Today’s Thought “Bouts With Difficulty” G. Ward

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36

We’re bombarded with a religious view that disallows transparency of personal feelings. It demands our faith as weak and senseless. It precludes that if one is temporarily contained therein, absolute recall in our conqueror status (cf. Ro.8:37) simply needs revival.

There could certainly be components of these castigations that hold true. Furthermore, greater contemplative review of Holy God’s graciousness towards man can minimize despair. I however, prefaced this thought by equating this assessment (or over-simplifying great trouble) of one being depressed or confused as a religious view vs. the practicality of resolve for every believer, because our best model is the Savior’s approach in Matthew, chapter 9, verse ^35 “Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.” Perhaps some of those were experiencing distress in their souls? Many of my charismatic friends will take these wonderful passages out of context and will immediately purchase vials of oil, anointing heads of many, failing to understand that all those healed by the Master’s touch inevitably DIED by every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. STOP with the simple answers and just make yourself available to their cry (cf. Mt.9:35a)!

 Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Clear and Distinct” G. Ward

 

“Therefore I speak to them in parables; because while seeing they do not see, and while hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.” Matthew 13:13

 

The days of old were very compelling as a child, in that, adults that hadn’t seen you in some time would comment up to two minutes or more on how much you had grown since the last visit. Next, the interrogation; asking what you wanted to be when becoming an adult. If you were a Ward child, what resonated immediately was our Dad’s voice that insisted we speak clearly and distinct from what was typical. Our Mother on the other hand, echoed a heartfelt sentiment of “mess up if you want to!” In other words, the place you embarrassed her, would be the place to which you were embarrassed.

My generation (Baby Boomers, born 1946-1964) was trained to speak when spoken to. The current acceptance perpetuated by many adults, is accepting to children not vocalizing at all when spoken to. Many offer quick defense for their disrespectful babies by suggesting how shy they are. Was shy-ness just invented? Early preparedness (cf. Dt.6:5-7) enables greater comfort (in later life terms). So remember, for some of us, it’s not cute when we seek in aiding their (your progeny) interpersonal skills via what should be dialogue. If you begin training them now vs. relegating that responsibility to other systems, perhaps they’ll land the job and move out of your house…

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “The First Thing That I’d Do Is…” G. Ward

 

“You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:3

 

I’ve heard it a gazillion times. “When I win the lottery I’ll do this or that!” I’m always troubled to hear that it takes great sums of money to enable some of this to exist. The odds in winning such a jackpot are 1 in 175 million. Therefore while waiting, one could be contacting a travel agent for inquiry to a trip somewhere comparable to prior delusions of grandeur. Moreover, your insatiability (cf. 1 Ti.6:10) with tangibles can undergird great taming until that award comes into fruition. I’m convinced that many proposing eminent wealth as the culmination of life (cf. Jn.14:6), can be compared to an uncle with a drinking problem. Under normal conditions of sobriety, his words and activity are seasoned in peace and continuity; but once he’s inebriated, you’ll discover that what was subliminal thoughts of discord and offense, surface and soon might nauseate you (cf. Nu.32:23).

Happy Monday!

Today’s Thought “You Can’t Play With My Ball!” G. Ward

 

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

 

 

The Confederate States of America (CSA), commonly referred to as the Confederate States (CS) or the Confederacy, was a government set up in 1861 by seven slave states (i.e. states which permitted slavery) of the Lower South that had declared their secession from the United States following the November 1860 election of Abraham Lincoln. Those seven states created a "confederacy" in February 1861 before Lincoln took office in March. After war began in April, four states of the Upper South also declared their secession and were admitted to the Confederacy. The Confederacy later accepted two additional states as members (Missouri and Kentucky) although neither officially declared secession nor was ever controlled by Confederate forces (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia).

 

For me, the Confederate Flag is offensive. For the Sons of Confederate Veterans it’s symbolic to their heritage. Remarkably, it’s the heritage for many Blacks who witnessed harassment from racist factions (who at the time of their tyranny carried this rebel flag); up to lynching many Blacks, while their last view was this rebel flag (ask Emmitt Till…). Some Jews in the days of Hitler abhorred the sign of the cross, because many oppressors utilized this tremendous symbol while seeking to annihilate them.

 In my family heritage (because I’m Black), we were without potential as secessionists, because we were regarded as property without last names. Commerce was the driving force of these secessionists while claiming a love for God and Country. Totally captivated by free labor (i.e. slavery), secessionists thought of themselves as innocuously defending their brutal disenfranchisement of other human beings (while creating great wealth for themselves). Today’s Sons of Confederate Veterans boldly defend their heritage by comparatively dichotomizing the Confederate Flag against February’s Black History Month Celebration. Well, Sons of the Confederacy, please forgive the populous in recognizing Blacks for their contribution to these UNITED States (particularly considering very little is taught about it vs. American (White) History). One month’s celebration may preclude journalistic sensationalist’s (i.e. mass media) opportunity to highlight Blacks as welfare recipients who refuse to work and lack educational aptitude to achieve anything. Feeling very militant on today, gregory.

Happy Thursday!

 

Today’s Thought “Monkey See, Monkey Do…” G. Ward

 

 ^“Behold, I have found only this, that God made men upright, but they have sought out many devices.” Ecclesiastes 7:29

 

My youngest grandson, Ethan is as impressed with his older brother Colson as my youngest son was with his older brother (only while they were small children). He watches him run day and night seeking to mimic his ways, but motor skills are limited for now. It’s been a long time since I was a baby, but I too was a younger brother and probably did the same. This now serves as a defense for all I do wrong currently; it’s my older brother’s fault…

Before the fall of man (Ge. 3:1-19), mankind had less propensity towards bad follow-ship (i.e. sin). Since then, we’ve (Ro.3:10, 23) been plagued with improper captivation with what perceivably could be beneficial (self-preservation). Our view of wrong models, disables our inherent morality (cf.Eph.1:11-12) intended.

It’s entirely excusable in being an infant desiring what others have. It however, is infantile for adults to aspire towards things or conditions given man before greater consultation is rendered unto “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. Amen” (Eph.3:2021).

Happy Wednesday!

Today’s Thought “Imitator of Righteousness” G. Ward

 

“To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted, and humble in spirit;  not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you might inherit a blessing.” 1 Peter 3:8-9

 

Like many of you, I’m growing weary concerning consumer rights in receiving excellent care. Lack of interpersonal skills has become entirely pervasive in every industry. It’s particularly disheartening when personal monies are either exchanged or soon to be. We’re reminded (in the passage above) to contemplate HIS graciousness towards us, by not rendering what’s been established, understanding; 1. It’s not personal. 2. And such were some of you.

In the process of extending niceties, remember reciprocity from others might be as the dinosaur – extinct ( ^“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed. And do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled.” 1 Pe. 3:14).

Happy Tuesday!

Today’s Thought “Heretically Erroneous” G. Ward

 

“Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith.” 2 Timothy 3:8

 

I marveled at this story on this morning; asking myself, “are people yet this foolish?”

  The Associated Press

MIDDLESBORO, Ky. —

A snake-handling pastor who appeared on the National Geographic television reality show "Snake Salvation" has died after being bitten by a snake during a weekend church service in Kentucky. Jamie Coots was handling a rattlesnake at his Full Gospel Tabernacle in Jesus Name Church in Middlesboro when he was bitten on the hand Saturday night, another preacher, Cody Winn, told WBIR-TV (http://on.wbir.com/1cLrs8A ). After the bite, Coots dropped the snakes, but then picked them back up and continued on. Within minutes, Winn said Coots headed to the bathroom.

You’ll find that a little knowledge about anything could be dangerous. Sensationalists seek Holy God’s word for its visual attributes (cf, Mt. 12:38-39, 2 Cor. 5:7). Scriptures like Luke 10:19, (“Behold, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing will injure you.”) have been de-contextualized for centuries. The actuality of this passage demands focus unto every believer for the task given from on high (Mt.28:19). It has very little to do with actual snakes and scorpions. If you’re yet uncertain, ask Jamie Coots. Oh, I’m sorry, he’s dead…

Happy Monday!