As Your Soul Prospers
Do The Blessed Thing
This week I am in my hometown, checking on my aging mother. She has always been in rather good health, and at the age of 92, four months before her 93rd birthday she had a mild stroke. The stroke did not impair her physically, but it affected her memory and her eyesight.
Before this life altering event, this past year had me working on another living situation for her, because she lives alone. AT her age, in my opinion, it would be better if she did not live alone. She refused the idea and would not make the transition. Unfortunately, she has reached a place where she does not have a choice and she now has to live with one of her children as a result of the stroke. There is a saying, “once an adult, twice a child”. It is said that someone is in their “second childhood” because of the way they act, often resisting being told what to do, where to go, what to wear, when to take medication, etc., etc.
Hope Deferred
A section in my upcoming book deals with Proverbs 13:12, which states: “Hope deferred makes the heart sick. But when desire comes it is a tree of life.” As I studied this verse and researched the topic of hope, I gained new insight into hope and what causes hopelessness.
Webster defines hope as a state of mind that believes and desires a positive outcome to situations in life. It is a feeling that things will turn out for the best. Another definition of hope, called a spiritual definition, is a potent and positive practice with the power to pull you through difficult times. It is described as “light”, a ray, a beam, a glimmer of hope, the light at the end of the tunnel. We all have heard and even made statements using these metaphors.
What Causes Fights and Quarrels?
“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it.” James 4:1-2 (The Message Bible)
God sent his word to heal and deliver, and when the word is preached that should be the result. Not always does that happen but when it happens the word has become real to you. I heard a message on James 4 and the statement that jumped out at me was “They come because you want your own way.” Now I have read that scripture many times and it is even in my upcoming book. But this time it hit me because I was upset with the actions of a family member.
Who Is He To You
“Thank you God.” As many times as I have heard people make that statement it never bothered me. This week, for some reason it jumped out at me. I began to think about how Christians address the God of the universe, and how non-Christians refer to Him.
Webster defines God as the supreme or ultimate reality: such as the Being perfect in power, wisdom, and goodness who is worshipped (as in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, and Hinduism) as creator and ruler of the universe. So, is it safe to say that most people believe in God, that is to say the creator of the universe? Much can be said about the Christians viewpoint and that is where I am going with this thought.
Free
I was having lunch with three friends, the other day. We were at a nice restaurant, and the food is good. Well, we all ordered, the food came, and we were enjoying our selection, or so we thought. We noticed Cathy had stopped eating, but she never said a word. So, after awhile we asked for to go containers. Cathy boxed her meal up, the server asked how we enjoyed our meal and Cathy voiced her displeasure with her order. She was ready to take the food home and pay the bill, even though she was unhappy with the food. The server sent the manager over. After talking with Cathy, she decided to comp the portion of the meal that she did not like and replaced a part of the meal without charge.
As we continued to talk, I mentioned the need to write my blog for this week. It was said maybe I can write about what just happened with Cathy. So, I began to think about it and assured them that I could do it.
Peace Peace Peace
This week has been one of wondering what is ahead for me. Have you been there? Life has had so many twists and turns since the corona virus hit and now with things opening up it started looking good, until the numbers began to spike. Then the supposed cure, the vaccine, has presented its own set of problems. What is a person to do?
I know people who are news fanatics, watching everything about the virus, about the deaths, about the different vaccines and possible elimination of the virus all together. Is it any wonder that fear is still gripping the population? When will this be over, when will I be able to live without wearing a mask? How long before the power of this virus has been diminished? How long before this virus becomes a note in history? What we really need in this season is peace. The following is a segment from my upcoming book about overcoming giants that block our entrance into the land of promise. The lack of peace is overtaking the world and fear is in control.
Express Gratitude
I was listening to a sermon by Bishop Robert E. Smith, Sr, and he made a statement about the crucifixion of Jesus that was an eye opener.
We are in the season of Easter, the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Every year a new movie comes out about it and Christians around the world flock to see it. The movies get better and better at demonstrating the agony he went through. We are always alarmed at the brutality Jesus suffered while on his way to the cross.
Bishop Smith said, we have the wrong response to the sufferings of Jesus. I thought about that and looked back on how I respond to seeing the son of God beat, whipped, and nailed to a cross. I always feel distressed, hurt to see how he was beaten, and how badly he suffered.
Who can know the heart?
This week God revealed something else that was buried deep in my heart. I think once we bury people and situation deep in our hearts we tend to forget them and think we are ok. Since I have been writing on pride, one of the sections in my new book, Canaan City Limits: Roadblocks Ahead, God is revealing to me what is in my heart that should not be there. Pride is a giant that blocks our entrance into the promises of God.
