All posts filed under: Inspirational

September Wars

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September oh September you unwelcome visitor you’ve brought so many tragedies over the years Wars and rumors of wars I hope you would stay far away – over there Why do you still stalk and threaten – oh september you continue to loom over mankind’s dwelling with gloom Why do you continue to taunt our home burden the nations with your peril And gas the children of earth With your deadly vesicant and sulfur mustard This time around I refuse your war – oh September the blasts of war tanks another Vietnam the horrors of Pearl Harbor a possible Syria cause I still remember your Holocaust your September Hurricanes your nine eleven but I rather give diplomacy a chance so, thanks but no thanks oh unwelcome visitor for another September war

A Blood Donor saved my Life!

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Originally posted on The Sound:
Last year our church did it’s first blood drive. It was in preparation to be a donor that I learned about the plight of those with blood diseases, especially Sickle Cell Anemia. I had no idea that, of the 80,000 or so people with the disease, 99% were African Americans. Anyway, despite my dislike for needles, I happily made my donation. Well, yesterday I found myself sitting in one of the American Red Cross offices waiting to make another donation. Truthfully, I had been avoiding their calls, but they had a donor match for my blood type and the person was in need of blood. So there I was silently thinking about the needle prick and whether I was hydrated enough for them to find my veins; I have small veins. The donor in front of me greeted everyone by name and I speculated that he was a regular donor. He had his 13 year old daughter with him and they seemed right at home with the process. As he…

A man with God is always in the majority

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The courage to stand for God before a hostile and indifferent culture comes to those who continually trusts in Him to take care of them and govern over the affairs of man. Too often, because we fear the rejection and wrath of the world, we water down truth, cave in to the overwhelming pressure of seemingly powerful people. But we must never forget that “a man with God is always in the majority.” Even though you may feel small and insignificant, continue to stand with and for God. Don’t give up now: Fight the good fight of faith, press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Behind every great man

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I have often heard it said, “behind every great man is not just a woman, but a godly woman.” Well, how about 5 godly women? When God was about ready to deliver His children at of captivity and bondage into freedom and the land of promise, he did not just raised up a man for the task. The first thing God did was to raise up and prepare five (5) extraordinary women of exceptional courage. Women who would help shape the destiny of a male child called Moses. We often hear about the greatness of Moses but not much about the great women God strategically placed and used to make him great. They are all around us, mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, aunts. One or more women who’s been a solid rock, confidante and inspiration. Sent them flowers today and don’t wait till they are dead. Meet the fab five: Shiphrah and Puah the midwives who feared God enough to stand against the king’s command. The mother of Moses and his courageous big sister. And of-course, the …

ReThinking the way you grieve

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There is nothing that can replace the absence of someone dear to us, and one should not even attempt to do so. One must simply hold out and endure it. At first that sounds very hard, but at the same time it is also a great comfort. For to the extent the emptiness truly remains unfilled one remains connected to the other person through it. It is wrong to say that God fills the emptiness. God in no way fills it but much more leaves it precisely unfilled and thus helps us preserve — even in pain — the authentic relationship. Furthermore, the more beautiful and full the remembrances, the more difficult the separation. But gratitude transforms the torment of memory into silent joy. One bears what was lovely in the past not as a thorn but as a precious gift deep within, a hidden treasure of which one can always be certain. — Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Yes, I know Jesus Blood can make the vilest sinner clean

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Come, ye sinners, lost and hopeless, Jesus’ blood can make you free; For He  saved the worst among you, When He saved a wretch like me. Refrain And I know, yes, I know, Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean, And I know, yes, I know, Jesus’ blood can make the vilest sinner clean. To  the faint He giveth power, Through  the mountains makes a way; Findeth water in the desert, Turns the night to  golden day. In temptation He is near thee, Holds the pow’rs of hell at  bay; Guides you to the path of safety, Gives you grace for ev’ry  day. He will keep thee while the ages Roll throughout eternity; Though earth hinders and hell rages, All must work for good to  thee.

Rembrandt, an artist to grow old with

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The Guardian, Jonathan Jones on Art blog writes the following and ends with a question. This post is an attempt to respond to that question: According to the British art critic Jonathan Jones, many Renaissance artists were “coldly curious” or even cruel in their depictions of old age. For instance, Leonardo da Vinci scorned elderly faces as “monstrous wrecks.” Fortunately, there was one notable exception to this habit of mocking the elderly—Rembrandt. Jones writes, “Rembrandt painted old age with a nobility and power that no artist has ever approached.” He recognized “the dignity and character of aged faces” and embraced “the marks of time as beautiful, mysterious, and rich.” Rembrandt was much more interested in what Jones calls “the mystery behind someone’s eyes.” But Rembrandt’s deepest study of aging was based on his own life. Rembrandt painted more self portraits than any other artist of the 17th century, and all together they tell the story of his journey into old age. For instance, in 1640, at the height of his career, Rembrandt painted his “Self …

What My Soul Needs is God

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Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. This is one of my most favored Psalms of all-time. It has a humble and longing posture that is most important to anyone who truly wants to know and experience God. The idea of running after or seeking after God is exciting and adventurous. To me, His ways are past finding out, and you might be surprise about what you might discover about Him as you attempt to seek more of Him. Therefore, for the soul to truly live and thrive, and experience God in meaningful ways, one must understand the things that keep the soul alive and thriving and fight the things that try to hinder it. Because the soul is easily cast down. It easily loses hope and is easily troubled. So here are a few things to consider: A sustained hunger and thirst for God through shouts of worship and praise (verse 1 and …

Never give up

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What can I say to you today that will spark a fire in you? What can I actually bring today that will motivate you, get you out of that rut, shake you out that funky place, get you off your couch or get some adrenaline pumping. For some, it’s a seeming setback. For others, it’s boredom. Sadly still, it could be the ending of a dream, a dying relationship, a frustrating job, a long-awaited success or promotion that doesn’t seem to come. Whatever the case today, I want you to get up and try again. never, never, never, never give up – Winston Churchill you will need some determination to get you where you want to go… lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees – Writer of Hebrews (12:12) you will need some courage to keep you where you are going … I don’t have 22 reasons to tell you not to give up. I only have one. You owe it to yourself. You deserve a second chance. There is so much in you, …