WSR REPORT: THE LIGHT

Good Morning …

I pray all is well - 

I wanted to share this post with you today

I came across it while I was preparing my message yesterday.

The content was originally posted in 2014 – part of a series called ‘The Light’

However, I believe it holds a special significance in view of the past several weeks and ongoing challenges with COVID-19. Sheltered in place for weeks, there has been ample time to reflect … on everything.

Now, I will not pretend to know why all of what has happened has transpired. However, I believe the LORD has the ability to work through every situation and circumstance we encounter – to develop us, to grow us, to shape our character and to help us prioritize and refocus on what is important and essential. We cannot make Him known without knowing Him. Therefore, it is necessary and critical to undergo inner transformation. 

It all begins at home. I hope you enjoy!

Have a Blessed Day!

______________________________________

-originally posted January 25, 2014

‘… and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.’ Acts 1:8

Many are well familiar with the commissioning declaration in Acts 1:8. However, in verse four of that same chapter, we find the disciples being commanded to not depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father – The Holy Spirit.

Jesus told them that they would be His witnesses,

And that it would begin right where they were … at home

Yet all too often, it is the home which suffers the most – even among those who have dedicated themselves to being the light in their church, in their workplace and in their communities. Know that you cannot effectively and credibly export what is not first cultivated and established at home.

Noted humanitarian Mother Theresa has been quoted as saying, ‘We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved and uncared for is the greatest poverty. We must start in our own homes to remedy this kind of poverty.'

I Timothy 5:8 tells us [when speaking of families caring for widows] that anyone who does not provide for his own household is worse than an infidel.

We must understand – whether physical needs, spiritual needs or emotional needs – the light which emanates from one’s life should first be impacting the ones closest to them. My children would have a tremendously difficult time understanding all the giving that has taken place over the years if I only concentrated my attentions outward. However, my aim has always been to convey – by my words, my actions, my life – that they are my number one priority. So I ask …

• Do our families get the best part of us or what is left over after work and other obligations?
• Do they get quality and quantity time?
• Do they know they are loved?
• Do we speak the truth in love?
• Does our commitment to quality and respectful communication extend to the family – or do we raise our voices and use sarcasm?
• Do we actively strive to block the day’s frustrations from entering our home?
• Is there an overwhelming feeling of peace in the home?
• Is dinner special every night or only when there are guests?
• Are we able to laugh and have fun?
• Do they know they are loved unconditionally?
• Do we pray and demonstrate an unyielding and unwavering commitment to the LORD?
• Do the fruits of the spirit permeate the atmosphere - love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control?
• If our family members were asked to describe us, what words would they use?

Understand, no one will hit the mark every day, in every instance – not at home or anywhere else. However, our heart desire should be to want to give our very best to our loved ones, to be our very best – in Christ – for our loved ones. 

I fail often. Yet I will quickly acknowledge my faults, apologize and work to remedy the situation. It is not a matter of being a perfect, excellent, shining example in every interaction with family. It is, however, a matter of striving for excellence in every interaction.

Ultimately, as we tend to the light in our hearts and in our homes, we will realize that the task of shining a light for others is significantly eased. Rather than searching for opportunities to shine the light of Christ, we will find people curiously drawn to the light of love which floods every area of our lives.

2014: The Light … keep it shining … start at home

May God Bless You Abundantly … Have a Great Week!

LOVE 2020: LOVE KEEPS ON GOING

Good Morning!

I trust you had a great Valentines’ Day yesterday –

I did … it was very relaxing and peaceful

The store was crazy yesterday!

People standing in line to get fresh chocolate-dipped strawberries

Flowers, chocolates and desserts were being purchased,

And, of course, all the fixings for dinner – lobster, shrimp, steaks

And now here we are –

The day after Valentine’s Day

The ‘specially packaged’ chocolates will be marked down 60%

The dozen roses which went for $25 yesterday – will be back down to $10

The cupcakes & cookies will be tagged at a discount

And the retailers will work to clear the shelves to set up or the next merchandising event

But what about the LOVE?

Do the feelings end? No …

Do the expressions of love cease? Certainly not!

Love keeps on going …

It goes back to something I said a couple of days ago:

Valentine’s is just an extra day to demonstrate love –

Love which we should be showing one another all year long

In fact, I would argue that some of the most meaningful expressions of love –

fall outside of Valentine’s Day

There is something about someone thinking of you –

                without all the expectations, obligation and reminders of a ‘formal holiday'

There are a thousand ways to show love and appreciation:

§  That short morning text message to say: I hope you have a great day;

§  A greeting sent – an actual physical card or note – to say I was thinking about you;

§  Getting the coffee that they like;

§  Taking the time to listen – truly listen to what they have to say;

§  Walking in grace and extending forgiveness when needed;

§  Being patient and honest …

These are just a few ways to make sure love keeps on going

And keep in mind …

“Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things’ 

I Corinthians 13:7 

Love never ends, it never fails … it never dies I Corinthians 13:8

Love keeps on going –

Keep celebrating love with those you love – every season, any reason

Have a Blessed Day!

LOVE 2020: INTENTIONAL LOVE

Good Evening Friends …

It is almost the weekend – and I cannot wait

While this season of love is my favorite season,

There were several things that I was not loving today

It is rainy and yucky tonight –

In fact, as I sat at the light on my way home, it went from ‘just starting to rain’ …

to ‘full-on' downpour, wind gusts and zero visibility’ in about 30-seconds

But it is not just the weather –

Today was ONE OF THOSE DAYS

It was one of those days which causes me to draw upon everything I write here.

So – today I would like to 100% transparent – as we talk about INTENTIONAL LOVE

There will always be days when you do not like some of the things that people do;

                Or the people that do them

And on those days, you have to make a conscious decision to love people;

understanding that there are days when people don’t like you [or what you do] also

Most days I am able to handle it pretty well.

Even as a read a verse this past …

I felt that I could not co-sign the sentiments of the psalmist

The verse read ‘Cut off my enemies and destroy all those who afflict my soul’ Ps. 143:2

But – that is not my desire

Truly it is not … most days

Today was a different kind of day

Today was a “God, I want You to get them now” kind of day

But I know that was just my sinful flesh rising up

And something happened later this evening as I sat in my car, watching the rain fall

I had to stop and think –

I had to think about all the times He mercifully kept me;
     where He did not 'get me', but instead spared me

I also had to stop and think about the fact this attitude,
     my attitude, was not His will

It was not reflective of the character that He has been cultivating;
     it did demonstrate the spiritual development He was been crafting,
     through all of these challenging circumstances


He is developing in me peace; not strife
He is developing in me patience; not frustration
He is developing in me kindness; not bitterness and vengefulness
He is developing in me long-suffering; not short-temperedness

If you have any interactions with people at any point throughout your day –

                There will be occasions to be offended

In fact, Jesus [the LORD of all things possible] said,

‘It is impossible that no offenses will come ...’ Luke17:1

We are encouraged not to be easily offended [Col. 3:13]

And – as much is possible – our aim should be that we not be the cause of offense

INTENTIONAL LOVE

It is not an easy thing

But, it is a God-honoring thing

AFTER ALL –

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” Galatians 5:22

AND –

I … I am still a work in progress

I had a dear friend, someone very special to me;

And when I would get frazzled and frustrated – going on a rant,

They would simply say, ‘Tomorrow is a new day…’

And with that, I will say, ‘Good Night…’

Praying you have a blessed day tomorrow

God Bless & Much Love  

2020: NEW, NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

Good Morning

Happy Saturday – the first Saturday of this New Year

I pray your new year is off to a great start

There are statistic out there that note –

80% of New Year’s Resolutions FAIL BY FEBRUARY

Less than 25% of individuals stick with New Year’s Resolutions Past 30 Days

Only 8-10% fulfill their New Year’s Resolutions

AND –

There is a less known, less publicized reality

that some New Year’s Resolutions fail within three days

Who wants to own that – much less talk about it?

Which brings us to TODAY

It brings us to our focus on a NEW, NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION

Webster’s defines RESOLUTION as: process of resolving, firmness of purpose, statement of the opinion, will, or intent of a body

YET –

As far as I can recall, resolutions [and specifically New Year’s Resolutions] have been associated with stopping certain behaviors and adopting new practice and habits.

HOWEVER –

A resolution, a resolve, a firmness of purpose, a decision to do something or to behave in a certain manner does not have to focus on removing something negative. It can center on maintaining & increasing something positive.

If you placed your trust in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE TRUSTING IN THE LORD IN 2020

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him” Jeremiah 17:7

If you hoped in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE HOPING IN THE LORD IN 2020

“For You, O LORD are my hope, my trust, O LORD, from my youth” Psalm 71:5

If you found strength in the LORD in 2019 –

                Resolve to CONTINUE RELYING ON THAT STRENGTH IN THE LORD IN 2020

“ Those who trust in the LORD, will renew their strength; they shall rise up on wings as eagles; they shall run and not grow weary; they shall walk and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

AND REMEMBER –

Whatever your focus, whatever the resolution,

Keep in mind that ‘His mercies are new every morning’ Lamentation 3:22-23

This means that you can keep moving forward no matter what comes your way.

Happy New Year … Again!

Praying You Have a Blessed Day

     & Restful Weekend

LOVE: WHILE YOU CAN ...

Good Morning Friends

I pray your day is off to a great start – February 1, 2019

I continually find myself saying, ‘The older I get, the faster it goes’

However, I think it might be time for me to adopt a new saying when time passing:

‘Thank You God for the time; help me make the rest count’

I was going to move off our focus on STORGE/FAMILY LOVE

However, I believe I am going to spend one more day there – TODAY

WHY? Because it is so important to … LOVE WHILE YOU CAN

My cousin passed away yesterday morning; he was fifty-one years old. I think that is young. However, I might feel that way because he was only three years older than me. We were all more like siblings than cousins when we were growing up. He called my mom his second mom. My last contact with him before New Year’s Day was in December when he told me he would be coming to see her soon. He truly loved her. Yet, even with all his love for her, he was not able to make that last visit.

Tomorrow is not promised to any of us – the next moment is not promised to any of us

That is why it is important to – LOVE WHILE YOU CAN

Many people have been commenting on my cousin’s amazing smile.

And he did have an absolutely amazing smile!

That glint in his eye, the crinkle of his nose and then there was that dimple on his cheek.

His smile was infectious and you could not help but smiling yourself in response.

But why share this with my online friends who did not know him?

It is important to focus on loving family while you can & letting them know.

Family love [and love in general] is a precious gift – but one which can easily be taken for granted.

Therefore, it is important to be intentional about loving and expressing love

Take time to appreciate the little things that you love about people – and let them know

It is so important to express love –

Whether it is a kind word, a loving act, a thoughtful gift, a heartfelt hug or a listening ear

And this does not just apply to family love – it carries over into all areas of love

It is great to express the love you had and will continue to hold onto

However, you will never know the full impact of expressing the love you have – TODAY

LOVE EVERY CHANCE YOU CAN – seizing every opportunity to express love

LOVE BECAUSE YOU CAN – recognizing it is a gift from God to have people to love

LOVE WHILE YOU CAN – understanding there is no greater present like the present

Praying You Have a Blessed Day!

Wishing You Much Love …

“A new command I give you; Love one another.

As I have loved you, so you must love one another.” John 13:34