Apostle John, C.L.O.

Greater love hath no man
than this...(John 15:13)

Steve Harvey (the clean version), is one of my favorite comics, and is fond of referring to himself as C.L.O. (Chief Love Officer).  His Chicago-based T.V. show routinely features men and women with relationship problems and as a best selling author and cultural icon, Steve considers himself an expert in matters of the heart! 

Well, I found another that has more experience, whose advice is more reliable, and who has been on the World's Best Selling list for years!   It's the Apostle John of the New Testament!

John, the Apostle, not to be confused with John the Baptist or the others you'll find in the Bible has long been known as the Apostle of Love!  It could be because love is a favorite theme in his New Testament writings (Gospel of John,  First, Second, Third John, and Revelation) or because he had the privilege of walking, talking, leaning on, and learning from its Original Creator, Our Savior, Jesus Christ!

Depending on when you're reading this, Valentine's Day may already be fading fast, but here's a message about True Love that never gets trite or stale and John is just the one to remind us!


***True Love is Experiential!  Are you still trying to figure out why someone says they love you but their words and actions don't seem to jibe?  Maybe you're basing love on worldly perspectives rather than Christ's!  Okay, so he forgot the card and candy! Didn't make dinner reservations and you ended up eating take-out or leftovers! I'm not saying you're not deserving of more and certainly not giving Brothers a pass for being insensitive, but hear what the C.L.O. says in John 21:15-22.  He recounts Jesus restoring His fellowship with Peter, 

an apostle who denied and abandoned Him in His time of need!  We often learn how to love others as we have been loved in the past!  Your significant other may not be able to give you what he has never experienced.  Your compassion and willingness to forgive him of this flaw, may be a critical first lesson!

***True Love is Unconditional! How faithful has your loved one been the other 364 days of the year? Can you depend on him to work and pay bills?  Is he there when you're sick? During times of crisis or when you need emotional support?  Now here's the  kicker...how faithful are YOU?  If he drops the ball, even once on any of these...does he dread having to face you!  We are all imperfect in some area! Yet John tells us in I John 4:18-19, There is no fear in love.  We shouldn't be afraid to make mistakes, fall short in areas of weakness, especially if past behavior proves that our real intent is to be true to our roles and responsibilities. We hang in there and believe the best about our loved one!

***True Love is Sacrificial! Let's be honest, we don't always get our way when it comes to how we want to be appreciated!  As Gary Chapman, says in his book, The Five Love Languages, our love tank may be on "E" most days!  But do we stew in frustration, let the Enemy have his way or do we continue to Pray, Communicate, and Look for opportunities to rescue our relationship from certain death?  John 3:16, says it all:  God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life!

CHRIST DIED FOR A HOPE THAT HE DID NOT SEE YET BELIEVED EXISTED!

ARE YOU WILLING TO DO THE SAME FOR TRUE LOVE?

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.

MORE HIDDEN FIGURES: The Women Behind Great Bible Events!

There's nothing hidden
that will not be revealed...
(Mark 4:22 (GWT)

Black folks got a wonderful Christmas present from the film industry in 2016.  Two outstanding movies portraying authentic black experiences... Fences and Hidden Figures! I tell you, I've never been prouder or in the case of the latter, so inspired!

I was quite familiar with playwright, August Wilson (Fences, The Piano Lesson), but like many, I'd never heard of these extraordinary women: Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson.  What's more incredible is that I lived through this dramatic time in history.  Watched it all go down on television and never knew that  black female mathematicians and a budding engineer made it all possible!

It started me wondering, how many other women made significant contributions (skills, intellect, finances) to well-known historical events but go unrecognized and uncredited.  I discovered them in every field of study and not too surprisingly, even in the BIBLE! 

Let me test your Bible knowledge and challenge you when reading God's Word again, to pause and give Him praise... for they too are Hidden Figures:

• The Hebrew Midwives in Egypt (Exodus 1:15-17) - When ordered to kill all male babies of the Hebrew race, they stood up to Pharaoh, defied his orders and saved many, making them incredibly important to the Exodus!  Shiprah and Puah are named but two million Hebrews left Egypt. Thousands of babies were born during this time. Reasonably it would take  hundreds of unknown women acting as Midwives to save a generation which by the way, included the tribe of Judah, from whence our Savior, Jesus Christ claims human ancestry.

• Tabernacle Tapestry Weavers (Exodus 35:25-26) - God's dwelling in the wilderness was a fantastic display of artistry and skill.  Every tent covering, table cloth, wall hanging woven to decorate or adorn its rooms, from the tent entrance to the Holy of Holies was magnificent. The scriptures tell us that they were woven by the hands of unknown women: Gifted artisans filled with wisdom! This beautiful representation of God's presence kept Moses, Joshua and the Israelites moving forward to the Promise Land and women were a part of the movement too!

•  Women Disciples of the New Testament  (Luke 23:49; 24:10, 22;  55; 24:24: Mark 15:40-41, Acts 1:14, Acts 16; Romans 16: 1-27) -It is in the New Testament that we get a greater picture of the significance of women.  As followers of Christ, some are named outright: Mary His mother, Mary Magdalene, Mary and Martha, Joanna, etc.  But there were more only referred to as, The Women! These Hidden Figures were with Christ at every juncture of His ministry, some contributing finances and monetary assets.  We find them at the   Cross of Calvary; the Tomb of His Resurrection, and present in the Upper Room before and after His ascension.  The Women were praying with Lydia in Acts 16 when the gospel came to Macedonia and from there Asia Minor, and Europe. Unknown and Unsung Heroines!

 These Hidden Figures of the Bible:  Praying Women, Praising Women, Prophesying Women! A verse here and there or silent Serving Women in the background THEN and NOW...will one day be known by us all!  For as Jesus explained in this Mark 4 parable. A lighted candle is never meant to be lit and then hidden under a bowl!  

SO TO ALL MY TALENTED AND GIFTED SISTERS!

 SHINE, SHINE, SHINE! 

(The World Needs to See Your Light!)

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.