Laughter everywhere
Music filled the air
Vibrant colors shine so brightly
Each step is taken very lightly
Walking on air that’s what we did
Until the tide of change came rolling in
Waves so monstrous completely covered
That which we built in countless hours
Everything paused for what seemed like eternity
Now that the tides have subsided
Let’s pick up the pieces
It’s time for renewal
Don’t you think?
12/29/16 Dr.R.A,
… “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him. 1Cor.2:9
We live in a society where having good character seems to be a thing of the dark ages or even mythical. Bad behavior paves the streets and low morals parades like a flag further demoralizing the value of character within our society. Instant gratification and self-idolization are constantly on display. The thought of enduring difficulty or pain for achievement is regarded as preposterous. Unfortunately, we take the same approach in our walk with God. Our perception of God and His nature becomes skewed according to our needs. We view God as a cosmic feel good machine whose sole purpose is to make us feel good by any means necessary. Whenever we do not feel good when we approach Him negative thoughts regarding His ability and nature brews within our minds. This approach to God and His ways will always hinder our progress. God’s ways and thoughts are not like ours. We are more concerned about self-pleasing whereas God is more concerned about character development. What? Yes, you heard me. God is a character developer. He is about helping you become the best version of self – one who has integrity, compassion, wise, strong, honest, courage, etc. He is about helping you become a person who is whole and equipped to fulfill His purpose for your life.
Fulfilling this purpose, however, requires us to often go through painful and difficult moments. These moments sometimes isolates, breaks and even shatter us. Yet it is these moments that are employed as tools in developing our character. These moments test us to see whether or not we will fall prey to the subtle beckoning of the seasonal pleasure of sin or stand firmly upholding the weight of integrity. The Bible says “eyes have not seen, no ear has heard, and no mind can imagine what God has prepared for those who love Him.” Simply meaning God already has all the things that will satiate our every desire but is preparing us through the hardship of life to be able to attain them. The difficulties we face evaluates our level of love, trust, and character. If we possess good character, then there is nothing good that God will withhold from us as we continue to walk uprightly. It therefore, behooves us to consistently display good character as character counts.
Since those good things are already prepared for us, the question becomes are we prepared for them? Are at a place where we can handle the blessings that God is anxiously waiting to pour out on us? Do we have the character needed to be good stewards of that which we will receive? Will we allow the character developer to have His way in us?
12/28/2016 Dr.R.A.
A skilled musician you are playing on the keys
Knowing every note never missing a beat
The music you produce is rhythmically smooth like silk
Captivating minds and hearts when you play those strings
Your fingers know the degree of pressure needed to generate a thrill
You knowingly play with emotions with every high and low note
The sounds that echo trigger diverse memories
Such power you possess unbeknownst to you
As you have the ability to make the audience stuck in whatever mood you choose
A standing ovation is what you really deserve as the notes you play hits every nerve.
12/28/16 Dr.R.A.
Take a step although the journey seem long
Walk the path that’s not familiarly known
Although the trail seems too lonely to trod
Saunter along as there is much to discover
As you stride, you will find tenacity within
New truths, new joys just waiting to be uncovered
The scenic route will be breathtaking
And everything ahead is yours for the taking
Temptation to halt is present
Nevertheless, continue to stroll
As shortly you will discover
What lies ahead is too precious to not behold
12/23/16 Dr. R.A.
Shadows set in as the sun hides its face
The beauty of the landscape has begun being erased
The wind is serene
The waves so soft they are almost silent
Everything else seems to be moving in slow motion
Breathe in breathe out
The moment has finally arrived
Embrace it – the calm of the day.
Dr. R.A. 12/23/16
Hues of sea green converging with blue
White cirrus clouds creating a picturesque
Light wind blows and soft waves hits the shores
Shhh, There is a sound
A mere inner whisper, prompting to one to enter
“Come… take the load off your shoulders”
Contemplating whether or not I should
But the urge was so strong
I caved in and decide to just relax
12/20/2016 Dr.R.A.
Life experiences can sometimes erode self-worth. These experiences flow over us like a stream flowing over rocks causing them to become smooth due to the process of attrition. The process is so gradual that one loses consciousness of their current state. It’s like placing a frog into cold water on the stove and gradually increasing heat until it dies. Too late is when awareness kicks in. We find ourselves accepting and compromising in areas that we thought would never be possible. Guilt, embarrassment, and shame saturate our being. It is at this moment that we begin to contemplate whether we should remain stuck or rise up from the ashes. I say rise from the ashes. How? Well, the first step is in recognizing that what we have been through are what I call “Life Teachable Moments (LTM)” It is the most painful moments that teaches us the most valuable lessons, not only about others but especially about ourselves. It is in these moments that we can correctly assess who we are, where we are and whose we are. It is the perfect opportunity for us to take ourselves out of the giveaway basket – the most opportune time to rise from the ashes.
Individuals we encounter will always treat us the way we allow. If depict that we are not worth much then that is how we will be treated. Therefore I say value yourself. Even if you feel like ashes look unto the one who gives beauty for ashes and learn to value yourself. No one can take control of your life but you. Never give anyone the chance to walk on you like a rug. You may look like coal, but with a little process, you will shine like the diamond you truly are. Come on – take up the fragments of yourself and give to the One who mends broken pieces. There is still value in you!
12/20/2016 Dr. R.A.
For I am on the verge of collapse; and my pain is always with me. Psalm 38:17
Sometimes the road that we travel on in this journey called life can be so painstakingly difficult. It may seem like a constant uphill climb where pit stops for refreshment are very few and far in between. Additionally, the frigid tempestuous wind that it is packaged with can result in one wanting to give up the climb. Thoughts of quitting outline the membranes of our brains and we find ourselves at the point of exhaustion.
Quitting speaks to permanently leaving, which simply means that the task will forever remain undone. Although this seems like the easier route, I dare to say that it is not. What?? Yes, I repeat, quitting is not the simplest way as the path is paved with regrets. “What if” and “I should have” are some of the songs that saturate the air, which is evocative, to say the least. As such, DO NOT QUIT!!! Instead of quitting press on until you reach your destination. Do not be afraid of living!!
On the other hand, sometimes we find ourselves in an even more dangerous state – the state of fainting. Fainting speaks to losing consciousness due to insufficient supply of oxygen to the brain. This refers to us continuing the journey, but not being cognizant of the experiences. Yes, it allows us to not feel the pain of the process of walking the path. However, it also blocks the joys from flooding our souls. I say it is a dangerous state because from the outside it seems like we are living, but we are just empty shells maneuvering. DO NOT REMAIN in that menacing place. I am in nowise saying that we may not experience being on the verge of being in such a place, as that would not be true. As a matter of fact, even the patriarchs of old have found themselves in this predicament. David stated that he was on the verge of collapse because his pain was always with him. Nevertheless, it was on this edge that he cried out to God. He also said that he had almost fainted unless he believed to see the goodness of God in the land of the living. The example that he has left for us is that we should continually cry out to God. Cry out to Him when we are weak and drowning in oceans of despair. Cry out to God when we are at the brink of falling apart, quitting or fainting. When we cry to God, He will hear us and deliver us from whatever we are facing. Now remember deliverance may not come in the way or the time that you are expecting, but God will deliver … so be alert. Whatever you do, DO NOT QUIT and DO NOT FAINT!! Cry out to God and believe to see His goodness in your life while you are alive.
12.19.16 Dr.R.A.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 (KJV) But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
Often when performing a task over a period of time, the zeal that we had at the onset evaporates. Many factors can contribute to the dissolution of this zeal, such as monotony, fatigue, familiarity, the need for appreciation and acceptance, discouragement, weariness, etc. Whatever the reason for the loss of passion, the fact still remains that what we once found pleasure in doing is seen as a mountainous chore. It is easy to think losing fervor only happens in our personal life but unfortunately, it is an epidemic that occurs in our jobs, family, relationships, education and even spiritually. Yes, Spiritually. So often especially in recent times, we hear of pastors committing suicide, members leaving the church and just walking away from their faith in God. This occurs because they have lost their zeal and became weary in well doing. From a religious perspective, we may want to deny that serving God at times can result in persons becoming weary. We may even dare to say that if it does occur then, there is something wrong with that individual. The pointing of fingers is not important; however, the crux of the matter is that weariness occurs and has the ability to have a grave impact on the individual.
The Bible admonishes that we should not be weary in well doing. I believe that if the possibility for this did not exist, then it would have not been addressed in the word of God. But because it does, the word lets us know that we should not allow ourselves to slack off, be discouraged or become tired or worn out when doing what is right. Instead, we should be determined and consistently push to do what is right. Do what is right when we are being recognized and when we are being overlooked. Do what it right when we are being ostracized and when we are being included. We should do what is right in and out of season because we will reap if we faint not. We should not Quit. We should not Faint. Rather, we should press beyond our limits and do what is right. The season of fatigue, discouragement, weariness, etc. will pass. How I know this? Because nature teaches us that seasons change. Change is the beauty of seasons. The season that you are in may last a while, but there is an appointed time for its end. Change is coming, and we should ensure that we are able to reap a bountiful harvest of goodness because we did not allow weariness to dictate. Continue to sow seeds of goodness, faith, love, meekness, temperance, long-suffering, joy, peace, and gentleness. Be not weary in well doing.
12/16/16 Dr. R.A.
9 Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. 10 And so blessing and cursing come pouring out of the same mouth. Surely, my brothers and sisters, this is not right! James 3:9-10
We are all guilty of praising and cursing those who have been made in the image of God. There are a plethora of things that we can use to indicate why the individual deserved what we poured on them. We even go as far as to use the word of God to justify our actions convincing ourselves that these persons are the enemies of our soul. Sometimes to justify our actions we sugar coat it to say “I am only human.” However, the Bible admonishes us not to curse those who are also made in the image of God. What??? Are you kidding me?? No, I am not joking, and neither is the word of God. I know that when others do things to harm us especially deliberately, we have an intrinsic urge to get even with that individual. This desire we inherited from the first Adam who walked after the flesh. Nevertheless, we need to always remind ourselves that we have been called to walk after the nature of the second Adam, which is after the Spirit. As difficult as this may be others before us have walked the path and has been successful. Who you may say? Well, remember our favorite bad boy of the scripture David who is infamous for his adultery and murder? Yes that same David when after he was anointed to be king, because of the anointing on his life he was hated by Saul who intently pursued to kill him. However, when the opportunity presented itself for him to “get rid” of Saul, David emphatically stated that he will not touch God’s anointed. Why would he do this? He could vindicate himself by declaring that Saul tried to kill him first and that Saul is the enemy of his soul; therefore he is deserving of death.
Looking from the outside in, we may be saying that David must have been crazy to let Saul get away with all that he has done. However, I dare to say that David had learned during his time alone with God how to rest in God. David had learned how to honor those who were made in the image of God. He had indeed learned how to reverence and worship God. The Bible states, that “God is looking for a worshipper, one that will worship in Spirit and in truth.” A true worshipper is able to glorify God in All things – ALL THINGS includes NOT CURSING those who are MADE in HIS IMAGE. As difficult as this may be, it is required of us. Remember that no fountain or stream can be found where bitter and sweet water flows. As such, we should endeavor to exert much effort in NOT letting our fountain be that from which both flows. But how you may ask? Well…simple, use your senses. Use your SENSES – look through the eyes of God (SIGHT); listen with the ears of God (HEARING); practice the nature and character of God (TOUCH, SMELL, TASTE).
Use your senses before you react to a person. Also, place yourself in the position of that individual and remember the old adage “if you do not have anything nice to say, say nothing.”
12/15/2016 Dr.R.A.
Issues from the Heart 