Issues from the Heart

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.

Spiritual

Do Not Quit! Do Not Faint!

December 19, 2016December 19, 2016 Dr. R. A.

Image result for do not quit

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.

Spiritual

Be Not Weary

December 16, 2016December 16, 2016 Dr. R. A.

Image result for be not weary in well doing kjv

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.

Spiritual

Bless and Not Curse

December 15, 2016 Dr. R. A.

Image result for bless and not curse

⁹Sometimes it praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it curses those who have been made in the image of God. ¹⁰And 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.

Spiritual

Dwell

December 12, 2016 Dr. R. A.

Image result for he that dwelleth in the secret place

“He who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty,” Psalm 91:1

Whenever it is summertime, we often complain about the temperature being sweltering. Often the heat prevents us from wanting to even venture outdoors. Whenever we are taking a stroll outdoors, we look for the shade to walk in as it takes away the direct penetration of the sun’s rays. As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual. Often the temperature in our spiritual climate can be filled with intense heat that we feel we are about to get a heat stroke. However, the master designer has already devised a plan for us to remain cool even in those extreme conditions.

The Bible admonishes us that “He who dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” This simple means that as children of God we need to dwell in the presence of God. The word actually said “dwelleth,” which from parts of speech let us know that is present continuous tense. As such, we are to live in the presence fo God now (present) and continually. The issue we face is that we like to go on vacation and often think that the presence of God is a place for us to go when we want to spend time away from home and work. However, that is contrary to what God wants for our lives – He wants us to live in His presence.

Not only does God wants us to live in His presence, but He wants us live in the secret place. A secret place is a place where only the privilege can enter. Yet, He wants us to enter the secret place so that the correct identity of ourselves can be reinforced. He wants us to know that we are truly a peculiar people, the apple of His eyes and so He beckons to us to come and dwell in His secret place. Come and dwell so that we can follow Him closely and be conformed to His image and likeness. Come and dwell so that all insecurities of safety can vanish. Come and dwell so that you can abide in fulness of joy and have pleasures forevermore. Come and dwell so that you won’t endure the heat of the sun, but instead be in the shadow of the Most High.

Spiritual

Finish the Task

December 9, 2016December 9, 2016 Dr. R. A.

Image result for finish the task

⁹“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Be strong and finish the task! Zec 8:9

As humans, we are intrinsically goal oriented and have an innate desire to be the best representative of ourselves. We often contemplate goals that we would like to achieve and devise ways of accomplishing set goals. These goals vary in size, nature. At the initial stage of goal execution, we are bursting at the seams with zeal and determination. However, as time progress the zeal that once consumed us vanishes like dew as the sun rises. Changes in the atmospheric conditions of the goal accomplishing environment result in feelings of fatigue, weariness, exhaustion, discouragement, etc. As such, many goals that were started are left unfinished. So many of us even die without attaining that which we set out to perform.

This is not unique to our generation as the scriptures make us aware that the chosen people of God faced similar situations. They had the goal of building a temple, but because the pathway to goal execution was paved with obstacles, they became despondent and quit working. The Lord himself had to admonish them through the prophet to “be strong and finish the task!” He was making them aware that goal accomplishment requires strength. Strength is gained from lifting weights. One may not be able to benchpress or lift their body’s weight initially as it would take practice. This means that they would need, to begin with, a weight that they are able to lift easily without harming themselves, and slowly adding more weight over time. Sometimes in the process of increasing the weight, we may fail all together at lifting. I believe that failure is the determining factor that either breaks or makes us.

Failure is often viewed negatively. However, it is in failure that we learn vital lessons for success. Winston Churchill stated, “Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm” Enthusiasm is derived from the Greek word “Entheo” which basically means “in God” This simple means that if we are rooted in God, then we will have the strength that we need to be successful at goal execution. Finishing the task would, therefore, require us to be consistent at working. The struggle of consistency is an issue that we have as humans. This is because we are cultured to think that everything should happen in the blink of an eye. Nevertheless, I dare to say all good things take time, so be strong and finish the task!

Finishing the task requires:

Being Rooted in God
Being Strong – add weight, burdens, task, etc a little at a time
Being Consistent- go from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm

12/9/16 Dr. R.A.

Spiritual

Keys to Inner Strength

December 7, 2016December 7, 2016 Dr. R. A.

Image result for inner strength

¹⁶I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Eph 3:16

As humans, we have a need for certainty as it produces a sense of security within our psyche. However, no matter how young or old we are, life teaches us that unpredictability and uncertainty are the components of its backbone. There are no guarantees in life and the only thing that we can be certain of is change. As such, knowing that life goes on is key to our development and success. This is important because we often think that we are about to die in our dilemma. But, as time rolls on it proves that life really does go on.

I know that when we encounter situations that break us and shatters the core of our being it ‘s hard to process the concept of life going on. It is even more difficult when we defined what was lost as the reason for our existence, as without that person , thing, etc. we grapple with the knowledge of who we really are. I have had many of those core-shattering experiences that forced me to examine who I am and to whom I belong. It is those moments, however, that I believe brings us back to our center – realigning us, as life has a way of getting us off balance. In one of life’s teachable moments, I was told a story of a king who had asked a jeweler to give him a gift that would make him happy if he was sad, and sad if he was happy. This request weighed heavily on the jeweler as without producing this he would loose his life. For days he went sleepless until he prayed and asked God for a revelation as to what he should give the king. With God’s instructions, he made a ring for the king. Upon delivery, the king looked at it with a puzzled look, but when he read the inscription he understood clearly and knew it was the perfect gift. The inscriptions read “This too shall pass.” When I heard the story, it pierced me through like a very sharp two-edged dagger, because of the profundity of its truth. I shared this because it is one of the keys to the developmental process of inner strength. Knowing that there will always be experiences reflecting the terrain of mountains and valleys. Your circumstances will change whether good or bad.

I also know that society and life teachs us to be guarded. However, if we are honest, we know that beneath our hard exterior that we sometimes portray is a soft interior filled with various vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities that if exposed gets damaged easily, resulting in us locking our true selves behind invisible bars of steel. I also know that the only way for healing to take place if for the wound to be exposed to a physician who can administer the necessary drug, ointment, bandage or surgery, etc. Therefore, the final and most important key to developing inner strength is looking to God. We look to Him through prayer. The Apostle Paul stated, “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit.” God is the one who has an unlimited supply of whatever we could possibly have need of. If it is love that we need- the songwriter said: “His love has no limits.” If is is grace that we need it is also said: “His grace has no measure.”If we have need of power, it is also said: “His power has no boundary.” God is capable of empowering us with inner strength and supplying all of our needs. When we expose our vulnerabilities to God, He will administer the right care according to the need.

A brief recap of the Keys to Inner Strength:

Look to God – Pray and expose your vulnerabilities
Know “THIS too shall PASS” – circumstances will change
Life goes on – you will not die in your dilemma

12/7/16 Dr. R.A.

	Dr. R. A. on What’s in Your Cup
	Jennifer Doyle on What’s in Your Cup
	Dr. R. A. on What Type Of Noise Are You…
	Anonymous on What Type Of Noise Are You…
	Ilene on Get out of the Boat