthy

The Struggles

Generation Now

CONCLUSION

NOTES

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Special thanks to an incredible team of professionals who have inspired me along the journey. Leading the team is Dr. Charles Lett, Dr. Liz Cotton, Dr. Allam Baaheth, Dr. Aaron Dobynes, and Pastor Greg Voss. They willingly sacrificed their time, provided faithfulness, intelligence, patience, encouragement, motivation, and Christ-like presence during the challenging times of engagement in the writing of this book. All these beautiful people shared my desire to pass knowledge and wisdom to the next generation.

I am grateful to my family for providing the place that enabled me to write this book, and their understanding during the time of research and writing. I thank those who shared their time, emotions, and knowledge with me, because they believed that doing so would make a difference in encouraging young people. Their input, support, and interest kept me going. I appreciate and acknowledge their contributions and support.

The unlimited sacrifices and offering of prayers enabled me to complete this book to the glory of God and for the next advancement of his kingdom. My intention in writing this book is to pass on the blessings to the next generation, and to God be the glory. Finally, all praises and glory go to God for providing the strength, and patience to complete this book.

INTRODUCTION

Regardless of who discovers the values of life, it is imperative to encourage the younger generation with a strong scriptural approach to success. The arena of life introduces a challenge of trials and successes. Victory is difficult. It can be bitter or sweet. You will need all your energy to face the trials ahead of you. Some practical knowledge is necessary, so there is a balance. We are living in times in which the world is attacking the absolutes; that the latter days will be no more. The evil spirits of the world are contending with the traditional doctrines of faith that delivered our ancestors.

There is a need for sound doctrine, and that the will of survival to be established in the minds of the younger generation. When young minds are being attacked and destroyed in the present generation, society is in trouble. The arguments or excuses used against society try to say that certain unalienable rights are guaranteed, but in its fullest essence these have caused decay. The loss of young lives has become perplexing.

Today, many young people have some moments of perfection. They must realize that those moments here on earth are a gift, not just for them, but for everyone. Don’t sit back and relax, glazing at the stars, but become a star. Think not of good luck, misfortunes, or evil. Think of striving for the best. It is not for ourselves alone, but to share with those who will come after us. God has given us these hours to do gentle work that will frame our lives.

As Shakespeare wrote, To be or not to be, that is the question. Whether to be noble or disgraceful, don’t let the slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune take arms against you and form a sea of troubles. To die, to sleep no more, is the end of life. Don’t let the heartaches, the backaches, and despondency consume your youth. In your life to doing nothing is like a sleep of death. And in that sleep, don’t let your destiny come before you wake up and miss it. We must bear the whips and scorns of time, to be successful.

What gifts shall I have embraced? As life goes on, it consumes that which is nourishing. We are standing on the promises of our ancestors, and they are counting on us. Grieve not at that which you have done, but do what you are proud of, and let not adversities be thy advocate.

Never has the gap in mutual acceptance and understanding between generations been as large as it is now. Massive societal and cultural shifts, fueled by changing technology, increasing differences in the age of young parents, globalization, and disconnectedness of society toward moral laws, have caused a deep divide between those born in the first two-thirds of the twentieth century and those born in the latter decades. This book aims to identify the causes of this gap, quantify the effects, and suggest solutions.

Many methodologies that have been tried to remove the division have failed. Society has decided not to bother or continue to discover working solutions, as evidenced in the high rates of teen pregnancy and incarceration.

In 2015 alone, 229,000 babies were born to teen girls between the ages of 15 and 19. Some young people age 15 and younger are still involved in the juvenile system, which lacks adequate supervision, and rehabilitation of the youth it serves.

Public records show that in 2010, over 10,000 juveniles were on probation, nearly 3,500 youth were on supervision, 744 youth were committed, and over 7,700 were on a diversion plan or contract. In 2011, there were 6,380 young people admitted into juvenile detention centers.

The youth culture is always changing, yet the need for confirmation and transformation remains the same. Young people are currently part of the family, church, and the community. The influences of society and culture have affected the family, church, schools, and the community in ways that are difficult to escape.

The media contributes to young people’s attitudes and behavior in a manner that influences their lives radically. Family, church, school, and community cannot deny the changes; they need to find ways to keep young people in a living relationship with themselves and the Lord.

The current attempts to train the young people in the way they should go is failing because parents, teachers, the Church, and the community have lost their respectability. A lack of moral values and a breakdown in the family structure has caused a decline in the training of our youth. The training of young people in their early years is essential for a real future. At the heart of the trouble are a series of misunderstandings between young and old, school and the community, religion and the state, since the world in which young adolescents are growing up is fundamentally different from that in which their elders grew up, specifically post-9/11. So much has changed over the last twenty years it could be perceived as almost insurmountable.

The theme of this book, Standing on the Promises, will focus on our youth. We will use interchangeable terms throughout the book, such as adolescents, teenagers, teens, the young generation, young people, and the like, when referring to the age group of fourteen through twenty, childhood to young adulthood. The book attempts to call attention to dedicated individuals, like great-grandparents, mothers, and fathers, who are responsible for leaving bridges for the next generation to cross.

Although applicable to many different aspects of society, it is the parents’ responsibilities to pass knowledge on to the next future generation. However, society needs to accept the new generation, to understand and earn its esteem, and work on ways of dealing with principles that will be beneficial to young and old alike. Our aim is to close the generation gap. This does not mean that we are simply improving on the current agendas, but to emerge with practical ideologies for the twenty-first century.

The biblical texts utilized for this effort are: Deuteronomy 5:16, 6:7-8, and Proverbs. 22:6. These ancient text offers the finest of Biblical advice for contemporary times and underscores a need for discipleship programs for mentoring the youth. These sacred texts revealed that God have serious concerns for the young generation.

CHAPTER ONE

Standing On Promises

The Lord is gracious and has allowed me the opportunity to offer here a collection of stories, memories, and events from my life. Human life stories are like a collection of favorite songs to listen to, especially when it comes to distinguishing achievements. At various points in life, we get off the bandwagon and review the results to see where we have journeyed. Along the aeronautical ride, we look back to examine the bits and pieces considered favorites, like our toys, books, fame, and reputation. Anything that will enhance the impression of a man or a woman. The most difficult task is not to lie about our autobiography, memoir, diary, or newsworthiness in giving an account of what we have experienced, observed, or learned, but to be truthful to our heritage. Surely everyone wants to leave a legacy or heritage when they are gone from this reality.

Some people feel careworn to write about things that did not happen in the chronicle of their life. A well-written, trustful story about a humdrum life will mean more than an exaggerated story about an exciting life.

There have been many moments of struggles and pain that need to be relayed to the young generation, so they will not make the same mistakes as their ancestors. Disappointments have come and gone. You are standing on the promises of those who have assisted you in getting to where you are. God has not finished with us yet to build bridges of success. We are standing on the promises of our ancestors who left just enough resources for us to continue the journey into the future.

Don’t give up until life has escaped the flesh wrapped around your bones. Don’t let disappointments, heartaches, troubles, and discontentment become the end of the story, especially when you can see the light that led to great accomplishments. The next generation is depending on you to prosper.

Let me tell you who I am. I am a poor boy from a small town in rural Alabama. I am not ashamed of my heritage. My family produced majority of the products we needed to live and survive on a farm. We owned a mule and twelve acres of land. Many days my twin brother, Jeff, and I stood behind a mule plowing rows of corn and cotton. From the rising of the sun to the setting of the sun (Psalm 113:3). Jeff and I walked behind a mule cultivating the fields. I believe the mule had the best view.

The family lacked the resources that made life pleasant. Our principal occupation was growing cotton. Rain, sunshine, sleet, or snow, we started the day managing the farm. We worked in the fields and returned the next day to repeat the process until the harvest season ended. The family also grew vegetables like corn, greens, and peas. We also raised chicken and hogs. These were the most difficult days of our lives. The kids in the community would laugh and make us an entity of entertainment.

Growing up in a small town, we experienced life as mundane and difficult to survive. The neighbor’s nominated us for the trophy of poor people. As we walked to school, the aristocrats would shy away from us because we were not the best dressed or the most handsome young men in the town. Jeff and I faced some awful taunting and bullying from our peers. We could not join the social clubs because of our status. Grandmother would express encouraging words of wisdom, Pay them no mind; one day you are going to grow up and become somebody. It was problematic, to be continuously teased by our peers.

I grew up in the Black Belt of Alabama and learned to pick cotton and pull corn from the stalks. According to an article, the most usual definition of the Black Belt, in a political sense, are counties in Alabama and Mississippi where the Negro outnumbered the whites. During times of forced migration from Africa,