Larry Buford – Page 3 – Los Angeles Sentinel

Words of the Week – The Whole Duty of Man

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterMarch 11, 2020

I was recently listening to a popular pastor tell the story of when he first started in ministry, he kept a whole lot of notes with him that he could reference during his sermons. Then, suddenly one night as he was about to deliver his message, there was a blackout. He said he asked God, “What do I tell them now?” and God revealed to him to just tell them about Jesus. So, what about Jesus do we tell? Well, we can start with, “In the beginning was the Word (Christ), and the Word was with God,

Religion

Boundless Forgiveness? Stop in the Name of Love!

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterFebruary 26, 2020

Have you ever forgiven someone who has yet to own up to their offense; who have never apologized? That can be a hard pill to swallow! I have heard many commentaries and discussions about forgiveness. The Bible records in Matthew 18:22 that Jesus instructed the church to forgive “seventy times seven.” Scholars say this is the symbol of boundlessness. However, if some people continue to offend time after time, what are we to do? Well, I’ll say it this way, if you continue to stand in the middle of the road shouting “stop in the name of love” to some

Religion

Kobe Bryant: ‘God is great! It don’t get no simpler than that, bro!’

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterJanuary 29, 2020

In the aftermath of the tragic accident on Sunday, Jan. 26 – where basketball legend Kobe Bryant, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash – there have been many somber and celebratory tributes in Los Angeles and around the world. TV clips of him, whether in action on the court, or off-court interviews are constant; and they all point to his dedication to the game; his strong, disciplined work ethic; and his respect and love for others – especially his wife, Vanessa, and their children. One of the stories about Kobe that caught my attention

Religion

Reflection: MLK Lived and Died for Justice

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterJanuary 15, 2020

The Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated during the tumultuous 1960s. He lived for justice and died for justice. In his 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial, he said in part: “e’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. “When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir…It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this

Religion

2020 Vision: Fear Not!

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterJanuary 2, 2020

When I was about three or four-years-old, we lived on Goddard Road, on the north end of Detroit. We had two apple trees and a grapevine in the backyard, and another apple tree in the front. My father had once told me never to eat the apples that had fallen to the ground because there may be a worm in them. To show me, he picked one up from the ground, so I could actually see a worm hole in it. One morning, I bolted out the front door, down the gangway to the backyard and I saw this bright

Religion

Words of the Week – The Wedding Dress

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterAugust 14, 2019

Are you a creative person? If so, then you know the creation process of making something from nothing. As a writer, I brood over a blank page to find the right words to bring a meaningful thought or idea to fruition. It’s not just a bunch of words thrown together. So, concerning creation versus evolution, which would you believe that best-selling author Stephen King accidentally knocked over some ink onto some paper and the splash formed into a best-selling novel; or rather that he purposefully toiled and skillfully wrote it? The Bible reads in Genesis 1:2, “And the earth was

Religion

Words of the Week – When God Winks!

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterMay 1, 2019

We sometimes talk about, or hear people say how back in the day we used to do this, do that, be this way or that way. “Do you remember the time” when we did such and such? Didn’t Michael Jackson sing about that in one of his songs? You know what I’m talkin’ about! I certainly can remember the times – and I shudder to think about them now – how things could have turned out terribly wrong. In some cases, I probably could have died, but thank God, He protected me and brought me through. For instance, I remember

Local News Religion

Reflection: The Good, They Do Die Young!

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterApril 3, 2019

Dr. Martin Luther King Died 51 Years Ago. Nipsey Hussle died March 31, 2019. This morning when I got to work, a conversation ensued about the murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle on March 31. I did not know much about him, but the younger people cited all the good things that the Grammy-nominee and former gang member had done for the community in which he grew up, and where he continued to invest his time and fortune. When one person asked the question, “Why do those who do good get killed?” my mind immediately went to the Rev. Dr. Martin

Local Religion

Words of the Week – Preventing Identity Theft (A Reminder)

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterMarch 13, 2019

Jesus! There is so much identity theft taking place these days. According to two recent studies, about seven million people became victims of identity theft over a 12-month period. That calculates to 19,178 per day, 799 per hour, and 13 per minute! It is also reported that it takes victims an average of 600 hours to recover from this crime; often over a period of years. Some suggested preventive measures for identity theft include: limiting the amount of confidential information carried in your wallet; carrying no more blank checks than needed; keeping home files of bank and credit card accounts

Religion

Dr. King, Northridge Quake and Current Times

January 16, 2019

It was early morning January 17, 1994 when California’s Northridge earthquake struck, killing more than 60, and injuring more than 9,000. Damage was widespread. After the shock of it all, I remember thinking that since it happened on the Martin Luther King holiday; Dr. King was stirring in his grave for still the injustices and the inequalities that he spoke of in his famous “I Have A Dream” speech. When we look around today and see all the senseless gun violence, the deception, lying, cheating and disrespect that are so blatant and rampant; we can still

Religion

Words of the Week – Did Joseph Doubt His Father Jacob’s Motives?

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterNovember 28, 2018

It’s human nature when something bad happens to us, to put the blame on something or someone beside ourselves. The pronouns “he,” “she” or “they” become the objects of our source of disappointment, suffering, pain and shame. It takes a mature person to be rational and ask, “What was my part in all of this?” The blame seems to become even more amplified as we oftentimes become isolated, whether self-imposed, or by some external force. Isolation can cause our minds to play tricks on us. It causes us to second-guess, and even distort the facts if we’re not careful. The

Religion

Words of the Week – What is a House?

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterJuly 4, 2018

When a house is not your home! What house do you love more than the House of God? Is it the house of your job; money; sex; gambling; drugs; entertainment idols? Ever been to a casino and heard the expression “the house always wins?” Regardless of whether or not you are addicted to gambling, that dwelling place called “house” could not possibly be your home – especially after you’ve lost your shirt! Sometimes we find ourselves “housed” in situations like debt, drugs, a bad relationship, a bad job – you name it; but because we’re camped there does not mean

Religion

Buford’s ‘Book to the Future’ Offers Inspiring Faith and Historical Reflections

Cora Jackson-Fossett, Religion EditorJune 6, 2018

New release by L.A. author explores how your actions today affect tomorrow As if he’s not busy enough as a journalist, singer and songwriter, Larry Buford has found time to release “Book to the Future – Time Travel Message in a Capsule.” Sub-titled as “A Historical and Faith-Based Account of How What We Do Today Will Affect Tomorrow,” the tome features Buford’s published columns and reviews on a wide range of subjects. His opinions, often laced with scripture and current events, are revealed in provocative topics such as “The People’s Choice When God is Rejected, ” “Is Procrastination Your Priority,”

Religion

Words of the Week – The Touchstone

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterMay 16, 2018

According to the Bible, God knew us before the foundations of the earth. Now imagine if you will – you were in Heaven, and God said, “I need someone to fulfill a certain mission on planet earth.” You bowed before the throne of God and said, “send me I’ll go!” And there was much rejoicing in Heaven! Then God instructed: “You will be transformed by My mighty hand through a birth canal to take on human attributes, and you will have no recollection of where you came from; but an assigned angel will be your guide and helper. “You will

Op-Ed Opinion Religion

MLK: He Lived and Died for Justice

Larry Buford, Contributing WriterJanuary 10, 2018

This is the 50th year since the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated during the tumultuous 1960’s. He lived for justice and died for justice. In his 1963 “I Have A Dream” speech at the Lincoln Memorial he said in part: “e’ve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition. In a sense we’ve come to our nation’s capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir…It is obvious today