Each year as my birthday approaches, I assess where I am along the road of my life goals. I have shared about wanting to be a Titus 2 woman, see my blog dated March 24, 2009. Each week at the high school where I work, two other ladies and I meet with a group of 15 - 20 young ladies. Our goal is to encourage them to make good choices. My prayer is that I will be led by the Holy Spirit when I stand before these young ladies. I want to be a Titus 2 woman to them.
As I advance in age, I also want to advance in spiritual maturity, wisdom. Wisdom does not just come, it requires yielding to the Holy Spirit so that our minds can be renewed, transformed through Bible reading, Bible study, prayer and hearing the Word of God. One shows that she has wisdom when she knows when to listen, when to speak and what to say. I really need to work on this.
I want to have a positive impact on the people in my life. I want make them think, because you grow when you think. I want being around me to be a pleasant experience so I want to make people laugh. I want to live a life worthy of the Gospel that I have received.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Sunday, October 3, 2010
HAIR
Hair is such a big deal in our culture but this is not something new. In the 1st century A.D., Peter cautioned women that their beauty should not come from the adornment of their hair (1Peter 3:3). Is anyone listening to Peter today on this issue? Hair care products are a multi-billion dollar industry. We color our hair. If we have curly hair, we want straight hair. If we have straight hair, we want curly hair. If we have thick hair, we have it thinned. If we have short or thin hair, we add hair. We buy hair and have it added on by combs, sewing or glue. (It is not recommended that one use glue but it is cheaper that having it sewn in.)
Sistahs sometimes have additional issues to deal with. Our natural styles may not look “professional “to some. Our hairstyles can also appear to be making a political statement when one is not intended. I do not know any Black woman who straightens her hair to “be like a White woman” but so that her hair is easier to manage and to have more options. That is why I relaxed my hair for the past 30 years, but now I am transitioning to my natural hair. It is time for a change. After all, isn’t it common for women my age to “change” :)
PS This transistion will take months.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
FRIEND, WILL YOU MARRY ME?
A couple of months ago a co-worker’s son told me that he had been ordained as a minister. I thought this was a little surprising and asked what church body was “overseeing” him and his ministry. He told me none, he was “ordained” by filling out a form online and paying a small fee. He is going to officiate the wedding of his grandmother.
The Wedding Report, a research firm, says last year one out of every seven weddings in the U.S. was performed by a friend of the couple. From what I see on the internet and in magazines, this seems to be a growing trend. State laws tell us who can legally get married and who can officiate the marriage vows. They permit or allow clergy to be a part of the process, if the couple so chooses. My guess is they do not question who or how one is ordained because of the “separation of church and state” stuff. Anyone can become “ordained” so they may officiate a wedding.
I do not have a problem with a couple wanting a friend or relative to officiate their wedding, I have a problem with the person getting “ordained” to do it. The online process trivializes what it means to be a clergyperson. For those who have not practiced a faith and have no plans on doing so, getting married by a clergyperson is not really meaningful.
Some feel that marriage is a sacrament like baptism or Holy Communion. I won’t comment on that, but I believe that Scripture tells us: that we should prepare for marriage, it is OK to have a large celebration after the wedding, that we should not be unequally yoked, and the reasons for divorce are limited. There are a number of passages that discuss how husbands and wives should treat each other. The church’s relationship to Jesus is described as a marriage. If our desire is to have a Christ centered marriage, we often choose to be married in a church and definitely have a minister as a part of the service. But do we always have to have clergy present when we do certain things? I know of people who partake in the Lord's Supper at midnight at their New Year's Eve party with no pastor or priest present and without the pastor or priest doing the bread and wine prep. I also know of people who want the person who shared the Gospel with them to be the one who baptizes them, be it pastor, friend or parent.
With that being said, marriage is a state of the heart and mind. Someone may be legally married in the eyes of the state, but in the heart and mind he or she may be very much single. We’ll let God decide if they are really married or not. Some people have been baptized and have partaken in Holy Communion and have never had a heart or mind change. We’ll let God decide if they are Christian or not.
Please share your thoughts.
The Wedding Report, a research firm, says last year one out of every seven weddings in the U.S. was performed by a friend of the couple. From what I see on the internet and in magazines, this seems to be a growing trend. State laws tell us who can legally get married and who can officiate the marriage vows. They permit or allow clergy to be a part of the process, if the couple so chooses. My guess is they do not question who or how one is ordained because of the “separation of church and state” stuff. Anyone can become “ordained” so they may officiate a wedding.
I do not have a problem with a couple wanting a friend or relative to officiate their wedding, I have a problem with the person getting “ordained” to do it. The online process trivializes what it means to be a clergyperson. For those who have not practiced a faith and have no plans on doing so, getting married by a clergyperson is not really meaningful.
Some feel that marriage is a sacrament like baptism or Holy Communion. I won’t comment on that, but I believe that Scripture tells us: that we should prepare for marriage, it is OK to have a large celebration after the wedding, that we should not be unequally yoked, and the reasons for divorce are limited. There are a number of passages that discuss how husbands and wives should treat each other. The church’s relationship to Jesus is described as a marriage. If our desire is to have a Christ centered marriage, we often choose to be married in a church and definitely have a minister as a part of the service. But do we always have to have clergy present when we do certain things? I know of people who partake in the Lord's Supper at midnight at their New Year's Eve party with no pastor or priest present and without the pastor or priest doing the bread and wine prep. I also know of people who want the person who shared the Gospel with them to be the one who baptizes them, be it pastor, friend or parent.
With that being said, marriage is a state of the heart and mind. Someone may be legally married in the eyes of the state, but in the heart and mind he or she may be very much single. We’ll let God decide if they are really married or not. Some people have been baptized and have partaken in Holy Communion and have never had a heart or mind change. We’ll let God decide if they are Christian or not.
Please share your thoughts.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
MEMOIRS
Last weekend, we attended a family reunion in Atlanta. Friday night was game night, Saturday a picnic, Saturday night talent show and Sunday morning brunch and worship. The worship time was in the hotel banquet room complete with songs, prayer, scripture reading, testimony sharing and a short sermon. Several who shared gave earwitness testimony of hearing our grandmother pray while visiting her home. My paternal grandfather died in 1980 and my grandmother 1981, yet their faithfulness to God is still being told.
On two occasions, I shared from my memoir, my blog entries. I consider my blog and the journal that I now keep to be my memoirs. Some may think it vain or being controlling, but I want to leave my children and their children something to remember me by in my own words. I think it is interesting to watch a documentary of someone famous and see their grandchildren speak of their loved one’s values, thoughts, dreams and goals. You really know a person when you know their values, thoughts, dreams and goals. I want my descendants to really know me and that includes the value I place on having a relationship with Jesus. As Christ followers, we should do good works and be obedient to Christ’s teachings. I want them to know that good works do not save you, but having a relationship with Jesus does.
I got a couple of chuckles when I said that I was reading from my memoirs, but that is OK. The hearers now know me better :)
Read my post on "attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror".
On two occasions, I shared from my memoir, my blog entries. I consider my blog and the journal that I now keep to be my memoirs. Some may think it vain or being controlling, but I want to leave my children and their children something to remember me by in my own words. I think it is interesting to watch a documentary of someone famous and see their grandchildren speak of their loved one’s values, thoughts, dreams and goals. You really know a person when you know their values, thoughts, dreams and goals. I want my descendants to really know me and that includes the value I place on having a relationship with Jesus. As Christ followers, we should do good works and be obedient to Christ’s teachings. I want them to know that good works do not save you, but having a relationship with Jesus does.
I got a couple of chuckles when I said that I was reading from my memoirs, but that is OK. The hearers now know me better :)
Read my post on "attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror".
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror.
Think about this, attending a family reunion is like looking in a mirror. Why do we look in the mirror? To verify that we look good, to correct any minor imperfections or to discover the look that we were going for is not working!
At a family reunion when we see our grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins, we may see that we do in fact look good, we may see some minor personality issues, flaws if you will, that need correction or some major flaws we see in each other that we may realize that we ourselves have that must be corrected.
James 1:22 -25 says Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. NIV
Let’s learn and grow from what we see in our family, know that you are special and precious, worthy to love and be loved, though imperfect we can be made perfect in Jesus Christ.
At a family reunion when we see our grandparents, parents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles and cousins, we may see that we do in fact look good, we may see some minor personality issues, flaws if you will, that need correction or some major flaws we see in each other that we may realize that we ourselves have that must be corrected.
James 1:22 -25 says Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does. NIV
Let’s learn and grow from what we see in our family, know that you are special and precious, worthy to love and be loved, though imperfect we can be made perfect in Jesus Christ.
Saturday, April 3, 2010
TAKE UP YOUR CROSS
Have you ever read a book, other than the Bible, or a magazine article that lead to a breakthrough moment? Well, I have. I used to think that "carrying one's cross" was enduring some some unpleasant situation like dealing with a boss that you did not like or dealing with a chronic illness. My thinking changed when I read an article in the March/April 1998 issue of Moody magazine, “Freedom in Surrender”, by William D. Watkins. In the article Watkins writes what message the Roman Empire gave to the on-lookers at a crucifixion.
“Crucifixion was not a sentence handed our primarily for retribution: that purpose was secondary. The main reason for crucifying a person was deterrence. The Roman Empire tolerated a great deal of diversity of belief and practice, but it refused to put up with activities it deemed subversive. The state’s authority had to be upheld at all costs.
So rebels against the state were forced to submit publicly to the state’s final authority in order that others would think twice before opposing Rome. And what better way to do this than display the rebel’s submission through death by crucifixion - one of the most humiliating and excruciating forms of capital punishment?
Indeed, the rebel’s visible submission to Roman rule began even on the way to the execution site. Victims were forced to wear tablets around their necks stating the reason for their conviction. The condemned was also made to carry the crossbeam through public areas until he reached the execution site, which was also in public view. Once the condemned was hung on the cross, the conviction notice was nailed above his head so everyone could plainly see the fatal consequence of rebelling against Rome.
In other words, to people in Jesus’ day, cross-bearing and crucifixion meant submitting to the authority one had rebelled against. When Jesus used this imagery, the authority He had in mind was not Rome but heaven, not the Emperor but the Father, not Caesar but Jesus Christ himself. ….”
It was impressed upon me how important it was for the Roman government that the public had to know to whom the victim was submitting. Does the public know to whom we as believers are submitting?
Let’s look at Mark 8:34 -37 with these ideas of Watkins in mind.
Mark 8:34And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37For what can a man give in return for his soul? ESV
Mark 8:34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? MSG
Denying yourself means ceasing to rebel against God, letting Him be in charge, or as the Message says letting God be in the driver’s seat. Denying ourselves allows us to discover our true selves, the unique ones that God wants us to be.
Tell me what you think.
“Crucifixion was not a sentence handed our primarily for retribution: that purpose was secondary. The main reason for crucifying a person was deterrence. The Roman Empire tolerated a great deal of diversity of belief and practice, but it refused to put up with activities it deemed subversive. The state’s authority had to be upheld at all costs.
So rebels against the state were forced to submit publicly to the state’s final authority in order that others would think twice before opposing Rome. And what better way to do this than display the rebel’s submission through death by crucifixion - one of the most humiliating and excruciating forms of capital punishment?
Indeed, the rebel’s visible submission to Roman rule began even on the way to the execution site. Victims were forced to wear tablets around their necks stating the reason for their conviction. The condemned was also made to carry the crossbeam through public areas until he reached the execution site, which was also in public view. Once the condemned was hung on the cross, the conviction notice was nailed above his head so everyone could plainly see the fatal consequence of rebelling against Rome.
In other words, to people in Jesus’ day, cross-bearing and crucifixion meant submitting to the authority one had rebelled against. When Jesus used this imagery, the authority He had in mind was not Rome but heaven, not the Emperor but the Father, not Caesar but Jesus Christ himself. ….”
It was impressed upon me how important it was for the Roman government that the public had to know to whom the victim was submitting. Does the public know to whom we as believers are submitting?
Let’s look at Mark 8:34 -37 with these ideas of Watkins in mind.
Mark 8:34And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37For what can a man give in return for his soul? ESV
Mark 8:34-37Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for? MSG
Denying yourself means ceasing to rebel against God, letting Him be in charge, or as the Message says letting God be in the driver’s seat. Denying ourselves allows us to discover our true selves, the unique ones that God wants us to be.
Tell me what you think.
Saturday, February 20, 2010
BIRTHDAY RELECTIONS
According to my mother, I made my debut at 11:45pm, February 20, 1959. I am blessed. How do I know this? I was born into a loving family where people feared God, loved God and sought to serve God. When I call my mother or brothers, I can hear them smile over the phone. Daddy went home to be with Lord February 18, 2001. I am blessed to have a loving husband. A number of our friends who have been married for decades are going through some very tough times right now, yet my husband has reaffirmed that he will be with me until death separates us. I have two sons who want to be Godly men by word and deed. I have all of this by grace, I have not earned it.
I think I can say that I am over the half way point in my life. From this point on I pray that I will become wiser. Aren’t old ladies are supposed to be wise?
This verse stood out to me today: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV .The editor’s note in The Quest Study Bible for this verse is “Wellspring of life, a metaphor for the heart, believed at that time to be the source of intelligence and the place where life-changing decisions were made. Just as a source of water could go bad, one’s thinking could become corrupted if it was not guarded.”
I fully realize that even at my advanced age I still need to be vigilant about guarding my heart. I still have life-changing decisions to make as I go through the Change. I still have opportunities to impact the lives of others. I still have the responsibility to impact the lives of others, for Christ. How do I plan to guard my heart? By continuing to study the Word of God.
I think I can say that I am over the half way point in my life. From this point on I pray that I will become wiser. Aren’t old ladies are supposed to be wise?
This verse stood out to me today: Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Proverbs 4:23 NIV .The editor’s note in The Quest Study Bible for this verse is “Wellspring of life, a metaphor for the heart, believed at that time to be the source of intelligence and the place where life-changing decisions were made. Just as a source of water could go bad, one’s thinking could become corrupted if it was not guarded.”
I fully realize that even at my advanced age I still need to be vigilant about guarding my heart. I still have life-changing decisions to make as I go through the Change. I still have opportunities to impact the lives of others. I still have the responsibility to impact the lives of others, for Christ. How do I plan to guard my heart? By continuing to study the Word of God.
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