Today’s Thought “Exodus” G. Ward

Jesus replied, "You are in error because you do not know the Scriptures or the power of God.  At the resurrection people will neither marry nor be given in marriage; they will be like the angels in heaven.  But about the resurrection of the dead--have you not read what God said to you, 'I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob’? He is not the God of the dead but of the living."  When the crowds heard this, they were astonished at his teaching.” Matthew 22:29-33

 

There are words utilized by many at the point of death that may appear soothing but are doctrinally damaging. Furthermore, these words of solace when examined, are beneath the actuality of what happens to man, particularly when in Christ upon dying. Theologically, there’s an immediate separation of body from soul (cf. 2 Cor. 5:1-5). I’m very thankful that the bodies given us remain. This body of mine is contaminated and I couldn’t stand to endure it for eternity long (cf. Rev. 21:4).

Being an earthly vessel demands tremendous rest. Heaven won’t require me to “rest in peace.” Heaven will allow me to be with the Prince of Peace face to face, forever. Nor will I undergird a metamorphosis unto angelic proportions (i.e. No, Holy God didn’t need another angel!).

We’re captivated in this erroneous perpetuation because we fail at being students of HIS (2 Ti. 2:15). Moreover, shedding comfort (in these circumstances) can/will often reveal great trepidations concerning my eventual demise. In other words, how then do I qualify for heaven’s reward?

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.” Luke 18:19

“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.” Matthew 7:21

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Notoriety Squashed” G. Ward

 

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.” James 1:19

 

On today an outstanding exemplar leader has died. At 86, her life was filled with great triumphs and tremendous disappointments. In the early years of her existence, she participated in many illicit ideas concerning life’s directives and harbored great resentment towards her oppressors. There however a particular inescapable autumn presented unto her by other exemplar leaders that enabled her strain unto righteousness a desired goal. Unfortunately, exemplary, is becoming subjectively un-heard of in our time. Media dispensationalists are more proud to portray Kanye and Kardashian frivolities than moral prowess from some.

She wrote a seven series autobiographical sketch of personal life events to which I’m grateful for; in that it taught me the essence of transparency as a greater component in aiding others to achieve exemplar status. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, the title, was taken from a most excellent stanza in Shakespeare’s notable work Sympathy (I know why the caged bird sings, ah me, When his wing is bruised and his bosom sore, When he beats his bars and would be free; It is not a carol of joy or glee,
But a prayer that he sends from his heart's deep core, But a plea, that upward to Heaven he flings –
I know why the caged bird sings.).

Maya Angelou’s Rise from the wreckage of rape, racism, rejection and reprisal, demands that despair be removed as a cause and effect for the entirety of the human race – G. Ward.

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Considerate” G. Ward

 

“If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Romans 12:18

 

I recall our youngest sister’s perfection while growing up. She always sought peace in most circumstances while the rest of us sought wreaking havoc. Although most of her actions were conciliatory, there was this time when vocabulary heightened for her (perhaps 3^rd grade), enabling her to adopt this redundant terminology that sought castigation primarily unto my brother and me. It was the word “consideration”. I must admit we were the most inconsiderate bunch when it came to food. My brother could eat gargantuan amounts of snacks, cereal, or whatever; and I ran a close second. Seemingly our objective was to eat until the entirety was consumed. Our sister epitomized what nagging represented with the most reprehensible claim, “you’re just inconsiderate!” While our Dad was a wordsmith of sorts, we at an early age couldn’t define the actuality in every word, but quickly grasped context (so I knew it wasn’t complimentary).  In contrast to today’s generational genii (i.e. geniuses), kids of old were dummies.

Getting back to my sister’s imperfection; she eventually learned that if we were in the house, hide your portion or beat them awakening each day. The shame of it all is that she just learned this lesson in her 40’s (Big Dummy!). It’s said, “It’s never too late…”

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Progeny, A Wonderful Thing…” G. Ward

 

“Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5

 

As a pastor my days are long yet mostly enjoyable. Therefore my drive home encapsulates my arrival to my man cave where the Lane recliner and flat screen television await. My routine embraces seeing how my wife’s day went/ and is going, then to a chore or two; while the whole time my chair calls my name (eagerly awaiting my arrival). On last evening, while noting that my wife’s car parked in the garage as normal, there was no sign of her in the house. I was so very sad, thinking how there would be no interruption in my seeing my chair earlier than usual (lol). Upon reclining in my chair I noted a pillow on the sofa displaced and an Afghan (i.e. Throw) moved from the same unto another chair. Then my blessed remote control was shifted from the right arm unto the left. I then hit the “On” switch to find the station on NickJr (Nick Jr. is the home for all the characters and shows you may know if you have grandchildren, including; Dora the Explorer, Peppa Pig, Olive the Ostrich, Bubble Guppies, Team Umizoomi and many more.). That could only mean one thing! Colson and Ethan are here (my grandsons)!

Waiting on their return precluded no dozing for me while the television watches me. Several hours later they burst in the room demanding that PaPa play with them until they got tired. Today I’m exhausted; “so that’s all I have to say about that” (in my Forest Gump voice)! Life is like a bunch of chocolates…

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Unadulterated” G. Ward

   “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their speculations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible man and of birds and four-footed animals and crawling creatures.” Romans 1:21-23

 

Unfortunately, the question Jesus asked His disciples at Mark chapter 8, vs. 27c, “Who do people say that I am” is yet a question in our time. While the bible persists at being the bestselling text of our modernity it has become just another manuscript to extract motivational sayings from. There are however those times when the pious seek to criticize other religious pundits by referring to its harsh code. Regardless, the very intent was that man would hear from heaven by first, desiring it holistically, then not considering following Holy God’s guidelines as burdensome (1 Jn.5:3).

Who do you say HE is? I call HIM Lord because I need Him to own me. My weariness in seeing more religion than surrender can be infuriatingly overwhelming and cause me to hermit-ize myself from society although I’m compelled to give this wonderful message of love (i.e. the gospel) to every captive of himself away.

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Comic Section” G. Ward

 

 ^“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.” Revelation 1:3

 

Funky Winkerbean was my favorite comic strip that appeared in The Detroit News every Saturday & Sunday mornings (Funky Winkerbean is a long-run comic strip by Tom Batiuk. Distributed by North America Syndicate, a division of King Features Syndicate, it appears in more than 400 newspapers worldwide. Wikipedia). That was a time to which Bazooka Bubble Gum was most popular because every piece contained a comic strip. Furthermore, every boy ascribed to his own favorite comic book featuring a superhero of sorts. The nation's largest nonprofit children's literacy organization, R.I.F. propagated acronymically, a wonderful slogan that demanded Reading Is Fundamental.

We’re now exposed to faster, better, as the technology giants would have us believe. Listen to what an article written by T David Gordon elaborated (Credo Magazine, April 2014); “In our world of Facebook, Twitter and countless blogs, Pastors and lay people alike are consuming an overwhelming amount of information that is typically skimmed. Few, however are spending time reading a text anymore. So when our waking attention is given less and less to the written word and more to images and sound bites, yes our neurology is changed and our sensibilities are changed and we become intellectually and literally fourth graders, rather than adults…”

When Holy God stated there’s a blessing in reading (*although addressing esoterically that of scripture), did His infinite wisdom understand this admonishing as beneficially transcendent to His words also?

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Perennially Fantastic” G. Ward

Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; and let them rule over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the sky and over the cattle and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.” Genesis 1:26-27

 

Commentary after commentary is explicably comparing Michael Sam (recently drafted by NFL’s St. Louis Rams and openly gay) with the position of Jackie Robinson’s plight (the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base on April 15, 1947) in becoming America’s first Black professional baseball player. Forget about what another human being says concerning the appropriation of your body. What does HOLY GOD say (cf. Ge.19:4-5, Lev.18:22, 20:13, Mt.19:11-12, Ro.1:26-27, 2:15, 13:8-10, 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 1 Ti.1:8-11)?  Whether you realize it or not we’re not in this eroding society as some suppose. We’ve capsized into a massive cistern! Are you kidding? I’m to be judged on what I do vs. who I am? Before I look at a practicing heterosexual or homosexual, they’re male or female. Moreover, before becoming a practitioner of sexual intimacy, I was a boy. If I’m privileged in becoming even more senior and stimulants cease working, I’ll still be a BLACK man with more energy!

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Neurological Mush” G. Ward

 

³³ When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, He was deeply moved in spirit and was troubled, ³⁴ and said, “Where have you laid him?” They *said to Him, “Lord, come and see.” ³⁵ Jesus wept. John 11:33-35

 

Recovery, both physically and emotionally are with parameters; mostly from professional’s estimation via case study. There are however (admittedly) some extenuating circumstances that keep lending these assessments as hypotheses. Grief is perhaps one of the main conditions plaguing man that very well could endure for a lifetime. Perhaps you’ve either witnessed it personally or viewed it in others? I find that the older I become the more grievous I am. These parameters are primarily concerning death of a loved one and perhaps the mention of their name, a photo, or seeing someone who is a facsimile of those deceased may be the trigger.

I rejoice on today for having great compassion towards those who may be mourning a loved one, even though it may have been some time ago. This compassion deepens as I’m exposed to the plight of Jesus. Although He heard of Lazarus’ death, even caused him to be sick, then die (Jn. 11:4 – My charismatic friends despise this kind of theology amidst terrible notions that demand that Holy God doesn’t want you sick and all you have to do is claim health (cf. Ps.90:10, 2 Cor. 5:2-4) nonsense!), Jesus yet wept. He was the same who knew He would raise Lazarus from death (Jn. 11:25-26).

Why do we now maintain an antithetical demand from those friends and relatives having lost loved ones by saying, “________ wouldn’t want you to grieve this way?” “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A slave is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you; if they kept My word, they will keep yours also” (Jn.15:20).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “My Mother’s Faithfulness” G. Ward

“He did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.” 2 Kings 18:3

I never understood why she was so nit-picky on how she made me re-configure my mouth via personal pantomime (without saying a word); until I realized I had big lips that needed me to control them (accentuating my physicality). Or why it was so important to clean house so aggressively (particularly on Saturdays). Now I know her reasoning emanated from a time when young people longed to get out of the house, promoting efficacious expediency from my siblings and me. On rainy or snowy days we would move slower; so ultimately her promptings taught each of us how necessary it is to first work hard so that play is without interruption.

Then there were those moments of great sacrifice that demanded I have the best education, speak clearly and dress meticulously. There have been countless lessons given from my Mother that prepared me for fatherhood and the pastorate. You would think I’d call more often; particularly considering  my Dad having died in 2008 had me understanding everyone’s autumn at hand (cf. Ps.90:10-12). Sadly, many know of my Mother (although she’s 800 miles away and never met most) through every discourse preached and every dialogue shared. This great appreciation of her impartations must become my immediate promulgation before it’s too late.

 As many embark on another Mother’s Day 2014, it would be a crime to just patronize a jeweler, florist, or card shop. I must Share with her how vital she is/was in every level of productivity in my life and how my grandson’s impact on their progeny is inevitably foundational. Loving my Mother with tears…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “God’s Wrath Non-Existent?” G. Ward

 

“A jealous and avenging God is the Lord;
The Lord is avenging and wrathful.
The Lord takes vengeance on His adversaries,
And He reserves wrath for His enemies.
The Lord is slow to anger and great in power,
And the Lord will by no means leave the guilty unpunished.” Nahum 1:2-3

 

On today, I’m going to ask all my friends to reminisce with me concerning a message from our youth that’s been disquieted via rampant echoes of palatable inspirations. When is the last time you’ve heard a reference to “hell” outside of someone’s filthy verbiage?  How about a sermon sharing how a lack of righteousness pursued reveals a self-centered reasoning that makes Holy God secondary (cf. Mt.6:21, Ro.6:23)? If I were from Mars seeking to know the Creator, I would think HE owed us something considering the sermons and prayers of many that make demands on HIM without great sacrifice on their behalf (cf. Mt.16:24).

Seasoned relatives of old would always promote a “turn, or burn” mentality. Theirs exemplified holiness (i.e. dress, speech and courteous). Our modernity finds it entirely offensive and intrusive to suggest that Merciful God could compel some to hell. Furthermore, sin is not sin anymore; it’s a lifestyle never to be condemned. While everyone is unnecessarily patient with some, “HELL” is enlarged because the very dilution of “Truth” (Jn. 14:6) has become the mantra of man.

 “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel” (Judges 2:10).

Happy Wednesday!

 

 

 

Today’s Thought “Superficiality Revealed” G. Ward

 

“Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?” 2 Corinthians 6:14

 

Just recently a dynamic, world acclaimed pastor teamed with Oprah in producing a telecast on her OWN Network entitled, Oprah’s Lifeclass, featuring T.D. Jakes. The show seeks to have its audience familiar with their life purpose. I know very particularly that every pastor is Holy God’s man maintaining absolute care and promulgation of HIS word (cf. Ac.6:4). This ambassadorship given is solely responsible for the government it represents (cf. Isa.9:6). Furthermore, this government (mentioned prior) is not a democracy, but altogether theocratic.  Policy (or purpose) therefore, emanates from HIM; otherwise, why call HIM LORD (i.e. Master, Owner of my life).

This show has some excellent philosophical approaches to life that most certainly will produce some success; but its practice (blatant narcissism) is at eternality’s expense. The truth is, life has great sufferings (mentioned 84 times alone in the New Testament). Although in faith we’re admonished to regard them as the component that produces perseverance (Jas.1:2-3), certain sociological giants promulgate an ideology that says we can avoid them. Have you met anyone that could?

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Party Time” G. Ward

 

“When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me.” 1 Corinthians 13:11

 

Sneaky behavior is a common thread in adolescence. It exists because young people only regard parameters from parents as confining vs. nurturing. When pronouncements of constraint from a parent were rendered, most young people longed for adulthood whereby freedom would permit no inhibitors.

Our eldest sister was perhaps the most gregarious young girl ever. Her friends included those from affluent backgrounds to others, perhaps socially challenged. There were 4 of us and each are within 16 months and four days (in age) from one another (Mom & Dad were busy). Although close in age, the disparity in common friendships existed. It’s because our eldest sister held a tremendous sphere of influence with us (in other words, she could kick our butts), that we allowed her to orchestrate a New Year’s party at our home while our Mother was away on vacation in Vegas. It was unquestionably unacceptable to invite anyone to our home while our Mother was away; so this party was ultimate danger. Moreover, because of our sister’s gregariousness, this function was gaining great momentum.

The night arrived. Someone brought a keg of beer in. Others had liquor I had never heard of. In our block (to which we lived) cars were parked on each side of the street. Music was piped through every sector of the house; so terribly loud that voices were raised. In those days, everyone had living rooms, but they were off limits to anyone residing in the home. There were yet numerous violators within our living room. My personal stress level was intensified in thinking this great event would either have my Mother to show mysteriously, or a neighbor would share how rambunctious our house appeared on such a night. If either were given our Mother, perhaps heaven would have been our home for more than 40 years now. 

Amazingly, I quickly acclimated to this joyous environment, in that I was a great dancing machine (not to mention all the pretty girls)! In the most sacred place in our home (the living room), someone began pouring a liquor referred to as Don Q (Puerto Rican Rum, 150 proof) into every glass. After dancing the night away and great fraternizing, many others and I awakened the next morning to the largest mess ever. The cleanup was extreme and the anticipation of our Mother’s return promoted a great neurosis…

Happy Throwback Thursday (No, she never was told)!