We must always think before we speak. You never know what kind of challenges people are going through in their minds. For some it is a struggle to understand what the average person comprehends.
I am reminded of a situation where a young boy (Jared) came to church I once attended with his aunt Haley. She keeps him some times. Jared had just turned fourteen. I had the liberty to sit in the youth Sunday school class that day and it just happens to be that Aunt Haley was substituting. Aunt Haley was a bit mean at times especially to her nephew but I never thought she would be as mean as she was on this day.
As class began Aunt Haley asked the class who had given their life to Christ? Everyone raised their hands except Jared. This displeased Aunt Haley and she scorned him in front of his peers. Jared didn’t understand salvation as he stated. Well, Aunt Haley didn’t set a very good example for the class as she continued to call him out embarrassing him in front of the class. Jared never returned to that church with Aunt Haley.
I expressed to Ms Haley that she made a bad choice in how she dealt with her nephew, because now he doesn’t like going to church (especially with Aunt Haley). She didn’t care because she felt that because he was family, she could do whatever she felt.
Some of the other children in the class comforted him afterwards but he still decided not to return to that church. Ms Haley didn’t substitute again either.
I felt that Ms. Haley should have took the time to teach Jared what being a christian is all about, then allowed him to make an informed decision. What do you think? How do you think Ms Haley should have dealt with the situation?
We must be careful how we deal with others, especially our youth. We cannot embarrass them or make them feel inadequate because they don’t fit the mold that we feel they should. If we are going to teach our children we must do so in a manner of love, forgiveness, understand
ing, and patience.
It is our job to take care of, protect our children, and raise them in love and guidance.
Happy Child Guide -How To Get Any Child To Stop Misbehavior & Listen
> Luke 18:16 (NIV) “But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.”
> Prov. 22:6 (NIV) “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.”
> Ephesians 6:4 (NLT) “. . . do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.”
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
The "N" Word
I'm inspired by this young man who has no problem speaking how he feels about what many of our young African Americans call themselves. I often wonder why is it that it's okay for African Americans to call each other the "N" word but when someone of another culture does it; it is taken as derogatory? The word is derogatory no matter who uses it. In the same sense the world B**ch is used in relation to women. I've seen women who applaud being called that. The original word means "a female dog" but today's society has turned it into a slang word and given it a new meaning - (a malicious, unpleasant, selfish person). The word is still in my opinion derogatory. Listen below as young Jonathan McCoy gives his take on the "N" word.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Expectancy Never Yields To Failure
I recently read a story about a young man who failed at everything he seemed to attempt and he couldn’t keep a job. No matter how hard he tried at anything, nothing seemed to work for him.
Then one day in church this young man discovered a powerful secret which turned his whole life around. Once he learned this and applied it to his life he saw and experienced a drastic change in everything he did.
This powerful secret was based on Mark 9:23 says“. . . If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” This scripture opened up a whole new world for him . . . “expecting and believing”. He realized that if he expected the best he would get the best. This young man got in the habit of expecting the best, he changed his mental habits, and he taught himself to believe in the positive instead of the negative.
When we put ourselves and our shortcomings in God’s hands, and believe and expect the best, we will see more positive results in our lives.
Matthew 9:29 “. . .according to your faith, be it unto you”
Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
Then one day in church this young man discovered a powerful secret which turned his whole life around. Once he learned this and applied it to his life he saw and experienced a drastic change in everything he did.
This powerful secret was based on Mark 9:23 says“. . . If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” This scripture opened up a whole new world for him . . . “expecting and believing”. He realized that if he expected the best he would get the best. This young man got in the habit of expecting the best, he changed his mental habits, and he taught himself to believe in the positive instead of the negative.
When we put ourselves and our shortcomings in God’s hands, and believe and expect the best, we will see more positive results in our lives.
Matthew 9:29 “. . .according to your faith, be it unto you”
Matthew 21:22 “And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.”
Friday, August 27, 2010
Empowerment
"Don't let the negativity given to you by the world disempower you. Instead give to yourself that which empowers you." - Les Brown
Empowerment is inner strength, boldness, wisdom, the ability to face a challenge without fear or rejection, authority. Being empowered means that fear is no longer the driving force or compelling factor in deciding who we are. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” II Timothy 1:7
As children of God we have the power to tread over anything that the enemy puts in our path. So then why do we struggle with timidity, shyness, the “I can’t do it syndrome”? Because we have not allowed the Spirit of God to empower us with His strength. The power of God has already been given to us; all we have to do is accept it. He says in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Like a withered flower, so are we when we do not embrace the power of God. Allow God to heal and empower you to be all that you are in Him. Study His word daily (II Timothy 2:15). Seek His face daily (Isaiah 55:6). Seek God like this is the last day of your life. Say to yourself, “I will not go another
day without seeking God for His fullness and power, for the strength of the Lord is my empowerment.”
Let us take back what the enemy has stolen from us.
Empowerment is inner strength, boldness, wisdom, the ability to face a challenge without fear or rejection, authority. Being empowered means that fear is no longer the driving force or compelling factor in deciding who we are. “For God has not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” II Timothy 1:7
As children of God we have the power to tread over anything that the enemy puts in our path. So then why do we struggle with timidity, shyness, the “I can’t do it syndrome”? Because we have not allowed the Spirit of God to empower us with His strength. The power of God has already been given to us; all we have to do is accept it. He says in Luke 10:19, “Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.”
Like a withered flower, so are we when we do not embrace the power of God. Allow God to heal and empower you to be all that you are in Him. Study His word daily (II Timothy 2:15). Seek His face daily (Isaiah 55:6). Seek God like this is the last day of your life. Say to yourself, “I will not go another
day without seeking God for His fullness and power, for the strength of the Lord is my empowerment.”
Let us take back what the enemy has stolen from us.
You Don't Have To Be Unhappy
Being happy and at peace with yourself is a very important part of life. It can do wonders for your soul. But to some that seems like a challenge especially for those in unhealthy relationships.
Sometimes it seems that the other person is making you unhappy but seriously you've got to ask yourself, "what am i doing to allow this unhappiness?" then ask yourself, "how can i fix it and what can i do".
If you feel that it is someone else thats causing the unhappiness (and many times we do blame others); then it becomes necessary to created our own happiness because it's the only way to overcome the sadness that life can deal sometimes. We can create our own happiness by first stop pointing the finger and second being thankful and appreciative of things and people around us. Count your blessings.
Don't all your happiness to be dependent upon others and their behaviors, and how thy are. Speak happiness into your own life, laugh at lot, and whenever you feel unhappy think of something hilariously funny!
Happiness start with ourselves.
Sometimes it seems that the other person is making you unhappy but seriously you've got to ask yourself, "what am i doing to allow this unhappiness?" then ask yourself, "how can i fix it and what can i do".
If you feel that it is someone else thats causing the unhappiness (and many times we do blame others); then it becomes necessary to created our own happiness because it's the only way to overcome the sadness that life can deal sometimes. We can create our own happiness by first stop pointing the finger and second being thankful and appreciative of things and people around us. Count your blessings.
Don't all your happiness to be dependent upon others and their behaviors, and how thy are. Speak happiness into your own life, laugh at lot, and whenever you feel unhappy think of something hilariously funny!
Happiness start with ourselves.
Thursday, August 26, 2010
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Challenges Can Lead To Inspiration
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” – Philippians 4:13
Do you find yourself complaining about things that you cannot change?
Do you mope in your misery when you feel that things are not going your way? Do you complain about things that you don’t have instead of being thankful for what you do have?
I am reminded of a story I read about a young man named Patrick Henry Hughes who was born with no eyes and unable to fully move his arms and legs. This was a situation that paralyzed him for his lifetime. At about nine months old his father introduced him to the piano and by the time he was one year old he had learned to play it. As this young man got older, he learned to play the trumpet and achieved many other accomplishments.
Patrick now attends college and is an honor student. Though he is blind and cannot walk, he is part of the 214 member marching band!
Unbelievable isn’t it? This true story is such an inspiration to me. As I think about many of us who say we are believers, but yet we complain about what we cannot do or what we don’t have. We complain about the adversity and the hardships that we encounter. But you know what? Many of us are not achievers and winners because we complain and focus on negative situations too much.
It is how we respond to our situations that will determine how we overcome it.
What are you going to do?
Do you find yourself complaining about things that you cannot change?
Do you mope in your misery when you feel that things are not going your way? Do you complain about things that you don’t have instead of being thankful for what you do have?
I am reminded of a story I read about a young man named Patrick Henry Hughes who was born with no eyes and unable to fully move his arms and legs. This was a situation that paralyzed him for his lifetime. At about nine months old his father introduced him to the piano and by the time he was one year old he had learned to play it. As this young man got older, he learned to play the trumpet and achieved many other accomplishments.
Patrick now attends college and is an honor student. Though he is blind and cannot walk, he is part of the 214 member marching band!
Unbelievable isn’t it? This true story is such an inspiration to me. As I think about many of us who say we are believers, but yet we complain about what we cannot do or what we don’t have. We complain about the adversity and the hardships that we encounter. But you know what? Many of us are not achievers and winners because we complain and focus on negative situations too much.
It is how we respond to our situations that will determine how we overcome it.
What are you going to do?
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