Urban Thought Collective

About Me:

Najuma Smith is a preacher, world traveler, writer, and proud parent. She currently serves as the full-time Sr. Pastor of St. James AME Church in Los Angeles. Unapologetically saved and full of purpose, she enjoys sharing words of encouragement with anyone who will listen, bringing a fresh look at life in light of the Word of God. Her collection of motivations and observations are exclusive to Urban Thought Collective. Visit her at www.myspace.com/revjuju.

“…But with God all things are possible” Matthew 19:26
Barack Obama: “If there is anyone out there who still doubts that America is a place where all things are possible, who still wonders if the dream of our founders is alive in our time, who still questions the power of our democracy, tonight is your answer!” […]

”For the battle is not yours but the Gods” 2 Chronicles 20:15
All this talk in the news about battleground states as it relates the election had me reflecting on the above text.
The story goes, there was a surge against the nation of Israel. The King sought wisdom on what to do and how […]

Teach them to your children and to their children after them. (Deuteronomy 4:9b)
I am so encouraged by the four-part TVOne series “Murder in Black and White” hosted by Al Sharpton, that takes a look into four notorious and racially motivated murders of the deep south.
Most especially moving to me, in lieu of the national push […]

THE BAIL OUT BLUES

Gen 41:30, 33
But seven years of family will follow them. Then all the abundance in Egypt will be forgotten and the famine will ravage the land.
And now let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man and put him in charge of the land of Egypt.

The story goes, the Pharaoh of Ancient […]

The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me.’ (Matthew 25:40)
McCain & Obama at Ground Zero…Awesome!
How honorable, that in the midst of this historic campaign, our two candidates can put the petty name calling, political pundits, and divides on American’s issues […]

“With this faith we will be able to hue out of the mountain of despair a Stone of Hope.”
- Dr. Martin Luther King, August 28, 1963
In his great “I Have a Dream” speech, Dr. Martin Luther King said the above words, that on today have major significance to me, as I like billions of people […]

What else can one say to McCain’s choice for his Vice President running mate…it’s beyond obvious that his selecting Govenor Sarah Palin is nothing more than a gimmick; and how disappointing to see him and his staff make a mockery of our political process by pulling such a sexist stunt?
Yeah, I said it, Sexist!
His choice […]

First, my condolences and prayers to the families of Bernie Mac, Isaac Hayes, Rev. Charles Belcher and Mr. Julius Butler.
The names of the last two gentlemen you may not be familiar with. They were colleagues of mine from church, who also passed away in same week as Mac and Hayes. All were great men who […]

You remember “Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?”
Well, words may not hurt your feelings, but if you ask Don Imus, words can hurt your career and cost you a job.
If you ask Jesse Jackson, words can hurt your name and cost you the respect of your constituents. […]

Matthew 2: 16 - When Herod realized that he had been outwitted by the Magi, he was furious, and he gave orders to kill all the boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity who were two years old and under, in accordance with the time he had learned from the Magi.
This past week I listened […]