IT'S ALL IN THE GUMBO, Questions From My Sisters, Part Two

Taste and see that the
Lord is good...(Ps. 34:8)

Hello Readers, If you've been checking in regu-larly, you know I'm doing a series on life questions generated by attendees of our women's min-istry's Sistah Talk a couple of weeks ago. 

 Two questions were under consideration in last week's blog:

1.  How do you stay married when the love is gone?

2.  Christian dating and Celibacy (Is this out of the question today?)


Both of these by all accounts can be very, very complex! Regarding the first...NO two marriages are alike! Briefly, here's what Christian counselors advise (and I can personally vouch for!)  Marriage has more to do with COMMITMENT than what the world calls LOVE these days!

 Every marriage has its seasons or stages that shift and change intermittently the longer you are in it! It is unrealistic to think that things will always stay the same and at the same level--there's just too many variables.   Also, one  must understand from the biblical perspective that there are different kinds of love:  Eros (passion and lust); Phileo (brotherly platonic); Storge (family and friendship) and Agape (unconditional--seeing beyond faults).

 For Christians, the goal should always be AGAPE, the same kind Christ shows His children ( I Corinthians 13).  This is the long-lasting, sustaining (when the fire goes out) kind of love that grows into a strong and secure relationship.  Agape takes the vital elements of Eros and Phileo and matures it into an intimate bond that can withstand just about anything--even physical death! So the love the poser is talking about may not have gone away..but has likely morphed into another stage.  Good news is that with Agape love and a little intentionality on their part it could be as good or better than what she is now desiring!! 

Question two:  Christian dating and celibacy--the impossible dream????  Now, here's my wake up call from Sistah Talk:  Our Young Adult panelist schooled us to the fact that the dynamics of dating for young people are way different than in older saints' day!  They now have the capability through social media, to pick, choose, and then hook-up with little fanfare if all are in agreement! I took that to mean sexually or non-sexually! 

Admittedly, the pressure for Christian singles of all ages to remain celibate gets tough, but it's a lie from the pit of hell, that it's impossible to do so!  Even if you are not inclined to follow biblical wisdom, from a practical standpoint --sex outside of marriage doesn't make sense!  Disease, unwanted births, added financial burdens, and the stress of parenting without the emotional support needed for both parent and child are only a few drawbacks!  And then too, where's that love, commitment and responsibility that God requires of us in any relationship?  (Micah 6:8) No! it's not out of the question just a sacrifice that proves  transformation rather conformation to the world!  You worship God with your body! (Romans 12:1-2) It's best to find out before you're too far into a relationship if the person you're dating believes you and God are worth the sacrifice!

Here's Two More for you to think about this week:

1.  Women couldn't come together and elect a woman president.
 How can we unite in church to achieve God's goals?

2.  What can we do about "cyber" bullying on Facebook, Twitter and other mediums?


(Again, I do welcome your input so follow the instruction in "red" below)

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the  no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

IT'S ALL IN THE GUMBO: Questions from My Sisters, Part One

Taste and see that the
 Lord is good...(Ps. 34:8)

What a fantastic weekend I just had with my sisters! Not my bio siblings mind you but my spiritual sisters!!  The women's ministry of my church sponsored our last fellowship of the year and I have to say, we went out with a bang!  Good food, Good talk, and Good company all the way around!

Once or twice a year we have something called, Sistah Talk! It's an opportunity for women of all ages and life experiences to Chew and Chat about what's bugging us!  In a relaxing, no holds barred atmosphere, we do some real talk about issues affecting our lives.  The bible and the collective wisdom of our older and younger sisters are called upon to give us food for thought and unique spiritual insights to help us out!

King Solomon once said, there is nothing new under the sun (Ecc. 1:9).  We simply say...No
 matter where you've been or what you're going through...It's all in the Gumbo (of life)!  Let God and some testimony of  godly women show you how He'll work it all out in your favor! (Rom. 8:28).  

Four fantastic women were our panelists for the day. They provided just the right seasoning for our Spiritual Gumbo!  Of different ages and in different places in their lives, we  benefitted from the wisdom of an older saint, bible student, and great grandmother; the counsel of a pastor's wife and  professional woman juggling marriage, family, and the rigors of ministry; the vibrancy of a spicy, young adult still trying to figure it out, and a poised and confident teen on the cusp of adulthood to give us a fresh perspective on it all!

The questions entertained covered roughy these general areas: Marriage and Family;  Sister to Sister Relationships; Single and Teen Life; and  How to Remain Significant through the aging process.  With topics like this you know we couldn't cover it all in the limited time we had this weekend. 

 That's why for the next couple of weeks, I will be blogging the Questions and the Biblical and Practical Answers for them all.  Check them out and while you're at it, Why not give me your thoughts on two that came up this weekend!

1.  How do you stay married when the love is gone?

2.  Christian dating and Celibacy (Is this out of the question today?)

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the  no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.

BACK IN THE FIRE!!!!

Pray without ceasing. (I Thess. 5:17)

It's been almost a week now and I'm still having a problem putting the name Trump in the same sentence with President of the United States!  I say this with no bitterness or sarcasm, it just has not resonated with me yet!  Still, I know it is a reality and I must, I will move on!

My pastor has done a wonderful job helping us look past all this election upheaval and seeing the matter through the eyes of God!  This too is my prayer for any of you who are still dealing with this outcome from a deep, emotional place.  I've seen the tears; the shock of unbelief; the bitter words dripping from the lips of the disappointed mixed with fear and trepidation.  Yet verily, I say unto you who are Christians.....we've got a greater work ahead of us!  THE WORK OF PRAYER!

This may sound redundant to some of you!  Haven't Christians always been called to pray?  Yes this is true...but have we really given it the seriousness that is needed?  The sacrifice and work that it surely requires? Prayer meetings are still the least attended in the traditional black church!  How many times have we moved beyond our own selfishness:  Lord, bless me, you, and only these two! Or this one: If you just get me out of this mess, I promise, I'll do better!

Well, here we are!  We've got a wonderful opportunity to repent and get it right! (Acts 3:19-Repent then, turn to God, so your sins  may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord...) The recent events of our nation has put us Back In The Fire!   PRAYER FIRE!The human divide that we've just witnessed is much deeper than Republicans against Democrats.  It's deeper than White against Blacks and Latinos.  Even greater than our Genders issues! It has divided Christians and that cannot be! (Mark 3:25 - If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand)

As Christians we have a Clarion Call to pray not only for the country's healing but also for our elected officials, whoever they may be. White Evangelicals and the Black Church have not always had an easy history, but if hearts and souls are right before God, we are united in Christ! (Gal. 3:26-28- For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.)

I cannot yet see all the good that will come from Trump becoming the 45th President of the United States but I believe there must be something! Because the Bible promises me this: All things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8:28)

Let's Consider These Possibilities:

• If Donald Trump who claims Christianity is Not Saved, that through the influence and witness of Mike Pence who currently show these values, he and his family will become Saved.

• With Republicans now in charge of the Senate and the House of Representatives, that the conviction and the power of the Holy Spirit will prick hearts and minds to pass legislation and appoint earthly judges that will uphold true biblical mandates.

• That men and women  everywhere and in every house: Houses of government, Houses of Prayers, Your house and My house are so motivated toward righteousness that they will get back to living what we dared to print on our money--IN GOD WE TRUST!

• And, when man fails us again (which he will) that as Christians, we will have done what Jesus in the beginning told us to do:  PRAY, THY KINGDOM COME, THY WILL BE DONE, ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN !

UNTIL NEXT TIME....

If you would like to leave a comment please send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com  click on the  no comments by the pencil and it will change to a writing space.