Dedicated

O Death where is your sting; it is in the depths of my body, soul, and spirit. As my soul is divided into three distinctive parts: mind, will, and emotions, my members are conflicted between my personal sorrow, the tragic shock of it all, and the sadness of being forced to say good-bye! Even further, I struggle not to question and/or to be angry with the God I love for choosing now to take the mother I love, the sister I love, the aunt I love, the friend I love, and the source of strength and profound inspiration whom I no longer have present with me. Does not my creator understand the depths of my struggle? Of course He does, for His Son died a sinner’s death on the cross for us all. Were it not for His painful and ultimate sacrifice, reconciliation between God and man would not have been possible, Thus I would not have the reassurance that my mom, my sister, and my aunt is and will forever be in Heaven with our Savior. Even further, His word reminds me that there is a time for everything in the earth, a time to give birth, a time to die, a time to weep, a time to mourn, a time to be silent, a time to speak, a time for peace, a time to heal, and yes always a time to love. With each tear that I cry, I try to accept this the saddest moment of life, the death of my loved one—I am reminded that weeping endureth through the night, but joy comes in the morning as my tears of sorrow become tears of joy as I begin to recall precious memories and blessings that are forever etched in my mind of my mother, my sister, my aunt, my friend, a truly remarkable woman, a gift to all the children she taught whom she showered with loving kindness, a tremendous gift to the world. Soon, moment by moment, day by day with the help of my Counselor and Comforter, the Holy Spirit, I am more and more in control of my emotional responses and make the choice to continue my journey in spite of my sadness which is real; in spite of the sorrow I feel in the depth of my members; in spite of my fear of being without her presence daily; in spite of my anger at my lost thinking no one understands but me; in spite of my confusion for feeling as I do; I will use the depth of my love as strength and my increased understanding and acceptance that for me as a Christian to live is Christ, and to die is gain! Be at peace mom, auntee, friend, and love of our life; see you at my journey’s end! For I have to continue my journey to know and fulfill the destiny and purpose for which I was created. Thank you for your example, your courage, your strength that lead you to be an incredible mom, spouse, entrepreneur, educator, and representative of Jesus the Christ. Jesus be a light unto our feet and lamp unto our pathway leading us to heaven where we will all sing again “Oh Happy Day with Walter Hawkins in the Heavenly Choir!

-Submitted by Melvin Anderson

Wednesday's Word - Name Brands

Hello All,

Okay, here’s your challenge: watch 5 minutes of television, or listen to the radio, or surf the internet or simply walk from anywhere to anywhere else and count the number of name brands you come across. What number do you suppose you’d get up to? 50? 100? 1000? More?

Suffice it to say, without even taking me up on the challenge, it’s obvious that we are inundated with name brands. What is it about these names; Sony, Nike, IKEA , Aeropostale, BMW, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Coke, Nintendo, Starbucks and all the rest? Call me crazy but I think the appeal of name brands aren’t simply an association with a certain quality (although, that’s probably what comes to mind first). I think it resonates with a deeper part of us as human beings: The part that likes the association that goes along with the brands we choose. Not only that, I believe that deeper part of us (that gets exploited my competitive marketing) was put there by God Himself- As to me, it’s that foundation of association that eventually builds into worship. Don’t believe me? What would we call someone who takes the association of these material things too far…. Idol worship. Now, of course I’m not saying that brand names are bad. And I’m totally an advocate for making the most of the money we spend by buying quality products. But we have to check ourselves and teach our children; lest we exemplify and perpetuate the example of High School students who think the latest brand name ‘this or that’ should afford US any kind of glory. Remember, the world would love to have you become a walking billboard and believe that their products offer you any kind of real satisfaction.

Here’s the Word:

Revelation 3:10 - Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come upon the whole world to test those who live on the earth. 11I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. 12Him who overcomes I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will he leave it. I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on him my new name.

So even when I consider the 4 name brands I have on right now, I may have them, but they surely don't have me. These things are nothing more than rubbish. There’s only one Name I’m looking to be branded with. The brand New Name brand

In Him,
Cros

Wednesday's Word - Convenient Comedy

Alan bought a horse, a religious horse it appeared. Strangely, the horse only reacted to two words: the word "Hallelujah" to make it go, and "Amen" to make it stop. Excited, Alan took his new horse out on the range and was riding it happily when he realized he was heading towards the edge of a cliff. Terrified, Alan forgot which word was the one to stop the horse. Obviously wanting to prevent falling over the cliff to certain death, he bellowed out a prayer ending with the word - Amen. Phew! The horse stopped.

'Hallelujah,' shouted the relieved Alan.

… ba dump bump.

Does God have a sense a humor? I mean passed the idea of the duckbill platypus, or some of the comical ways we see our ‘prayers’ answered, does Our Heavenly Father enjoy a good laugh?

Although it may not seem so by the amount and the context in which laughter is mentioned in the Bible, I would imagine that He does. The big deal here is exactly that…. The amount and the context. I bet that the eternal state is going to be filled with laughter, I mean the funniest stuff ever. Why?
Because it will be in its proper context .


Here’s the Word:

Ecclesiastes 3:4 a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,

Ephesians 5:4 Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks.

Revelation 21:4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.


There is a lot funny stuff that happens here. And I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade but we have to be careful where we try to find humor. Trust me, the worlds humor will not play to the Heavenly Hosts. And we should really praise God for each convenient comical situation we can bear witness to realizing that its truly a gift because here on Earth, fighting for the souls of the lost; This is a serious situation. I'm so looking forward when we can shed off all the trappings of this old life where weeping and morning will be a thing of the past. I also believe that the comparatively little bit of humor we get is just of foretaste of truly Divine Comedy


In Him,
Cros