Let us begin with our children at home.
Let us be the light so that they don't roam. Wandering around in the darkness alone, Afraid of the thoughts they have when they're gone. Out in the world with no source of light. Just shadows to show them the truth that's not right. Scared of the dark and what they can't see, They turn back to seek their family. From a distance they see a faint light. Like a glimmer of hope in the darkest of night. They're drawn back in because they remember. The things that they saw when the light would shimmer. So you see, it really does matter what we teach them at home. So they carry it with them once they are grown. And return to the place from which they were shown. A love that comes from a light that is grown. Cherease 2016 I wrote this while considering the things that are going on in the world today and all around our children. I hope that it blesses someone else. It is nothing fancy, or profound--just words that come from a mother's heart for her children. Share your thoughts or write back with any poems you would like to share. God Bless...
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Being the light in such a dark world is not as easy to do as it seems. We know that we should be kind, honest, and helpful. Most of us were raised in such a way that those things are just givens to us. But, when it comes to being a 'light' to others we may need a little practice. Our families, communities, and nation have become so self-absorbed and greedy that we rarely take the time to stop and think about what we can do to be a blessing to someone else's life. We have every excuse you can think of. We are too busy, too tired, too stressed, too over extended, or to broke. But, being the light does not always require that much of us. I am working with my own children and with the youth at our church hoping I can get them to see the light they can be to others. I want them to understand what it is that God means when he calls us the 'light'. I believe that some of the tragedies our world is experiencing today may not be to the extreme it is if we as parents, family, community, and a church would continue to work at teaching our young ones the importance of selflessness. We just studied Matthew 5:14-16 which says, "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house, In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (ESV). I was so impressed with how well the children understood the word when we started digging into it. I explained to them that the importance of being the light for them could be applied to their family, friends, places they go, things they say, and do. By them displaying their acts of kindness in word and in action they are being the light of Jesus to others who may be watching or listening! Those who know the Lord will see them shining their light and give glory to God! How cool is that?! To know our children are reaching the lost through their words, actions, and light! It starts with us, their parents continually showing them humility and selfless love for Christ. It starts in our own homes and then spills over into the lives of those we come in contact with daily. If you are dealing with your children having an ungrateful attitude or displaying behaviors of selfishness go over these verses with them. Be transparent and open with them about how important it is that they shine their light for others to see! It will make a difference, it did in our home. I would love to hear your thoughts, prayers, or praises. Feel free to share with me here on my website and I will respond to your request. God Bless... and remember "Let Your Light Shine". Amen!
I was doing a study this morning on 'endurance'. As I was going through my concordance in the back of my bible I came across some wonderful verses that I had forgotten about. First of all lets take a look at the definition of the word. Merriam- Webster defines endurance as "the ability to withstand hardship or adversity; especially: the ability to sustain a prolonged stressful effort or activity <a marathon runner's endurance> (Merriam Webster, 2016). When I found the first scripture in the bible (Luke 21:19) I was not quite sure what it meant, it said, "by your endurance you shall gain your lives". Gain our lives, exactly how do we do that with endurance? Endurance here in the same context as "patience" meaning constancy or perseverance in sustaining afflictions (Barnes', 2016). We might wonder why anyone would want to persevere in afflictions. I know I sure do not like pain, or suffering, or sadness. I do not like to see others going through tough times either. So, what is the reason for this? Take a look at the second part of the verse "gain your lives." The word gain here means "possess" or "preserve" so to better understand the verse we could read it like this, by persevering in bearing these trials you "will" save your lives, or "preserve" your lives. Do not give in to the hardships/difficulties but bear up under them for the one that endures to the end the same shall be saved. We can also compare this verse to Matthew 24:13 to see similarities. As, I began to dig a little deeper into God's word I found the verse in 2 Corinthians 6:4 which says, "but as servants of God we commend (entrust) ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, and calamities (ESV). Because I am a servant of God I am willing to withstand hardships and adversity knowing I can entrust God to save my life or preserve my life. With each trial I get through my dependence upon God and my trust in God is strengthened. Then I can go out into the world, share my testimony and save other lives for Christ. This is what kingdom work is all about. Please be encouraged. Trust God as you have endurance in the midst of your difficulties. I would love to get some feed back here on my blogs, share your testimony, or request prayer & praises. God bless....
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June 2022
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