"Love is not a feeling, but a reflection, a reaction, a response, to the love that God has given to us. God commanded us to love in deed, from the heart, and with selflessness. I have chosen to love because he loved me first."

(1 John 3:16-17)

December 21, 2015

UNCOMMON GOOD

by Simone Oliver

Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. (Hebrews 13:16, ESV)

Well, it’s that season again.  Advent. It is that time when we reflect on the anxious anticipation of the birth of the Christ and what He means to the world (at least when we’re being really spiritual, we might J).  I wish I really spent as much time reflecting on the Christ as I did trying to figure out what to get my loved ones for Christmas.  But anyway… So I was doing what I do very well.  Online shopping!  I’m surfing and browsing, surfing and browsing and I run across a site called “uncommon goods” (www.uncommongoods.com) and believe it or not, that’s what prompted my reflection!  (Sorry, Jesus.) I began to think about the news.  The wars and rumors of wars.  The “T” word. (Terrorism.) State murders of the innocent. Corporate greed.  The exploitation of the poor.  The women and children who always seems to be the spoils of the war and all of that.  Hatred and racism.  Sexism and lust.  You know, all of the news that we have become so comfortable living with that we tune into prime time TV and watch it some more for entertainment and I thought, what if…

What if we, who call ourselves Christians, were less influenced by pop culture and more influence by Kingdom culture?  What would that look like?  I think that it would look like what has become uncommon good!  What if we carried our gifts every day and sprinkled them here and there and wherever our environment dictated?  We could give random gifts of kindness and gentleness on our way to work.  We could gift a troubled co-worker by picking up the slack till the storm is over.  We could give the gift of picking up a dropped coin for a stranger or stopping to chat a moment with the elderly.  And, what if we gifted a smile and an amiable look into the eyes of strangers on an elevator, affirming their humanity and worth?  Affirming that they too are made in Imago Dei?  What would happen if we spread the gift of uncommon good?  I think we would have a revolution!  What if we shared from our substance?  What if we committed to buying one meal per week for some homeless person?  What if we shopped for our elderly neighbor once a month?  Or, shoveled the snow, or cut the grass, or something?  What if we treated a woman in a shelter to a day at a salon or her children to Chuck-E-Cheeses?  These are the gifts that are never forgotten, the gifts that cost so little and mean so much. What if this year for Christmas, we gave some uncommon good?

Let us consider unwrapping ourselves from ourselves and the materialism that overtakes even the best of us.  Let us unwrap ourselves from self-absorption and the idea that if we are not happy, no one can be happy.  Let us unwrap ourselves from the constant desire for more because the eye is never satisfied.  Let us unwrap ourselves from the hatred that causes us to not see the humanity in others.  Let us unwrap ourselves and present ourselves as the gift.  The gift to be used by God for God’s good and God’s glory. Let us do some uncommon good.



                                                   

Simone Oliver has journeyed from tragedy to triumph, from victim to victor, and from surviving to thriving after a horrific, violent attempt to end her life.  She is a passionate preacher, educator, and advocate for women who is committed to the spiritual care of women and girls, bringing healing to their wounded hearts through God's grace.  

Simone is also Executive Director of New Day Ministries, Inc. which she founded with her husband, Allen to combat gender-based violence and create safe sanctuaries in all churches.  

New Day Ministries, Inc.
http://www.new-day-ministries.org
Safe sanctuaries. Healed hearts.






December 16, 2015

THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING

by Niki Wilson



1 Peter 4:10  Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.  (NIV)

Many of us are not strangers to the hustle and bustle that this time of year brings.  The festive decorating, merriment in the air, family gatherings, and of course the gift finding and giving permeates the atmosphere and it seems as if every waking moment is leading up to Christmas day.  Christmas in the United States has taken on a capitalistic attitude that focuses most on gift giving and receiving and most of us often miss the reason for the season.  JESUS.  I will admit that I am guilty of getting so wrapped up in getting the tree and finding the perfect gift for my love ones, and THEN taking time to remember that it is Christ who we are to celebrate.  When God presented the gift of Jesus to the Earth we all were given an opportunity to find abundant life and joy in Him.  Thinking of the life that Christ led in his humanness I realized that although He was a gift and never gave a wrapped one, Jesus was a gift giver.  He gave us the gift of peace, love, reconciliation, healing, forgiveness, purpose, life, mercy, prayer, wisdom, freedom, the Holy Spirit, and so much more.  Like Jesus, we also have gifts that are placed in us to share with those that we encounter.  Imagine if we would all take time to bless others with the gifts that God has placed in us every day of the year.  This can be prayer, an encouraging word, sharing wisdom… 


Taking the time to be a gift giver when the holiday season is over is not only pleasing to God, but we can be active participants in bringing the true love of Christ to our world that is in dire need of it.   Maybe you can share the gift of a smile, a listening ear to someone in pain, praying with your sister, or serving those in need.   Today I encourage you to think about what you can share with those that you meet to uplift them so that your presence and actions become a present to them.  Make this a habit.  With faith acts we can have CHRISTmas everyday and be a gift that keeps on giving.  Thank you for reading! 

Feel free to comment below or follow Blessed Chix for weekly readings.  In the meantime, love AND live.

Nikitia (creator-Blessed Chix-the blog)



Nikitia (Niki) Wilson believes in the power of storytelling.  She founded Blessed Chix to fulfill the call that God gave her to reach, encourage, and inspire women and girls through testimonies of overcoming the odds.   Niki has dedicated her life and ministry to creating a platform where women can share  with each other in safe, nonjudgmental, and “come as you are” environments in order to find fullness in life and in love.  She is happily married to her husband Rev. Eli Wilson, III and resides in Metro New York where she is a librarian.  






December 9, 2015

OUGHT

by Deirdre Simmons


Sometimes we have quirks that we don't realize. This can be because of our environment/upbringing, the influence of others, or just maybe it is the way we are hard-wired. It is the intricate nature of personality and psychology: ego, id, and superego. Some of the behaviors we have hold us back in our personal, professional and spiritual growth. Let's explore how I built a roadblock, what was needed to continue on the journey that God has for me, and why it matters.


Maturity and growth are dependent upon the ability to work through some adversity with grace while also being able to be open to see opportunities. The plan for my life often deviates from how I believe it ought to look; it usually won't come to fruition the way I think it will. The story of Joseph sets the stage for this example: when we have dreams God can and will fulfill them, just not always in expected ways. Joseph, the son born to Rachel and Jacob, a sheep herder and dreamer, had a dream of ruling over the land and the people, including his brothers. His brothers hated him for the dream and because he was their father's favorite son. His brothers at one point threw him in a pit: Joseph's path to greatness was met with twists and turns, adversity and snares. However, he remained faithful. He was true to himself and his God. In adversity he was strategic and recognized opportunity.  At one point he was thrown in jail and took the opportunity to share the gifts that God gave him regardless of the surroundings. When the opportunity arose he asked a new friend, a cup bearer, to remember him. His new friend would be in a position to get him to the next step in his journey. He could have dwelled on how he thought the fulfillment of his dream ought to have gone causing him to miss some lessons and blessings along the way. This story climaxes at the point where Joseph's dream of rulership comes true. At that point, he could have be mired in negativity, and reminded of how he ought to have been treated by his brothers and what they did instead. However, he showed love and kindness. This is an example of how what some mean for evil can be meant for good by God.

My story begins at a neighborhood church. They have an annual church production and I was invited to be a part of the production staff. I had some dreams of revamping processes and doing great things. Well, that experience didn't look like what I thought it ought… As I entered my new assignment, excited about doing ministry in a new way and giving my all to do kingdom work, I was met by adversity. One of the women, a church staff member and production team manager, was negative, rude and critical.  Her anger toward me was apparent, my very presence bothered her. It was adversity. Her personality and actions and subsequently, other leadership who seemed to condone the behavior and did not offer a place of love where resolutions and solutions are the norm was the pit in which I was thrown. In the most Godly and professional way that I knew how to respond, I addressed what I could, made it clear that God was my audience and I would not be deterred from my assignment. I sought out ways to excel at my assignment and improve processes. When the assignment was over, I had built up so much disdain for the production and some of the members involved that I vowed to never promote, be a part of or support the production in any form or fashion.  It wasn't what I thought it ought to be and I felt that there were people that didn't glorify God.

It was ok not to support and to not be a part of the process. It wasn't ok for me not to forgive the actions of others. It was wrong of me to label these people who I felt were wrong and who mistreated me. In your anger, do not sin. Ephesians 4:26 tells us that it's ok to be angry: the way we choose to respond should not be sinful. As I began to do ministry around relationships, the word from God about my journey was to bring men and women into the same space to improve relationships, receive instruction on financial intimacy, and dialogue about and give resources for domestic violence. It is a journey of transformation; it is empowering individuals, strengthening relationships and ultimately changing the dynamics and landscape of our communities. It was apparent that for me to do the work while harboring animosity would be fraudulent. It didn't matter that she didn't ask for forgiveness, I needed to release the anger and be obedient. "Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and slander be put away from you along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4: 31-32

There is a trusted elder who is also a Reverend: I asked that he be present because I wanted to have a conversation with this person. He agreed and was supportive. It was my posture to ask for her forgiveness since every time I saw her I labeled her as a spawn of satan and a member of the brood of vipers. My oughts of how she (and others) should have supported me, how "good" Christians are loving, kind and are joyous, and how leadership in the church ought to respond are irrelevant. In that moment and going forward, I focus on what God would have me to do. I am walking fully and wholeheartedly to be in this world but not of this world, I must live a life that is set apart and hold true to exemplifying the fruits of the spirit. Regardless of the oughts, I am the salt: I cannot forget it.  I was able to move forward and have a successful conference on relationships and empowerment.  And I am grateful for learning to be the example and forgiving as my Father commanded.

I challenge you to find the "oughts" in your life or the stumbling blocks that are not allowing you to forgive and replace them with the courage to forgive. It's ok to say, I'm sorry". It's ok to forgive people who haven't even asked. It is a healthy thing to forgive and focus on good and moving forward in the journey of blessings that God has for you. You will fill the dark spaces with love and joy.

Lastly, you can forgive you too…






Deirdre Simmons, PHR, SHRM-CP, entrepreneur, past president f SHRM Gateway, and most important role-wife, began Cast Your Net on the Right Side #NowWhat non-profit to bring a relationSHIPS dialogue to the community. This God-given vision provides biblically based practical instruction for men and women on everyday living while edifying participants.  There are 2 other business under the cast your net brand: Cast Your Net Travel and Smoove Stones.

This graduate of Purdue University is also an EEO Advisor, has a certification in HR and is currently enrolled at UCONN.

The former Deirdre Cash has been married to chef, trainer, chaplain, Minister Jerry Simmons for 6 1/2 years.  She has worked as a servant leader in several ministries however, wife is her first ministry.