NOT THE "BOOTY"...BUT THE BEAUTY!

Your beauty should not come from
outward adornment... (I Peter 3:3-5)

Those words flashed in front of my eyes larger than a bill board in Times Square!  Did the preacher just say to the women of my church this morning...IT'S NOT YOUR BOOTY,  but your inward beauty that is most attractive to the opposite sex?

Well, a resounding AMEN to that!  Where did we get it twisted ladies?  Being a Sistah, having big butts isn't a news flash for us!  We've lived with them all our lives.  Still I have to agree with the  Man of God.  Rear ends have become somewhat of an obsession these past decades not just of men but women who are man-baiting and consider this physical asset, an essential!

Barely, a day goes by that a commercial, talk show, or advertisement isn't pushing for a product to uplift, shape up, or otherwise enhance and amplify a woman's rear end.   There are even songs written about them ( All About that Bass!). I'm sick and tired of hearing about  J-Lo, Nicki Minaj, Beyonce or the Queen it seems of BOOTYWOOD, Kim Kardashian's behind, acclaimed as the beauty icon of the day.  Aren't you?

What are we going to tell our daughters and granddaughters who will suffer from poor body images either because they've got too much or too little, of something or another! How can we convince them that purity, intelligence, quiet confidence, poise, personal integrity and modesty hold their value longer and will get them noticed quicker than cheap female tricks and tight jeans!

How about taking a page out of another Beauty Book...the Bible!  Here are a few  scriptures that will help you keep the story straight:

Genesis 1:27 So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.  (You're beautiful just the way you are!)


Psalms 50:2 Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God has shined.  (God's standard of beauty is the only one that counts)


Proverbs 31:30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.  (Holy women are H.O.T.  Heavy on Truth..God's Truth about themselves)


Ecclesiastes 3:11 He has made every thing beautiful in his time: also he has set the world in their heart, so that no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end.
(There's a place and time to show off the goods, in private and within the marriage relationship)
Isaiah 40:8 The grass wither, the flower fades: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
(Styles will change, body parts will shift but inner beauty lasts forever)
Ezekiel 28:17 Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty, you have corrupted your wisdom by reason of your brightness: I will cast you to the ground, I will lay you before kings, that they may behold you.  (Satan's foolishness cost him paradise, don't exchange wisdom for a pair of  Apple Bottom Jeans)


I Peter 3:3-5  Your beauty  should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes.  Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God's sight.  For this is the way the holy women of the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. (This one speaks for itself!)

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you'd like to comment on this post send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com   Click on the pencil (the no comments will change to a writing space to leave your thoughts!)

BEAT DOWN BULLYING!

Let no corrupting talk come out of
your mouths...(Ephes. 4:29)

What are little boys made of?  Snips and snails and puppy dog tails?  That's what little boys are made of! What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice and everything nice.  That's what little girls or made of!

Well you could have fooled me! Last week's beat down of a high school girl by an enraged school mate went absolutely viral! I've seen a video clip of the recent boxing match between Mayweather and Pacquiao and that fight was mild by comparison.

Even without all the details, I knew intuitively, that this fight was caused by trash talking or some uncalled for communication between the two and it probably had been going on for awhile.   You just don't unleash that much fury off a casual comment! Knowing my female specie's expertise with the tongue, I figured little sister went for the juggler and he responded with a T.K.O. right in her mouth!  THEY WERE BOTH WRONG!!

Insider's say that it was a case of bullying and that this sort of thing is happening every day all over the country.  I believe it!  Young people today have taken childish teasing and taunting to a new and vicious level since my childhood. Whereas surviving a bully or two was a rite of passage into young adulthood then, it was never so severe that a child would think of suicide just to escape.

It's time to put a stop to this foolishness and talk to our youth about responsible speech and behavior.  But wait!  Could it be that the apples are not falling very far from the trees?  I did a little research on the subject of bullying and found that:

 a) Bullies generally have at least one influential person in their life who is also a Bully!  That could be a parent or someone older they spend time with regularly. They may possibly have even been  one of their victim.
b)  Bullies are often stressed over adult problems and situations of which they have no control. Remember bullying has to do with balance of power. Stop sharing adult problems with your children!
c) Bullies like and need attention.  If they'don't get it in a positive way from nurturing adults spending time with them, they'll get it acting out!
d) Bullies are products of inconsistent or minimal discipline.  They have not learned that there are consequences for their actions, neither have they been taught respect and empathy for others. 

No one wants to hear that their child is a Bully or the Victim of a Bully!  That's why simply taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to them and then LISTEN...REALLY LISTEN to them when they talk about what's happening at school is so important!

The writer of James tells us that the tongue is a fire , a world of iniquity which can defile the whole body ( James 3:6-10).  It can be the catalyst for violence and destruction as in the daily occurrences in schools all around our nation OR it can be used and modeled by responsible adults to combat bullying; educating youth to express their anger and frustration in positive ways.  

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

If you'd like to comment on this post send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page at  http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com   Click on the pencil (the no comments will change to a writing space to leave your thoughts!)

A new JENNER Nation!

The Lord is good...His TRUTH endures
to all generations. (Ps. 100:5)

How many of you watched the the Bruce Jenner interview with Diane Sawyer last week?  If you did, you and I were among the 17 million who tuned in the full two hours!

Since then every major network talk show and media outlet has carried the story.  At last Bruce has admitted what we've suspected all along...He wants to be a woman! Brucie, my boy if you only knew what I know...being a woman is not for Sissies, no pun intended! It's tough work.

For the most part, the press has been positive for this entertainer.  He now joins the rank and popularity of Chaz Bono and  Laverne Cox, the black transgender icon from the new hit show,  Orange is The New Black.  More than a dozen times I've heard Bruce Jenner described as brave, courageous, and living his truth!  But is his truth God's truth! (Prov. 14:12)  

Yes, crowds are cheering (even some church folks), at the top of their lungs that society needs to move into the future.  Times  are changing!  Yes, they are...but God isn't! He's the same yesterday, today, and FOREVER! (Hebrews 13:8).  This is a wake-up call for Christians everywhere to pray for this new JENNER Nation, rising up among us, sad and confused. Hormone shots and genital reassignment is not going to make them what they aren't.  They are merely living out the S.O.P (standard operating procedure) of Satan,  Exchanging the truth about God for a lie (Romans 1:25) 

Granted, a new identity is needed but not a physical one ... a spiritual one! (2 Cor. 5:17)   Looking at things through Biblical Lens rather than the Rose Colored glasses of Post modernism I find the following:

1.  God created two genders and nothing in between when He created man and woman (Gen. 1:26-27);   Each  gender is distinct, unique and has all the working parts to fulfill His will. Each fits perfectly with the other like an exquisite jig saw puzzle! He didn't put a female mind in a male body or a male heart in a female body.  His work was ALL GOOD! (Gen. 1:31) 

2. Sexual relations between the genders were meant to be consummated with the opposite sex only and even then within the boundaries of marriage! (Lev. 18:22-23) God- designed sex has many benefits. Procreation and pleasure are two of them but the most Significant  one is to replicate the divine intimacy existing in the Godhead within that sacred union called marriage. ( You'll note that getting your freak on or satisfying your sexual curiosity is not one of them!)

3. Both the Old and New Testament teaches gender identification as God made you, is His Divine will.  Anything apart from that is SIN.  This includes men or women  cross dressing, acting out, or portraying themselves as the opposite sex (I Cor. 6:9-10; Deut. 22:5; Rom. 1:27; Coloss. 3:5). 

Perhaps you're wondering as I have, why someone as old as Bruce Jenner (65 years old with six children and three marriages under his dress (oops! I meant belt) decided after all these years to make such a drastic change?)  Let me just speculate that it is because the TIME IS RIPE!  Our society is in a free-fall morally and  everybody is doing what is right in their own eyes (Judges 21:25) and IT'S JUST BEING ACCEPTED!!  

For the past several decades our country has been undergoing social engineering.  It has infiltrated the political, educational, scientific, and religious communities causing our moral compass to falter and producing a biblically illiterate and pleasure- seeking generation whose greatest priority is HAPPINESS rather than HOLINESS!  

HERE'S AN ASSIGNMENT FOR YOU  IN PREPARATION FOR THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER, THURSDAY, MAY 7th!!!.  Go to the link below and read an article that will add to this discussion. Then spend time praying that the Light of God's truth will Transform the hearts of this Nation and Enlighten the coming Generations as to their true identity in Christ!  

https://www.probe.org/what-is-a-biblical-view-of-transgendered-people-and-hermaphrodites/   

If you'd like to comment on this post send an email to: sisters4sisters@att.net OR  scroll to the bottom of my blog page: http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com   Click on the pencil (the no comments will change to a writing space to leave your thoughts!)

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UNTIL NEXT TIME....

ALONE NO MORE...Saved, Single, SATISFIED!

Hello Readers,  I'm lending my blog this week to a dear sister who wanted to share her thoughts on biblical womanhood from a single's point of view!  Please welcome Chandra, whose name means "Illustrious" in the Sanskrit or Indian language...I pray her words will enlighten you as much as it did me! -CB

I am a Single, Black, Saved, Born Again Christian woman!  I have never been married and I have never had any children.  These facts used to bother me for a long, long time.  I used to spend many lonely nights crying over this BUT NOT ANY MORE! I have been set free from those tearful, lonely and sad, sad nights! I have found my freedom in Christ Jesus!  He is my Husband (Isaiah 54:5).  He is my Friend (John 15:15).  He is My Rock (Psalm 18:12 ) as well as my Savior.  Jesus is my EVERYTHING!

I once wrote a song called, Jesus Is My Everything.  Yes, I also love to write!  I write poetry, and I've even written a few praise and worship songs in my life! When I feel down I go to my poetry and songs and they cheer me up.  You see I don't write for man, I write for the Lord.  When I get to heaven I want to sing to Him all these songs and recite the poems I've written just for Him!

Please don't feel sorry for me!  I'm okay with being single, but if God brings a single, saved man in my life for marriage, that's okay too...I would be happy....but it's got to be His will!  If not., well that's alright too!

My favorite Psalm is Psalm 27.  The theme of this Psalm is God offers help for Today and Hope for the Future.  Unwavering confidence in God is a single woman's antidote for fear and loneliness.  The first line says, The Lord is my light and salvation, whom shall I fear.  I love that!  I also have what I call my Golden Nugget verses:  Philippians 4:13 - I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me and Philippians 3:14 - I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

There are some True Advantages for being single:

>> I belong to Jesus and not to a man (He's my only Boss!)
>> I can pray, sing, and recite my poetry to Jesus any time I want to without disturbing anyone.
>> I can go wherever I want, whenever I want, and minister as long as I want without worrying about sharing my attention or time with another.

God is my Jehovah Shammah:  The Lord who is always there!  Thanks be to God for His Presence in my life and...

THANKS TO ALL OF YOU FOR HANGING OUT WITH ME!

I'm Chandra...SAVED, SINGLE, AND SATISFIED!

**If you'd like to comment on Chandra's post, send an email to 

sisters4sisters@att.net  OR  use the comments section on my blog page:   http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com

For The Sake of FREEDOM, PART THREE

"Render to Caesar...."
Mark 12:17

This is the third and last post on my thoughts regarding  Religious Freedom in America and the continuing conflict some Christians are having with legislative acts of the past few decades.

I'm not a lawyer nor a politician. In fact, I have a tendency to be politically incorrect  most of the time.  But I do have a voice, some basic knowledge of the bible, and the indwelling Holy Spirit to help me sift through controversial issues.  As a result I have formed  a Biblical Worldview! I hope these posts will help you do the same!

I've taken three verses from the Gospels to give you my take on Indiana's Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA).  They are Matthew 7:12; I Peter 2:13-17, and today's scripture Mark 12:17 (ESV).   "Then Jesus said to them, Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar and to God, the things that are God's.  And they marveled at him."

The historical context is critical to this verse.  Having said that, Bible scholars dispute over its many interpretations.  By the way, let me give you one more disclaimer... I'm not a theologian either! But, even if I was, there would not be enough room in this post to elaborate on each one of those interpretations here!

Let me just say, read, Mark 12: 13-17 for yourself including some previous chapters and you'll find that the Pharisees (ancient church folks!) were trying to trap Jesus!  This verse is not about
 taxes!  Like today,  people had to pay taxes to the government and if you were a Jew you not only paid State taxes, but Temple taxes too, perhaps more there than anywhere else!

This verse is not the basis for arguing the Separation of Church and State which some say  supports the First Amendment.  This term has been misinterpreted in so many ways since the days of the Founding Fathers of America that it barely resembles the original intent.  It does not even appear in the U.S. Constitution at all. So let's not even get into that!

By posing the question of paying taxes (vs. 14), the Pharisees wanted Christ to incriminate Himself.  If He said yes, pay these taxes, then He discredited Himself with the Jews.  If He said no, don't pay the taxes then He would be considered a traitor by the Romans and charged with sedition.  So what did our Master do?  He cleverly evaded the question!  We still don't know what He meant by His response at the time!  But there are some key lessons from the whole scenario that are most relevant to our topic!  

Christ looked at that Roman coin and He saw the face of Caesar! On it was an inscription declaring Caesar as a son of a divine being.   The word render, means simply to give back.  Give back to Caesar that worthless coin, because in essence, both Caesar and the coin belongs to God! (Psalms 24:1)  It was really of no concern to Christ!

In the latter part of verse 17, however, He causes us to think deeper regarding His response.  In our rendering...Who is your God?  Christ is asking us to make a choice!  When it comes to our Christian Liberty who has the greater authority in our lives?  Caesar (government, legislation, culture, science, people, etc.) or God? 

As the end grows near Christians will find themselves in the middle of many disputable matters (issues that the bible does not speak specifically about like the RFRA)  The choices we will have to make will become more frequent but not necessarily more difficult as long as we remember WHOSE WE ARE!  We have a dual citizenship,  one on earth and one in heaven (Philippians 3:20); therefore we can not expect that we will  always be understood or popular!  We  should however, follow the teachings from the scriptures in my prior posts,  along with these  guidelines from I Corinthians 8:1-13 when we have to make the choice.

OUR RELIGIOUS FREEDOM CHOICES MUST:

1.  Edify (build up) not tear down fellow believers (8:1-3)
2.  Not cause us to judge other believers' practices in disputable matters (8:4-5)
3. Reflect a convincing belief that we are right in doing something before we do it ( 8:6-7)
4. Not violate our own convictions/conscience (8:7-8)
5. Not make another stumble even if it is acceptable in itself (8:8-9)
6 Follow the self sacrificing example of Christ (8:10-11)
7. Not discredit Christ or Christianity (8:12)
8. Show we are willing  to voluntarily set aside our rights in certain cases (8:12-13)


REMEMBER, FREEDOM IS NEVER TOTALLY FREE...IT ALWAYS COSTS SOMEBODY SOMETHING...FOR CHRISTIANS, IT COST CHRIST HIS VERY LIFE!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

For the Sake of FREEDOM, PART TWO

Show proper respect to everyone...
(I Peter 2:17) 

Last week, I challenged my readers to consider the price of religious freedom here in America!  It's not something we think about often because unlike other countries, we've had it relatively easy when defending our right to worship, read the Bible, and otherwise express our beliefs as we choose!

This is not so in many Muslim countries where beatings and threats, job loss, and death comes as a result of Christian conversion!  We've had a bit of a wake up call here lately with the growing support and protest of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) recently passed in Indiana.  Even with the quick fix by legislators, the publicity has not abated.  I think we'll be talking about this for many months to come.

So my Christian brothers and sisters when you're inadvertently drawn into the conversation and asked where does the Bible stand on this issue what will you say?  As I said in my last post, I'm beginning to formulate a response from three scriptures:  Matthew 7:12; I Peter 2:13-17; and Mark 12:17.  I'm finding these three are only the tip of the iceberg, for real clarity, but all I can handle right now!

I discussed the first one at some length last week.  You know it as the Golden Rule (see it below).  Now let's look at I Peter 2:13-17

•  Matthew 7:12 (NIV)  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 

• I Peter 2:13-17 (NASB) 13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority, 14 or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. 15 For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 16 Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. 17 Honor all people, love the brotherhood, fear God, honor the king.

I read the above scripture from several translations to make sure the correct interpretation was applicable to this contemporary issue and was pleased to see that it was.

 God's Word is timeless! Here's a synopsis of what the Apostle Peter says concerning a Christian's duty to government and obedience to God.

1.  Christians do not need to fear government if their motives and actions are pure. God is Sovereign and in complete control of everything! We can be subject to government because government is subject to God.  (Romans 13:1-5)  It is simply a tool of God to be used either for our good or our chastisement--it's up to you.
   
2.  We obey those in authority over us not because we're weak in our faith or defenseless but because it pleases God to do so.  We do it for the Lord's sake! (2 Cor. 5:9; Gal. 1:10; I Peter 2:13, Ephes. 5:22) There are times when one must choose to wage a physical battle or a spiritual one. Make sure you choose wisely!

 In the name of Christ, abortion clinics have been burned down and homosexuals beaten and dragged in the streets.  Name calling, unlawful assembly, and a deliberate disregard of the law has been perpetuated by so called Christians.  The same ones that point fingers at others, saying we are cowards and afraid to stand up for the Bible if we're not doing the same.   Do you really think this pleases God?  Which behavior silences the ignorance of foolish men, those in the Prayer Room or the unruly ones in the Court Room?

3.  Obey government up to the point that it violates God's law and your spiritually induced conscience.  One must always use discernment in matters that conflict with God's Word.  Yes, we ARE called to defend our faith!

 If you cannot in good conscience abide by a ruling don't do it and be willing to suffer the consequences! (Gal. 1:10; Acts 5:29) But remember, conscience is a matter of individuality.  One Christian's conscience may allow him a freedom that another Christian's won't!  (Let me say though, that this does not refer to a clearly understood sin act!)  Read Romans 14 for a better understanding of  Christian's liberty. 

4.  All men are not my Christian brothers but all are members of the Brotherhood of Mankind. As such if I respectfully disagree on a matter and do so with the intent of preserving peace and provide a means for godly dialogue, then I will not abuse my freedom for personal reasons. In this I do all of what verse 17 requires:  Honor all people, love the brethren, fear God, and honor the king.

REMEMBER:  I'M STILL WAITING TO HEAR YOUR THOUGHTS. 

 Respond by email at
sisters4sisters@att.net  OR  use the comments section on my blog page:   http://alittlewiser63.blogspot.com

UNTIL NEXT TIME  ... (Last Part of this Series Coming Up Next Week!) 

For the Sake of FREEDOM, PART ONE

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.
(Galatians 5:1)

Lord, stop the world, I wanna get off! Don't you wish dealing with life was as easy as saying that?  My mind has been absolutely exploding recently with the obvious clash of my Christian beliefs with the world at large!

Radical Muslims slaughtered 148 Christians in Kenya a few days ago.  Timing it ironically or purposely during one of our most revered holidays, Holy Week! According to statistics from Open Doors, USA, a reporting agency for Christian persecution worldwide this is only the beginning.  Persecution doubled in 2013 from previous years.

 Praise God!  Our Sunday services haven't been interrupted yet with anything of this magnitude or devastation,  but can America, be that far behind?  This has me thinking and perhaps you too.  What price am I wiling to pay to exercise my liberties in Christ?  Exactly, how far should I go to insure that both my civil and religious rights are preserved? When have I crossed the line into discrimination, the same kind that Blacks so valiantly fought against? How can I practice the law of love (love the sinner but not the sin) in practical ways? This post won't answer those questions for you but perhaps it will make you think!

 If you're like me, education is needed from some reliable and truthful sources as to what those rights actually are... on both sides.   As black people we know how it feels to have the law used for immoral and illegal purposes.   So, I don't think you can  find that  truth in the media.  Too many opinions from people with a dog in the race.  Also, you can't count out the  influence of special interest groups that are powerfully organized and have the money and means to push their agenda  using everything at their disposal to do it !

Case in point is all the brouhaha over the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) that Indiana and Arkansas are wrestling with.  It's making for some confusing talk all the way around!   Is it just about the language of this bill  or is something else happening? Whose rights are being protected--Bible believing Christians or those using it to open the door for a number of other issues they want legal sanctioning for?

 I've had brief conversations with several Christians, all sincere, godly, and adherents of the Word who still  don't know which side to take!  I'm having less of a struggle.  Not in regard to God's stance on the issues of what constitutes sinful behavior but as to the degree of my own social and legal compliance should it come to that.  I am earnestly examining this issue in terms of what the
 Bible teaches in three verses:  Matthew 7:12,  I Peter 2:13-17 and Mark 12:17.   (This week I'll  focus on  Matthew 7:12)

•  Matthew 7:12 (NIV)  So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. 

Matthew's account of the Golden Rule (7:12) is a No Brainer!  Common respect and decency should be given to everyone regardless, of race, creed, or sexual orientation.  God is the Creator of all  mankind (Psalms 24:1) and the ultimate Judge of all.  Jesus, Himself tells Christians that if a brother is hungry, feed him, if thirsty give him drink  for as much as we have done this to the least of humankind we've done it unto Him (Matt. 25:35).

The writer James reiterates the necessity of putting real faith into practice (James 2:15-17).  So  unless you're boasting of  dead works, if I'm a Christian business restaurant owner and a homosexual couple sits down to be served, I'm going to serve them with the same respect as any other couple. But they in turn would be responsible to abide by any rules or conduct I have for my other customers.  I would not discriminate.

On Sunday morning, if a transexual took a seat next to me on my favorite pew, would I get up and move?  Treat them rudely during Share the Joy time or in other ways make them feel marginalized as a human?  Absolutely not!  But if I was preaching would I change my sermon points to assure that I didn't step on his toes or back pedal on any bible truth?  Not a chance!  Christ's message of love through the redeeming grace of the Gospel would still come forth and if the brother walked the aisle, I'd be the first to shake his hand and lead him to Christ!

**I must add that this was not the African American's  experience in similar situations during our fight for Civil Rights! 

These are the finer points of Christian Freedom that we must consider.  These are my thoughts.  I'd love to hear what yours are!  (See the Comments Section below)