A Heart That Forgives
23 May 2012 Leave a Comment
in Family, Uncategorized, Women in Ministry
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:13
Have you ever said ”Do I really have to forgive them?” or how about, “I’ll forgive them but I certainly won’t forget”?
I was having a conversation with a friend one day, when she asked “how do you forgive something like that?” As thoughts raced in my mind to find some deep theological answer to give, I blurted out “you just do it!” Of course the look on her face told me that I should have waited for a deeper answer.
I began to share my own experience with unforgiveness and how it not only affected my emotional health but the toll it was taking on my physical body. Some days I could feel the bitterness in my bones causing uncomfortable pains. Insomnia had tried to become my best friend, initiating panic attacks, as I replayed my pain over and over again. Then there was the time I scowled so much I began to notice lines between my eyebrows. One day I looked in the mirror, not pleased with what I saw and questioned my age. I know I said I wanted to grow old gracefully but I was barely 30 years old.
Now and then, life hurts and people in our lives hurt us! But how can we not remember the forgiveness our Lord displayed as he was beaten, lied on, abused and betrayed by His own people? Who are we not to forgive when an abundance of grace has been freely given to us? My God, decided to expose our thought life to others…we’d all be in need of forgiveness.
As the words of a song says, “I still want to love them like you love me…just like your Son, I give up my right to hold it against them with hatred and strife! A heart that forgives is a heart that will live totally free from the pain of the past! A heart that let’s go is a heart that will know so much freedom!”
Prayer: Father, it isn’t always easy to give up my right to want to hurt them back. The pain alone seems unbearable at times. But when I look at all that you suffered without resistance – my heart is moved, my eyes are flooded with tears and I find myself in need of Your forgiveness. So here I am releasing my right to remain bitter, so that I may live a life of freedom in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Do You Wear The Mask?
22 May 2012 Leave a Comment
I once heard that ‘character is who we are when no one but God is looking’. So who are we really?
How many disguises do we have for each church service, ministry event or spiritual retreat? What about the disguises we wear at work? While others may be impressed with our abilities to conceal our identity, God is not impressed! When we do things to impress others so that we appear godly, holy and lovable, it sickens our Heavenly Father. He sees through our parade of charades and longs for us to choose to be like Him. Our fine clothes, fancy hats and braggadocious ways are just cover-ups to make us feel good while keeping the evil in our hearts hidden. You see most of us would rather ‘wear the mask’ than to face ourselves than have to deal with who we really are. Oftentimes, we desperately feel the need to create these ‘false images’ of ourselves so that we don’t have to deal with our ‘unmasked’ selves. Or we allow others to burden us with their ‘false images’ of us which initiates our ‘pedestal’ mentality. We place people in positions to be followed, as opposed to following the ONE we are to wholly pattern ourselves after. When we do this we are setting ourselves and those we place on the pedestals up for the long fall downward. The truth is this…‘everything that exalts itself must come down’.
We wear the mask of ‘false humility’ so much that we are blinded to the deep seated issues of pride in our lives. We stick our noses up at those who dare not mimic us, especially since in our own eyes we are the “standard”. We even go as far as to pick and choose those worthy of our gifts, affection and friendships based on whether or not they are living up to our ’false’ standards. It’s a good thing for those who refuse to wear the mask, that God is no respecter of persons. As a matter of fact, God has already made a way for us to live “unmasked” lives – lives that are free from the control of the things and people that keep us from being who we are and who we’re meant to be! I’m not talking about down playing what God has blessed you with, but I’m talking about being so puffed up that all you see is that fake mask you wear. You are the ‘standard’…NOT!
Today, take a moment to take off the mask and allow the whole armor of God to be the new ‘standard’ in your life. Our Holy Father requires a holy people, so put on holiness, you’re going to need it.
Prayer Challenge: Father, help us to be honest with ourselves because You already know who we are and when we stand before You, the mask will have evaporated into thin air. Your Word tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, unique unlike any other. You made us! You loves us unconditionally! Cause us to worship You, our Creator, not man because whom the Son has set free (from people) is free indeed! Thank you, Jesus!!
Written May 14, 2002@ 12:00 a.m.
A Matter of Opinion – A Look of Indifference
22 May 2012 1 Comment
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility…and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.” Ephesians 2:14-16 (NIV)
How many times do we categorize people we meet? Before you answer that…think about it for a minute.
As we meet someone for the first time, we secretly thumb through the boxes in our minds labeled “familiar” or “unfamiliar” while denying our prejudices at the same time. Stay-at-home Mom or working mom; real hair or weave hair; high-yellow or cocoa brown; married or divorced; churched or un-churched; educated or underprivileged. You get my point?
Labels become boxes in our minds that allow us to admit or reject the people we encounter from one day to the next.
Differences aside, like it or not, we are really more alike than different. And the funny part is that we never know who God may choose to use to speak to us, get our attention, touch our hearts or bless our lives.
The sister that most aggravates me is quite possibly a reflection of my own dark side, that part of me that I can‘t stand, struggle with or find downright embarrassing. Before I quickly cast judgment on another sister, maybe I need to ask God to help me turn the spotlight back on myself. Perhaps I can begin by praying for the person I find it most difficult to deal with, and in doing so, I just may be surprised by who experiences the greatest change in attitude — it just might be me!
Prayer: Father, right now I commit the most secret prejudices of my heart to you. Forgive me for pre-judging my sister by the way she looks, talks or what church she attends. Help me to love her as you have loved me even when we have different views and opinions. Father as we enter your sanctuary remind us that You destroyed the wall of hostility at the cross. Let us join as one heart, singing your praises and lifting each other up in prayer. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
30 Nov 2009 1 Comment
in Family, Uncategorized
December 2, 2008
The Transition….Pt 3 continued
After sharing the word and sharing our testimony. The Lord led our Pastor to take up an offering to raise 1500 dollars so that we could get another van or suv. We danced and prayed and the people gave. When it was all over and the offering was counted, with 30 people in the congregation, the Pastor looked at the paper with the count and then looked at the congregation and said, we have good news. We don’t even need this money. A couple in the congregation gave us their SUV. We cried and praised God for His awesome provision!!! Hallelujah!! And they said to the Pastor that we could keep the 750 dollars that was raised!! God has proven Himself mightily to us!
So when you’re ready to give up and throw in the towel, beloved, just remember these words written by the greatest theologian ever; the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the church at Philippi, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7 and 19. He’s the giver of every good and perfect gift and in Him there is no variableness or shadow of turning. He won’t flip the script on you.
Thank you Lord for what you continue to do for us….
Rev. C
The Transition….Pt 3
30 Nov 2009 Leave a Comment
The Transition….Pt2
30 Nov 2009 Leave a Comment
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The Transition….Pt2
The second part of the transition has been completed. Moving forward can be a scary thing. The good thing is that God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. When obedience comes, God begins to open doors and He blesses us. Obedieince isn’t always easy but it is necessary when we are seeking God’s favor. God has been teaching me and training me to unlearn a lot of things that were detrimental and destructive. I praise God for his mercy! It’s because His mercies are new every morning that I’m not consumed! The lesson continues…… Rev. C. Written by my husband ~ Thanks for sharing, honey! |
In Memory of…A Not So Average Joe
27 Oct 2008 Leave a Comment
in Family
October 20, 2008
Joseph C. – A loving husband, a devoted hard-working father of six sons and caring grandfather. Joseph lost his parents when he was 13 years old. He had two older brothers and four younger sisters. Joe’s parents instilled love for family, character and work ethics in him. Joe quit school to find work so that he could take care of his sisters.
Can you imagine being a 13 year old boy having to explain to his sister what happens to her body on a monthly basis? Or having to figure out why she’s crying when she probably doesn’t know herself? When Joe turned 16 he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and was out to sea about 6 months out of each year. He sent every penny to his sisters, made sure they went to school and spent all his available time caring for them.
Joe was a wise and quiet man, who didn’t waste his time, money or energy on things that he could NOT change. He chose his words wisely, although they were few. He spoke with authority and gentleness at the same time. He meant what he said and said only what he meant. A teacher of life’s ups and downs, he believed that men should work hard to provide for their families no matter what the costs. He taught that you should pay your bills on time, purchase only what was necessary and save like there would be no tomorrow!
His favorite holiday was Christmas. If ever there was a ‘real’ Santa Claus…it would have been him. Christmas to Joe meant toys spilled from under the tree to cover the entire floor surface of the room it occupied. Near the end of his life, Joe finally accepted the gift above all gifts…Jesus Christ!
Joseph died with expectation. He expected his seed to continue his legacy of continual learning and overcoming hardships through perseverance and hard work. He expected his grandsons to listen to wisdom, NEVER QUIT when times get rough and to do better than he did.
Wow, what an example of a godly father!! A TRUE self-sacrificing man of honor and awesome provider!
blessed
Transition…Part 1
21 Oct 2008 Leave a Comment
in Family, Uncategorized Tags: Life, transition
Transition. A word that doesn’t become interesting until you actually go through one or a series of them. Transitions may or may not go smoothly, but anytime you go through one it’s because it becomes necessary for growth. When the transition is smooth, we will always talk about how God has blessed us and how much we are in His favor. But what if the transition does go smooth? Has God still blessed us? Are we still in His favor or in His will? Of course we are! Sometimes a transition doesn’t always go smoothly and it’s during these times that God uses the transition to teach us. God will use this time to teach us about prior mistakes and He will also use the time to teach us about the things that He expects from us in life and in ministry. So if you are going through a transition right now, don’t give up or get discouraged if things don’t go as smoothly as you thought they would. Don’t allow the enemy to get you in such a state that you allow yourself to get angry with God, or become doubting and fearful. Remember, the rain in our life is there to make us grow. Trials come to make us strong. So if we remember that God is still God and that He’s still able to do what He says He can and will do, then God will bless us because of our faith in Him. Hebrews reminds us that Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. The writer tells us that when we have faith we believe and hope that those things that we can’t see will come to pass. We know that God will do the impossible for us because He specializes in it!
I’m looking forward to continue growth in life and in ministry. Thank you Jesus for the transition!
~Rev. C
Current mood: grateful
(This is post was written by my husband on Saturday, October 18, 2008. Thanks honey for sharing!)
REAL RAP 2 MY GUYS…
11 Jul 2008 1 Comment
in Family Tags: christian, guys, youth
Apologize
July 11, 2008
First, let me apologize for the lack of authentic godly examples in your life. I apologize for the parent who thinks it’s okay to live a questionable lifestyle in front of you. I apologize for the parent who initiates your first smoke or drink! I apologize for the parent who believes it’s godly to preach outside the home, but live like a devil in the home. I apologize for the parent who buys you an X-Box, iPod or iPhone, yet has not invested one dime in your education! I apologize for the parent who encourages you to rap about stealing, bustin’ caps, getting a wifey and some ‘bling…forgive them for they know not what they do! I apologize for the parent who does not ask you ‘where have you been’, ‘where are you going’, ‘who are your friends’ and ‘what’s in the bag’! I apologize for the pastor in your life who thinks he/she isn’t obligated to invest in you! I apologize for the “Christian” adults in your life who frown when they see you come through the doors of the church or rather yet, prefer you to come back when you’re thirtyish. I apologize for those who have nothing else better to do than to berate you, strip you of your confidence and talk negatively about you. I apologize for the parents and grandparents who break their promises time after time, therefore causing you to doubt God’s promises. I apologize for the father who spends too much time ministering to others, while you sit waiting for him to respond to your hurts, disappointments and fears. I apologize for the teacher who thinks that because of your skin color you will never amount to anything. I apologize for the church leader who tries to downplay your gifts and talents because of their own cultural fears! I apologize for the mother who forgets to model the godly wife you should be looking for. I apologize for the mother who is so caught up in her own mess, that she just leaves you to fend for yourself…the Bible says “shame on her”! I apologize for the parent who does not set high standards for you to reach because of their own failures and mistakes. I apologize for the father who is so self-absorbed that his only response to you is limited to grunts and screams. I apologize for those who make you second guess the ‘great man’ living inside you!
I apologize for not saying this sooner! I love you, please forgive us!
This is dedicated to Donovan and Leglency, Jr. for encouraging the writer in me! Thanks for the love!
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