This man has something important to say to those who claim to be Christians around the world! If you claim the name then walk the walk as described in the Holy Bible: New Testament. Jesus Christ came to earth and died for my sins and for your sins if you obey all of His commandments. As noted in this post, a person who does not live the life exemplified by Jesus Christ while on this earth, does not deserve to call himself or herself a Christian. There are those round about us who fit this mold of claiming to be something they are not. Christians, are we teaching them the error of their ways or are we remaining silent? If we remain silent here on earth, Jesus will remain silent when asked to defend our behaviors when we face God in Judgment–and we will, everyone will!
Tag: love
The Law of Thy Mother
~~ a devotional ~~
by tkbrown
“My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.”
Proverbs 1:8 — “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV)”
Unless there is a conscious decision to not have children, most women become a mother at some point in their lives. There is no instruction book that comes with the role, and since each child is different any manual would fall far short. While there are all sorts of resources available on the subject, there are answers to questions that still remain elusive. For me, Christ’s life provides all the answers needed to address any situation one might encounter in life.
As a Christian, I am to live my life in such a way that God is placed first, my family second, then others. As a mother, I am to teach my children these principles and the importance of love in all relationships. I am to provide the care and nurturing that teaches, by example, the love Christ has for every person and the importance of emulating His love when interacting with others.
I am to comfort my children when they are in pain and to teach them respect for others when it is necessary to address that pain with another person. Christ told us to turn the other cheek when someone does us wrong, to do good to those who spitefully use us, and to love our enemies as well as those who treat us right. In His teachings, we find that it is easy to love those who love us, but it is difficult to love those who are not good to us. In doing this, we demonstrate Christ’s love to others as we do the will of the Father in heaven.
My child is a part of me, and I am a part of my child. My unconditional love for him or her teaches there is always a safe place to go when hurting. This is what Christ and God provide for us, and we who are God’s children can go to them with any need or concern without fearing the pain of rejection. This is the role of a mother’s love; our love and comfort will always be there when our children are hurting. We rejoice with them in their successes, and we hurt with them when they hurt.
Just as God expects us to put our best effort into living the way His Son has instructed, it is important for a child’s mother to impress upon her children their duty to do their best in all they do. Our responsibility does not end with providing a safe haven. It also includes teaching the skills necessary to living throughout life. We are to help them learn to make choices and decisions in such a manner that, when they are grown, it is not necessary for them to come running home when a new crisis occurs. Mother should have already helped them learn these skills.
Yes, father is to instruct them too, but father typically does not have as much time to interact with the children as mother does. So, by default, much of this responsibility falls to mother. This is the reason Proverbs 1:8 teaches a child to “hear the instruction of his/her father and to never forsake the law of their mother.” Thus, mother is not just a comfort zone. There must be instruction and discipline from her as well. This is reflected in the parental admonishment found in Proverbs chapter 22:
“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
Proverbs 22:6 — “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV)”
When Paul commented about Timothy’s unfeigned faith, he referenced the faith of Timothy’s grandmother Lois and of his mother Eunice. This suggests a mother’s faith has much influence on the level of faith found in the children.
“When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also.”
2 Timothy 1:5 — “Holy Bible: New Testament, King James Version (KJV)”
So, perhaps faith in God is the most important characteristic I can instill in my child while they are young in order to be assured of them searching out God’s will for them in any situation. As they grow to adulthood, children may stray from Christ’s teachings when tempted by Satan’s wiles, but a strong faith in childhood will most often bring them back again to the love, comfort, and protection of God the Father.
~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Above: @photosbybeks on Unsplash.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Eds. King James Bible Online. (November 2007). Proverbs 1:8. “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV).” U.S. Congress. (8 May 2022). https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Proverbs-1-8/.
Eds. King James Bible Online. (November 2007). Proverbs 22:6. “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV).” U.S. Congress. (8 May 2022). https://www.kingjamesbible.me/Proverbs-22-6/.
Eds. King James Bible Online. (November 2007). 2 Timothy 1:5. “Holy Bible: New Testament, King James Version (KJV).” U.S. Congress. (8 May 2022). https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/2-Timothy-1-5/.
~~~~~~~~~~
Mother and Child
by tkbrown
She looked upon the child in her arms and was amazed-- in awe of what her body had created-- and she knew, without a doubt, she had been blessed. From the moment of conception your child grew from a one-celled ovum-- to the babe in your arms-- directed by dna and rna strands of life combining mother and father to create a new person through genetic procreation. Two weeks after conception your child's sex, hair color, eye color, . . . height, and skin tone have already been determined. As the babe grew, your body nurtured, sustained, protected the growing embryo, and by week three there was a primitive but beating heart. By week four, eyes and ears, a spinal cord, muscles, arms and legs, even nerves were present as the amniotic sac and the placenta provided nourishment. Six weeks into your baby's life, eyes, arms, hands with all ten fingers, legs, and feet were much better formed. Your child was able to move and respond to touch. At nine weeks, The embryo became a fetus-- able to grasp, suck his/her thumb, and by the tenth week fingerprints were visible. In addition to sensing touch your baby could feel pain. At twelve weeks, your child slept and awakened. Gender was apparent by week thirteen, and at the fourteenth week your baby was growing rapidly; hair was visible, you could begin to feel energetic movement, and you began to show as your "baby bump" began to become visible. By the eighteenth week, your baby's ears were fully functioning and your voice could be heard. Your babe weighed about a half pound (as much as a small can of tomato sauce) and was eight to ten inches long. You began to wear maternity clothes, and the blessing of having a child became much more real to you. Week twenty-two marked an important developmental milestone. Your baby's head now formed about one-third of total length, and if born at this point, may have survived outside the womb-- with intensive medical care. At the twenty-sixth week, taste buds were fully formed, eyes and lungs were fully functioning, and your baby could cry. Your "baby bump" had grown considerably. At thirty weeks, senses of vision, hearing, taste, and touch were being used. Eyes were able to open and close; your child could look around and recognized your voice. Between the thirty-sixth week and the fortieth week, your body began to prepare for your babe's entry into the outside world. Your child shifted downward and into position" now ready for the big day. Full-term, your child will weigh, on average, six to nine pounds and is ready for life outside the protection of your womb. When born, at the fortieth week, your baby's heart is pumping 300 gallons of blood a day. As you speak to this baby in your arms, a tiny smile forms, the eyes flutter open in recognition of your voice. and you know you are blessed.
~~~~~~~~~~ Pregnancy is God's test of our ability to truly love another person unconditionally and His way of saying, "You have what it takes to love this child and teach him/her the way to live."
~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Above: courtesy of depositphotos.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Cherry, Kendra (1 June 2020). Stages of Prenatal Development. “very well mind.” verywellmind.com. (8 May 2022). https://www.verywellmind.com/stages-of-prenatal-development-2795073#:~:text=The%20process%20of%20prenatal%20development,known%20as%20the%20fetal%20period.
Eds. Foundations of Life. (2022). Fetal development. “Events.” foundationsoflife.org. (8 May 2022). https://foundationsoflife.org/unplanned-pregnancy-free-pregnancy-services/fetal-development/.
~~~~~~~~~~
Adam and Eve
I — God’s Fortitude
~~ a devotional
by tkbrown
“So He drove out the man, and He placed at the east of the garden of Eden Cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
Genesis 3:24–“Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV)“
We tend to not give much thought to God’s character traits, His personal strengths, even His weaknesses. Perhaps we should take a few days to look at these aspects of God and Jesus. We might, then, understand the two of them a bit more.
A few of the words that come to mind when I think of God are compassion, strength, godliness, cleanliness, love, honour, devotion, and fortitude. While each of these are important–and we will look in depth at each–I think the word “fortitude” describes so many facets of both God the Father and God the Son.
When God created Adam and Eve, He placed them in the Garden of Eden in which He had planted every good and beautiful tree and trees with fruit for them to eat. He formed a river which ran out of Eden by which He watered the garden.
~~~~~~~~~~
8 — “And the Lord God planted a garden eastward in Eden, and there He put the man whom He had formed.”
9 — “And out of the ground made the Lord God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.”
10 — “And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted and became into four heads.”
~~~~~~~~~~
Genesis 2:8-10–“Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV)“
“And the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.'”
Genesis 2:18–“Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV)“
~~~~~~~~~~
21 — “And the Lord God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and He took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof;”
22 — “And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made He a woman, and brought her unto the man.”
23 — “And Adam said, ‘This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.'”
24 — “‘Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.'”
25 — “And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed.”
Genesis 2:21-25–“Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV)“
~~~~~~~~~~
How difficult it must have been for God when Adam and Eve committed the first sin–eating of the forbidden fruit. He had provided much good food for their consumption. Yet, they gave in to temptation and ate the fruit of the one tree from which He had forbidden them to eat. How heartbroken He must have been when He went to the garden for their daily walk together and could not find them.
~~~~~~~~~~
7 — “And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves aprons.”
8 — “And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden.”
9 — “And the Lord God called unto Adam, and said unto him, ‘Where art thou?‘”
10 — “And he said, ‘I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.'”
11 — “And He said, ‘Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?'”
12 — “And the man said, ‘The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.'”
13 — “And the Lord God said unto the woman, ‘What is this that thou hast done?‘ And the woman said, ‘The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.'”
14 — “And the Lord God said unto the serpent, ‘Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:'”
15 — “‘And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.'”
16 — “Unto the woman He said, ‘I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee.'”
17 — “And unto Adam He said, ‘Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee saying, ‘Thou shalt not eat of it:’ cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life;'”
18 — “‘Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee, and thou shalt eat the herb of the field;'”
19 — “‘In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.'”
20 — “And Adam called his wife’s name Eve, because she was the mother of all living.”
21 — “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins and clothed them.”
22 — “And the Lord God said, ‘Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life and eat and live forever.'”
23 — “Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden to till the ground from whence he was taken.”
24 — “So He drove out the man; and He placed at the east of the Garden of Eden Cherubim and a flaming sword which turned every way, to keep the way of the tree of life.”
Genesis 3:7-24–“Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV)“
~~~~~~~~~~
Much like we as parents must deal with disobedient children, God had to deal with a disobedient creation. Then, each pointed the finger of blame toward another before admitting personal guilt as well. The man and woman who were made after His own image, were cast from the garden due to their disobedient acts.
When God entered the garden looking for Adam and Eve and was unable to find them, He knew something was amiss. How many of us, as parents, would have similar hunches upon being unable to find our children? When He called for them, and Adam responded with fear due to them being ashamed because they were naked, God knew of their disobedience already. Putting a disobedient child out to fend for him-/her- self is one of the most difficult tasks a parent must face. The fact that God had to walk in these shoes first with His own creation tells us it is due to the child’s choices these steps had to be taken. Adam and Eve chose to disobey God; so, He had to put them out of their beautiful garden He created just for them. From that day forth, they were to fend for themselves. Pain, sweat, and death would be served as punishment for their disobedience.
This took “fortitude” for God to take this stand with Adam and Eve. In this one sequence of events, we can see the strength, the courage, the bravery it took for God to stand up to Adam and Eve with a love that did not cast them away from Him–rather it cast them out of the luxurious life He had created for them.
Thus, when you are tempted to ask, “How can a loving God be so cruel as to punish us when we have done wrong?” remember, it was Adam and Eve who punished you. As their seed, we reaped the consequences of their actions along with them. This is why we now have the New Testament plan of salvation through Jesus Christ our Lord–God’s Son. This is why we have full freedom to choose to be a recipient of this salvation, or we can choose to ignore it and experience life separate and apart from God. It is not God who punishes us! It is our choice; therefore, it is “we” who punish ourselves.
~~~~~~~~~~
16 — “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
17 — “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved.”
18 — “He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
19 — “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”
John 3:16-19–“Holy Bible: New Testament, King James Version (KJV)”
~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Eds. King James Bible Online. (November 2007). Genesis 2:8-10. “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version” (KJV). U.S. Congress. (1 August 2021). Genesis 2:8 – 2:10 (kingjamesbibleonline.org).
Eds. King James Bible Online. (November 2007). Genesis 2:18. “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV).” U.S. Congress. (1 August 2021). GENESIS 2:18 KJV “And the LORD God said, [It is] not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” (kingjamesbibleonline.org).
Eds. Bible Gateway. (1993). Genesis 2:21-25. “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV).” biblegateway.com. (1 August 2021). Genesis 2:21-25 KJV – And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to – Bible Gateway.
Eds. Bible Gateway. (1993). Genesis 3:7-24. “Holy Bible: Old Testament, King James Version (KJV).” biblegateway.com. (1 August 2021). Genesis 3:7-24 KJV – And the eyes of them both were opened, – Bible Gateway.
Eds. Bible Gateway. (1993). John 3:16-19. “Holy Bible: New Testament, King James Version (KJV).” biblegateway.com. (1 August 2021). John 3:16-19 KJV – For God so loved the world, that he – Bible Gateway.
~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Above: by Roman Grac @pixabay.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
June 2021
~~ a calendar quindecim
by tkbrown
‘May Breezing into June . . . ‘
The nights fast are casting a daytime heat like the spring-time days being left behind, and the forecast days with sweltering beat move in as the approaching corner-wind breezes us around from May into June. The world sizzles with ill-will and tension of the pandemic, racist words, the clutch of its bowels, and regurgitates much as musings of impending peril loom. Politics and religion do not mix, and world-wide pain may not leave any room for giving "home-need" the generous fix being planned and debated turn-by-turn, eliminating clauses--pages burn. Can edges of words be softened a bit? Can words of care be increased just a whit? Can the world respect each living "on" it. Rumors of wars and murders in the news abide in half of that printed to ruse. Pacts and treaties with the courtroom tableau side-by-side--striving to be "in the know." Reporters writing words of a new shade describing a world with a dull old blade being brandished about as "sharp and new;" but "shiny" is not what comes into view. History is known to repeat itself because it ne'er sees its past on the shelf. Words, looking back to one century ago, describe kindred winds blowing 'neath the bough. Ne'er, in this hundred years, would we dare dream of a rerun betide, but it doth seem self-same ugliness abounds--eyes agleam. It seems most have left the premise of faith-- trust, hope, and love at the center of it. Some rounded its edges with human lathe, clearing Creation away from the midst as Creator sits alone up on high, blinking back tears from the edge of His eye. If we want to be filled with peace and joy it may be time to renew an old ploy. Man is not resolving old doubts this time-- just as hopes launched on that long ago road were mere mortal attempts at latitude hold. Most hold the belief of eternal freedom marching to the beat of a distant drum. Man thinks he knows best how to deal with pain, the best way to yield both profit and gain-- I ask for faith, hope, and love to sustain.
~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Above: a Stock Photo at http://www.depositphotos.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sandcastle Masterpieces
by tkbrown
It looks like a big sandcastle party to which everyone in town came to play. All the best artisans wielding form free, producing masterpieces at the bay. Come one, come all--bid for your selection-- but leave in place so everyone might see Sandcastles preserved--a great collection-- made to please our Creator, displayed free. No earthly artisan has created such beauty--eloquence--to e're compare alongside wind-blown displays He vetted in the blink of an eye and time to spare.
~~~~~~~~~~
So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; male and female created He them.
Genesis 1:27 — Holy Bible: Old Testament — King James Version (KJV)
I am ever amazed at the beauty God created when He formed this earth and our universe. The love with which He has touched so many places has lent itself to the greatest artwork ever molded from a piece of clay, thought into being at the stroke of a pen, or wielded with such perfect hue from the paint upon His fingers.
Then He gifted it to me and to you. Some of us marvel in reverent awe as others take for granted each day and all the beauty it entails. How can anyone view formations like those pictured above and dispute the hand of God?
I am ever blessed to be able to view locations around the world on my computer, and the awe I hold for each could only be increased by being there in person. What a gift God has granted to man whom He created in His own image. Just as He is a Spirit being, so are we–Spirit beings–in His image. From the moment of conception, our bodies churn out cells to fill specific rolls. We do not have to manage or manipulate this process in any way other than to care for it as we would His temple–the most Holy of Holies.
When I first saw the picture of this rock formation–Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness in New Mexico, United States of America–my thoughts drew a scene where families created sandcastles at the beach, then solidified their form for wind and sand to smooth out the rough edges. What a beautiful vision to behold!
~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Eds. Bible Gateway. (1993). Genesis 1:27. “Holy Bible:” King James Version (KJV). biblegateway.com. (29 March 2021). Genesis 1:27 KJV – So God created man in his own image, in – Bible Gateway.
~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Above: © Sean Pavone / iStock / Getty Images Plus.
~~~~~~~~~~
II — The Way He Should Go . . .
~~ a multiple stanza quindecim
by tkbrown
I A parent gives name to a newborn child hoping for temperament low-key and mild. Impossible to foresee the path trod, they--two--prayerfully implore most high God: Watch over and keep him on the right track; when in smelting fire, please hold to his back. Help him to learn the pathway he should choose with plenty of room and nothing to lose so long as he looks for the Lighted Path and seeks to help others avoid God's wrath. When he grows weary give lift to his wings, replenish his strength, give voice as he sings. Help him tune in to your heavenly voice; as he ponders the way, then makes his choice give mom and dad a vision to rejoice.
(Written: 10 February 2021 by tkbrown.)
II As he grows: infant to toddler, then child, as mom and dad pray for guidance compiled, lead them through the inspired books of your Word-- reading instruction, insuring child heard and lives what she learned as their lives portrayed words of scripture and their actions conveyed the faith, the hope, and the love from above, relied upon strength when "push comes to shove." Show them the way to plant inside his heart those treasures from God--whose way doth impart-- knowledge and wisdom for life upon earth to circumvent and give Satan wide bearth. The foundation instilled in early childhood will help her to know which pathway she should take and follow toward her eternal good.
(Written: 18 February 2021 by tkbrown.)
~~~~~~~~~~
(To be continued: Please tune in again next week for the second quindecim.)
~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Above: by Bessi@pixabay.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Charity
~~ a devotional
by tkbrown
I Corinthians 13:13: “And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
The word “charity,” in the New King James Version (NKJV), is translated “love.” Thus, in this passage written by Paul to the Corinthians, the two words might be used interchangeably. Apparently, there were many issues concerning the Christians at Corinth. In chapter 13, Paul addresses the need for love to abound. He notes a number of achievements to be worked toward as Christians in Christ’s church; then he cautions that without “charity” or “love” none of these is worth anything in Christ’s church. Though one may attain a high level of honor, without love, that person is nothing in God’s eyes.
How often do we, today, teach the importance of “charity” or “love?” Love, or charity, should be a frequent topic of our Bible lessons. It takes extensive study on the topic to exhibit the love Christ had, and has, for His church.
Love is one character trait deserving of frequent address. Too often we “go through the motions” but they mean nothing to us. Verse 2 says:
“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing”–I Corinthians 13:2–NKJV.
Though it is possible to have faith enough to accomplish any feat—with God’s help–if I have not ”charity” or “love,” faith profits me nothing.
Faith, hope, and love are the three most essential characteristics of a Christian. “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17–NKJV). “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1—NKJV) Faith is instilled by hearing, reading, and learning the word of God. It is important to follow hearing with study in order to learn the true meaning of the scripture presented. Paul told Timothy, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15–KJV). When we hear the Word, that hearing must be followed by our own private study to ensure we understand what is being said, when it was said, to whom, and about what. Thus, we learn the true meaning of the scripture uttered in our hearing.
The more we study God’s Word, the more it impresses upon us the need for love in our own character. Jesus said:
Matthew 5:43-47
43 — “Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy,”
44 – “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you;”
45 – “That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”
46 – “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? Do not even the publicans the same?”
47 – “And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? Do not even the publicans so?”
The more we try to emulate Christ, the more love we will extend love to others. It is a tall order to “love our enemies and do good to them.” This tells us, if we have not love we are not emulating Christ—we are but pretenders. This pretense means nothing to God and will not ensure entry into heaven. We must grow as Christians if we are to hold the love for others that Jesus requires.
A new Christian has learned to love him-/herself enough to want to spend eternity with God and Christ. A mature Christian has grown in the emulation of Christ so that love is evident. Christ laid down His life to save us. How many of us would do the same?
~~~~~~~~~~
Photo Above: by reenablack @pixabay.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Sources:
Eds. biblegateway.com. (2021). Holy Bible – New King James Version (NKJV). 1975 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. www.biblegateway.com. (26 January 2021). www.biblegateway.com.
Eds. Biblegateway.com (2021). Holy Bible – King James Version (KJV). 1987 by Thomas Nelson Publishers. www.biblegateway.com. (26 January 2021). www.biblegateway.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
History in the Making . . .
~~ by tkbrown ~~
20 January 2021 — Today, as the world looked on, we here in the United States of America were writing history books. The recent past has been filled with opinions, opines, differences, similarities, divisions, bridges, peacemakers, rioters, love, hate, sickness, health, and all that is in-between. Each new day brought its own headline: Covid-19, politics, the politics of the virus, mutations, commutations, charges, pardons, verdicts, blame, and forgiveness. Some have learned and gained from the lessons of the past year while others have lost–both literally and figuratively. In the end, it all came down to today. The world saw a whole new view in America: a woman — Kamala Harris — was sworn in as Vice-President.
The concept of seeing a woman positioned as a leader in the upper echelons is new to America. There have been inroads toward this moment for at least a century and a half. While other countries around the world reached this milestone long ago, America — the comparatively new kid on the block — took her time. Many women have attempted to attain the goal of President or Vice-President, but all have fallen short of the achievement–until today. Kamala Harris set her eyes upon this goal some time ago. Today, as an African American, South Asian American, female American — the daughter of immigrants who chose to make America their home — was sworn in as Vice-President of the United States of America. Vice-President Harris achieved her goal.
There are those who say America is made up of bigoted racists. I believe today proved them wrong. As my old mother used to say, “The proof is in the pudding.” Today, the pudding in America’s melting pot rang true, and no victory could be finer. Once again, America has stood to the task and proved her ideals are still “alive and kicking.” When put to the test, Americans are winners, if they choose to be.
As a child, I was taught to never act in a racist manner toward any other person regardless of that person’s color or country of origin. As a teenager, I wrote my first poem about race relations. When my children were young, I began advocating for the underprivileged including children, people with disabilities, and people of color. As my children grew to adulthood, I tried to instill a respect toward all people and I continued my advocacy in the professional realm.
As we turned the page to a new chapter in America’s history, today the world witnessed the true potential for all who choose to make America their home. May God Bless America and all who live within her borders, and may we show the world the true colors of love and acceptance.
~~~~~~~~~~
Picture Above: by Gerd Altman @pixabay.com.
~~~~~~~~~~
Calendar Quindecims — December 2020
~~ by tkbrown
December is moving in fast, and Thanksgiving is barely past-- or, is it? Travel, families, Black Friday fare--those online venues-- shopping with masks, social distance-- greatly reduced deals, now's your chance! Buy now, pay later--give better for Christmas than ever before. Material flare--girls and boys each year get more expensive toys. This year will be no different, I'm sure--packages and love sent to those afar off. Would I could be there with you--for now we should be thankful for the things we have and for the family to love. God, please send it o'er air by dove!
by tkbrown 
You must be logged in to post a comment.