Today’s Thought “Aim, Then Shoot!” G. Ward

“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4

Most countries have great regard for the aged. This honor given by most, seeks great counsel from their senior communities while extending great care for them. On the other hand, Americans typical response demands immediate convalescence for the aged. America however, boasts of the ingenuity of the young, portraying  senior input as antiquated with absolutely no relevancy; all we can be are greeters at Walmart. Altogether, it’s relative (i.e. substantiating the plight of man) to the admonishing found in 2 Corinthians 5:17, “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” How difficult it must be for young people to view seniors as useful amidst an ideology that views great depletion of melanin (causing grey to white hair), muscle collapse, relaxed demeanor and a slower pace. Furthermore, visuals block potential belief of someone senior having experienced anything remotely similar to what young people participate in currently. Aren’t you glad you don’t look like what you’ve been through?

I miss the homage of older Americans in times past. Their reply to the nonsensical behaviors from the young simply demanded (Powerfully philosophical!), “Just keep living…”

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Scientific Breakthrough” G. Ward

“A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.” Proverbs 19:9

Forbes’ Alice G. Walton cites a new study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology which has found that kids who are “good liars” also have better working memories, especially verbal memories, than their counterparts who are “bad liars.” Man’s permissiveness contradicts God’s eternal mandate. Humans were endowed with mental capacity in chronological comparatives to more substantiate an interdependence meant for him. A unilateral expression in self-sufficiency forgets “I can’t be good at everything.” Even the scientist needs a garbage collector (cf. 1 Cor.12:4-17). All these interrogations by these mad scientists come from laboratories filled with horrible hypothesis. Teach “Truth” and shame the Devil!

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “Running Aimlessly” G. Ward

“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29

Donald Trump, entrepreneurial mogul and 2016 Presidential Candidate just recently revealed his heart of ignorance, to which is impossible to correct. His relationship to immigration is the sentiment of millions of Americans and his remarks entirely inflammatory (“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people who have lots of problems and they’re bringing their problems: drugs,…rapists… and some, I assume are good people.”).

This kind of hyperbole (whether political or social) breeds. Impressionable citizenry look for another perspective to adopt; particularly if it emanates from the affluent. For any thinking they’re impenetrable, you’re thinking too highly of yourself. A single example substantiating misinformed remarks from anyone may lend credence unto subliminal thinking. Determine today to watch your words, realizing righteousness is not the necklace of man, but a virtue to pursue (cf. Ro.3:10, 23).

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “A Better Heritage” G. Ward

“You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself an idol, or any likeness of what is in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the water under the earth. You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me,” Exodus 20:3-5

 

Having arrived in Georgia 35 years ago from Michigan was troubling; particularly as a young Black man venturing to the South less than 16 years after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a Civil Rights Act. My contemplations were not the paranoia some political pundits maintain existent with some Blacks that demands, “Get Over It Already!” I was arriving for college in a state where Hamilton Holmes and Charlayne Hunter in 1961 were refused entrance at the University of Georgia based on color (Black of course). Almost 20 years later my arrival here was astonished in seeing an overwhelming Confederate emblem on the state flag. Here’s what it says to Black folks, remember, “We’re in control and when you fail to abide within that parameter, recall what we did to those kind!” Here’s the irony, Georgia had a flag that more promoted continuity prior to 1956 (cf. Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, a landmark Supreme Court Decision that demanded separate educational facilities are inherently unequal). Was this clear retribution unto Blacks? Shamefully, many schools weren’t desegregated in Georgia until 1971 and that shameful emblem (which is our entire heritage – good and bad) wasn’t removed until 2001.

More pause is given when the Star Spangled Banner is sung and the Pledge of Allegiance is recited than reverence to Holy God’s Word. This misappropriation determines who lords over our Great King of Equality.

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “To Be Loved…” G. Ward

“I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.” Psalm 139:14-16

Unlike the other commandments given Moses for the Israelites, "Thou shalt not covet" focuses on thought more than outward activity. Moreover, it seeks to preclude unjust acquisition another may obtain. Today’s visuals more point out deficiency in our being than contentment. Subliminal comparatives keeps a pursuit towards physical and proprietary perfection within grasp. The actuality of that grab reaches but never touches a point in satisfaction; it’s a quest in superficiality. “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Phil.4:11-13).

Happy Wednesday!

 

Today’s Thought “Lost In Relevancy?” G. Ward

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

The Texas GOP recently voted to decimate funding to Planned Parenthood in their state. Although said to have great impact on many women throughout that state losing cancer and diabetes screenings, theirs sought to eliminate funding abortion. Many reject a notion in government or mankind’s delineation of what should be done with a body given them (cf.1 Cor.6:19-20). While this remains an ongoing debate, even highly politicized, did any contemplate greater resolve? What became of the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do?) campaign?

If it’s your body then tell disease to never show up (cf. Ps. 24:1)! Moreover, upon death take it with you onto your eternal reward or place of misery. Cultural permissiveness is not always God sanctioned (Isa.55:8-9). In the year to which you were born, what if your Mother aborted you? Well Greg there’s economics; if she can’t afford… In my era very few parents could afford another child. What if she’s very young and impregnated – you mean like the Virgin Mary kind of young? The final argument – what about in cases of incest or rape? Abraham married his half-sister Sara in Ur, surely Isaac should have been aborted? Let’s not pretend that we’ll ever understand why or how Holy God works. Ours is a stance in obedience (regardless) not full understanding (1 Cor. 13:8-10).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Why God?” G. Ward

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. Isaiah 55:8

If you have a rich, generous uncle, who at many times and various ways rescued other family members from catastrophe; caution may be thrown to the wind. Holy God is the Owner of the entirety in earth and heaven (Ps. 24:1). His advocacy from man’s perspective is mostly required when we are trapped in a pit with no lifeline. When we’ve done all we could do, then call on Him. That’s not faithfulness, it’s abusive.

More religion takes place when earth’s citizens view demise as inevitable. Moreover, general sentiment portrays Holy God as a master interventionist to say generations exposed to heinous crime, catastrophe, or immorality, categorically didn’t suffer as much. I could say more but let’s hear from Holy God at Proverbs 1:24-29, “Because I called and you refused, I stretched out my hand and no one paid attention; And you neglected all my counsel And did not want my reproof; I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your dread comes, When your dread comes like a storm And your calamity comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. “Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently but they will not find me, Because they hated knowledge
And did not choose the fear of the Lord.”

See you at church on Sunday?

Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought “Unsettling” G. Ward

"It is written, He said to them, "My house will be called a house of prayer, but you are making it a den of robbers.” Matthew 21:13

History reveals our not being the first generation to see blatant disregard for places of worship. As the nation mourns the death of nine worshippers in Charleston, SC., reactive concerns from many are stretched in a variety of mechanism. Great sympathy across racial and cultural lines has become the expression that reminds us of Holy God’s approbation to “Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep” (Ro.12:15).

Law enforcement’s appeasement in tagging this a “hate crime” can more perpetuate divide, than cure. This perpetrator, 21 years old, is indicative of heinous plots on the innocent soon to visit others. This kid, so deeply troubled needs no psychoanalytical assessment (to offer those of us in waiting) to offer why he would walk in a church (pre-meditated or not) and gun down 9. Tagging this a “hate crime” only enables more punishment unto this victimizer. Be assured, he’ll receive more than he can live to see.

Proactive discussions will now propose greater security mechanisms from corporate settings; to never realize, “Unless the Lord builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the Lord guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain” (Ps.127:1). More imperative to pursue is the great marriage proposed by the Father’s invite to His son’s wedding (cf. *Mt. 22:1-10). Believers, go and compel every potential doer of evil to understand God’s love for them. The pain will lessen…

Happy Thursday!

Today’s Thought “Another Conquest” G. Ward

“What do people gain from all their labors at which they toil under the sun? Generations come and generations go, but the earth remains forever. The sun rises and the sun sets and hurries back to where it rises.” Ecclesiastes 1:3-5

America’s occupation with sports is astounding. It appeals to subliminal mindsets in superficiality, promoting great debate (argumentative, without resolve). Sports and the competition therein, was originally given spectators for entertainment. Although the same exists for our time, the unrelenting spectrum networks promote invites viewership’s adoption of sports as a way of viewing life vs. just “water cooler” discussion. While I’m not seeking to obliterate viewing sports, my hope is for more continuity that realizes “Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, “That You may be justified in Your words, And prevail when You are judged” (Ro.3:4b).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Kings of Rebellion” G. Ward

“I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips.” Psalm 34:1

So much energy is expelled from anyone seeking self preservation while exposed to perceived evil. While conjuring efforts from one violated determines to get another told (formulating great argument), we’ll rarely view one without reply (cf. Mk. 15:1-5). Could any be wrong concerning the intent of the violator?

A better objective to adopt is prayer (Mt 5:43-45), then commitment unto righteousness. Condescending prayers that pity, or render others as hopeless aren’t permissible (cf. 1 Cor. 6:9-11, 2 Pe.3:9). Furthermore, our forgiveness in matters of violation has been entirely un-scriptural. We have more perceived a worldly ideology perpetuating an ability to forgive to never restore another to an original status (* Mt. 18:21-22). If the contingency for our acceptance (in the heavenly realm) is how we receive others, will we make it?

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Role Model” G. Ward

“Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.” Titus 2:3-5

When I was a boy my grandparents appeared very old. I never viewed their frustrations. They epitomized the serenity found in a Norman Rockwell painting. My siblings and I are without provocation in great dysfunction as a result of such exemplary behavior shown by our grandparents.

My concern for our current generation most certainly recognizes grey and silver hair, along with droopy eyes and subtle lines (non-existent when young) amidst many of my era; but only views the physicality of those aged. Their appearances more lend it to being a charade, in that their activity seeks believing they’re as capable as any (young or old). Grandpa, Pa-Pa (paw-paw), Granny, Grandma, Big Mama, Big Daddy and Mudear has become synonymous with geriatric (or antiquated).

There’s a biblical mandate unto us regarded as elderly; to return to a status in nobility that will model unto those soon to inhabit that same reality a wonderful plight for future generations to impact a world void of purity.

Happy Monday!