STOP: REFLECT!

Give thought to what you've read in God's Word. Did you wait to hear what God was saying to you? Do you understand God's message to your heart? Do you realize that God speaks to us through His Word? Sometimes we(Christians) speed-read through passages we've read many times before. In so doing, we miss what God is meaning to show us. When we do this, we fail to learn anything new from that passage. Like physical food, spiritual food needs chewing.

So, let's not come to the Bible as if we're going to an express buffet. By chewing(meditating) on God's Word we will get the most value for our spiritual growth.

Reading the Bible without reflecting is like eating without chewing.

_____________________________

Ref: C.P. Hia, Our Daily Bread 2/2011.

Photo: My lovely daughter, Karen(r), my lovely granddaughter, Deborah(m) and my lovely granddaughter, Estelle(l).

*************************************************************************************

Love: "I Do"

" Love" as defined by Webster: affection based on admiration or benevolence; a warm attachment, enthusiasm, or devotion; unselfish concern that freely accepts another in loyalty and seeks his good; the fatherly concern of God for man; and man's adoration of God.

"Love" as described by the Holy Scriptures: first commandment(Matt.22:37,38); with all the heart (Matt. 22:37); sign of true faith (John 8:42); manifested in obedience (John 14:15, 21, 23). Second command (Matt. 22:37-39); commanded by Christ (John 13:34); in detail (ICor. 13:1-13).

February 14th, Valentine's Day; the date our society uses to express, in a special way, how we feel about spouses, children, relatives, friends and co-workers. We send well selected cards, favorite candy, lovely flowers/roses, go out together for a delicious dinner and/or make plans to attend some special event. We have many ways to express our 'love' one to another. Also, there're times we even reach out to others in effort to show our 'love.'

'Love' encourages, strengthens and satisfies;

even when denied and pushed aside;

It bears up those who're broken,

distraught, criticized,

victimized, ostracized

and often cried;

It suffers long,

seeks not its own;

'Love' reaches out to those who're left alone,

with no one to call their own;

It rescues those who're in despair,

expresses concern, and brotherly care,

any day, any time, and anywhere;

'Love' the most powerful passion mankind can share.

Ask me, "do I love you ?"

You bet your love for me, I do!

_________________________

THE HEART THAT BLEEDS

I live from day to day with a bleeding heart as I witness how we, professing and born-again Christians appear to not be spiritually conscious...and fail to trust our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ to take care of us during our time of tests and/or trials.

There's no doubt that our physical heart can suffer damage. The body learns to make adjustments and to survive with medical attention and proper care.

On the other hand our human spirit suffer emotional damage...often referred to as "broken-heart." We become saddened, depressed, hurt, and experience lonliness. We also become angry, unpleasant, defensive and arrogant.

When our heart is broken we often seek comfort and/or attention from different trusted or familiar sources; friends, relatives, counselors, the clergy and co-workers. Also, alcohol consumption, drugs, and illicit sex.

A broken-heart demands attention. We learn to pretend day to day; we learn to hide our true feelings and to act happy while really hurting.

Our heart-break may result from different areas; but every heart-break is painful. We don't choose our tests and/or trials. No one will ask for a broken heart...in life things happen. While traveling through life we make bad choices and sow seeds that result in pain. We will experience disappointments, deceit, abuse,disrespect, and rejection; just to mention a few...but all has purpose and works together for our good. There is light at the end of the tunnel and we only need to focus on the light that will lead us through.

I've decided that every day I will remember that I'm a born-again Sprit-filled Christian, I'm a woman, a mother, a daughter(parents deceased) a sister and a friend. I live in a physical body and experience emotions. I'm not a lone ranger...there are many of us in God's family. Every day of victory produces a stronger 'will' to stand and give God the glory. I realize that my 'faith' is increased and my desire to obey the Lord becomes more intense. I learn with every bleeding heart-beat that all the praise and glory belongs to God;that my purpose is to let my life reflect the love of God and to share this love with others. Sure, no one wants to suffer...but must become willing to remain faithful and to trust the Lord for deliverance.

I survive heart-break by remembering that God is concerned about everything that concerns me and that He is faithful to keep His promises. His grace is sufficient for me. The joy of knowing this gives me strength to stay focused. What a testimony to share with others; our overcoming heart-break experience.

We'll never grow in 'faith' without learning what it means to trust the Lord.

Our deliverance is found in accepting Jesus as our Lord and Savior, believing and obeying the word of God.

Humility before honor(Proverbs 18:12).

***********************************************************************************

Martin Luther King- SWEET DREAMS

Marching was his method of receiving attention and of being heard,

As he spoke edifying and encouraging words;

Reaching the heart and mind of most people,

...depending on guidance and courage of his Keeper;

Thoughtful of the impressions he'd leave behind,

In concerned hearts and open minds;

Never seeming to let his tiredness show,

...as he spoke and traveled to and fro;

Letting his love and understanding freely flow,

...and caring for those whom he didn't know;

Unselfishly seeking ways to make the Black, the poor and oppressed free,

The way he knew God meant it to be;

...though many times falsely accused,

and ridiculed;

His dream still lives within us today,

...and gives us all hope for a better tomorrow,

Erasing memories of sadness, many tears and much sorrow;

Reaching high to accomplish goals appointed to him,

...there were times success looked hopeless and dim;

Enjoyment and the folly of life didn't corrupt his mind,

...as he left his beloved family behind;

He respected opinions and decisions of his fellowman,

...when some would disagree or fail to understand;

His focus was justice and peace for ALL mankind,

...he knew would come in its season and time;

Kindness shone all over his being,

In his mode of living, in his willingness to suffer, and in the power emanating from his voice as he shouted,

"Let freedom ring!!" "Let freedom ring!!"

Not discouraged by other's doubt,

...he knew that his dream for equality would be carried out;

Gone now from our daily reach,

...but his methods we shall continue to teach;

REVERAND MARTIN LUTHER KING, the Black man who had THE dream.

_________________________________________________________

This poem was selected for revision from a previous submission. ***********************************************************************************

GIVE THANKS

We arise...blessed to see another beautiful morning

that our precious Lord has made,

We've slept all night...

while the angels watched over us...

keeping us safe;

with "glory to God in the highest" on our lips,

joy overflowing our hearts...

to Him we give all the praise,

for another opportunity to make a new start,

We thank Him now, forever, and always...

for all the time of our earthly days.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

DON'T BE SURPRISED

If for some reason

you have not come to realize,

that parents are as human as you...

they make errors,

they feel pain,

they have fears,

yes, also cries;

they have dreams,

they have hopes,

they want what's best,

they have doubts,

they rebel,

they refuse,

and make bad choices,

yes, also fail their test;

Now that you've been informed,

be sure to keep these facts in mind,

so you'll be wise and know what to do,

when you become a parent too.

__________________________________

GRANDPARENT

GRANDPARENT'S DAY

Webster defines grandparent as a parent's parent; grandfather, a father's or mother's father, a male ancestor and grandmother, the mother of one's father or mother; a female ancestor.

How beautiful our Father God has designed the Human Race to be reproductive...we're designed to have family, to reproduce and witness production;to share and to pass on traditions of our love ones. Most importantly; to recognize, respect, instruct and to encourage our love ones to obey and to worship Him.

The family who witnesses and shares the life of a grandparent or grandparents is a truly blessed family. Grandparents are great sources of wisdom, family history and experiences that can be shared with their grandchildren. They're the source of the family's past, the family's wisdom and the family's strength.

Grandchildren are blessings to grandparents; they bring unspeakable joy and happiness to the family...they're reflectors of God's love, they give grandparents a second chance to shower love upon the fruit of their offsprings; to impart truths that will open doors for success, and share experiences/testimonies about the reality of a life lived for Jesus Christ.

My testimony is that I am a blessed mother, grandmother and great-grandmother; I thank the Lord for five(5) children and their spouses: Karen(Dele), Robert(Nikki), Kathy(Larry), Kevin(Autumn), and Kofi; ten(10) grandchildren: Christina, Deborah, Estelle, DeVarus, DeMarcus, Christian, Christopher, Chancellor, Shanquala and Kinley...and four(4) great-grandchildren: Daniel, Jonathan, Matthew and Eva.

Love to all my offsprings. Praise the Lord!!!