Being a Victor

Embarking on a new exciting venture my brother Reuben, who I have written of here, texted me today to encourage me. His timing is always perfect.

"Judith, you are a real blessing. Keep doing what comes so natural. Love you much."

"Reuben, thank you so much for that. I know that I'm rather brave but sometimes I'm not. Sometimes the things that I take on even scare me. Pray for me. I love you."

"Yeah, I'm certain you will be the victor. Always praying for you. Love..."

That last line gave me just the boost needed. It read so assuredly that I wanted to say that you too "will be the victor." Keep the faith!

Being a Daddy

Dear Daddy,

You and me, we’ve shared so many memories and even more laughs.
How about we take a second and think a little bit about the
past.

You’ve been right by my side, from little problems to big mistakes
from silly little crushes to tear dropping heartbreaks.

You’ve watched me make new friends, and ditch some old,
No matter what I’ve been through your hands have always been there to hold.

You’ve told me no, but not as often as you tell me yes,
you’ve always taught me and Julian to give our best.

From daddy daughter dances to my senior prom
you’ve held your composure with a little help from mom.

Somehow you’ve dealt with the sleepovers full of giggling girls,
to me hogging the bathroom on Sunday mornings because I need the perfect curl.

You’ve always taught me to be strong,
and face my problem head on.

You tell me to never give in,
because on you and God I can always depend.

When I was little you’d come in my room at night and we’d get on our knees and pray
and even though I’m in college now you still remind me that prayer is the only way to end my day.

I remember when I was younger and baked cookies using just flour and water,
even though it was disgusting you ate them for your daughter.

How about the time you came to help out in my second grade class and because of your tall height (compared to us) and your short hair
everybody thought you were Michael Jordan, the basketball player.

One thing I love about you is that you’ve always been the best dad you could ever be, and I also love how you let me off punishment when I shed a few tears and gave a pouty plea.

I’m a Daddy’s girl, yes its true. But I wouldn’t want to be the daughter, of anybody but you.

I love you Daddy,

Raven

(This is a poem that my niece, Raven, recently wrote for her dad, my brother, Reuben.)

Being Inexperience

"Being inexperience has no power of walking in experience."

--Reuben Ellis

My brothers always say things that linger. They are all liscensed ministers with experiences in the "real" world as executives and entrepreneurs. Sunday during his sermon Reuben spoke these words and I jotted them down. As I pondered his words throughout the week it became increasingly clear that walking in inexperience creates experience. Is there another way of getting there?

But this is the power of inexperience: the ability to create experience through our experiences. Inexperience becomes experience through our experiences. In other words, being experience is our experiences created first by inexperience. Walk in your inexperience; it is the movement that matters.

So, worry not about being inexperience. Move!

Being Merciful II

"Mercy is love in action."

--Reuben Ellis

Being Reuben Ellis

The God Kind of Love

In this time of great spiritual, physical, and emotional turmoil, it is important to realize that our world is in need of love more than ever. And not just any kind of love, but the God kind of love: love does not "delight in evil" or the calamity of others, but "rejoices with the truth" that God only desires the best for humanity. A great majority of our problems—from poverty to sickness and even death—stem from a lack love and not allowing God to love through us.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (I Cor. 13:13)

Hope is an earnest expectation. It is the very fuel of faith and power to manifest that which we hope for. However, without love our faith is ineffective, for "faith works through love." And without faith, our hopes will inevitably die. Therefore, as you search in prayer seeking answers to the challenges that you face, consider your love walk. Are you walking in the God kind of love?