What Love Means

Love is not self-seeking, self-gratifying or self-serving.  It does not demand its rights.  Can you imagine a mother demanding her right to sleep, while her helpless baby cries for hunger in the night?  If she exercises that right, it would be wrong.  We would call her heartless. Yet, we act in similar manner when the needy cries for help in the darkness of their gloom.  We turn away saying that it is our hard earned money, or we need to rest and can’t give of our time.  Tithe has already been given, there is nothing more to give, we believe we have done enough, we have nothing else left to give to the poor.  But, we expect God to supply all our needs because we have given Him a tenth off our net salary.  What more can we give?  We selfishly give the most we think we can to God, expecting to get a large return on investment, without investing much in those who are in need. It is usually, all about us.  

Even parents don’t want to discipline their children because they don’t want their children to think they are mean.  Those are loveless parents, who care more about themselves than their children. Parents who do not discipline their children, are giving them a death sentence.  Love disciplines, in spite of what the one who is being disciplined thinks.  Love disciplines, wanting the child and others to be the best they can be and have the abundant life.  

A mother lovingly holds her child

The one who loves may hurt deeply and may even die for the one who hates him.  Love is not concerned with self, but rather the welfare of others.  Love makes decisions with the best interest of others at heart, even though they may not understand or agree with those decisions. 

When the one who truly loves, counts the cost, he recognizes he may be getting the bad end of the deal, but still loves anyway. 

Your Attitude Encourages Others

Recently, I was extremely impressed by artistes from the inner city community of Parade Gardens in Kingston, Jamaica.  We brought them in the studio to record a theme song for the documentary series Parade Gardens: Diamond in the Rough.  These talented individuals were professional, versatile and flexible.  I was really impressed with them.

Their attitudes are an impetus for me to work harder on their behalf and for their community in general.  I really want to see them succeed as they have a whole lot within them to bring to the world.

This was Tion's first time in the studio

 

Many people look at inner city communities and discount the residents.  However, these are folks of great value.  Eight years ago, God promised me through His Word that He would "Give me treasures in darkness and riches in secret places." Isaiah 45:3.  Years later, as a missionary in Parade Gardens, I suddenly understood what that verse meant.  The people are the treasures and their talents are riches.  That verse became more real to me, when one day when I just wanted to give up my work in the community due to many frustrations, however, little girl called Treasure came to me and asked if I was having the class for the children on the following Saturday.  I knew then, I had to battle through the obstacles to unearth the treasures in a place where many people do no want to venture, for Treasure's sake and all the other invaluable people from the neighborhood.

Often, people say that they are waiting on God, not realizing God is waiting on them to trust Him and to step out in faith.  More frequently than I would like, I do not know what God is doing, but I have to trust Him and step forth into the unknown.  It is then that miracles happen.  A miracle happened in the studio that day. Their attitudes encouraged me. I was inspired greatly by these nine artistes who came out to share their talent with the world.  They pressed through and showed up, in spite of the challenges they faced.  Many did not know where they were going. They had no idea how to get to the studio. But they set out on a new adventure, and became richer for it.  The riches may not be material, but at least many of them know now, they have inside of them what is needed to make it in this world.  Consequently, I have to press through, to help them make it.  They are worth it.

 "Countryman" played his saxophone for this song

I hope others will also be inspired by these artistes and their song, which will soon be released.    Their voices need to be heard as the message they bring can touch hearts and transform lives.  They are diamonds in the rough, precious and priceless.  

Facing Lizards

On New Year's Eve, a lovely lady wished me a lizard free 2016.  That was one of the best New Year's wishes I could ever have.  Anyone who knows me well, knows that I am not fond of lizards.

An intense dislike for lizards have passed on from generation to generation in my family.  Years ago, my grandmother locked the one handed gardener in one of the bedrooms and told him he could not get out until he had killed a green lizard that was somewhere by her hat boxes.  Years later, my uncle camped out on our sofa for three days as a lizard took up residence in his clothes closet.  Now, as I think about it, all he had to do was move to another room.  But, the sheer terror of this 6 inch reptile kept him far away.

I keep a broom nearby to run off lizards, if they are around me in the house.  Unless, I think they are too big, then I will run.  I have no shame in my game.  People wonder why my windows are closed.  They often surmise that I am locking out robbers.  However, this is done to keep other intruders out.  The reptilian kind.  I nearly had a heart attack when a lizard fell on my head once.  They are dangerous.

Many Jamaicans male and female are very afraid of lizards, especially the croaking lizard. 

They make this sinister croaking noise and they have bulging eyes that follow you wherever you go.  They are creepy looking.  There is even an article on this creature on Jamaicans.com. 

Croaking lizard from Jamaicans.com

My friend has suggested that I am being held in bondage by the fear of lizards, and I should pray to get rid of this herpetophobia.  I have prayed.  But, it is usually for the lizards to leave.  And, I have been know to tell a lizard or two to "get out in the name of Jesus."  Let me tell you, there is power in the name of Jesus.  

This friend who lives in Australia has also invited me over there to speak about my ministry in Jamaica.  I am not quite sure about this though, as she told me about the lace monitor that she encountered in her backyard.  I don't try to go places where there are crocodiles, so I am not sure why I should go to visit the habitat of this baby dragon. She told me that these lace monitors don't like heat.  So, I asked her to have a circle of fire around her house, if I should visit.

Now, since this is the beginning of the year, maybe I should make a resolution to face my fear of lizards.  However, at this time, I have no such resolve. I am not quite sure what is the purpose of lizards.  My animal lover friend's remind me that they eat flies.  But, that's why they invented zappers.

Maybe next year I will enter 2017, ready to face my fears.  However, this year, I will continue praying for a lizard free 2016.