A Time To Heal

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If you are anywhere on this planet, you know that today is the tenth anniversary of the infamous 9/11 bombing of the World Trade Center in New York. Many hearts are hurting as they recall the horrific events of that day. Even those of us who did not lose loved ones reflect on that event with pain and more than just a shudder. As I write this, tears well up in my eyes for those whose loved ones were so brutally snatched from him.

Much has happened since then. The American government has stepped up its fight on terror. There is heightened security at airports, wars are being fought in other parts of the world and Osama Ben Ladin, leader of the terrorist group responsible for the bombing, is now dead. But where are we as a people, as a nation, with regards to this incident? Are we still bitter, angry, resentful that this has happened? In an MSNBC report, Elijah Portillo, 17, whose father was killed in the attack, said he had never wanted to attend the anniversary because he thought he would feel angry. But this time was different, he said.
"Time to be a big boy," Elijah said. "Time to not let things hold you back. Time to just step out into the world and see how things are."

It must have taken a lot of courage for that young man to get to this point. Healing of a broken heart may take years, more for some than for others. Is it time for us to heal? The answer is yes, if we turn our hearts to God. At the memorial at Ground Zero, President Obama quoted from Psalm 46, "Therefore, we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea."

Out of the rubble and devastation can rise a new hope, a new faith, a new strength, but we have to put our trust, not in ourselves, but in God. Hebrews 13: 6 says, "So we may boldly say: 'The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?' "

America, let us put aside the fear and look to God for our healing. For those who have lost loved ones, my heart goes out to you. The memories will not fade, and you may not want them to, but the pain and  hurt will. Just turn it over to God. He is your healer and your deliver. Maybe the video below will help. Enjoy! 

Related articles

• A changed America marks 10 years since 9/11 (abclocal.go.com)
• Guest column: Mosaic of Faith - Area clergy on the meaning of 9/11 (knoxnews.com)

http://youtu.be/YHUwZXnjAtc

Why I Love The Bible

There was a time when reading the Bible was a very difficult thing for me. In those days the King James version seemed as foreign as Greek to me. My mother had taught me to read the Bible from an early age and to learn some popular verses of scripture such as John 3: 16. I also knew Psalms 23 and, of course, the Lord's prayer. I attended a Catholic school and there I was also made to memorize some verses of scripture and I became familiar with many passages. But I never saw the Bible as a necessary part of my life until I was saved and began studying the Bible in earnest. Now I can think of so many reasons why I love the Word of God.

1. The Word is Life
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, He quoted from the Bible saying, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4). Again Jesus said, "Verily, verily, I say unto you , He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life" (John 5: 24). There is life in God's word and as you read further you will see why.

2. The Word is a healer

In many places in the Bible we see that Jesus healed people simply by speaking His word over them. In some cases, He wasn't physically present when the healing took place. The centurion said to Jesus, "Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed" (Matthew 8:8).  Jesus said, "Go thy way ; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee" (v 13) . The man returned home to find his servant healed. Psalm 107 : 20 says, "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

3. The Word is a protector

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word" (Psalm 119: 14). In the New Testament the word of God is compared to a sword, which is a weapon of warfare. "And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: "( Ephesians 6: 17). In Hebrews 4:12, the writer says, "For the word of God is quick , and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."

4. The Word cleanses us from sin

"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word" Psalm 119: 9 .  And in verse 11 it says, "Thy word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee." "Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me" ( v 133).

5. The Word gives us comfort

Paul says, "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). And again in 1 Thessalonians 4: 18, he says, "Wherefore comfort one another with these words." Who can read God's promises and not feel comforted?

6. The Word educates us

There is no topic known to man today that the word of God does not address. The Bible deals with relationships, business, money, health, marriage, government, history and the future, to name just a few. Deuteronomy 11: 19 says, " And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up . "

So, let me encourage you to make Bible reading a part of your daily routine. Even if you're very busy during the day you can take a few minutes during your lunch hour to read maybe just one verse. And these days you can access the Bible from your cell phone so you don't have to carry around the Bible with you. If you begin to read the Bible daily it will soon become a habit you'll not want to give up. It will be "a lamp to your feet and a light to your path" (Psalms 119 : 105).

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Let's Talk About Rejection

As a writer, I have suffered the pain of rejection as have many writers, even famous ones like Stephen King. Just this week I received a rejection for a query I sent out for my novel Coming Out of Egypt. I must confess, I had a little pity-party. But only for a brief moment. I quickly reminded myelf that rejection is never God's final answer, and that when we suffer rejection, God does have something better in store for us.

Have you suffered rejection? As a writer? An employee? A friend? A spouse? Take heart, you are not alone. Many famous people in the Bible suffered rejection, including Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who suffered the worst rejection of all when He died on the cross. But today I want to talk a little about Mary Magdalene - one of the most popular female characters in the Bible who was also rejected. Mary Magdalene was healed of demon possession by Jesus Christ, and after being healed she followed Him and ministered to Him.

She was at the foot of the cross when He was crucified and the next morning she went with another Mary to embalm His body with  spices. But to her great disappointment, the body was missing. As she sat there weeping, Jesus appeared to her and told her to go and let His disciples know He was alive. Ecstatic, Mary ran to convey the good news, not expecting to be rejected by the followers of Jesus. "Are you out of your mind?" they said to her. (John 20: 16 - 18).

The Bible doesn't say it, but is it possible that they still thought of her as a mad, demon-possessed woman? Other women named Mary are mentioned in the Bible, but only Mary Magdalene has the distinction of always being referred to her by her first and last name - the one who hails from Magdala, a city known for its prostitutes. However, God loved her and bestowed on her the honor of being the first to see Him as the risen Savior. We, too, are sometimes rejected when we try to tell others the good news of Jesus Christ. But when the world rejects you, remember that Jesus loves you and has a special place of honor for you. Don't give up. Keep on pressing on, ever going forward in faith.

To read more about Mary Magdalene and other popular women of the Bible, go to my webpage at http://www.outskirtspress.com/womenforallseasons to find out how you can get a copy of my book Women For All Seasons.

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• Mary Magdalene: Saint, Sinner, or Goddess? (insightscoop.typepad.com)
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Blog Jog Day

Today I'm taking a little break from my normal posting to jog over to other blogs and have some fun. Blog Jog Day is an annual event when we bloggers support each other by visiting blogs and leaving comments. So, I invite you to browse my site and if you leave a comment, you will be entered in a drawing to receive a free copy of my new book Women For All Seasons, postage paid. If you would like to know more about the book you may visit my webpage at http://www.outskirtspress.com/womenforallseasons.

So, enjoy my site, and when you're done, please jog over to http://karencioffiwritingandmarkting.com/ to see what her blog has to offer. If you have the time you may also visit my other site at http://www.angelasfreelancewriting.com. Each blog should link you to another one, but if you get lost in the links you can always go back to the main Blog Jog Day Blog at http://blogjogday.blogspot.com/. Thanks and have a wonderful day!

Cutting And Pasting God's Word

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There's a new move afoot to subvert God's teachings through His holy Word. I just finished reading Dan Brown's The Lost Symbol which, as those of you who have read other books by this author will know, deals with the subject of Freemasonry. In the book, one of the main characters extols the virtues of the Holy Bible and encourages the protagonist, Michael Langdon, to read it. However, he goes on to say that the whole Bible is a parable, full of hidden codes and meanings which will be revealed to us at the proper time.

Sodom And Gomorrah Revisited

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"Champagne corks popped, rainbow flags flapped and crowds embraced and danced in the streets of Manhattan's Greenwich Village as New York became the sixth and largest state in the U.S. to legalize same-sex marriage." So reads the first paragraph of an Associated Press release on yesterday's historic legislation of same-sex marriage. Another report states that New York has 42,000 same-sex couples and that the passage of this bill can have tremendous moral and political impact for the rest of the country. Already New York is gearing to make New York the primary destination for gay weddings.

Is Your Dad Perfect?

Photo credit: manuere from morguefile.com Some people may answer  "yes" to this question, but I know some, men especially, who will give an unequivocal "no." It always saddens me when I hear the latter. My own father, who departed this life when I was just a little girl, was my hero. He taught me to read and spell while he indulged his hobby/part-time occupation -shoemaking. Needless to say, I had shoes to match every dress, and love shoes to this day.

My father also cultivated in me a love for reading and I became a good speller. I enjoyed going places with him, and when I heard his voice in the front yard in the evening, I would leave my mother and run to meet him. She often complained that I loved my father more than I did her, which wasn't true, of course. I was just fascinated with him - his voice, his smile, his jokes. The only bad thing I can recall about my dad is that he left me too soon. Late at night, quite suddenly and without warning. Died of a stroke in his sleep.

So, what about your dad? Is he flawless in your eyes? A man's man? A woman's man? As head of the home, fathers carry a heavy responsibility. They are entrusted with the task of providing, protecting and caring for the home and family. The mother is the one who nurtures, comforts and keeps the home together. However, a real father assumes the mother's role as well. The father who confronts the school bully is the same father who takes his little girl on his lap and reads her a bedtime story. Or tucks her in at night. Or takes her to the doctor when she is ill.

Sadly, some dads do not measure up to the ideal. Some walk out on their families and never look back. Others stay in the home, provide and protect but do little else. We need to pray for these fathers. I think of King David, a mighty man of God, but his track record as a father left a lot to be desired. His son, Amnon, raped his daughter Tamar (2 Samuel 13: 10 - 18) and even though the Bible says David was furious (v 21) he did nothing about it. Absalom, David's other son, had Amnon executed to avenge what he had done to his sister.

Later, Absalom fled from David and they didn't see each other for two years. Eventually, Absalom tried to take the throne from David and to murder him, but Absalom himself was killed. On hearing the news, David wept bitterly. "O my son Absalom! My son, my son Absalom! If only I had died instead of you--O Absalom, my son, my son!" (18: 33).

Many thoughts run through my mind when I think of David. After his sin with Bathsheba, the prophet, Nathan, told him, "Now, therefore, the sword shall never depart from your house ..." (12: 10). Oh, if David only knew the weight of those words. As a father, his sins fell not only on him, but on his children. Fathers, do not let this happen to you. The Bible says, "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (Ephesians 6:4). Provide, protect and care for your family, but make sure you obey God's word. Happy Father's Day!

Should We Give Money to Beggars?

I've had various replies to this question. Some people say we should never give money to beggars because most of them use it to buy drugs or alcohol. Others say we should buy the food instead and give it to them, still others say we should simply give the money and not worry about how they use it. I tend to straddle the fence on this one. Sometimes I give to the person depending on how he/she looks. If I think the person looks really hungry or needy, I give. People in wheelchairs and bearing a sign that says "Veteran" get me everytime.

My Blog Talk Radio Interview

Here's the audio of my blog talk radio interview with Ella Curry of BAN radio in which I discussed my new book Women For All Seasons. There were some technical difficulties in the beginning and midway through the show, but Ella was a very kind and capable host and we were able to pull it off.

Please listen and leave a comment.

Listen to internet radio with Black Author Network on Blog Talk Radio

Suffer Little Children to Come Unto Me

Mother's Day has just passed and soon it will be Father's Day, so I thought I would stick with the family theme until next month. We haven't yet begun to celebrate children's day, maybe because everyday is children's day. I think I hear mothers everywhere agreeing. When it comes to topics dealing with children the choices are as numerous as our imagination would allow. So, for the next three weeks I'd like to focus on three areas - how should children be treated? What is their role in the family? What does the Bible have to say about children? Today I bring you the first part.

Happy Mother's Day

For most mothers around the world Mother's Day is a pleasant time when mothers and their children get together to celebrate this happy occasion. Gifts, hugs and kisses and expressions of love will be exchanged, and that's the way it ought to be. However, for some, Mother's Day may not always be a time of celebration. I hate to interject a note of sadness, but the reality is, there are people for whom Mother's Day is one to dread rather than a day to look forward to. For mothers, especially those who have lost their children, this day can be even more depressing.

In The Midst Of Celebration

If you live on this planet, you would no doubt have been aware of or be caught up in the excitement and awe of the Royal nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton. I'm sure everyone would agree, no one does Royal weddings like the Brits. As I watched the newly- wed couple ride off in the royal carriage, escorted by dancing white horses and ninettenth-century attired horsemen, I felt transported into a wonderland.

However, at the back of my mind was the devastation that had taken place two days earlier in the southern United States, my state, Georgia, among them. The news networks kept interrupting their coverage of the royal wedding to show scenes of the destruction and of the president touring the disaster area in Alabama.

As I pondered on these things, this verse popped into my mind: "For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child ; and they shall not escape" (1 Thessalonians 5:3). In this case it wasn't all that sudden. The news stations had been issuing warnings days before. Even nature seemed to be preparing us. The storms began during the day, then quieted down, something which the meteorologists called "a warm up" for what was to come. So we did have time to escape. And yet, hundreds of people died.

The Bible tells us, "For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night" (1 Thessalonians 5: 2). This verse calls on us to prepare ourselves because no one knows the day nor the hour when Jesus will return. In the case of tornadoes and hurricanes we do get some warning, but it's not always easy to save ourselves. This must have been the case of those unfortunate ones who perished a few days ago. However, we can prepare ourselves for the coming of Our Lord. We should not be so caught up in the things of the world that we leave ourselves open to eternal destruction.

In our age of information overload, the gospel has not been left out, but some of us remain in our stubborneness and will not heed the warnings we're being given.  President Obama, during his tour of the stricken areas in Alabama, said he'd never seen such devastation. Well, there's a devastation far greater that will come upon the earth when Jesus returns. Those of us who are ready will celebrate, but for those who are not "There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out" (Luke 13: 28).  Now where do you want to be? In the midst of a celebration or a destruction?

Happy Easter!

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This Easter Sunday morning millions of people all over the world will gather to celebrate the astounding event that took place over two thousand years ago when a Man called Jesus raised up from the dead, folded His grave clothes neatly and got out of the tomb! My hair grows just thinking about it! The crowd saw the soldiers nail His hands and feet to the cross, suspend Him between earth and heaven, heard His ragged cries and saw Him breathe His last. Yet, three days later, "He had risen, just as He said" (Matthew 28 : 6).

A time of miracles

So what does Easter mean to those of us who believe? It means a time of miracles. By His resurrection, Jesus performed His greatest miracle ever, bringing down the curtain on His extraordinary performance here on earth. If Jesus could raise Himself from the dead, He can raise you up from death to life. I'm not speaking of physical death, although He can do that too, but spiritual death - the one that separates you from God and keeps you from being all that you were created to be.

A new beginning

As He drew the curtain on His life here on earth, Jesus was preparing for a new chapter with His Father in heaven. God "exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth" (Philippians 2: 9-10).  Jesus' work was by no means finished. He would now ascend to heaven to be once more with His Father, interceding for us until the time comes for Him to return to earth.

A time of triumph

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday was nothing compared to His triumph on Easter Sunday morning. By His resurrection, Jesus "destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel" (2 Timothy 1: 10). Not only did he destroy death, but by "His death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--" (Hebrews 2 : 14). Jesus also overcame hell. "I am he that liveth , and was dead; and, behold , I am alive for evermore , Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Revelation 1 : 18). 

So what does all this mean to us? It means because of Easter we have hope, victory and newness of life. We know that He who was crucified is now alive and well, and He is seated at the right hand of God the Father, making intercession for us. We know that we do not have to fear death, or the devil, because Jesus has overcome them both, and in Him we have eternal life. In Him everything has been made new. "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away ; behold , all things are become new" (2 Corinthians 5 : 17). Have a blessed Easter.

Related articles

• Celebrating Easter (pumabydesign001.wordpress.com)
• Jesus is Real to Me - A Reflection on the Gospel For Easter Sunday (adw.org)

Let's Be Crucified

Image by abcdz2000 via FlickrToday is Good Friday! I remember when I was a child wondering why this day was called Good Friday when such a horrible thing as Jesus' crucifixion occurred on that day. But as I grew older I realized that it was actually a good thing because Jesus had to die in order that I might live. And so in my prayers this morning I asked God to help me crucify myself and all those things in me that need to be crucified: My stubborn will, my thoughts, my fears, hopes, dreams, desires.

It's only by crucifying, by dying to these things that we can live the abundant life that God intends us to live. The Bible says, "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live ; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20.)

As we celebrate the death of Our Savior Jesus Christ, let us be one with Him today in His sufferings so we can share in His victory. For that is what the cross represents, not a thing of shame, but of power and love and triumph. God bless you and have a wonderful Good Friday.

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Modesty In Dress cont'd

Image via WikipediaTwo things led me to pursue this subject: One was a sermon I heard on the radio while driving to work in which the pastor thundered about the need for women to dress modestly in church. The other had to do with the increasingly warm days we've been having here in the south. As the days get warmer, the clothes tend to get skimpier even in church, so I thought I would pose this question to an online community I belong to. Do you think women should wear shorts to church?

The Story of The Todah

The Story of The Todah

Modesty In Dress

Cover of Royal WeddingLast week while driving to work I listened to a series on the above topic in which the pastor thundered about the need for women to dress modestly in church. The pastor reasoned that if women knew what goes through men's minds they would be more careful when putting their wardrobe, particularly their church wardrobe, together.

Prayer For The People Of Japan

Prayer For The People Of Japan

A Word In Due Season

Image via WikipediaAs a Christian, it never ceases to amaze me how the Holy Spirit works in our lives to give us a word or a song just when we need it. As I prepared for the book launch party yesterday for my book Women For All Seasons, I prayed that I would be able to pull it off without being nervous. After all, public-speaking is not one of my favorite things, but as I read my devotional, I realized that God had given me a word in due season.

Prayer For Japan Earthquake And Tsunami Victims

Prayer For Japan Earthquake And Tsunami Victims