Today’s Thought Regrets G. Ward

“But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit.” Matthew 1:20

It was 5 a.m. this morning when I awakened. I prepared a most excellent cup of coffee and two pieces of toast. While sipping and eating, I began to contemplate the goodness of Holy God. I was entirely repentant for my blatant disregard of the spiritual regimen I normally experience. My prayer reflected that sorrow and I was refreshed (cf. Ac.3:19-21). Amazingly, I was immediately given an opportunity to reciprocate such a restoration comparable. Upon searching through my email I discovered a correspondence from a relative who was apologizing for some remarks she made more than six months ago that could have been construed as offensive. I assured her that no offense was taken and that my loving her meant no future apologies would ever be necessary.

Awakening each day should birth great exuberance in the lives of believers, in that it strongly substantiates His words; “He will not always strive with us,
Nor will He keep His anger forever.
 He has not dealt with us according to our sins,
Nor rewarded us according to our iniquities.
 For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
So great is His lovingkindness toward those who fear Him.
 As far as the east is from the west,
So far has He removed our transgressions from us.
 Just as a father has compassion on his children,
So the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him.
For He Himself knows our frame;
He is mindful that we are but dust” (Ps.103:9-14).

*Had Joseph been impetuous with bringing public shame on Mary, the story of Christ could have been marred, but thank God for His infinite wisdom.

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" (Lk.22:42).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought Children at Play G. Ward

“Come now, and let us reason together,” Says the LORD, “Though your sins are as scarlet, They will be as white as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They will be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18

Time has a way in revealing how uncertainty will soon be made clear. Most however, rarely are considerate of such when facing an uncertain future (dilemma obscures peaceable potential). Unknowingly, many have been perpetuators (even up to antagonism), regarding other’s ability to recover from uncertain moments. I’ll refer to this on today as an unnecessary competiveness. My eldest son (for example) was walking at 6 months old. Moreover, his vocabulary was quite extensive at 1 years and he was fully potty trained shortly thereafter (no embellishment). Many of our comrades marveled at his progression and prognosticated his future as in-ordinary, including an aptitude higher than most. Our second son (4.5 years later) demonstrated some of the same characteristics, yet didn’t desire walking until he was 14 months old and wasn’t potty trained until he was 14 (I’m kidding of course)! Today, both are equally as successful although the first group of cheerleaders diminished with the second birth. Our compelling as parents to these, determined that our guidance must continue regardless of outside factions (cf. Dt.6:4-7).

Altogether, what we discover is our pursuit in life is environmental (i.e. what we’re exposed to); if strongly encouraged while young, productivity in our later years are less arduous. As believers, we have great responsibility to help (via sharing the most excellent message of reconciliation) others see that Holy God desires (cf.2 Pe.3:9) a love relationship with them individually that supersedes our adopting the heaviness in life’s circumstances (cf. Mt.11:29-30), by considering “Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, ²¹ to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever” (Eph.3:20-21). Happy Friday!

Today’s Thought Usefulness G. Ward

As they were going down to the edge of the city, Samuel said to Saul, “Say to the servant that he might go ahead of us and pass on, but you remain standing now, that I may proclaim the word of God to you.” 1 Samuel 9:27

Did your candidate win on last evening? Like most of you, I’m certainly elated that it’s all over, win or lose. The traps of political behavior can be utterly exasperating. There is very little unity desired (politically) in a democratic society; it’s mostly a selfish conveyance of ideas imposed, isogetically (morally and ethically), that demands immediate adherence, or tags you (the non-compliant) as obtrusive to American values. Americans seemingly want to be upset with other factions (socio-economic, gender, religious, sexual orientation, culture or race) representative of America. While countries like Serbia may have practiced ethnic cleansing (a policy designed by one ethnic or religious group to purposely remove by violent and terror-inspiring means the civilian population of another ethnic or religious group from certain geographic areas), our partisan behaviors (thanks to our party system) invites a similar heresy. In America, we’re prepared to serve (via military) as a universalist police force to disable the kind of cleansing mentioned above, while yet guilty in the same kind of divisiveness; particularly contradictory when remembering our origin supports a plethora of freedom expression including religious, gender equality, sexual orientation, race and economic divide. Like you, I don’t agree with the behaviors of many involved in these group listings, but I don’t want to kill them, or have them fall off the face of the earth!
We find how necessary it is in hearing from Holy God independent of great crowds and sensationalistic cheerleaders in 1 Samuel, chapter 9. Waiting to be assigned without selfish promptings, Saul runs into the man of Holy God (Samuel the Prophet) who shared with him how God selected him to be first King unto Israel (Wow!). Saul, endeavored (1 Sa.9:3) what seemed to have been an ordinary task, to be anointed by the Prophet Samuel that same day as King. Independent of crowds, God spoke (“Every person is to be in subjection to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God.” Ro.13:1). Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought Geriatrical G. Ward

 “Now King David was old, advanced in age; and they covered him with clothes, but he could not keep warm. ² So his servants said to him, “Let them seek a young virgin for my lord the king, and let her attend the king and become his nurse; and let her lie in your bosom, that my lord the king may keep warm.” ³ So they searched for a beautiful girl throughout all the territory of Israel, and found Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king.

⁴ The girl was very beautiful; and she became the king’s nurse and served him, but the king did not cohabit with her.” 1 Kings 1:1-4

I was privileged to know my grandparents. They all have died, yet the memory of them is still overwhelming. All that grandparents were supposed to be (i.e. loving, encouraging, etc.) was who they were. So why am I so dysfunctional now? That’s another episode for later.

Today I want to focus in on my maternal grandfather. He was approximately six feet tall, slender and masterfully socialable. Every time he would come around, we (his grandchildren) were proud in calling him “Big Daddy.” He sought being generous towards us, but was unable because he had so many grandchildren (approx.36) and there was always so many around; particularly in a time where economic depression was rampant. We however thought of our “Big Daddy” as close to perfect. Amazingly, he gave nicknames to so many of us in accordance to how we looked; mine was Uncle John Whitfield. Apparently we had some relatives with the surname Whitfield in our genealogy. I was glad to be equated with our family in physical terms, because prior to the nickname designation, I thought they found me behind a rock or something.

The paradigm given us as children from grandparents rarely takes into account the misgivings of their youth. We see the elderly as very cognizant of extending niceties towards the many they encounter. We call them reserved because expediency is a thing of the past; retirement means slow down. Frivolity, in a general sense can’t be tolerated, because no energy drink, or any other stimulant, could incite the inducement of endorphins necessary to commit some behaviors.

That’s what happened to King David in our scripture lesson text above. It wasn’t that King David or “Big Daddy” was immune to great sin as such, Viagra wasn’t invented yet. Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought Hostess Snacks G. Ward

“From Your precepts I get understanding; Therefore I hate every false way.” Psalms 119:104

Do you recall your very first time eating a Hostess Twinkie? Well, I guess you’re like the rest of us (in other terms, no.). It however, was a very compelling thing; a spongy golden cake with a marvelous surprise of sweet white delicate cream in the middle. The Hostess Company most certainly understood the compelling for more, so they inserted two cakes in one package (knowing that consuming only one was next to impossible.).

Our lives simulate the layers of the Twinkie. We often appear a particular way, until one pulls back a layer or two discovering more personality traits. Perpetuating indifference, or adversarial for example can often be a characteristic of many, until the assignee becomes open (or compassionate) towards empathizing with the supposed antagonist enough to discover that their whole life was filled with very few examples of peace, keeping them in a mode of defense.

The term dysfunctional has been tossed around to indicate that some lack resolve regarding past indifference. Personally, I’m troubled about this unnecessary designation, because I believe no one as exempt from such a status (cf. Ro.7:15-18); therefore more imperative to adopt is a merciful perspective (cf. Eph.5:1-2). The emotion expressed in the moment may be the lack of resolve in the past. Holding individuals hostage to perceived unrighteousness, mainly blocks your being blessed (cf.Mt.6:12, 14-15) and pompously suggests you’re not, nor have been a violator. Have a Happy Thursday, Ms. or Mr. Perfect!

Today’s Thought Future Terms G. Ward

"No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36

I present to you on today an excerpt from C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape Letters (a satirical Christian apologetic novel first published in book form in February 1942); “We have trained them to think of the future as a promised land which favoured heroes attain, not as something which everyone reaches at a rate of sixty minutes an hour, whatever he does, whoever he is.” Your Affectionate Uncle Screwtape

Uncle Screwtape is regarded as a senior demon directing his energy towards further corrupting his nephew Wormwood (a junior Tempter on his way to senior evil). These provocations will inevitably fall on an innocent victim (A British man) known as the “Patient.”

If we’re not careful to pursue Holy God independent of philosophies and being captivated by eloquence, we too can fall victim to the same evil ploys. As our entry was individually marked by new life, our departure ends with judgment on whether we’re suited for eternity with Holy God, or with Screwtape, Wormwood and the fellas. I’ve heard it said, “The older I become (particularly in the Lord), the less impressed I am with man.” King David said it best; “Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, So that You are justified when You speak And blameless when You judge.” Psalms 51:4

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought Second Fiddle G. Ward

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

Parents are often so hilarious when trying to convey to their young people the level of sacrifice taken by them in establishing family values. Audaciously, it’s begun so early.  Little Jenny and Billy arrive at the dollar store with a parent. Without contemplation, the parent, in looking for a particular item passes the toy aisle. Jenny and Billy yell in unison, “Please Mommy, it only costs one dollar!” Although Mother’s early expression of limited funds was made crystal clear in the car, it meant nothing against the colors presented in the toy line.

I’m reminded on the time my Dad was driving the four of us to school. My sister Sandy (not the hurricane, but close) pleaded with my Dad the urgent need for money for a particular supply. My Dad countered with the traditional response, “Sandy, I don’t have any money.” Without hesitance Sandy told Dad to write a check. Why is it that transcendent to young people not understanding depletion, grown folk are equally as troubled? All that need are forever pre-occupied with what they feel you have and find it difficult when told you’re busted; they always feel you’re hoarding the last $569,328.59 (don’t you wish?).

Our Savior shares with us the necessity in allowing Him to be the Source of every supply as a result of His sacrifice. He pleads with us to further analyze our objectives over what’s truly needed. If we’re not careful we’ll further succumb to the Dollar Store scenario (reducing ourselves to adolescent thinking) as HE accompanies us through life’s journey, while demanding from the Master of the universe, “You have more to give,  Your sacrifice isn’t enough” (cf. Jn.19:30, Heb.10:26)! Happy Tuesday!