Greetings my friends!  I have missed writing and my thoughts are filled with ideas, theories and random inquiries.  In the past week I heard an inspiring sermon, questioned my living practices and participated in a lively conversation involving politics and religion.  I realize I have just listed three very distinct things and it will be a tough task to bring them all together into a formidable story.  I have never been one to keep things simple, as to concentrate on one thing at a time; hence, the three separate ideas swirling around in my mind, heart and soul.

Let me start with compassion, the sermon was actually called, “The Best Way, Love Is The Best Way.”  *I will post it at the bottom for those who might be interested in viewing it.  So, although compassion is not in the title, that was the feeling invoked within me after hearing the sermon.  The scripture that was used is often referred to as the “Love Chapter” it is 1 Corinthians 13 and was written by Paul, the Apostle. The chapter covers the subject of “love.” In the original Greek, the word ἀγάπη agape is used throughout.  Love is simple yet complex, I am fairly certain I have run the gamut of several degrees and depths of love in so much as life has afforded me so far.  Love is fun, happy and life-giving.  Love is painful, heart wrenching and grieving.  Love is the best and worst all rolled into one.  Love is more than caring and deeper than promises.  I believe Paul, with the Holy Spirit leading him said it best: “If I speak in the tongues of mortals and of angels, but do not have love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give away all my possessions, and if I hand over my body so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. But as for prophecies, they will come to an end; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will come to an end. For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part; but when the complete comes, the partial will come to an end. When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; when I became an adult, I put an end to childish ways. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.”  1 Corinthians 13

The Bible clearly and plainly tells us what love is and what it looks like, although I may have run the gamut, I am so far away from hitting the mark of the truest acts of love.  I guess that’s the beauty of it as well,  through God’s GRACE we are extended grace daily and are given new opportunities to love others and ourselves not just every single day but every single second of every day.  I mentioned earlier that love can be painful, heart wrenching and grieving, but even in the midst of these feelings, love still exists.  If it weren’t for love why would we bother to grieve at a loss(?).  I’ve experienced the loss of a loved one and loss of relationships.   Sometimes, they were situations I created and others I was on the receiving end of, but what I have learned is that death does not take love away, it redefines it!  Broken relationships and even marriages end but it does not erase the love that was shared, sometimes life just changes and people grow in different directions.  There does not need to be fault assigned to one side or the other, although it can and does happen.  The love between friends doesn’t cease to be because miles separate you or the years go by and you live your life, all those heartfelt memories are forever embedded into your heart, even if you reconnect after 20 or 30 + years, the love remains.  Love is much easier than hate!  Jesus tells us in Matthew 22:37-40, “He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the greatest and first commandment. And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.”

 So the second thing I’ve been thinking about is “residency.”  Metaphorically, speaking…where am I living my life?  This question has been on my heart for some time now and hearing, “The Best Way” sermon brought it to the surface again.  What I have learned over the past few years is that no matter what is in the past, you can’t go back and change it. We can choose to see things differently in the present and even envision the future but the past is an event set in stone, a picture preserved in time, something in the rear view mirror.  It can help to inform you on your future decisions but remains unchanged in the past.  Spend enough time to learn the lesson from the past and then move forward to living in the present.  Being aware of the present and being present, in the present is a gift to yourself!  Don’t spend so much of your time thinking about the future that you allow the present to pass you by.  Plan for the future but live for today.  There’s no promise of tomorrow, yesterday is in the past, the difference you can make can only be done in the present.  Matthew 6:34, “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

James 4:14, “Yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.”

 

God!  Without God, this is all meaningless.  God is Love! 1 John 4:16, 19, “So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. We love because he first loved us.”

1 John 4:7-21, “Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. God’s love was revealed among us in this way: God sent his only Son into the world so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the atoning sacrifice for our sins. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God lives in us, and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and do testify that the Father has sent his Son as the Savior of the world. God abides in those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God, and they abide in God. So we have known and believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them. Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness on the day of judgment, because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear; for fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not reached perfection in love. We love because he first loved us. Those who say, “I love God,” and hate their brothers or sisters, are liars; for those who do not love a brother or sister whom they have seen, cannot love God whom they have not seen. The commandment we have from him is this: those who love God must love their brothers and sisters also.”

Thought provoking questions:

What is the risk in loving?

What is the risk in not loving?

What would Jesus do?  WWJD

What political group/party would Jesus support?

What does compassion look like?

Where am I living?

~Peace~

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage?search=1%20Corinthians%2013:1-13&version=NRSV

 

Friends, today I learned something new about myself and more importantly how others sometimes see me.  I’ll be honest, not my best day.  Nonetheless, a good day because I learned something new.  I have a friend, who is also a coworker who cared enough to have a difficult conversation to me.  He has often helped me to see and understand situations and/or events in ways I never imagined.  He easily could have just kept his thoughts to himself but he didn’t, he made a conscious choice to offer some words of encouragement, criticism and wisdom to me.  He presented a critique of how I interact with specific individuals verse others.   His words came from a place of being constructive and not destructive and I have a tremendous amount respect for my friend along with his tenacity and intellect, all of which he would deny.  I have so much to be thankful for, God has blessed me with friends who have strong Christian faith and convictions to their faith with in my personal life as well as my professional life.

I have always enjoyed learning and growing but today I recognized that to be successful in this endeavor one must be in perpetual motion to accomplish it.   After some time of serious thought and quiet time, I realized that I have allowed myself to become “proud” even edging towards “arrogance” in the manner in which I project myself with and towards others.  While there’s nothing wrong with self-confidence and accepting accolades from others, it all must be kept in perspective.  My perspective as of late has been less than a true reflection.  I am not perfect, I am not in control and I definitely do not hold a monopoly on all the right answers.  My way is not the only way, I am not so independent that I never need help.  Life is the ebb and flow, taking and receiving, stopping and starting, moving forward and stepping backwards, turning right and sometimes turning left.  I was also able to see the difference between passion and emotion today, I am passionate about a lot of things in life and I am an emotional person as well.  Somehow I have meshed these two qualities together and blurred the lines that distinguish the two.  For me, passion is more than emotion, its focus, it’s desiring something and having plans to attain, complete or accomplish.  With emotions, it’s raw, unfiltered, unruly at times, often irrational and disconnected. I want to be a passionate individual and not merely an emotional one.

My plan:

• Start anew each day, everyday as an opportunity to start over again.  God’s mercies are new every day!

“Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.” -Lamentations 3:22-23

• I will strive to listen more and pause before speaking with others.

“Know this, my dear brothers and sisters: everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to grow angry.” -James 1:19

• I will think of the consequences of criticizing others.

“Don’t judge, so that you won’t be judged. You’ll receive the same judgment you give. Whatever you deal out will be dealt out to you. Why do you see the splinter that’s in your brother’s or sister’s eye, but don’t notice the log in your own eye? How can you say to your brother or sister, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ when there’s a log in your eye? You deceive yourself! First take the log out of your eye, and then you’ll see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s or sister’s eye.” -Matthew 7:1-5

• I am going to give praise to those who deserve it.

“Each person should test their own work and be happy with doing a good job and not compare themselves with others.” -Galatians 6:4

• I will seek forgiveness and I will forgive.

“Be tolerant with each other and, if someone has a complaint against anyone, forgive each other. As the Lord forgave you, so also forgive each other.” -Colossians 3:13

• I will love as Christ loves me.

“You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your being, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: You must love your neighbor as you love yourself.” -Matthew 22:37-39

Lastly, I am thankful for the courage of friends, blessings from God and for God’s guidance to find my place in this world.

~Peace~

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com

https://henrinouwen.org/meditation/embracing-the-true-self/

 

I am sharing the sermon I heard on Sunday, January 6, 2019 with you today. I do apologize for the delay, I had started to actually blog about the sermon with some of my own thoughts included but during the process I somehow erased the whole thing. In my defeated moment I took it as a divine interaction and decided to not try and recreate the post. What I will share is this, I am truly excited and passionate at hearing the advent stories our church has just concluded and thrilled to be part of Epiphany and seeking new experiences through Lent 2019. In some cases it’s like hearing the stories for the first time though I’ve heard them many times since I was a child. The wonders of God never cease and if we are willing to seek and listen there’s more to learn about God and Jesus. The sermon I’m sharing today peaked my interest in re-reading historical facts about the place, time and rulers in Jerusalem at the time of Jesus’ birth. It’s a history lesson and a biblical lesson all tied together. I rediscovered facts I had learned long ago while studying history while in college. It was a lovely memory to rekindle, not just the history class and the Professor teaching, but the whole college experience came back to me. I could sense the smell of the brick building, feel the wood and metal of desk arm chairs, and sense the camaraderie of the people I shared a semester learning history and life in general. Little did I know that years later, I would be moved by that experience. That my friends is God! Not mere coincidences, luck or memory muscles…God had been working and preparing me for life way back then! I have a bible verse that is special to me, in fact I have it hanging on the dash of my car so I see it every day I’m driving. It is Esther 4:14, “Perhaps this is the moment for which you have been created.” We have all been born/created for and with a purpose, you are a child of God! Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

 

I hope you find newness this sermon and in the scripture verses attached.

January 6, 2019

A Deceitful Promise

Matthew 2:1-12

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, “Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We’ve seen his star in the east, and we’ve come to honor him.” When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote: You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel. ” Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search carefully for the child. When you’ve found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him.” When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.”

~Peace~

Charlotte

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com

https://triciarobinson.com/

Welcome 2019!

“Let the Lord give strength to his people! Let the Lord bless his people with peace!” -Psalm 29:11

Today starts a new day, a new chapter and a brand new year! It’s good to know that we get a new opportunity at life every single day thanks to the grace of God! God’s enormous love and generosity and Jesus’ selfless sacrifice on the cross. I am looking forward to the journey ahead in the coming year, the opportunities God will provide and for the ability to share God’s love and message of “PEACE” to the world.

I am embarking on a path of peace in the coming year. I truly believe that God and the Holy Spirit have laid the word, “Peace” on my heart for numerous reasons. I feel like I’m being called to seek peace in all that I do, in all that I say, in my professional life, my personal life, my life in its entirety. Peace is, in my opinion is about seeking to listen more, especially listening before responding. Listening before making decisions. Peace is responding with respect, most especially when I may not be in agreement with someone. Peace is not about cowering or giving in to something or someone you absolutely do not agree with, it can be about compromise and should be about the good of all concerned. Peace can be saying things that are uncomfortable and difficult to say and even more so to hear. Peace is truth! Peace is an action word with responsibilities.

I am entering into this knowing that peace will not be easy, if it were…well, we would have peace. I know this will be challenging for me and I know there will be days that I will fail. I’m just being real and practical, I do not want to set myself up for disappointment and self ridicule for messing up. I’m going to have bad days, life is hard and I am human after all. I’m not saying this to give myself a pass, I’m just saying this is my plan, my goal for 2019…to strive for peace and to promote peace whenever and wherever I can but this “peace” can only be attained when it starts with me. No finger-pointing and blaming others, nope, this absolutely must start with me.

I truly hope you will follow me on this journey and you give pause to “peace” may it find you and fill you as well in 2019. I’ve listed some definitions and references below that you might be interested in viewing. Until next time…peace!

“The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his face to you and grant you peace.” -Numbers 6:25-26

Merriam-Webster Definition of Peace:

• a state of tranquility or quiet

• freedom from civil disturbance

• a state of security or order within a community provided for by law or custom

• freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts or emotions

• harmony in personal relations

• a state or period of mutual concord between governments

• a pact or agreement to end hostilities between those who have been at war or in a state of enmity

• used interjectionally to ask for silence or calm or as a greeting or farewell

• to be, become, or keep silent or quiet

The Hebrew Meaning of Peace:

Shalom (Hebrew: שָׁלוֹם‬ shalom; also spelled as sholom, sholem, sholoim, shulem) is a Hebrew word meaning peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility and can be used idiomatically to mean both hello and goodbye. … The word shalom is also found in many other expressions and names.

-Wikipedia

Peace (In The Bible)

The Hebrew word for peace, šālôm,translated in the Septuagint most often by the Greek word, eirēnē, has a wide semantic range including the notions of totality or completeness, success, fulfillment, wholeness, harmony, security and well-being.

Peace in the OT. The most comprehensive description of shalom is a cosmic order ordained by God through creation (Gn 1) and established with God’s people in the covenant (Ex 20–23). In this cosmic order each part finds its meaning and function as it conforms to God’s purpose. Shalom describes the “realm where chaos is not allowed to enter” (Hanson, 347), chaos being understood as sickness, war, social strife, or the violation of the covenant.

-New Catholic Encyclopedia

“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.”

-John 14:27

~Peace~

References:

https://www.biblegateway.com

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shalom

https://www.encyclopedia.com/religion/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/peace-bible

https://www.merriam-webster.com/

https://www.peacestartswithme.com/