One Love
Happy Son-Day!!!
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One Love and Konoko Falls Reel
One Love Story
What do Valentine's Day and Jamaica have in common? Their emphasis on love.
I spent a few days in Jamaica with my family for my nephew Phillip’s wedding. From the moment you set foot on the island, you’re surrounded by Bob Marley paraphernalia. Every shop, gas station, and restaurant seems to be selling something with his face on it. Even our transportation between cities played Marley’s music on every trip.
Just an observation — I’m not complaining. Jamaicans are deeply proud of Bob Marley and regard him as more of a national legend than even some of the leaders who helped liberate the island from British rule. His face appears everywhere you go.
This made me take a moment to learn about the man.
Per Wikipedia, Bob Marley was a Jamaican singer, songwriter, and cultural icon whose music helped bring reggae to a global audience. He was born Robert Nesta Marley on February 6, 1945, in Nine Mile, Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica, a suburb of Ocho Rios, and became one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century. Marley blended reggae, ska, and rocksteady, creating a sound that carried powerful messages about unity, resistance, and LOVE. He was the frontman of The Wailers, a group he formed. The Wailers helped define the reggae genre.
One song in particular, “One Love,” which I heard at least 20 times during my stay in Jamaica, became an anthem for social justice and peace. The impact of this song was global.
For me, this song resonates deeply with the injustice that ICE has inflicted on Minneapolis and the way Twin Cities residents have responded through non‑violent protests. In many ways, the city has experienced its own version of the Boston Massacre—what I would call the Minneapolis Massacre with the murder of two U.S. citizens.
In the original Boston Massacre on March 5, 1770, colonists protesting unfair taxation and the presence of British troops confronted soldiers in the streets. Amid rising tension, the soldiers fired into the crowd, killing five people. The event became a symbol of government overreach and a catalyst for collective resistance, which is why the parallel feels so striking today.
ICE is allegedly preparing to leave Minnesota, but the aftermath of their presence will leave many Minnesota residents angry with the government. The deaths that occurred, the apprehension of immigrants with no criminal history, and the harassment experienced by Black and Brown communities cannot be justified by Federal government leadership in any meaningful way.
Minneapolis has become a focal point for multiple injustices inflicted by law enforcement, and the impact of these events has reached far beyond the city. It used to be that when friends or relatives visited from out of town, all they wanted to see was the Mall of America. Now, they ask to visit the intersection of 38th & Chicago Avenue South — the place where George Floyd was killed.
South Minneapolis is still grappling with the trauma of that injustice and the unrest that followed. Today, the presence of 3,000 federal agents in Minnesota is having a similar effect on residents. This occupation has created pain, fear, and deep mental anguish. Healing is urgently needed.
Back to “One Love”. Sometimes you can hear a song for years without truly absorbing its message. Bob Marley’s “One Love” was like that for me. When I finally paused to reflect, the meaning hit differently. The song urges people to come together in unity, forgiveness, and compassion. It calls for peace even in the face of injustice. Marley emphasizes:
Unity across differences
Letting go of hatred
Standing together during hard times
Love as a political force
Community as resistance
Hope in the face of oppression
Here is one brief excerpt from the song:
“One love, one heart,
Let’s get together and feel all right…”
The lyrics remind of the passage from Colossians 3:13-14
13 Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
My message to other ICE targeted states: oppose with love and peace (Matthew 5:9 blessed are the peacemakers) and if you did not vote in the last election—33%, or 85 million Americans, did not—please do so this time. Protests alone only stop an injustice temporarily.
Voting matters!
Voting is the tool for seeking the well‑being of your community.
Jeremiah 29:7
“Seek the peace and prosperity of the city… pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Voting is a way of participating in civic life. It’s a way to pursue justice and mercy.
Exodus 18:21 “Select capable men from all the people — men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain…”
I end with these Jamaican sayings . . . Out of Many, One People, One Love. Who jah bless today, no man curse.
Hallelujah! Sing a New Song to GOD. Sing HIS praise in the assembly of godly people. Psalm 149:1.
“Promises” 2025, Lisa Knowles‑Smith & The Brown Singers
Okay, this is one of those songs where the pastor is looking for the song’s end, but the singers and congregation just want to keep the Holy Ghost good time going. The pastor realizes it is futile to put a stop to it, even after motioning to the choir director. He knows no one will want to hear him after "Shout Immersion". He shakes his head and just shouts with the rest of the congregation. Y’all know what I’m talking about.
#1 Gospel song on the Billboard airplay charts.
Promises Lyrics
Everybody clap
The promises of God are yes (yes)
The promises of God are (amen)
The promises of God are (yes)
I'm gonna (get everything He promised me, amen)
Come on, everybody clap your hands
Promised He wouldn't leave me (yes)
Promise He wouldn't leave me (amen)
Promise He wouldn't leave me (yes)
I'm gonna (get everything He promisеd me, amen)
Come on, everybody clap your hands
I've got this little part
He promisеd (promised to keep me)
Said He'll always be there (always be there)
He promised never to leave me (never to leave me)
Cause He's everywhere (He's everywhere)
And He'll (be by my side), and be my guide (He's my guide)
Come on that's why you've got to do this
I'm holding on to my promise (holding on to my promise)
I won't let it go (I won't let it go)
I'm gonna tell everybody everywhere I go
God keeps His promises (yes)
God keeps His promises (amen)
God keeps His promises (yes)
I'm gonna (get everything He promised me, amen)
Everybody clap your hand
Here we go, sing!
God (God keeps His promises)
He keeps His promise (God keeps His promises)
Everything He promised me (God keeps His promises)
Everything He promised you (God keeps His promises)
That's what God's gonna do (God keeps His promises)
Don't you give up on Him (God keeps His promises)
Don't give up on His Word (God keeps His promises)
Wait on God to move (God keeps His promises)
He's gonna come through just for you (God keeps His promises)
God keeps His promises (God keeps His promises)
He never turns back on it (God keeps His promises)
Whatever He said (God keeps His promises)
He keeps His promise (God keeps His promises)
Hey, hey, hey, yeah (God keeps His promises)
I said He keeps His promise (God keeps His promises)
I said He keeps His promise (God keeps His promises)
Say yes and (yes and amen)
Say yes (yes and amen)
Say yes (yes and amen)
Yes and- (yes and amen)
Yes (yes and amen)
God said yes (yes and amen)
God said yes (yes and amen)
Whoa-oh-oh-oh-oh, God!
God (God keeps His promises)
Said He keeps His promise (God keeps His promises)
In the Book of Isaiah (God keeps His promises)
40 and 31 (God keeps His promises)
It said they that wait (God keeps His promises)
Upon the Lord (God keeps His promises)
Shall renew their strength shall renew their strength (God keeps His promises)
Mount up with wings like eagles (God keeps His promises)
They're gonna run and not be weary (God keeps His promises)
They gon' walk and they won't faint (God keeps His promises)
That sounds like a promise to me (God keeps His promises)
A-that sounds like a promise to me (God keeps His promises)
Weeping may endure (God keeps His promises)
It endures for one night (God keeps His promises)
But the Bible said that joy (God keeps His promises)
Joy is coming in the morning (God keeps His promises)
That sounds like a promise to me (God keeps His promises)
That sounds like a promise to me (God keeps His promises)
In the Book of Philippians (God keeps His promises)
Chapter four is what I read (God keeps His promises)
Don't be anxious for nothing (God keeps His promises)
Everything by prayer and supplication (God keeps His promises)
Make your request known to the Lord (God keeps His promises)
And then it says with thanksgiving (God keeps His promises)
And then the peace of the Lord (God keeps His promises)
Will guard your heart (God keeps His promises)
That sounds like a promise to me (God keeps His promises)
That sounds like a promise to me (God keeps His promises)
Say yes and a... (yes, and amen)
I need me a witness (yes, and amen)
I need me a witness (yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
God (God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
Keep His promises (God keeps His promises)
I said He keeps His promises (God keeps His promises)
He promised He'll give me joy (God keeps His promises)
He promised He'll give me peace (God keeps His promises)
He promised He'll give me rest (God keeps His promises)
He promised He'll give me joy (God keeps His promises)
He promised He'll give me wisdom (God keeps His promises)
He'll promised He'll give me strength (God keeps His promises)
And that sounds like a promise to me (God keeps His promises)
Say yes and a... (yes and amen)
I need me a witness (yes and amen)
I need me a witness (yes and amen)
I need me a witness (yes and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon- oh, God!
God (God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
Everybody! (God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
Say yes and a... (yes, and amen)
You ought to sing it too! (Yes, and amen)
Everybody point up and say (yes and amen)
Yes, and amen (yes and amen)
Anybody gon' be a witness? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with- (yes and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with- (yes and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with- (yes and amen)
Anybody gon' stand with me? (Yes, and amen)
God (God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
(God keeps His promises)
I gotta tell 'em (God keeps His promises)
Browns, I gotta tell 'em (God keeps His promises)
Browns, I gotta tell 'em (God keeps His promises)
Browns, I gotta tell 'em, let's tell 'em (God keeps His promises)
Listen, healing (that's a promise)
Joy (that's a promise)
Healing (that's a promise)
Joy (that's a promise)
Peace (that's a promise)
Rest (that's a promise)
Wisdom (that's a promise)
Strength (that's a promise)
Whatever (that's a promise)
God promised (that's a promise)
Whatever (that's a promise)
God promised (that's a promise)
Stand on it (that's a promise)
That's a promise (that's a promise)
Promise He'll save (that's a promise)
Promise He will heal (that's a promise)
Promise He will bless you (that's a promise)
Promise He'll deliver (that's a promise)
Promise He will heal (that's a promise)
Promise He will save (that's a promise)
Promise He will bless you (that's a promise)
Promise He will heal (that's a promise)
Promise He will bless you (that's a promise)
Promise He will bless you (that's a promise)
He said if my people (that's a promise)
Called by my name (that's a promise)
And will humble (that's a promise)
Themselves (that's a promise)
And I'll hear (that's a promise)
And I'll heal (that's a promise)
I'll heal (that's a promise)
I'll heal (that's a promise)
That's a promise (that's a promise)
That's a promise (that's a promise)
For your mama (that's a promise)
For your daddy (that's a promise)
For your sister (that's a promise)
For your brother (that's a promise)
For your wife (that's a promise)
For your husband (that's a promise)
He promised (that's a promise)
That's a promise (that's a promise)
That's a promise (that's a promise)
That's a promise (that's a promise)
That's a promise (that's a promise)
Yes Lord (that's a promise)
Yes Lord (that's a promise)
Yes Lord (that's a promise)
Yeah (that's a promise)
Yeah (that's a promise)
Yeah (that's a promise)
Yeah (that's a promise)
Yeah (that's a promise)
Yeah (that's a promise)
(that's a promise)
(that's a promise)
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