WHO KNEW?!?

As a preacher’s kid, growing up in the south and most of my brothers were Pastors, I had the opportunity to observe behavior even as a small child that I didn’t think was appropriate for a Christian, follower of Jesus Christ. I observed them preaching one thing and doing another. I always watched the older women in my Methodist Church wearing their all white, pure as the driven snow (It was across the street, my dad traveled to his church weekly). I would rush home from Sunday School to peep out the window to see who was walking home with whom, as they talked I moved closer to see what they were talking about. Yes, indeed, their conversation was about someone else, who should have heard the message that day.
WHO KNEW, that instead of message being for someone else, it was for them, or did it just go over their heads? Sunday after Sunday they always returned to church in all their purity and from where I stood, NOTHING CHANGED. I thought about becoming a Christian, (I had not made any declaration, my claim to Christianity was the fact that my Dad was a preacher). WHO KNEW?!  I was interested in the idea of being a Christian, but I didn’t see any difference in their lives than anybody else.  Except, we didn’t smoke, dip or chew, nor run with those that do, and we did not go certain places where we would always hear someone got cut/killed/stabbed/robbed/raped, etc. At least we didn’t hang with those criminals, but otherwise, how were we as Christians different? (Were we influencing the world, or were the world influencing us)?  WHO KNEW?!
How am I different, now, as a senior citizen - a follower of Jesus Christ? Do I really follow Jesus, or I am in love with the idea of following Him? (I did accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at age 24, because I saw I was a sinner and I needed a Savior).  WHO KNEW my life would be different from that day forward. Not only did I accept him as My Savior – dying for my sin on the cross, but my Lord, declaring I would go where he lead me. WHO KNEW He would lead me into some places I NEVER wanted to go? WHO KNEW it was for my good that I might grow up into maturity? WHO KNEW this would be a life time journey.
I am a little battle fatigue of the church scene right now, I have seen enough, up close and personal (WHO KNEW that’s where the REAL stuff is seen)? I am exhausted with being preached to and some of the stuff you preach to me when I go home check out my bible, you gave it from YOUR perspective and did not keep it in context of the scriptures? WHO KNEW I would go home to study on my own because I was uncomfortable with what I heard from the pulpit? It may be okay for baby Christians, but I have been on this journey almost 50 years, not slipping/sliding but striving to walk the walk as I talk the talk.
I am at a place I don’t want to show up at one place too frequently because they will target me by courting me (treating me all kind, expecting nothing but perhaps a future yes that I might make a covenant with them eventually). WHO KNEW that such covenant you are the only one that’s keeping your part of the bargain?!
WHO KNEW after all these years I would be writing about this matter in my 70’s? I love Jesus but I have major issues with those who call church businesses and they are not accountable to NOBODY. WHO KNEW?!  I know this does not fit all, that would be short sighted, but it’s too much. If you are out there really following Jesus, doing God’s business God’s way, and for His glory, please contact me, as I am tired of being sick and tired of being tired.  WHO KNEW I would be writing this tonight after being at church yesterday, working at Christian school today, and conducting prayer line in the morning, active on call Biblical Christian Counselor and so many other titles.  Oh yes, those titles are just something to hid behind, in reality the same thing it takes for me, who assume NO title, it takes for you with all the titles. You don’t have to worry about falling out the bed, if you sleep on the floor. WHO KNEW?!?

WHOSE OX IS BEING GORED?

I do not have the words to express how happy I am that this divisive election is over. The rhetoric has been over the top – on both sides. I can’t believe what some of my Christian friends said about President Obama and the very things they complained about him, President Trump is doing the same thing. That’s why this article is NOT about the election but Whose Ox Is Being Gored.
I looked up this phrase and it goes back to biblical times Exodus 21:29-36. It’s as simple as that rather than a given event being seen differently depending on the degree to which a person has self-interest.  I realize perspective makes all the differences, but as human beings can we be respectful to one another, even if our opinions differs?  Of course it takes maturity to do this, but those of us who call ourselves Christians are called to a higher standard than the world. We are to be the example, we are to influence the world and not allow the world to influence us.
Let’s be honest, we really are not as kind as we think we are. I was moved to do a word study on two words during the election, especially when I became so overwhelmed with sound bites, FB posts, and even emails from friends. I became angry and found myself expressing bitterness in these circumstances. I had to STOP, take inventory of MYSELF and worked on my word study and saw that KINDNESS is a learned behavior, not automatic and that kindness goes for myself first. (Charity begins at home – ME)! In just a few days of working on my word study of kindness, I saw how unkind I was – to ME!
I allowed myself to think too long on negative information I heard, and when I put a positive in place of the negative my energy and well-being returned. Even at one point I had to tell myself, I choose to walk in love, and what I want another person to do for me if roles were reverse, I will do to them. Periods of times, I found myself cheering on negativity, then I stopped and put in place Phil. 4:8, at that point my peace returned to me.
Now that I am learning to be kind to myself, I have chosen one person to work on, no matter what, I will be kind in my thoughts and attitudes to this person and in so doing I can now pray for him and his family.  I no longer want to hear any negative comments about him nor the one he replaced.  Years ago Rodney King was beaten very badly, and when he was finally able to talk, we knew he was going to say something so amazing, we didn’t want to miss and pulled our chairs close to the TV. This is what he said: “People, I just want to say, can we all get along?” That day, I laughed out loud, and said, “What, is that’s the best you can do or say after what happened to you?” Today, those words ring so clear and profound even after he is long gone - 2012.
Meanwhile, we are adopting an attitude, “Let the Chips Fall Where They May.” Ox is gored…INDEED!

LET THE OLDER TEACH THE YOUNGER

In the late 90’s I wrote how the older women should teach the younger and some of the subject matters they should teach. I sure wish this practice was enforced right now because this generation needs it. Myself included, I wish I had someone to go to that could and would speak into my life right now. Conversely we live in a mind your own business and nobody wants to stick their noses in other folks business age.  By all means stick your nose in my business as that is a way to help me get to heaven.
This week a good buddy of mine called me, we have been friends since my early 20’s; we met here in Michigan and both of us are from Tennessee.  That by itself is a connection.  I heard he had been seriously ill and called his estranged wife to ask her to tell him I was asking about him as I cared. He called and asked me did I know he was ill, his voice was so different I really didn’t know who he was when I answered the phone. He was so happy to talk to me and I was likewise. This is what he said to me, “Stine, I want to reaffirm our friendship, and I’ve got to treat people right no matter how they treat me because when I die I want to go to heaven.” Wow! That statement stayed on my mind all that day.
Being a Titus 2 Woman is what I am really talking about and I think of my oldest sister, Lucille Purham Moore. She was the oldest in our family and she wore it well. She just had a birthday this month (82), she works full time at a beauty college and she is the Mother of her church.  She had her family and returned to college and received her Master’s Degree in education and was a Department Head for Detroit School System. She is the ‘go-to person’ for my entire family. Not that we think she can fix everything but by sharing with her we can get a new perspective. She is a safe listener.
I remember when I was very young, how she taught me to take care of my body, teeth and speak effective English.  When I was in 3rd grade, during chapel she would do speeches, monologues and skits and decided when I grew up I would do the same. Yep, I sure did follow in her foot step. I said my first public speech at age 9. I also won scholarship to local college for best actress in a play. All my teachers said I was on my way to Hollywood. I didn’t pursue that.
My oldest sister taught me many other things, how to protect myself, and speak up for myself and to do it with emphasis. I used to watch her date. When young men came to see her they always brought her a box of candy. One day this young man came to visit her and had a big box of candy. I knew she didn’t like him but I sure wanted her to like him that day so when she sent him off he would leave the candy. Well, that didn’t work out, so he took the candy with him. I was so angry with her, at least she should have kept the candy.
She made me clothes and took up for me when I was in a battle. I remembered when I was sick in hospital, in a coma, she came and sat at my bed talking to me. The doctors told her it was no need to talk to me because I couldn’t hear her. My sister said, “I still need to say this to her.” She told me she wanted me to get well and come sit on her back porch to eat all kinds of fruit and vegetables. When I woke up, nurses asked what I was going to do when I leave the hospital and I simply told them what my sister said to me while in a coma. My daughter that was my advocate heard about this and tried to correct me and said, you are not going to do that, where did you get that from? When I told her, she called my sister and she confirmed those were the things she told me about while I was in a coma.
I appreciate my sister as she was a real example of the older teaching the younger.

GOD IS UNPREDICTABLE – HE SENDS HELP FROM MOST UNLIKELY PLACES…

As I reflect on happenings of the year gone by, I am reminded that God is unpredictable. In my personal life, on the world scene, in church and the highways and byways. Whatever He wants to happen and what He allows to happen and no matter how painful it feels for the moment, He can turn our mourning into dancing again. He works in amazing ways and He allows things I don’t like nor understand. Yet, I know He is in control and He already said He would NEVER leave me nor forsake me. I am learning He is a PROMISE KEEPER! There are times all I can do is hold to His promises.
For example, there are things the Lord showed me years ago would happen in my life, two of those things have come to past and I am yet waiting on the last one. Do I get discouraged? Of course I do, but I am reminded of the promise, hope deferred makes the heart sick but when the desire comes it is a tree of life and if we hope for what we see not, we do with patience wait for it. I WAIT and TRUST and is in a season that my times are in the Lord’s hands. He is faithful. We serve a God that does new things…He makes ways in the desert and streams in the wasteland Ish. 43:19.
I do not make New Year’s resolutions but I realize nothing will happen unless I take an action. If I don’t change neither will my situation/circumstances. It is good to learn and grow and see things thru different lens – yes, a new perspective and learn to be a more effective follower of Jesus Christ. There are three things I know for sure: The sun will rise in east and set in the west every day and the bible is the final authority on world events.
My oldest brother who used to treat me as his daughter when growing up, who is almost 10 years older than myself. He always took time to answer my childish questions and I believed what he told me. He is now a retired Pastor in his 80’s, and still busy as ever. He actually picked up the phone and called me this year. I was honored by that phone call. He shared with me many experiences he had during his four years in Seminary, Morehouse College. The Bishop of his church sent him to his first church in Athens, Ga, he was so excited he went out to look at the church and it was locked. He found a man nearby and asked how he could see the church, as it was getting dark. He was told the church was in such bad condition and in need of so many things they even had to turn the lights out. My brother returned the next morning to see church in day, as he walked in - it was torn up, look like nobody had been there for years. He was very displeased with the Bishop and was going to call the Bishop and let him know he could keep this, as it wasn’t for him. While pondering this, he quiet his spirit and a man drove up in a fancy car looking for the Pastor of the church, reluctantly my brother responded, I am he. The man invited my brother to his house for dinner, spoke into my brother’s life with words of encouragement and sent members to his church. He happened to be the pastor of the biggest church in Athens and he and my brothers were friends until he passed away. The church grew and this is one of the best experiences of his life. God showed up in so many amazing ways and the folks from that church followed him even years later after he was assigned to other churches.  God is UNPREDICTABLE and oh so FAITHFUL!

YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID…

I choose to blog because I care about people and I am serious about my walk with God. When you really get serious you will find you often walk alone. Not lonely, because Jesus said He would NEVER leave me nor forsake me and I have learned so many times He is a Promise Keeper.
I can’t go alone to get along, and if I take a stand on something I KNOW is true based on the Word of God and you choose to disconnect with me, then that’s on you as I love you still. If you see me walking in the wrong direction, please, in the name of LOVE, speak into my life that I may change course. I ALWAYS respond to truth, regardless to who speaks it, a child, a drunk person, etc. because charity rejoices in the truth. Even a broke clock is right two times a day.
I MUST be true to me, I can’t love you unless I love myself first.  The airlines got it right, put your own mask on before you assist someone else. I have been on this journey a long time, I’ve been wounded and hurt many times, and there have been times I didn’t want to try again but because of HOPE I got back up one more time. Where I am today, I have been here before – I learned before and I am processing what I am learning NOW. I am taking my life back…
Too many times I have relied on leaders to make decisions for my life because I was afraid I wouldn’t be approved and accepted by them. I have died a many deaths because of this attitude, and today I choose a new perspective and a new attitude. When I die daily, I don’t have to fear death again, because I am dead to self. I am working on me by reading/meditating and applying the Word of God to my life on a DAILY basis. No matter where I am everything about me shows up, my values, opinions, EVERYTHING about me show up. I want to be the best ME that I can be and I must be true to me.
I owned a business a few years ago, Creative Communications, and there were two other partners. We could never agree on how to run the business as they wanted to charge large amounts to attend the Workshops, but my idea was to give the people quality service and they will tell others and money would come. NOPE, we couldn’t agree. Therefore, I had to use my time, talent and resources wisely and politely bowed out. I regret to say the business failed and my partners ended up in other troubled waters.
I am so glad how God has been with me down thru the years and when my cup overflows, and it does overflow, I run to that rock that is higher than I am and ALWAYS find comfort for my troubled soul. I love people, and care deeply about them and hurts tremendously for them and always want to be an encouragement and I do what I do with PASSION. I want people to know we all can do better. No matter how well we think we are doing we can do BETTER.
It’s time out for blaming others, getting people told, giving people a piece of your mind as many of  us don’t have enough to share but we can speak truth  into other folks lives and maybe one day they will wake up and say, “Now why didn’t I see that before?” I really believe ALL OF US wants to do right, be right and help others. Let us rise to the occasion to speak the TRUTH in Love.  We Will Be Glad We Did!