My father, the late Rev. Dr. Clarence E. Stowers, Sr. was a wise man. He had a lot of what’s missing today – COMMON SENSE. He was an expert at summing up life with quick pithy statements.
The best financial planning seminar I ever attended was my dad’s. It didn’t involve plane tickets, hotels, conference fees, or books. It took less than five minutes & here’s what he said:
“Son, it’s not the money you make, it’s the money you hold on to.”
Make yourself a budget.
Live BELOW your means.
Pack your lunch.
Pinch pennies.
Save as much as you can.
Get the education you need for as cheap as you can get it.
The art of holding on to money is all about saying no to stuff you don’t need. Say no to eating out, $4 fancy coffee, and that shiny new computer when the old one still works fine.
Sometimes life is lonely and filled with pitfalls, discouragement and rejection. When those dark days roll around and I need a boost, I open my praise file & remember what God has done for me.
Instead of keeping failure and negative files, keep a praise file. Refer to it often but don’t get lost in past glory— keep it around for when you need the lift.
Over two thousand years ago, in the Middle East, an event occurred that permanently changed the world. Because of that event, history was split. Every time you write a date, you’re using the resurrection of Jesus Christ as the focal point.
What’s so important about Easter? It’s important because it proved that Jesus was who he claimed to be. He was God in the flesh, and He came to earth to save us. Four events occurred in a dramatic succession on that Easter weekend: the betrayal of Jesus, then the suffering of Jesus, next came the crucifixion of Jesus, and finally the resurrection of Jesus.
It’s been said a picture is worth a thousand words so Let’s look at each of those events and their implications.
But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.” (John 6:64 NLT).
While we cannot be absolutely certain why Judas betrayed Jesus, some things are certain. First, although Judas was chosen to be one of the Twelve, all scriptural evidence points to the fact that he never believed Jesus to be God. He even may not have been convinced that Jesus was the Messiah (as Judas understood it). Unlike the other disciples that called Jesus “Lord,” Judas never used this title for Jesus and instead called him “Rabbi,” which acknowledged Jesus as nothing more than a teacher. You can read more HERE.
But many were amazed when they saw him. His face was so disfigured he seemed hardly human, and from his appearance, one would scarcely know he was a man. Isaiah 52:14
Jesus suffered most severely throughout the trials, torture, and crucifixion (Matthew 27; Mark 15; Luke 23; John 19). As horrible as His physical suffering was, it was nothing compared to the spiritual suffering He went through.
Then one of the Temple guards standing nearby slapped Jesus across the face. “Is that the way to answer the high priest?” he demanded. Jesus replied, “If I said anything wrong, you must prove it. But if I’m speaking the truth, why are you beating me?” (John 18:22-23 NLT)
Beginning before 6:00am, Jesus was subjected to harsh interrogation, beaten, spit on, mocked, brutally whipped, and finally convicted and made to carry His cross to His own crucifixion. He was nailed by His hands (or wrists) and feet to the cross and left hanging for hours before He died. You can read more about it HERE.
Scripture presents conclusive evidence that Jesus Christ was in fact resurrected from the dead. Christ’s resurrection is recorded inMatthew 28:1-20;Mark 16:1-20;Luke 24:1-53; andJohn 20:1–21:25. The resurrected Christ also appeared in the Book of Acts (Acts 1:1-11). The resurrection is not an event, it’s a person and His name is Jesus.
What a glorious truth the resurrection of Christ is! “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).
Like many, I eagerly anticipated the airing of the show Scandal. Whenever I see beautiful, African Americans who are power players in our Nation’s capital, I’m excited. So, like millions, I was glued to the TV wondering what would happen to Hollis, will Fitz divorce his wife, and would Olivia & Edison become a permanent item.
DISCLAIMER:
If you’re a fan of the show, you may be offended if you continue reading.
With all the strong television shows for women, I don’t know why a beautiful, African American women forsakes a relationship with an African American Senator (Edison) for a married man (President Fitz).
I know why…love makes you do crazy things & act out of character.
Before you go sucking your teeth, rolling your eyes and calling me self-righteous, hear me out. I think there is an opportunity here to encourage the writers of the show to be bold and courageous.
I am rooting for the show to succeed, but, the creators have to be fearless and let Olivia Pope not be another man’s mistress. She’s too beautiful, too strong, and too smart for that. I say let Olivia Pope control the interactions with her lovers. Don’t allow her to be a woman of straw that bends in whatever direction her lover needs. Additionally, I’d love to see her relationship with Edison grow into a beautiful picture of a healthy/strong relationship.
Finally, If not Edison, Olivia needs a new love interest and assert her independence from Fitz. People seem to be ignoring the fact Olivia is having an affair with a married man. In my humble opinion, that isn’t romantic…it’s actually tragic and pathetic.
Why?
At the end of the day Olivia goes home to her apartment ALONE and single…hardly an equal relationship.
Boring is predictable. Boring is no fun. The boring slot is already taken so go ahead create something that will make the world awesome!
Stop blaming your circumstances on others. Stop whining. Stop complaining. Stop blaming others for the decisions you’ve made. As Dr. Mike Murdock says, “never complain about what you permit.”
Your present circumstances are existing with your permission. Your toleration of them breathes life and longevity into them. Intolerance of your present will create a different future. Nothing will really change in your life until you cannot tolerate the present any longer.
Thanks Kid President – you encouraged me & I’m paying it forward and encouraging others.
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Best regards,
Clarence E. Stowers, Jr.
