Faith…Compassion

“So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 (AMP)

If you’ve lived on earth long enough then you have judged someone based on your own preconceived ideas of what that someone of a particular skin color, gender, clothing, and or how they talk, etc. I am very guilty of that myself.

Stereotypes, in my humble opinion, are the major cause of hatred, bigotry, and prejudice that plague our society. A black teen gets shot for being black and wearing a hoodie, a blond haired woman is assumed to be ditsy and unintelligent, and most recently, people of Asian decent are blamed, attacked and killed due to the Covdid19 Pandemic.

When I was in middle school I heard some really mean things said about Hattians. As a result I thought that all Hattians were poor and stupid. However, that all changed when I started interacting with Hattians and got to know them for myself. As of today some of my best relationships are with people of Hattians decent. They are some of the most real, loyal, and beautiful people I know.

What does Faith have to do with compassion? In order to have compassion you must give people you know nothing about the benefit of the doubt that you have against them. If you don’t like a certain group of people or person for whatever the reason, do something different. Do not put your myopic, erroneous and stereotypical views on them. Seek to know, to understand and to have compassion on them.

This is what Jesus did for you. Pay it forward. Show compassion. Hate evil. Love people.

“So then, in everything treat others the same way you want them to treat you, for this is [the essence of] the Law and the [writings of the] Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12 (AMP)

Faith…Progressive

“Do not be afraid to step out on faith. Chose faith over fear. Be Progressive.”

According to the The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th edition, the word Progressive is an adjective which means:

Moving forward; advancing.
Proceeding in steps; continuing steadily by increments.
Open to or favoring new ideas, policies, or methods.

Moving forward requires faith. A lot of people get comfortable in life and stop advancing, growing, and progressing. When this happens stagnation sets in and then you do the opposite of progressing, digressing.

It is so easy to get comfortable. Especially in developed countries that all filled with luxuries and amenities. The people in these countries do not worry about food, shelter, clothing, or clean water. They have jobs, healthcare, entertainment and more comforts than you can think of. It’s easy for a person to be stuck as a middle class citizen especially the upper middle class. They aren’t struggling, yet they have to work a 9-5 in order to maintain that lifestyle.

Last year in 2020 I had the mindset like that. I was comfortable. I was not interested in learning anything new, I wasn’t advancing at work, and I wasn’t thinking about new ideas or possibilities. I got up, went to work and went home, then got up went to work and went home. My stagnation had turned to digression and I was lifeless. While in that state of mind I never lost faith that things would get better for me, and they did.

Toward the end of 2020 and since that time I have had a complete turn around and I started progressing once again. What started this change? For starters, I made my relationship with God my number one priority. How did I do that? I started spending quality time with Him early in the morning. The next thing I did was listen to my wife, as we had a conversation about my lack of progress. I took it to heart and made a choice to start progressing once again.

Progression can be challenging because you don’t know what will happen next, you are in suspense, and you can’t see the outcome. That is where faith comes in. Hebrews 11:1 (AMP) – Now faith is the assurance (title deed, confirmation) of things hoped for (divinely guaranteed), and the evidence of things not seen [the conviction of their reality—faith comprehends as fact what cannot be experienced by the physical senses].

“Do not be afraid to step out on faith. Chose faith over fear. Be Progressive.”

Faith…Personal

“Faith is not a religion. Faith is relationships.”

I grew up in a faith based household and I was taught a monotheistic religion. I practiced that religion until I found something better, relationship. Relationship with the living God and relationships with people. There are over 4,000 religions in the world and they all claim to be correct. There are also subsets and different groups of those religions. I find that to be very confusing.

If I were searching for God, how can I find Him among 4000 religions? There isn’t enough time in ones life to do so. I had to simplify my spiritual life to relationships because following rules of religions is boring, predictable, and stagnant.

The faith that I grew up in was Christian…more specifically, Seventh-Day Adventist. I thought I was good as long as I followed all the rules. After going through a dark season in my life, I realized that relationships are superior to rules and when you foster healthy relationships, the rules are naturally followed.

I still believe in Jesus Christ and I still keep the 7th day holy. The difference is my motives for doing so. Under religion I did it because those were the rules. Now that I’m focused on relationships I naturally keep the rules because I love Jesus and I love people.

“Faith is not a religion. Faith is relationships.”

Faith….Forgiveness

“In order to forgive and be forgiven, we must have faith.”

Forgiveness

F – Free for us: Forgiveness is free because of the death of Jesus Christ: Romans 8:32

O – Obedient: God commands us to forgive so that we may be forgiven: Matthew 6:15

R – Releasing: When we forgive we release the hurt that others have caused us

G – Generous: We should always forgive seventy times seven: Matthew 18:21-35

I – Inclusive: Everybody is able to forgive and receive forgiveness

V – Valuable: Forgiveness cost God the Father the death of His Only Son

E – Excellent: When we forgive and are forgiven we are able to reach our highest potential

N – Necessary: We cannot be healed without forgiving and being forgiven

S – Soothing: The cup of forgiveness tastes very good and it heals and soothes our broken hearts

S – Salvation: Because Yeshua Elohim forgave us, all who accept His forgiveness will be saved into Eternal Life.

How does forgiveness relate to Faith? The only way to achieve true forgiveness is to be connected to the Forgiver, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. In order to be connected to Him you must believe that He exists, died for our sins, brought Himself back to life, and is in Heaven connecting us back to the Heavenly Father.

“In order to forgive and be forgiven, we must have faith.”

Faith…Non-judgmental

“When we judge others we are judging ourselves.”

One of the definitions of judgmental according to http://www.dictionary.com is: tending to make moral judgments. On the same website is the British Dictionaries definition: of or denoting an attitude in which judgments about other people’s conduct are made.

We all judge one another in some way shape or form. We judge each other by the way we look, dress, ware our hair, act, talk, etc. We have done it so long that we do it subconsciously. If we see a tall slender black man in sweat pants, we might label him a basketball player. If we see a light skin woman, we might think she speaks Spanish. If we see a guy who we think is acting feminine or a girl who we think is acting masculine, we might think he or she is homosexual.

The questions are: Why do we judge people? Who gives us the right to make assumptions about peoples behavior? Why can’t we get to know people? Why can’t we seek to understand people? Why can’t we show compassion to people? Are we too self-righteous to care? Are we too scared of what others will think of us? Are we too busy to show compassion?

What dose faith have to do with any of this? We need faith in our ability to choose courage over fear, non-judgment over condemnation, and compassion over hate. When we do this we are able to see the beauty in all people. We will liberate our minds to the endless possibility in the human potential to be good.

“When we judge others we are judging ourselves.”

Faith…Perseverance

“Those who give up never succeed. Those who persevere always succeed.”

Perseverance is defined as: steadfastness in doing something despite difficulty or delay in achieving success. Most people can accomplish a lot when they are in ideal circumstances. You had loving parents, you went to the best schools, you got the ideal job, you married the ideal spouse, etc.

What happens to those accomplishments when you had abusive parents, you went to sub-par schools, you work at fast food restaurants, and you’ve been divorced a few times? In your opinion, which is greater: achieving success with little difficulties or achieving success with multiple difficulties? I am of the persuasion that achieving success despite numerous difficulties is a step up than achieving the same accomplishment with little resistance.

For instance, you will never achieve an athletic body without exercising. You must work your muscles by adding weight (resistance) in order to grow them. The same thing is true for your mental and spiritual health.

How does faith apply to perseverance? While going through difficult situations, you must believe that somehow you will survive and achieve. You must have faith that you will win. You must have faith that you will grow. You must have faith that you will be better off persevering through challenges and difficulties than if you had no resistance.

“Those who give up never succeed. Those who persevere always succeed.”

Faith…Enduring Difficulties

I won’t give up! I won’t give in! I’ll keep my head up and I will win!

If you are like me, then you hate going through difficult situations; trauma, abuse, theft, mental anguish, and hopelessness. These are what I call the difficult aspect of an otherwise beautiful life.

No one is immune to it. No matter your culture, skin color, economic status, sexual orientation, or gender. It doesn’t even matter if you are a child or an adult. Life happens to us all.

How should we as human beings endure hurt, pain, and suffering? One way of doing so is to have faith. Faith that the difficulty is only temporary. Faith that the difficulty is in our lives for a specific reason. Faith that we will grow and come out better as a result of the difficult situation.

There is a scripture in the book of Psalms that says: “Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5, second part) That means that there is always light at the end of the tunnel for those who have faith.

“I won’t give up! I won’t give in! I’ll keep my head up and I will win!”

Faith…True Success

“If you can think it…you can do it.”

There are 3 definitions for success: 1. the accomplishment of an aim or purpose. 2. the attainment of popularity or profit. 3. a person or thing that achieves desired aims or attains prosperity. To summarize, success is when you accomplish what you set out to do.

It sounds simple. I have a goal, dream, or vision and I accomplish the goal, make reality the dream, and manifest the vision. If it is so simple, then why aren’t more people successful? Why don’t more people attain greatness and reach their full potential?

That’s where faith comes in. Most people have goals, dreams and visions, yet, they do not believe they are capable of completing them. They become a self-fulfilled prophecy and their own worst enemy by their negative thinking: “I’m too young.” “I’m too old.” “I don’t have enough money.” “I have a scarred past.”

One of the differences between successful people and unsuccessful people is that successful people say, “I can.”, while unsuccessful people make excuses. What if Thomas Edison gave up on the light bulb? What if Harriet Tubman gave up on the idea of freedom? What if Steve Jobs gave up on his products? What if Martin Luther King, Jr. gave up on his dream?

There is greatness within all of us, that includes you. In order to tap into that greatness we need to stay connected to the One who created us. He wants you to be successful. Believe in Him and He will help you believe in you and will give you the tools you need to be successful.

“If you can think it…you can do it.”

Faith…True Beauty

True Beauty resides deep inside of your inner being permeating every cell of your body and then radiates outwardly like a bright light for all to see.

True Beauty

True Beauty is more than a pretty face

It’s a lovely facial expression even when I failed to win the race.

True Beauty is more than a radiant smile

It’s a joyous attitude in the midst of the trial

True Beauty is more than being below a size 9

It’s in being a healthy size for your design

True Beauty is more than a sexy voice

It’s speaking in the proper tone and using words of choice

True Beauty is more than having the right size breasts and butt

It’s in being a virtuous woman while being firm and cut

True Beauty is more than having shapely legs and feet

It’s in using them to walk in the way of Love so sweet

True Beauty is more than having full lips

It’s in using them correctly for the right kiss

True Beauty is more than having long hair

It’s in realizing you are beautiful even if you have no hair

True Beauty is more than having straight and white teeth

It’s in keeping them clean using good hygiene

True Beauty is more than being a dime

It’s in trusting, serving, and obeying the Divine

True Beauty starts from the inside

True Beauty is where love resides

True Beauty grows like a seed

True Beauty is never, ever mean

True Beauty lets its light shine

True Beauty serves God all the time

True Beauty gives and takes

True Beauty knows when to put on the breaks

True Beauty is a choice

True Beauty has poise

True Beauty is kind

True Beauty is wise

True Beauty is when you look in the mirror and you love what you see because you know that you were created by a God who loves you and made you beautiful.

True Beauty resides deep inside of your inner being permeating every cell of your body and then radiates outwardly like a bright light for all to see.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. – Proverbs 31:30

Faith…Healthy Communication

Be aware of who you are communicating with and express yourself according to the type of relationship you have with him/her.

Communication has evolved through the years. Our ancestors didn’t have cell phones, fax machines, email, instant messaging, or video chat. These forms of electronic communication have connected humans in ways that were not possible for our ancestors. Yet, through all of the modern forms of human communication, nothing beats face-to-face communication. Now, for all the millennials out there, I’m not talking about face time on your phone, or any other form of video chat. I’m talking about being in the presence of a live human being in such a way that you can touch him or her.

In this form of communication you don’t hide behind a computer or phone. Face-to-face communication causes you to be aware of your surroundings. You wouldn’t have a full conversation with someone at a concert featuring a Symphony Orchestra, most people wouldn’t be quiet at a party, and when you are alone with someone you love, intimacy and transparency take place.

The question is…What does faith have to do with healthy communication? Healthy communication requires honesty, openness, and vulnerability. We must have faith that the person we are opening up to has our best interest in mind, won’t judge us, and won’t spread our business. Of course we don’t open up to everyone that crosses our path as there are different forms of communication based on the type of relationship established. Coworkers generally communicate facts and ideas, friends at school talk about the latest trends, and family members talk about everything. If we don’t trust the people we’re talking to then our communication will be limited to facts and ideas. The more we trust the person listening to us the more we will communicate our feelings, which is the deepest level of communication.

Healthy communication is being able to recognize when, where, and who to communicate thoughts, ideas, and emotions to. When we communicate the wrong things to the wrong people, confusion, awkwardness and embarrassment occur. As a rule of thumb, if we don’t feel safe expressing certain things to certain people then we shouldn’t feel compelled to do so.

“Be aware of who you are communicating with and express yourself according to the type of relationship you have with him/her.”