Real Love

Hello to everyone out there in the blogosphere! It’s been quite a while since my last post. These last few weeks have been extremely busy.

Would you like to know what I’ve been doing? Basically, I’ve been training as a home health aide. Well, I haven’t undergone any official training, but if rigorous, real-life experience counts for anything, then I’m well-qualified by now.

Seriously, I’ve been pitching in to help take care of my youngest sister, who has been laid up and in excruciating pain for the past month and a half. I won’t go into detail about her medical situation, but it’s been pretty bad. But regardless of the situation, we know it’s in God’s hands and He has blessed her with good doctors and health insurance (smile).

Because of her current condition, the fact that she’s already on dialysis, and her constant need to manage pain, my sister has a veritable drugstore of meds—all of which must be taken at different intervals throughout the day. Some are to be taken three times a day with food; others, three times a day without food. There are once daily pills, those to be taken every 12 hours, and even a weekly injection that I administer. On top of all that, there are meals, wound care, assistance with personal care and hygiene, late-night cries for help, other household chores, a busy six-year-old niece to supervise, and a never-ending stream of laundry.

Needless to say, taking care of my sister requires a lot of work—detailed, around-the-clock attention. And, if you spend that much time with anyone, you’re bound to run into some personality clashes. (And the tension around the house has been as thick as dried mud throughout this whole ordeal.)

All in all, my mom, other sister, and I have been getting some serious hands-on learning in what it really means to be a caregiver…what it really means to love someone.

The Bible tells us in 1 Cor. 13:4-8a: “⁴Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. ⁵It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. ⁶Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. ⁷It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. ⁸Love never fails.”

Sometimes we feel like everything is closing in on us and we just can’t handle it anymore. But love is patient.

Sometimes we want to scream at the top of our lungs and lash out at each other because we’re there. But love is kind and it’s not easily angered.

Sometimes we feel like we just can’t take it anymore and want to call it quits. But love always perseveres. It never fails.

Through this whole process, my family has really been learning a lot about what real love really is. We pray that the Lord will be glorified, as we learn and grow, and that we will come to love Him and each other even better.

Wish I could say more, but duty calls! I love my family.

May you richly grow in His grace!

Firmly In His Grip,

Genikwa

DON’T FORGET!!!

The “A Woman Inspired Ministry: Online Conference” begins TODAY!!!

Join this online conference (June 8-11) that you can attend right in the comfort of your own home—PJs, bed head, and all!

A team of ladies who are very educated in the ways of the Internet and online ministry, will be speaking on a variety of topics to help you learn how to begin, maintain, branch out, and even deal with adversity. This conference is for anyone who is ready to make a difference via the internet.

AND IT’S ONLY $12.95 FOR THE ENTIRE WEEK!!!

Listen at your leisure. All sessions will be available to listen to afterwards.

Plus, I’m speaking (Thursday at 11 a.m. EST) on social media and online ministry!

Check it out at A Woman Inspired Ministry: Online Conference (www.awomaninspiredconference.org) for more information or to register.

Do it now! You will surely be blessed.

Hope that you can make it!

Genikwa

Green Swing Issues

By Dr. Brenda Pittman

While I was being escorted to the Medical Department in the prison where I work, a social worker named Ms. Lawana shared a story with me. She told of a visit to the park and how she had noticed a mom with her two children on the swings.

Ms. Lawana mentioned how one of the swings was green and it seemed to be a favorite among the children. So much so, that while one child was on the green swing, the other child panted for his turn. Then the mom said to the wanting child, “Five minutes and it will be your turn.” Then Ms. Lawana shared her spiritual perception of this. She wondered if God looked at the things we desire as “green swing issues.”

I liked that! We are so impatient, craving God to give us what we want, when we want it. We, like that child, fail to see the pleasure in the swing we have, all because of our strong desire to have the “green swing.”

Thus are our “green swing issues.” Can you see yourself whining over things when previously God has said to you, “Wait?” I can hear His Word saying in Hebrews 10:36, “For you have need of patience, that, after you have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.” God, like that mother, is not keeping the promise from you, but He has an appointed time to allow you to enjoy it.

We don’t want to get so stuck on our “green swing issues” that we neglect to appreciate the place God has brought us to. God, like that mother, has brought you to a place where you can enjoy yourself, laugh and run around. In this place, you can experience peace in an atmosphere and environment where everything is beautiful. This is a place where you can look around and see all the possibilities because He has given you richly all things to enjoy. God makes you lie down in green pastures and He leads you beside the still waters.

“Be still and know that I am God,” He says in Psalm 46:10. This will keep you from becoming anxious for the things God plans to give you anyway. There is an appointed time.

I can see that child, with the excitement and anticipation mounting, now getting a turn on the green swing. I am sure it is like the Word of God tells the believer in Isaiah 40:31, “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”

Can you see that mom picking that child up and putting him in the swing? Higher and higher he goes until his joy is full. Don’t let your “green swing issues” keep you from enjoying the flight.

Dr. Brenda Pittman is a regular columnist for The Christian Observer. She can be reached at 973-634-5905 for prayer or encouragement.

Word of the Week ~ May 11-17, 2009

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory
through our Lord Jesus Christ.”—1 Cor. 15:57, KJV

“Now it’s time to celebrate all God’s grace.
(I got the victory, the victory!)
Because the devil is defeated and God be praised!
(I got the victory, the victory!)
Every situation I face I win.
(I got the victory, the victory!)
And everything works for my good in the end.
(I got the victory, the victory!)
–Tye Tribbett, lyrics from “Victory!”

 

***PRAYER REQUESTS***
Phone: (267) 519-1084
E-mail: ILive2PraizHim@yahoo.com
www.NeedGod.com

 

Should Christians Party?

I know that question is loaded, but I had to ask it that way to get your attention. This morning, I read an Associated Press article about a senior at a Christian high school in Ohio who has been told he will be suspended from school if he attends he takes his girlfriend to her public high school prom.

The school’s stance is that it has a strict policy prohibiting students from engaging in immoral activities, such as “dancing, rock music, hand-holding and kissing,” according to the article. Though the teen’s family agreed to the school’s rules in writing, they believe that he should be able to walk at graduation later this month. But school officials will not have it if he steps foot in that secular school prom.

Now I know what many of you are thinking: “What in the world?!”

I think this article raises a few questions about the Christian lifestyle that really much be addressed by the Body of Christ. Others have a right to weigh in on the subject, as we all live in this world together. But believers really need to think about whom we are called to be and how we represent Him in this world.

The Word of God says that when a person gives his life to Christ, the Spirit of God comes to live within his heart to help him do what the Lord wants him to do (see John 14:16-18). And what does the Lord want us to do? 1 John 2:6 (NIV) says, “Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” And how did He walk? In John 8:29, Jesus said, “I always do what pleases him,” in reference to God, the Father. And what pleases God? Many Scriptures speak to what it takes to please Him: Faith; obeying His commands; loving other believers; demonstrating His love in the world; witnessing and making disciples of others; and yes, living pure and holy lives—set apart from the world for service unto God.

I’ve been saved for a long time, but I’ve only really been walking with God for the past 10 years. I know that when I wasn’t paying Him any mind, I partied and did a lot of other things that I know were not pleasing to Him. When I came to my senses and really began to seek God, I desired to live a life that would be pleasing to Him—one that would be holy and acceptable, my reasonable service unto Him for all that He has done for us (for me).

That meant I had to step away from the things that everyone else did—the things that, in my view, clearly did not honor God. That meant drinking (even casual drinking), partying, dancing, watching crazy movies and TV shows, hanging out with just any ol’ body, using filthy language, making or even laughing at crass jokes, and so on. I had to strive to be holy because my God is holy and He commands us to be also.

Now I’m not perfect, by any means. But I desire to please Him and strive to do that in my life. His Holy Spirit corrects me when I fall short (and this happens daily) and helps me to do what is right.

As for this situation with the Christian high school, I believe that the intent of the school’s policy is in line with God’s Word. He does desire us to be holy—to be set apart for His service. The Word clearly says that in so many places (too many to write…Google it!).

But I do wonder if they went a little too far by inflicting such a harsh consequence. I mean, come on! The Lord has mercy for even the worst of sinners—in fact, His mercy extends to ALL sinners (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; et al.). Yes, there should be guidelines put in place to help steer children in the direction that God wants His people to go. But I wonder if they couldn’t have handled the prom situation differently.

A lot of crazy things happen on prom night. I know. I had two of them! But it is “the prom,” for goodness sakes! It’s a formal party that every high school kid looks forward to, even us Christian ones. It’s not some sweaty nightclub with unisex bathrooms or a house party with booze and kids packed to the ceiling. There will be parents and teachers chaperoning this thing, guys. Maybe the Christian school could send the boy to the prom, along with a school-appointed chaperone to make sure that he doesn’t break the rules. I can remember that having my mom or dad in any room was like having a glass of ice water thrown on a small fire. Their presence was a very effective deterrent to bad behavior.

And what an effective witness that could be! Wouldn’t it be awesome to have this kid, along with his school-appointed buddy, go to the secular school prom and truly represent Christ by not behaving in the way that other kids may behave? What an example he could be to others! What an example the Christian school could set for its community!

The bottom line is that we are in this world, but not of it. And as such, we are commanded to interact with it to try to win it for Christ. The Lord told us to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. I think this is a perfect opportunity to put some grace, mercy, and witnessing-by-example into effect.

I’m not saying that believers should just hang out and party, simply to witness to others. No, God forbid! But this is this boy’s prom. His PROM! He may go and exhibit Godly behavior the whole night. Who knows? The school trained him and maybe he will uphold the Christian values that he’s learned. And maybe, just maybe, he’ll grow to see that he doesn’t even want to participate in the things that the unsaved do and be wholly separated for God’s service. But I don’t think that the school should so harshly penalize him for his decision. Demonstrate some love, guys, and model the Christ that you serve. Deal with the prom situation another way. Let him have his diploma. He earned it.  

May God bless you all with wisdom and an understanding of who He really is, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Firmly In His Grip,

Genikwa