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“Writing saved me from the sin and inconvenience of violence.” -Alice Walker
Few know how true this quote from famed writer, author and feminist Alice Walker truly is for me. Sometimes I find myself holding in and on to so much. Anyone who truly knows me knows that I’m a thinker, one who truly believes in analytics and at times my greatest strength is my greatest fault.
After watching tangled in 3D, I found myself consumed by the villain and her ability to both be caretaker and biggest enemy to the “fair” princess she had kidnapped and mind screwed. Yes, this is where a simple Disney film takes me.
This time last year was a difficult one for me and by the grace of God more miracles and opportunities have been born out of heartache than I could ever imagine. But I am still battling with the truth of it all. I guess I have always been a closet optimist. And though people have always described haters, gossips, back bitters and morally corrupt double sided individuals in Facebook posts and repugnant rap verses; it has never truly been a part of my reality.
So it is no surprise that I now struggle with the fact that my awesome and amazing daughter is born to two families filled with these individuals. No family is perfect but when I simmer on the advice her father was given, I struggle with how to interact with people under most circumstances I wouldn’t acknowledge as acquaintances.
And revealed in my writing is one of my greatest flaws… I can hold one heck of a grudge. I don’t believe that blood is thicker than anything and do believe that family falls into two groups. There is family that you are connected to by blood and those you are connected to by love.
I’m struggling, which normally happens when I have not had a healthy dose of Christ inspired self examination. I can name a dozen terrible things that make certain people evil. Whether by the advice they gave or the advice they omitted as they watched Piglet’s father poorly struggle through Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome.
But what is the point? The tears I’ve cried have dried and my life is more amazing at times than I could have ever imagined. And now I am more aware of the spiritual battle that must be continually fought to maintain a healthy and happy life. Because at times we do more damage to ourselves than others are capable of. So now I find myself battling with something I thought I had mastered, forgiveness. I battle with my own sins of self righteousness and lack of forgiveness and pray that I am delivered from them soon.
-She
I read an article that my Celibate and successful BFF posted in which the young lady described abortion as a viable birth control method, as if it was equal to popping a pill daily. My friends sentiments were:
Wow, um…I’m pro-life for me, pro-choice for others but is she really saying that abortion is a reasonable form of birth control? That’s the worst thing I’ve ever read. Back to my Celibate and Proud Hole I go.
My response is this, abortions are a symptom of a problem! It is not acceptable as a form of regular birth control and yes it is risky. I know a hand full of women who are sterile due to, from my understanding, multiple abortions. Why are we not teaching abstinence and reproductive responsibility? I believe in the right to choose but I also believe in taking moral, financial and spiritual responsibility for our actions!
I also love most of the services that Planned Parenthood offers, I have bore witness to the fact that they save lives! There needs to be a place anyone, regardless of socioeconomic situation, can go and get affordable reproductive health services, inclusive of HIV testing and a Pap smear. Now I have made the personal choice to not blame the organization for supplying a service that is high demand by my peers and my fellow woman. Abortions are a symptom of a problem. That problem being anything from rape, incest, reckless reproductive ideals and disobedience to God’s will (inclusive of a world that does not uplift and help a woman but throws her to the waste side and spits on her for bearing her child).
But this is just my opinion and it may change after I ponder some hard scripture instead of pondering on hard emotion.
-She
Nor in a son of man, in whom there is no help.
4 His spirit departs, he returns to his earth;
In that very day his plans perish."
(Source: pepper-ish, via hisstorythroughmine)
Four Ways to Destroy Your Church:
Here are four foolish strategies for undermining the work of the local church:
1) Use the church to build your own platform.
People out to use the church care a lot about job titles and push for ones that sound important. When resources are tight they fight really hard for their programs and their projects at the expense of other priorities. Whether they’ll admit it or not, their personal agenda outweighs God’s agenda and mission for the local church.
What repentance looks like: Love the church, don’t use the church.
2) Never say “I’m sorry.”
Two simple words can reveal a humble, repentant heart that admits wrongdoing—even if the wrongdoing was not malicious and simply the result of misunderstanding or lack of information. Those that aren’t able to say “I’m sorry” try to explain everything instead. They cite policy, precedent, or serve up pithy, spiritual answers to justify questionable behavior. A godly leader understands how to walk in the light: confession of sin leads to freedom. Excuses do not.
What repentance looks like: Humbly and sincerely apologize when you blow it.
3) Defend your innocence—even when a whole crowd points out your sin.
Leaders should not tolerate bullies or false accusations, but neither should they resist the credible, unanimous counsel of those genuinely trying to help root out sin. Ultimately, our reputation and our identity must be found in Jesus and not in our perfectionism. We’re a false god.
What repentance looks like: Worship Jesus—not your reputation.
4) Be a black hole. Never communicate.
Information goes in, but nothing ever comes out. Ambiguous, inconsistent, or non-existent communication can be a self-preservation tactic; being non-committal allows a leader to keep his options open and avoid accountability. Politicians use this trick all the time: using lack of clarity to save face or play the hero depending on how events play out.
What repentance looks like: Take responsibility—don’t hide behind politics.
Some of your leaders are killing your church. What’s worse, some of you are killing your church and you may not even realize it. None of us are immune from sin, and all of us need to rely on the Bible, the Holy Spirit, and our church community to persevere in serving Jesus rather than serving ourselves.
"(Source: theresurgence.com)
