I was at the hospital practically every day until I was about 35. Not because I was sick but because my mother worked there. The hospital was the first place I served as a volunteer…Yes! I was a Candy Striper. The hospital was where I gained my first summer job that actually paid real money. The hospital was the place where I saw joy and tears, suffering and sorrow, and sicknesses and death. I enjoyed the hospital since I wasn’t a patient.
JosefRasheed.com
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Only Believe
Jairus was in a terrible predicament. His daughter was at the point of death and Jesus was the only solution. Being a synagogue official, Jairus was taking a big risk by turning to Jesus. He knew the Jewish leaders threatened the people for following Jesus and they wanted to kill Him. But Jairus was desperate; only a miracle could save his daughter’s life. -
Mother’s Day Reflections – Living the Legacy of Love
Today is Mother’s Day, a wonderful to celebrate and acknowledge the millions of contributions from those we call Mom. It’s a time for dinners, gifts, cards, and most of all pictures. Yes, where would we be without those tension-filled moments of posing. You have to admit, picture taking is a stressful endeavor but it’s worth it.
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An Encouragement to Those in Ministry
Remember the early days of ministry and the excitement of “doing the work?” Each day was will filled with rejoicing as various skills and talents were used and developed to achieve the tasks on the over-demanding To-Do Lists. Those were the days when energy was high, popularity was rising, and appreciation flowed constantly as forward movements were made. Sort of makes you wonder how discontent and frustration could ever dominate your thoughts. -
Simon the Sorcerer
18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given when the apostles laid their hands on people, he offered them money to buy this power. 19 “Let me have this power, too,” he exclaimed, “so that when I lay my hands on people, they will receive the Holy Spirit!”20 But Peter replied, “May your money be destroyed with you for thinking God’s gift can be bought! 21 You can have no part in this, for your heart is not right with God. 22 Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive your evil thoughts, 23 for I can see that you are full of bitter jealousy and are held captive by sin.” -Acts 8:18-23 -
Ending the Daniel Fast
Grace and peace. Wednesday, March 11, 2015 is the last day of the Daniel Fast and I wanted to provide some guidance to keep you in the Spirit (and in good health) of the past 21 days.First let me say this season has been filled with challenges, but God provided strength and refreshing for the weary days. Many of us experienced the death of a loved one during the Fast. Others suffered through the illness of family members, doing our best to assist where we could. And for some of us, the ordeal of travelling to and from work in the ice and snow was an obstacle that brought us to an emotional “edge of the cliff.” Yet through it all God kept providing His angels to watch over us as we obediently followed the Holy Spirit in every endeavor. We have a right to praise the Lord for Victory! -
The Daniel Fast
What a powerful spiritual experience to help followers of Jesus Christ develop a more intimate relationship with their Lord, seek answers to prayer, and grow in the love and knowledge of the Savior. Fasting, when coupled with prayer, serves as a powerful vehicle to draw closer to God. This is a God-designed discipline to enable God’s people to enter into a focused time of seeking the Father and His wisdom, intervention and direction. -
Happiness Hints for Couples
Frequently I am asked “How do you keep a happy relationship with your spouse?” I think a major key is “sharing life” as a couple after the honeymoon is over. That means doing things together in order to bring joy and peace into marriage. Like a garden, you must maintain the beauty of your relationship in those days of spring and summer or else it will not survive the winter experiences. Here’s a few ideas. -
How Does Your Expression of Worship Affect or Reflect Your Cultural Identity?
I was recently asked this question and was so glad to be asked. As an African-American, the cultural expressions of hand clapping, impromptu ad-libs in the middle of a choir song, inter-generational fellowships (that means hugging and often kisses on the cheek of our “mothers”), the prayers of the deacons, the rhythmic responses during the sermon, the colorful fashions including the exquisite hats, exchanges of prayers with and for one another, and so much more, positively affects the identity of our children, the significance of community, and maintains the ancestral connection of character, excellence and reverence for God during worship experiences. These should never to be denied or forgotten. -
New Years’ Resolutions? Maybe Not!
I never made resolutions when I was a kid. As a matter of fact, I used to pretend to make resolutions so I could fit in with my peers. I would make something up on the spot…something that seemed like it would meet their approval.Well, perhaps I did make resolutions but not for the New Year. I remember making a resolution to be a better student every year the night before school started, to behave with excellence right before Christmas and to be a better employee with each new job. No many how good the intention or the effort, each resolution failed. Perhaps that why I never had confidence making one on New Year’s Eve?