I heard something today that made me say, Hmmm. Here it is.
We think the opposite of lov e is hate, but it’s not. It’s indifference. The reasoning is hate implies there is still some emotional tie. You have to care or feel something to hate. Indifference, you feel nothing. You don’t care.
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My Soil was so enriched Sunday at Church. It came from fellow members who went beyond to show me care and love. You see our church greeters are warm and kind to everyone who enters the doors. But what i’m about to share was beyond that.
I walk with a cane most times because of lower back problems that affect my balance. All of the senior parking spaces were taken. The only one possibly open was reserved, so I had to park a little farther away. As I crossed the parking lot I heard someone behind me call my name. The person wanted to give me her parking spot that had been reserved for her because she had to unload some things so she had to be close. I told her, No but thanks. I walked on.
I must tell you it was a very cold morning. When the greeter saw me nearing the door he opened it. He asked me if there was anything I needed and that he could help with, I said, just to get inside. He smiled and said, May I hug you? It was like a son hugging his mother. I’m not old enough to be his grandmother 😀. It was purely kind affection. He’s kind to everyone but there seemed to be something different, something special, something tenderer than usual. A little later the same gentleman’s wife walked past me on her way to the sanctuary. She realized I was sitting there in the foyer, backed up and gave me a hug and a kiss. She interrupted her purpose to step back and hug me. ❤️.
I had only one student in my Bible study class. She and I had a good discussion. We had fun. We shared, laughed and learned together. I realized the fire I felt when teaching had been missing. It returned. Richness.
During the service, we had a consecration ceremony for all leaders; ministers, elders and ministry volunteers. We were prayed for and anointed with oil. At the end of the ceremony we were asked to tell the people around us that they were a gift. This is our theme for the year. We did. The person behind me leaned over and with emphasis said, I know you are a gift. I didn’t know who it was until I turned around but I still didn’t know why she said it like that. It didn’t matter. Yahweh had just dropped some more nutrients to my soil.
The final additive was made by another son-like relationship. I had gotten in my car and was looking for a phone number to order lunch. There was a knock on my window. I lowered the window and the person who was studying there said, I just wanted to share some love with you and leaned in to give me a hug. I didn’t know I needed that but I did. Yahweh knew. He sees. He walked out of his way to do that.
Now, alone each encounter may not seem like much but collectively, they meant more than gold. They were simple, unexpected and powerful. My soil darkened several shades of blackness. The blackness signaled the richness, the added nutrients, that which will nourish, and strengthen me for days.
Rich Black Soil. Healthy Growth. Blessed Life.
Can you positive example of where you’ve felt loved?
I experienced a car accident that totaled my car. Some friends, a couple, helped me buy a brand new car. They paid the down payment, taxes and registration without my asking. Their action supported their statements of love.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, MY LOVE.
Forty-five years ago on April 14th we vowed to love and cherish each other for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, through good and the bad till death separates us. We kept that vow until April 10th death physically separated us. I will always love you. You are alive in my heart and in my spirit. Not even death can break that bond. Our spirits are forever joined. I celebrate us today. I celebrated with thoughts of you in heaven free of pain and at peace. I celebrate your freedom and continued praising and rejoicing. I’m a little jealous.
For me, this is the beginning of many “first” without you physically by my side. I miss you so much. I miss your smile, your laugh even your difficult days. Yet, I am happy for you.
I am closing this day affirming
You are the best earthly thing that’s ever happened to me. 😍
Good night my Love.
noun – the lowest part or edge of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported.”she sat down at the base of a tree”
verb -have as the foundation for (something); use as a point from which (something) can develop.”the film is based on a novel by Pat Conroy”
Whether noun or verb the word base describes something that something else is built on. It always seems to imply a foundation of sorts. If the base is damaged that which is built upon it is unstable. If a work is based on another work which is weak then that which is developed has less of a chance for success or credibilty. It is of great concern and attention that the base in building or developing something is strong and stable. No corners are cut. No second rate materials are used. Just watch advertisements for products. Much attention is given to assuring us that the best materials were used and the quality is unsurpassed.
Now some have said that we are a base people; my people, black people; people of African descent. Does this mean we are the lowest part or edge of something, especially the part on which it rests or is supported. Are other people in this country resting on us? Are we supporting them. Are things being developed with us as the foundation? I can empahtically answer yes. I can with a resounding voice say YES! There are other people groups in this country that were considered a part of this base but have been allowed to advance or build upon themselves to no longer be the base. So I am not ignoring their contributions. I am speaking about my people because they are my people. It is my experience. (Indigenous people may be included with the black experience for the sake of being held to the base. There has been some progress made in my lifetime but this country is digressing. Much of what was fought for in the 50’s and 60’s is being reversed. Attitudes toward us as base are returning to those decades and our fight continues. The difference is as a people we understand our importance. Atttending to the health of the BASE is necessary . If the base is neglected that which is built upon it is unstable. If Black people are in bad, mental and emotional health every institution developed in this country is unstable. The White people who hate us and are trying to subjugate us as they make America great again don’t realize that as they hurt us, they hurt themselves. The attempt to destroy us, they destroy the America that they want to make great.
Now I know someone is saying Black people are not the foundation or base that this country is built upon. It is the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Until the tenets of those documents are applied to the Black community as they are for the white community, the strength of those documents will be weak. Hence, that which is developed upon them, that which they support is unstable. America shore up your base by living up to the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Treat us as what we are..citizens of this country with the same birthright as yours.
And if you call yourself a Chrisitan, read the Book. Read the teachings of Yeshua. Read his geneology and research the ethnicity of each member. You may be quite surprised. At the very least it is clear he was born of a Hebrew woman which rules out a European appearance. He worked as a carpenter with no electrical tools in the heat of Nazareth. He was likely muscular and tan, not frail and fair complexioned. But most important is how he treated people and how he instructed us to treat each other. Love the Lord your God and Love your neighbor as yourself. On these two hang the law and prophets. These two embody all that God has declared and require of His people. So where do you stand? Do you destroy your Black neighbor or do you Love them? Do you help make the Base healthy or do you injure it?
Remember the health and strength of the Base has a direct effect on that which is supported by it or that which is developed on it. The health and the strength of the Base affects you.
I posted this in 2022. It is even more relevant now. Please give it a read and your consideration. Allow your better self to prevail.
We are into the second day of 2022. Tell me, what has changed since December 31, 2021. I know some of you will say nothing and in some ways you are correct but there is an element that January 2022 has that December 2021 lost. There was an expectation leading up to midnight January 1, 2022. There were comments made among people everywhere that expressed “better is coming”. It sounded like, “I will be glad when this year is over.” “I can’t wait until January 1.” “I can’t wait until midnight.” There was an expectation. There was hope. Yes, HOPE.
We all HOPE things will be better. However, it just won’t happen. We have to make things better. We have to do what is best for humanity not an institution, not a political party, not a corporation, not a government entity. We have to do what is right and best for mankind. If we once again realize that the things I do to make your life better will actually make my life better, maybe, just maybe we will make things better. For you Christians reading this I would like to remind you that Yeshua (Jesus) instructed us to love our neighbor as ourselves. He used the story of the Good Samaritan to show that everyone is our neighbor and being a good neighbor requires a willingness to do more than take care of ourselves or people ethnically like us or people of the same faith. If you missed it or don’t know the story it is the despised Samaritan who was the compassionate one, the good neighbor. The political and religious leader stepped over the person in need. Which are you?
The Christian behavior in this country,especially in the last few years, is so far from Yeshua’s teachings and examples that a new name should be applied to it. There is no Christ-likeness. Where is the love for those with whom you disagree? Where is the love for those who may not believe as you do?Where is the love for those whose lifestyle does not conform to what you believe is God’s law? Let’s be honest. Our present Christian behavior doesn’t either. We need to get back to the Judaic basics of our beliefs. If nothing else we Christians need to get back to the 10 Commandments. That was what Yeshua taught. and lived. That’s what Paul taught the non-Jewish believers without requiring them to convert to Orthodx Judaism and lived before them. We need to obey them instead of requiring other people that never said they were believers in the first place to obey them. I am sure the other faith belief systems have a comparable tenet. So treat people right even if you disagree with them. or they are not like you. We were not commissioned to be judges but examples.
Only then can we realize the HOPE. Only then will 2022 be better than 2021. I remember when I was a child the admonishment to “do unto others what you would have them do unto you” was a powerful guiding force for decision-making. I’d ask myself before I said something or did something, would you want that done to you? If the answer was No then I likely didn’t do it. Now I did have moments of anger where I ignored myself but typically, I listened. We should start asking ourselves would we want to be treated the way we are treating others. Change our society by caring for each other. Realize the HOPE.
It is now 2025. Unfortunately, things have not changed much. In fact, in “christiandom” it has gotten worse. Yeshua is being disgraced. There is very little love being shown to people. It is taking a great deal more effort to have HOPE.
Many are waking up this morning with a deep sigh of relief. We made it to 2021. The hope is high that everything is going to be better than 2020. I have seen memes and cartoons expressing the expectations for 2021. But there was one that really stood out to me. The basic message was we were putting too much pressure on 2021. What magically changes because the calendar flipped a page?
I woke up this morning with this thought. I pray for all of us the intangible wealth that is available to us. I pray that we all are blessed with peace of mind, good health, love, true and honest relationships, a focus on those things that benefit not only ourselves but society at large. When we do this one person at a time within our sphere of influence, 2021 stands a chance at giving us all those things for which we hope. In other words, give to others what you hope to get. Sounds familiar doesn’t it. “Do unto others what you would have them do unto you.” Love your neighbor. The scripture says as you love yourself but many of us don’t love ourselves. So learn to love yourself but while you are learning, love others.
Eliminate the hate speech. We can disagree and discuss without it. Stop the name calling and labeling. You don’t like the negative adjectives used to describe or label you, so don’t lay on others. “Christians” stop with the self-righteous attitudes and behaviors. We have just as much sin in our lives as those we condemn. Let he who has no sin cast the first stone. He gave His life for those you condemn just as He did you. We were instructed to love not condemn. Condemnation hasn’t worked so let’s try His plan, Love. Loving someone doesn’t mean you necessarily agree with the person but you stand a greater chance of them hearing you when you are kind and nonjudgemental. The more I study Y’shua, the more I realize we have been doing it all wrong, so I proffer a change. If His Spirit really lives in you, allow Him to manifest His fruit in your lives and watch what happens to you and those around you.
So let’s give 2021 a chance and let’s do better. Let’s treat each other well. Let’s enjoy that intangible wealth that awaits us and brings more joy and enjoyment in our lives.
I was reminded today of the depth of love I have for my husband. Sometimes fatigue and a feeling of helplessness makes you impatient. Consistent rest is not something I get often. But this last week has been especially tiring. The last two nights 4 hours combined. But it was Christmas. This morning the emergency room became my Christmas celebration venue. Once I was there I forgot how tired I was. My husband’s care became my focus. Sitting in his emergency room watching him fluctuate between sleep and sharp pain, pierced my heart. Love overwhelmed me. He said this is the best party. You are together.
Love conquers all.
We usually think of wrongdoing but this time it conquered fatigue. I was ready for battle with the medical system which is sometime unreasonable. I was ready but it was not necessary. I guess that was my Christmas present.
Love was present. Love allowed me to be blessed and to be a blessing to some of the staff. Most of all, love sustained me. Love used the arms of my children and church family to hold me.
Now I am resting in love’s arms completely at peace. I miss my husband though not worried.
Thank you love for your birth, your life, your resurrection.
I had a very blessed Christmas Celebration.
Not Just a Sacrifice
All those dead animals over and over again. How many times will that list be repeated? It’s the same no matter which offering. That’s what I thought. I was so wrong. There was a greater significance. I believe it is more than a sacrifice for sin. Recently I completed a study on covenant; Covenant from God’s perspective. It is through this lens I have reread Leviticus.
This began with a study of the minor prophets. It became clear that I wasn’t sure specifically which of God’s laws Israel had violated in each prophets case. I decided to take a deep breath and jump into Leviticus. I was determined to struggle through the descriptions of the animals being sacrificed. My mind began to see through the lens of covenant, that God had given the Israelites a method to renew the covenant with Him that they had broken. When Moses presented the Law to them they agreed to do all that God commanded. God knew that however pure their intent, they would fail. Their merciful God gave them a way to repair the relationship and keep covenant with Him.
So when you read Leviticus, see each animal that is laid on the altar before God, not only as a sacrifice. Don’t see it as a fulfillment of a command only. See God’s mercy. See His love for people. See His desire to keep His promises that are based on their obedience or keeping their end of the covenant.
It amplifies even more the sacrifice Yeshua made for me. I am given a way to remain in covenant relationship with God because He knows my frailties and He extends mercy to me. He has loves me and desires to keep His promises that are based on my obedience.
More than a sacrifice!
A few minutes ago I was trying to help lift my husband from a very soft sofa. For those who know us know that is no easy feat. He is 6’7″ at 240lbs and I am 5’4″ and we want talk about the other 😂. We have a system and he wasn’t using it. He removed my leverage. Once we got back on the same page I was able to help him stand.
I began thinking about this principal’s application in other areas of my life, our lives. No matter how hard we try we can not be lifted nor can we lift anyone else without proper leverage. There are different leverages:money, knowledge, physical strength, strategy and the Word and Spirit of God.
For those of us who are believers of the teachings of Yeshua, I believe we have the ultimate, the maximum leverage. The power promised to us is our leverage. This power is based and saturated in love but it should be handled with care. It is as explosive as nitroglycerin.
Let’s learn to use this powerful leverage with knowledge and wisdom, compassion, empathy and love. Not just for fellow believers but for those who don’t believe His teachings; for those who hate us; for those who live by different lifestyles or rules. This leverage does not give us the right or responsibility to condemn those that may have a different belief system. Yeshua said to share His teachings and love and He would draw all to Himself.
With this leverage we can lift many and ourselves to higher heights.
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