Christmas
Are you a Merry Christmas or Happy Holiday type person? Do you remember when the Merry Christmas phrase was all that you heard? Now as we have updated our sayings we have people who are offended by the Christian Merry Christmas. Our schools and businesses don’t want to purport the idea that they are embracing the Christian ways and want to stand out as not being bias. I don’t know if they realize that if we as Christians did not celebrate the birth of Jesus that they would not have anything to celebrate this time of the year. Let’s look at Christmas and its many traditions and why we celebrate it.
The word Christmas comes from the word Cristes maesse, or “Christ’s Mass.” Most historians date the first Christmas to Rome in 336 AD. In America, it’s the biggest event of the year. The federal government, all state governments, schools/colleges/universities and the vast majority of businesses give employees two days off at Christmas. 85% of the American population has claimed Christianity. Because it is important to them, merchants welcome their 70% annual revenue that it brings and totally hype the event.
The tradition of gifts seems to have started with the wise men (the Magi) brought to Jesus. No one was in the habit of exchanging gifts until the 1800’s. The Santa Claus story combined with an amazing phenomenon that has grown since has made gift giving a central focus of Christmas. In Germany, the tradition of a Christmas tree moved to England and America thru Pennsylvanian German Immigrants. In 1880 Woolworths first sold manufactured Christmas ornaments, and they caught on very quickly. The first electrically lighted tree appeared in 1882. Calvin Coolidge in 1923 lit the first tree at the White House.
What about mistletoe and holly? Well the Scandinavians had a goddess of love (Frigga) who is strongly associated with mistletoe. This link lends to kissing under the mistletoe. The church banned mistletoe because it was associated with many pagan rituals and replaced it with the holly. The sharply pointed leaves were to symbolize the thorns in Christ’s crown and the red berries drops of His blood.
Poinsettias were attached to Christmas in 1828. Robert Poinsett the first Mexican ambassador to the U.S. imported the plant from Mexico. The Christmas stocking- tradition states that the original St Nicholas left his first gifts of gold coins in the stockings of three poor girls who needed money for their wedding dowries. Christmas cards started in London in 1843 and in America in 1846. The most popular Christmas carols are heard approximately 700 times during the Christmas season.
There are so many reasons to say Merry Christmas. The season brings about much love that is not experienced at any other time of the year, not even Valentine’s Day. There’s so much more as to the why we celebrate Christmas as we try to usher in Peace on Earth and Good Will Towards all men. Don’t let the world keep you from acknowledging the birth of Jesus. Celebrate with your family and friends with all the passion granted to you as a believer, remembering that Jesus is the reason for the season.
If you want more information about the traditions of Christmas and how and where they started, go to www.howstuffworks.com/christmas.htm
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
SPW
12-20-08
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
What I Have Learned
I have learned that the things I run away from are the very things I keep running into.
I have learned that 85% of the things I worry about don’t happen at all
I have learned that God’s Word is true at all times in my life.
I have learned that right’s right and wrong is wrong, but God’s grace covers it all.
I have learned that forgiveness is necessary not as much for the person who needs to be forgiven, but for me who carries un-forgiveness.
I have learned that God created me to do only what I can do. I should be about doing His will.
I have learned that we are all human, we’ll all make mistakes and that’s just what people do.
I have learned that we all have choices, choose wisely.
I have learned that we shall all die, what will you do from life to death?
I have learned that we all have 24hours a day to spend time with what’s important.
I have learned that we can’t take back words spoken, whether good or bad.
I have learned that a smile can do a lot to welcome in your presence to a hurting soul.
I have learned that a hug enfolds the recipient with warmth and love.
I have learned that wherever I go I am there, I can’t move away from myself.
I have learned that life is lived through the habits of the mind.
I have learned that time never stands still like people.
I have learned that women and men have different roles_ don’t confuse the two.
I have learned that learning should be life-long; way pass our institutional guidelines.
I have learned that I have two ears and one mouth, which causes me to hear and think twice and only speak once.
I have learned that experience can be a hard teacher, but can be just as gentle.
I have learned that consequences can be positive or negative.
I have learned that at the end of the day I can go to my heavenly father and thank Him for taking me through it.
I have learned that contentment is a choice. I choose my level of satisfaction.
I have learned that going to God first is your first line of defense.
I have learned that prayer changes things and you.
I have learned that what I practice is what I do automatically with no thought.
I have learned that to change the tapes I play in my head, I must change the tune.
I have learned that wisdom has many facets- listen, hear and do.
I have learned that I need to be present with the people or situation I’m with.
I have learned that much speaking leaves little room for good listening.
I have learned that I am me. And I can only be me.
I have learned that what you feel will eventually come out.
I have learned that who you are does not dictate who I am.
I have learned that I love you in spite of your behavior.
I have learned that I love all people, but I don’t like all people behaviors.
I have learned that serving others brings about healings to your inner beings.
I have learned that the giving of yourself to others is love__ love is an action word.
I have learned that being is being without any word spoken.
SPW 11-01-08
I have learned that the things I run away from are the very things I keep running into.
I have learned that 85% of the things I worry about don’t happen at all
I have learned that God’s Word is true at all times in my life.
I have learned that right’s right and wrong is wrong, but God’s grace covers it all.
I have learned that forgiveness is necessary not as much for the person who needs to be forgiven, but for me who carries un-forgiveness.
I have learned that God created me to do only what I can do. I should be about doing His will.
I have learned that we are all human, we’ll all make mistakes and that’s just what people do.
I have learned that we all have choices, choose wisely.
I have learned that we shall all die, what will you do from life to death?
I have learned that we all have 24hours a day to spend time with what’s important.
I have learned that we can’t take back words spoken, whether good or bad.
I have learned that a smile can do a lot to welcome in your presence to a hurting soul.
I have learned that a hug enfolds the recipient with warmth and love.
I have learned that wherever I go I am there, I can’t move away from myself.
I have learned that life is lived through the habits of the mind.
I have learned that time never stands still like people.
I have learned that women and men have different roles_ don’t confuse the two.
I have learned that learning should be life-long; way pass our institutional guidelines.
I have learned that I have two ears and one mouth, which causes me to hear and think twice and only speak once.
I have learned that experience can be a hard teacher, but can be just as gentle.
I have learned that consequences can be positive or negative.
I have learned that at the end of the day I can go to my heavenly father and thank Him for taking me through it.
I have learned that contentment is a choice. I choose my level of satisfaction.
I have learned that going to God first is your first line of defense.
I have learned that prayer changes things and you.
I have learned that what I practice is what I do automatically with no thought.
I have learned that to change the tapes I play in my head, I must change the tune.
I have learned that wisdom has many facets- listen, hear and do.
I have learned that I need to be present with the people or situation I’m with.
I have learned that much speaking leaves little room for good listening.
I have learned that I am me. And I can only be me.
I have learned that what you feel will eventually come out.
I have learned that who you are does not dictate who I am.
I have learned that I love you in spite of your behavior.
I have learned that I love all people, but I don’t like all people behaviors.
I have learned that serving others brings about healings to your inner beings.
I have learned that the giving of yourself to others is love__ love is an action word.
I have learned that being is being without any word spoken.
SPW 11-01-08
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
The Pact
The Pact
The parking deck was filling up fast. The excitement was in the air as the students filed in by buses and cars. There was great anticipation to hear the speakers. The majority ethnic population was black. There were teens and parents waiting to hear how these three doctors made a pact to become doctors each in his own field of expertise.
They captured the audience’s attention by starting off with a powerful video of what it looks like to be highly educatedly mindful. Each doctor was pushed by a mom who wanted more for their sons. The intentionally of their moms landed them in the right schools to connect with the right people. These three young men on a whim decided to flick class one day not knowing that that decision would set the stage for a very bright future.
Dr. Sampson Davis, Dr. Rameck Hunt, and Dr. George Jenkins had very similar backgrounds as they all grew up in one of New Jersey’s poorer neighborhoods. Dr. Davis is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Hunt is a Board Certified Internist, and Dr. Jenkins is a dentist. The three attended Seton Hall University’s Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dental Plus program, specifically designed to encourage minority students to pursue a medical career.
The overall message to the attendees was preparedness plus opportunity equals success. Ninety percent of the equation is getting prepared. It is up to the person to choose a goal that can be met with many mid-course corrections. Approach your life for the long term effect it will have on your behavior. Be more pragmatic, that is concerned with the practical consequences of actions or beliefs. Learn who you are and compensate. Fail forward, each failure should push you forward towards your goal. Each A is a final positive implementation to your future.
Be a dreamer, dream big then put action to your goals. Setting goals help you to keep boundaries. Try to experience the world outside of where you live. Get as much exposure to others, places and cultures. Recognize opportunity when it presents itself. As Dr. Davis stated, follow the 3 Ds_ Dedication, Determination and Discipline. Remember it takes work, hard work to accomplish your goals.
Stay focused on the goals you have set for your life. Sometimes things to not work out, but you will find if you stay the course that people will come along to help you obtain those goals. The scholarships that were offered the three young men fell through. They went to the library on campus and researched the scholarship manuals and then received help from others that were in place to help them succeed.
In our nation’s capitol only 9% of ninth graders graduate from high school. We as parents and guardians should do all we can to help students accomplish their educational goals. Education is the key to all of our success. Let’s take education to celebrity standing. Let’s make education just as popular as any sport. Education plus planning leads you to the door of opportunity.
Knock and step in!
The parking deck was filling up fast. The excitement was in the air as the students filed in by buses and cars. There was great anticipation to hear the speakers. The majority ethnic population was black. There were teens and parents waiting to hear how these three doctors made a pact to become doctors each in his own field of expertise.
They captured the audience’s attention by starting off with a powerful video of what it looks like to be highly educatedly mindful. Each doctor was pushed by a mom who wanted more for their sons. The intentionally of their moms landed them in the right schools to connect with the right people. These three young men on a whim decided to flick class one day not knowing that that decision would set the stage for a very bright future.
Dr. Sampson Davis, Dr. Rameck Hunt, and Dr. George Jenkins had very similar backgrounds as they all grew up in one of New Jersey’s poorer neighborhoods. Dr. Davis is a Board Certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Hunt is a Board Certified Internist, and Dr. Jenkins is a dentist. The three attended Seton Hall University’s Pre-Medicine/Pre-Dental Plus program, specifically designed to encourage minority students to pursue a medical career.
The overall message to the attendees was preparedness plus opportunity equals success. Ninety percent of the equation is getting prepared. It is up to the person to choose a goal that can be met with many mid-course corrections. Approach your life for the long term effect it will have on your behavior. Be more pragmatic, that is concerned with the practical consequences of actions or beliefs. Learn who you are and compensate. Fail forward, each failure should push you forward towards your goal. Each A is a final positive implementation to your future.
Be a dreamer, dream big then put action to your goals. Setting goals help you to keep boundaries. Try to experience the world outside of where you live. Get as much exposure to others, places and cultures. Recognize opportunity when it presents itself. As Dr. Davis stated, follow the 3 Ds_ Dedication, Determination and Discipline. Remember it takes work, hard work to accomplish your goals.
Stay focused on the goals you have set for your life. Sometimes things to not work out, but you will find if you stay the course that people will come along to help you obtain those goals. The scholarships that were offered the three young men fell through. They went to the library on campus and researched the scholarship manuals and then received help from others that were in place to help them succeed.
In our nation’s capitol only 9% of ninth graders graduate from high school. We as parents and guardians should do all we can to help students accomplish their educational goals. Education is the key to all of our success. Let’s take education to celebrity standing. Let’s make education just as popular as any sport. Education plus planning leads you to the door of opportunity.
Knock and step in!
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
I Salute You Mr. President
Wake up world, a new regime is about to get started. The paradigm has shifted. We have just been witnesses to something many of us thought we would never live to see. A black president. A man who is well qualified to do the job. An intelligent man who has some Christian morals and values. A person who a nation can follow because he is a man with proven character and has given people a different outlook on how this nation was meant to be.
This is one of the few times that I can say as a black person that we were all created equal. A choice was made by the American public that that change was needed. It baffles my mind the number of people who made the choice of a government system that has on a consistent basis left many of the nations’ peoples surviving on less than. Living from one pay check to the next and many could not even do that. If we choose to do the same thing over and over again, then we should expect to get the same results. Changing at least one thing that we do will get a different outcome, no matter how small it may be. What the change does bring about is a new hope that things will be different.
Hope is defined by Webster as trust, reliance, desire accompanied by expectation or fulfillment; also one who gives promise for the future. Hope is what America has been looking for a long time. The middle class was getting tired of being in the middle when it came to always making too much but not enough to enjoy or profit from the dream America was suppose to provide for her people. Obama is the one who gives promise for our future.
Now is the time to look forward to the future. Now is the time to pray for the man who will be running our country. Now is the time for all Christians to step up to the plate and gird this presidency in prayer. There will be many struggles that he and his family will have to face. Just as before the bible says to pray for those who have rule over you. Do your part as a citizen of this United States. Support our new president.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Your Majesty
As I move towards celebrating 59 years on this great earth I turned my thoughts to how I could make more of a difference in others lives. I started planning my second tea party. I so enjoy entertaining and wanted to find a way for ladies of all ages to connect. Good food, good fun and good fellowship opens many doorways to connectivity.
The bible teaches us women in Titus 2:3 “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their own husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
With those thoughts in mind we assembled at my house on a fall afternoon as the leaves were participating in their annual colorful rainfall. The sun shone like a beacon of light as the wind played with the falling leaves. As the day progressed the ladies ate and talked and had lots of laughter. The culminating event was when we made the bracelets.
There were oohs and ahs as each lady fashioned their bracelet to match their personality. No two bracelets were alike very much the way God sends the snowflakes. The colors were the same as we all are but the way we are put together is different. I explained to each one there that we all come from royalty.
Since you were not there I wanted to share with you what I shared with them about their royal lineage:
Your Majesty
We are the women who have decided that we Represent. We represent because we are Royalty.
The Purple stands for those of us who are Queens and aspiring Princesses in God’s Kingdom. We are all heirs of the King. Wherein we are all rich because God is our heavenly Father and He owns the Kingdom.
God requires us to grow in Him.
The Green represents us learning, being and doing each day to glorify Him in all we do. As we look up to heavens we are reminded that God loves each and everyone of us.
The Blue represents a new start each day and to look how we can be a blessing to others.
Turquoise is a mixture of blues and green. Create a mix that allows God to grow you into the Queen or Princess that he wants you to be.
Wear your bracelet often reminding yourself of how special you are to Me and God.
Much Love,
Sheila
The bible teaches us women in Titus 2:3 “Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their own husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.”
With those thoughts in mind we assembled at my house on a fall afternoon as the leaves were participating in their annual colorful rainfall. The sun shone like a beacon of light as the wind played with the falling leaves. As the day progressed the ladies ate and talked and had lots of laughter. The culminating event was when we made the bracelets.
There were oohs and ahs as each lady fashioned their bracelet to match their personality. No two bracelets were alike very much the way God sends the snowflakes. The colors were the same as we all are but the way we are put together is different. I explained to each one there that we all come from royalty.
Since you were not there I wanted to share with you what I shared with them about their royal lineage:
Your Majesty
We are the women who have decided that we Represent. We represent because we are Royalty.
The Purple stands for those of us who are Queens and aspiring Princesses in God’s Kingdom. We are all heirs of the King. Wherein we are all rich because God is our heavenly Father and He owns the Kingdom.
God requires us to grow in Him.
The Green represents us learning, being and doing each day to glorify Him in all we do. As we look up to heavens we are reminded that God loves each and everyone of us.
The Blue represents a new start each day and to look how we can be a blessing to others.
Turquoise is a mixture of blues and green. Create a mix that allows God to grow you into the Queen or Princess that he wants you to be.
Wear your bracelet often reminding yourself of how special you are to Me and God.
Much Love,
Sheila
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Seasons
It’s fall again the time of the year to enjoy the rich hues of the season. The fall season gives the trees a signal that its time to exchange their greenery for the splendid colors of God’s universe. The artist pallet can not compare with the many changing shades of the leaves as they paint the skyline with festive bold tones that create a canvas that can’t be matched with human hands.
As the sun goes down and the darkness of day rises up, the trees stand tall in their majestic state as they rain down their leaves to cover the landscape with their multi-color blanket. Who knows what’s going on inside in their roots, trunks and branches. Although the human eye cannot see, a change is surely taking place. There are less birds chirping and building their nest there, and the squirrels are hurriedly scampering around to feel their tree home with nuts for the winter.
The ants and moles along with the bees have secured their places of residence for the cold that approaches their abode. The maple syrup will soon be tapped bottled and sold. The apples will be picked and soon find their way to the table as applesauce, pies and Mmmm, Mmmm, good treats!
No sooner than all the leaves are collected, it will be a time for thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest of the land. There will be many celebrations and family get to-gathers. No sooner that the festivities die down, its time to usher in winter with its many facets of coldness. As the snow trickles down it covers the terrain with a padding of whiteness while the distant sun shows off its sparkling coat. The snow hides the bareness of the land as it sleeps like a bear in hibernation.
We welcome the seasons as they give us benchmarks in our lives. The fall tells us its time to prepare for winter when everything takes a slower pace for growing. Our lives sometimes parallel the earth’s seasons.
In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Solomon gives his general observations for us to live by. 1 There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: 2 a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, 3 a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, 4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, 5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them a time to embrace and a time to refrain,6 a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, 7 a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, 8 a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
Learn Solomon’s observations. Put your focus on the seasons of your life and see if you live a well seasoned life remembering that life is meaningless apart from God.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
What Is The Outcome Of Being?
I am healing. My life is finally lining up with the Word of God. Each day I move closer to accomplishing the goal and purpose of my life according to how the Creator has made me. My attitude is gaining strength to advance towards being the vessel God intended me to be. I’m moving to my place in God where I can resonate like a fine tuned chord. I’m moving towards a residence of peaceful living. My soul is no longer restless for my inner being is anchored in Him, the God of all.
I looked at myself today in the mirror and found a different look first in my eyes as they shined a little brighter and then my whole face which is beginning to look younger like when I had so little cares because I carried less burdens. I guess at the time I didn’t have the maturity to know that I needed to worry. Now I have the wisdom not to worry.
I suppose that’s where wisdom comes in. It teaches us to rely heavily on Jesus and not to worry about 85% of the things that are not going to happen anyway. Wisdom teaches us to go to the rock of our Salvation first. Wisdom says seek the Lord while He may be found; and He can always be found if we live in His will. Wisdom tells us to share our burdens with one another. They will be a lot lighter. Wisdom says I’ve come through half a century- live each day as if it is your last, it very well could be.
Cut out the urgencies and do what’s more important than the mundane frivolities of everyday living. Wisdom says you will heal once your mode of operation (MO) is governed by habitually tracking with God’s Word. Remember what Psalm 111: 10 says.
‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.”
I am healing. My life is finally lining up with the Word of God. Each day I move closer to accomplishing the goal and purpose of my life according to how the Creator has made me. My attitude is gaining strength to advance towards being the vessel God intended me to be. I’m moving to my place in God where I can resonate like a fine tuned chord. I’m moving towards a residence of peaceful living. My soul is no longer restless for my inner being is anchored in Him, the God of all.
I looked at myself today in the mirror and found a different look first in my eyes as they shined a little brighter and then my whole face which is beginning to look younger like when I had so little cares because I carried less burdens. I guess at the time I didn’t have the maturity to know that I needed to worry. Now I have the wisdom not to worry.
I suppose that’s where wisdom comes in. It teaches us to rely heavily on Jesus and not to worry about 85% of the things that are not going to happen anyway. Wisdom teaches us to go to the rock of our Salvation first. Wisdom says seek the Lord while He may be found; and He can always be found if we live in His will. Wisdom tells us to share our burdens with one another. They will be a lot lighter. Wisdom says I’ve come through half a century- live each day as if it is your last, it very well could be.
Cut out the urgencies and do what’s more important than the mundane frivolities of everyday living. Wisdom says you will heal once your mode of operation (MO) is governed by habitually tracking with God’s Word. Remember what Psalm 111: 10 says.
‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To Him belongs eternal praise.”
Friday, October 10, 2008
The Pain of Death
Death sneaks in and swoops your love one away.
You cry and ask the Lord,Why? Life is certainly not fair.
How could this happen to me? If only I would have done this
or if only I would have said that.
What ifs are no more. It is finished it is done.
Now rises before me the road of sorrow clouding up my
tomorrows. I know not what the day may hold, I don't want
to be told. I'll be alright in a little while. I'll smile
when people ask,How are you?
I'm hurting, I'm in pain.
But tomorrow I pray will be a better day.
You cry and ask the Lord,Why? Life is certainly not fair.
How could this happen to me? If only I would have done this
or if only I would have said that.
What ifs are no more. It is finished it is done.
Now rises before me the road of sorrow clouding up my
tomorrows. I know not what the day may hold, I don't want
to be told. I'll be alright in a little while. I'll smile
when people ask,How are you?
I'm hurting, I'm in pain.
But tomorrow I pray will be a better day.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Who Hindered You?
Who hindered you from running?
Who caused you to be sluggish?
Who kept you from your appointed task?
Who told you to stop and not go on?
Who kept you from crossing the finish line?
Who kept you from being a winner?
Who told you it was o.k. to give up?
Who said you really don’t deserve this prize?
Who gave you negative words to defeat your purpose?
Who cast doubts on your life’s dream?
Who said quitting is an option, you couldn’t do it anyway?
Who said you’ll never make it, move on?
Who said that’s the way life is, deal with it?
BUT THEN WHO SAID
In Hebrews 12:1 that “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.” This passage tells us that we could win this race and that in due season if we faint not, we shall win this race.
To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. (Ecc.3:1) There is a time and a season for everything that happens in your life. You shall win if you trust the Lord to be your trainer. Redeem the time that the Lord has given you. Run this race as if it meant your life, for it may cost you yours and those who are watching the race.
Friday, September 26, 2008
When You Feel It,You Heal It
I was watching a famous talk show host when I heard the phrase, when you feel it, you heal it. Never was a truer word spoken. The question was asked of the guest, "do you feel responsible for the plight of your child?"
"Yes, I did for a while" the guest answered.
"Then what makes you feel different now" questioned the host.
"When I realized how I felt about the situation, then I could take steps to be healed. First I had to face me."
I thought to myself, that's the same conversation I just had with my son. He was getting over a break up with the woman he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with. We had many talks and discussions about the whys of their breakup. He went through many scenarios about what he would do if he saw her again. He had heard rumors that she was engaged to another only eight months after their departing. He had even talked to the new fiance on her cell phone by default.
The day came shortly after that when he saw the two of them in the grocery store. The initial shock quickly slammed him in to heartache. But, he girded himself with a prayer and took the higher road and spoke to the newly formed couple. A couple days went by as he processed the encounter. At this point he asked me were there some books he could read to help make sense of his thoughts.
He first read Attachments by Clinton and Sibcy, a book about why you love, feel and act the way you do. He then read Tough Stuff by Charles Swindoll. It talked about getting through the tough stuff in life. And then he started reading the DNA of Relationships by Dr. Garey Smalley. It talks about discovering how you are designed for satisfying relationships. Through reading these books he's learning how relationships work and where he fits in in the process.
A few days later, my son said to me the minute he walked in the house from work. Today I faced the fact that we are finished and I feel better now that I acknowledge that fact. I'm okay with that. I though when I said that to the Lord that I would feel devastated. But, I don't feel bad at all.
My statement to him was, the hardest thing to do is to face yourself and own up to your true feelings. The torment comes in when you keep putting off dealing with your fears. Once you face them you find that you can begin to move forward. Now your healing can begin when you face where you really are. So, when I heard the guest make that statement, I agreed that until you feel it, you can't heal it.
"Yes, I did for a while" the guest answered.
"Then what makes you feel different now" questioned the host.
"When I realized how I felt about the situation, then I could take steps to be healed. First I had to face me."
I thought to myself, that's the same conversation I just had with my son. He was getting over a break up with the woman he thought he was going to spend the rest of his life with. We had many talks and discussions about the whys of their breakup. He went through many scenarios about what he would do if he saw her again. He had heard rumors that she was engaged to another only eight months after their departing. He had even talked to the new fiance on her cell phone by default.
The day came shortly after that when he saw the two of them in the grocery store. The initial shock quickly slammed him in to heartache. But, he girded himself with a prayer and took the higher road and spoke to the newly formed couple. A couple days went by as he processed the encounter. At this point he asked me were there some books he could read to help make sense of his thoughts.
He first read Attachments by Clinton and Sibcy, a book about why you love, feel and act the way you do. He then read Tough Stuff by Charles Swindoll. It talked about getting through the tough stuff in life. And then he started reading the DNA of Relationships by Dr. Garey Smalley. It talks about discovering how you are designed for satisfying relationships. Through reading these books he's learning how relationships work and where he fits in in the process.
A few days later, my son said to me the minute he walked in the house from work. Today I faced the fact that we are finished and I feel better now that I acknowledge that fact. I'm okay with that. I though when I said that to the Lord that I would feel devastated. But, I don't feel bad at all.
My statement to him was, the hardest thing to do is to face yourself and own up to your true feelings. The torment comes in when you keep putting off dealing with your fears. Once you face them you find that you can begin to move forward. Now your healing can begin when you face where you really are. So, when I heard the guest make that statement, I agreed that until you feel it, you can't heal it.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
The Raging Storm
Many times in our lives, comes a storm that we feel we cannot whether. This summer their were quite a few natural storms that took out the power lines to my house. I live in an area that has lots of trees, so its inevitable that a tree must fall sooner or later to the elements that come and go. I apply what happens in the natural to what often happens in the Spiritual. The Raging Storm are my thoughts about life's happenings.
As one of the many storms was raging, it became deadly as poison. Destruction was on a collision course with anything that would defy its path. The winds blew as if they were in their last battle serge as it would take no prisoners. Its vengeance required victory in battling the elements.
As swift as it came, the more slowly it exited the premises. The few hours it fought seemed days to the tormented. Finally as the storm took its leave like honey slowly dripping, you gained respect for what it could have left in its aftermath. The storm could have been worse but God was yet merciful again.
Reflecting back at the sway of the trees as the wind forced them to bow down countless times, and seeing the pelting rain that conjured up opaque sheets of water, with lightening and thunder that would have rivaled Zeus’s display in the skies. Oh may God’s wonders never cease.
At the height of the storm came the unleashing of the heavens accompanied by the fighting of the wind against the rain and lighting constantly sparing with each other. There was a lone tree that got caught up in the middle of the battle. It could not stand between the two fighting foes and suffered a deadening lightening strike and fell.
The tree lost its balance and pulled several life lines to the ground like dominoes. Whatever was in its path lost its power that supplied life giving links to others. The cords that supplied the necessities of life eventually broke for their burden was much too much to bear.
Our lives often resemble a raging storm that comes quickly and steal away our joy. We get tossed and turned and thrown in many directions. Lightening bolts such as death, pain, heartache and disobedience lead us on a path of destruction. Some of the pains we could have avoided if we would have reached out to the Master and asked for help. But we chose to remain in the middle of winless battles with ourselves where we can’t see clearly what we need to do.
As we struggle and stress, and stress and struggle, we eventually bow down on our knees and implore God to stop the strife. We realize that we can no longer carry the heavy burden alone. That’s when Jesus lifts you up and places you on a solid rock to stand which is the Word of God. So when the storms come again, and they will, connect to your unending power source. Now I know that the Lord saves His anointed; He answers him from His holy heaven with the saving power of His right hand. "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. Psalm 20:6-8."
SPW
07-09-08
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