Truth Unveiled Through Divine Revelation: An Extraordinary Collection of Inspirational Poems,Prayers, Short Stories, Dreams,Visions, and Words of Wisdom to Live By

By Valorie Ray Jeffries

This one-of-a-kind, unique book is truly a must have collectors item and should be in the home of every Christian and prospective believer. It is filled with divine inspiration, a treasure of poems, prayers, words of wisdom, dreams, visions, and delightful fictional short stories. Its passages cover a broad range of meaningful topics, questions, and answers pertaining to the principles of daily living and road to pursuing a Christian walk. It can be used as a daily devotional, for meditation, or as a study guide. Its beautiful images have been carefully selected to capture every subject and has a library of hundreds of scriptural references. This extraordinary collection will take the reader on a wonderful journey, revisiting each page over and over again. It has been written to encourage, to inspire, to shine the light of hope upon every situation, to unlock the mind and to usher it through new dimensions, lifting the spirit to greater and higher heights.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Oct 6, 2014
• ISBN: 9781499067958

Valorie Ray Jeffries

Valorie Ray Jeff ries is an ordained minister of the Gospel and a retired registered nurse .She is a native of New Jersey and was raised in the city of Newark: It was there at the age of thirteen that she began her first writing of poetry merely as a hobby. Through the many passing years she continued to write, inspired by the Holy on a more mature and spiritual level. Because of her deep love, compassion and genuine concern for the physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of others, she decided to publish her work so that as many people as possible throughout the world may be inspired and be partakers of the wisdom and knowledge that has been revealed to her. Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall fi nd; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: Isaiah: 55:1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

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Copyright © 2014 by Valorie Ray Jeffries.

Library of Congress Control Number:   2014915612

ISBN:      Hardcover      978-1-4990-6796-5

                Softcover         978-1-4990-6797-2

                eBook              978-1-4990-6795-8

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

Scripture quotations marked KJV are from the Holy Bible, King James Version (Authorized Version). First published in 1611. Quoted from the KJV Classic Reference Bible, Copyright ©1983 by The Zondervan Corporation.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Also Pixabay, Freeimage, and Fotolia.

Rev. date: 11/07/2014

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CONTENTS

Acknowledgements

Introduction

CHAPTER 1

Agape Love

1.   A Mother’s Love

2.   Bullies

3.   Friends

4.   Heal Them with Love

5.   Lift Your Brother

6.   Lord, Please Help Me to Remember

7.   Love Still Wins

8.   Love Ye One Another

9.   Sweet Holy Spirit

10.   The Last Visitor

CHAPTER 2

Encouragement

11.   A Word in Due Season

12.   As I Grow Old Gracefully

13.   Be Anxious for Nothing

14.   Be of Good Courage

15.   Broken Heart

16.   God Has a Better Plan for You

17.   God’s Gonna Bring You Out!

18.   Goodnight, My Friend

19.   The Holy Comforter (I Love You)

20.   I Got Them Old Blues Again

21.   I Love You, Says the Lord

22.   I Am Beautiful

23.   I know Who I Am

24.   I Shall Live and Not Die

25.   I Still Hear You

26.   Laughter, the Fountain of Youth

27.   Let’s Be Happy Today

28.   May You Find Peace

29.   Men Are Often Like Children in a Playground

30.   Take Good Care of Yourself

31.   Time to Think outside the Box

32.   You Can Do Anything

33.   We Are Not Alone

34.   What a Friend We Have in Jesus

35.   When We Cry, God Cries Too!

36.   Winning with the Hand You’re Dealt

37.   Why Now, My Child, Would I Abandon Thee?

38.   Yes, I Can

39.   You Are So Beautiful

CHAPTER 3

Faith and Trust in God

40.   A Ship without an Anchor

41.   Be Transformed by the Renewing of Your Mind

42.   Faith without Works

43.   For What Purpose was I Born?

44.   God Is Love

45.   God Never Makes a Mistake

46.   I Am

47.   In God We Trust

48.   Oh Ye of Little Faith

49.   Supernatural Healing

50.   What If the River Runs Dry?

51.   What So a Man Thinketh, So Is He

52.   Who Is God?

53.   Why Do You Fear?

54.   Why Will You Die?

55.   Without You

CHAPTER 4

God’s Forgiveness

56.   Come Back to Me

57.   Is Homosexuality a Sin?

58.   God’s Grace

59.   Lord, Have Mercy

60.   Shall We Continue in Sin?

61.   Where Are Your Accusers Now?

CHAPTER 5

God’s Creation

62.   Autumn Leaves

63.   Blessed to be Black

64.   Blessed to be White

65.   Children

66.   Color-Blind

67.   Grandchildren

68.   Majestic Winters

69.   Springtime Showers

70.   The Glory of Summer

71.   The World Is So Beautiful

CHAPTER 6

Issues of the Heart

72.   Anger

73.   A Quiet Spirit

74.   A Thief’s Reward

75.   Bitterness

76.   Child Abuse

77.   False Pride

78.   Jealousy

79.   The Fate of a Liar

80.   The Hidden Talent

81.   The Flesh Is a Love-Hate Thing

82.   We Must Learn to Forgive

83.   Will a Man Rob God?

CHAPTER 7

Keep Your Eyes on the Prize

84.   All I Need

85.   Answer the Call (The Commission)

86.   Are You Following the Wrong Crowd?

87.   But to He that Endureth to the End

88.   Celebrity Preachers

89.   Centered on Him

90.   Even So, Come, Lord Jesus

91.   Eyes White Like the Moon

92.   God Hath Chosen the Foolish Things of the World to Confound the Wise

93.   Just Livin’

94.   Have You Heard?

95.   How Long? How Long, Jesus, Before You Come?

96.   How Much Do You Love Me?

97.   How Much Time Do You Have?

98.   I’ve Come Too Far By Faith To Turn Back Now

99.   I Will Fast

100.   I will Pray

101.   Jesus Is Coming Soon

102.   The Awards

103.   The Bridegroom Cometh

104.   The Futile Desires of Men

105.   The Love of Money Is the Root of All Evil!

106.   The Message Is Still the Same

107.   True Wealth

108.   When You Were Little in Your Own Eyes

109.   Who Is This?

110.   Will You Be Ready?

111.   You Better Be Real

112.   You Can Run But You Can’t Hide

CHAPTER 8

Love and Marriage

113.   Act Like a Lady, Think Like the Lord

114.   And Never Says I Love You

115.   A Song within My Heart

116.   Falling in Love

117.   God Hates Divorce

118.   Honey, Please Give Me One More Chance

119.   Husbands, Love Your Wives

120.   I Can No Longer Remember

121.   I Remember

122.   I’ve Got a Crush on You

123.   If You Marry Her

124.   Lonely Hearts

125.   Love Comes in Many Different Packages

126.   Love Will Come Again

127.   My First Love

128.   Somewhere Out There Waiting

129.   Strangers in the Night

130.   The Other Woman

131.   Thinking about You, Honey

132.   This Thing Called Love, Oh My!

133.   True Love

134.   Winter Men

CHAPTER 9

Praise and Worship

135.   Beautiful Jesus

136.   Good Morning, Lord

137.   Hope for Tomorrow

138.   I Can’t Live without His Love

139.   I Love You More

140.   In His Presence

141.   I Will Bless the Lord at All Times

142.   Jesus is the Life, the Truth, and the Way

143.   Not on the Program

144.   Oh How Sweet the Name of Jesus

145.   Praise Dance

146.   The Greatest Gift of All

147.   The Image of Love

CHAPTER 10

Restoration

148.   Draw Me Near

149.   Lord, Create in Me a Clean Heart

150.   Lord, Hide Not Thy Face From Me A Prayer For God’s Presence

151.   More Stubborn Than the Israelites

152.   Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone and All the World Go Free?

153.   Nevertheless, Let Thy Will Be Done

154.   Outside the Safety of the Ark

155.   Prodigal Son

156.   What More Could I Have Done

CHAPTER 11

Victory

157.   Already Won

158.   Dear Soldier

159.   Depression

160.   Don’t Cry for Me when I’m Gone

161.   Feel Like You’re Losing Your Mind

162.   God’s Young and Tender, Precious Little Seeds)

163.   Insanity

164.   I Hear Voices

165.   I Won’t Complain

166.   Let the Weak Say I am Strong

167.   Moving On

168.   Oh Death, Where Is Thy Sting?

169.   Suicidal Contemplations

170.   The Lion Will Lie Down with the Lamb

171.   The Kingdom of God Suffereth Violence

172.   Under the Arm of Slavery

173.   War! War! War!

CHAPTER 12

Dreams and Visions

174.   A Glimpse of Hellfire

175.   Behold the Lamb in the Sky

176.   Is Your Name Written in the Lamb’s Book of Life?

177.   Outside the Gates of Heaven

178.   You’re Saved

CHAPTER 13

Prayers

179.   A Prayer for a Giving Spirit

180.   A Prayer for Deliverance

181.   A Prayer for Direction

182.   A Prayer for Healing

183.   A Prayer for Patience

184.   A Prayer for Peace

185.   A Prayer for Protection

186.   A Prayer for Salvation

187.   A Prayer for the Children

188.   A Prayer for the Clergy and Leaders

189.   A Prayer for the Lost

190.   A Prayer for Wisdom

191.   A Prayer Of Thankgiving

192.   A Prayer To Forgive

CHAPTER 14

Wisdom Notes

In loving memory of my parents,

Jewell and Catherine Ray,

and

To my beautiful sisters

Lorraine Ray Williams and Diane Ray Wilburn

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thanks be to God for his divine inspiration and to my dear husband Ruben Jeffries for his love, patience and sacrifice during the many long hours it took me away from him as he saw me through this book. A special thanks to my children, my siblings and other family members as they took the time to listen to me read the many pages in its creative form. Thank you for all your support and encouragement

I would like to personally express my gratitude to Pastor Haywood Nicholas Williams, Bishop Clarence and pastor Naomi Dennis and last but not least Pastor Barry Adams for their strong spiritual guidance and contributions to my inspiration and knowledge.

Thanks to the editors and book cover designers for their expertise in making sure that this book was in polished condition and ready for publishing.

INTRODUCTION

The perplexities of life can be very challenging. One might ask the question who am I? For what purpose was I born? What determines the value of my life? How do I know for certain what is right or wrong? There are many times when the opinions and answers we receive from the very limited philosophy, wisdom, and knowledge of others is just not enough to satisfy the yearning and void within us, and at times leaves us even more empty and confused.

Many have said we are not born in this world with a manual. That statement is not entirely true, for God has given us instructions to live by through his Holy Scriptures and has given us his Holy Spirit who teaches us all truths; he has ordained and sent us apostles, prophets, evangelist, pastors, and teachers after his own heart.

If you feel that you have tried everything and all has failed: know that there is one who will never fail us, who is omnipotent and omnipresent, who is love and who loves us, who is perfect in all his ways. It is his desire that we find wisdom and knowledge, peace and salvation, good health and prosperity in this life and in the life to come.

Life is a wonderful journey, in spite of its ups and downs, and in spite of its twists and unexpected turns. True! At times we might feel like we’re on a rollercoaster, but if we just lift our hands up in the air and surrender, open our hearts and embrace the ride, we will find that although we may encounter some fear and apprehension, though we may at times be shaken or jilted along the way, it too can be an adventure filled with much exhilarating joy, laughter, and riveting excitement. Once we find the courage to jump on board we will not only experience the thrill of living but also enjoy the beauty of God’s creation: finding our purpose along the way. And at the end of the journey realize that it was not quite as harmful as we perceived

And so I bid you to come along with me on this journey through the pages of Truth Unveiled through Divine Revelation: a Collection of Inspirational Poems, Prayers, Short Stories, Dreams, Visions and Words of Wisdom to Live by.

Valorie Ray Jeffries

Isaiah 55:1

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price.

CHAPTER 1

AGAPE LOVE

A MOTHER’S LOVE

A mother’s love for her children can be compared to a bilge pump that keeps the ship from sinking.

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John 19:26–27

When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home.

Isaiah 66:13

As one whom his mother comforteth, so will I comfort you; and ye shall be comforted in Jerusalem.

A MOTHER’S LOVE

A mother’s love is one of a kind

None like hers can be found

She’ll always be there for you

When no one else is around

No matter how old you are

Or how much time goes by

You’ll always hold the keys to her heart

And be the apple of her eye

Her kind words of encouragement

Will ease your worries and your fears

Her gentle soothing touch

Will comfort you and dry away your tears

A mother’s love is patient

And never does wear out

She always believes and has faith in you

Never gives up or doubts

Her love is unconditional

Whether you’re wrong or right

You’ll find her on her knees lifting you in prayer

Every morning, noon and night

A mother’s love is a gift

Given to us at birth

It is one of God’s most precious gems and treasures

Shining upon this earth

—Valorie Ray Jeffries

BULLIES

Bullying is increasingly becoming a serious problem in our society today. What is a bully? A bully is someone who targets people who appear to be timid and weak. People who seemingly are not ready, willing, or perhaps even capable of standing up for or defending themselves. Bullies believe that they have been empowered by nonverbal permission given to them by their victims to dominate, to harass, degrade, intimidate, threaten, and to perpetrate cruel mental and/or physical harm. They are in fact dangerous and can become potential murderers: leaving their victims feeling helpless to the extent of desiring to commit suicide.

What causes bullying to become a part of one’s character? We certainly are not born bullies. True, we are all born with different personality makeups according to the DNA that God has given us. Some of us by nature are laid back and quiet, talkative, and or aggressive. Still most of our behavior is learned. One might ask the question, Why would anyone want to hurt, discourage or overpower another human being or any other creature for that matter, without cause?

The overconfident persona that a bully portrays on the outside is in fact the reverse of what he really feels hidden on the inside. He is not confident but to the contrary feeds on a false sense of confidence from the act of bullying others. Somewhere in his past he too more than likely has been a victim of bullying in some way. Whether a bully is consciously or subconsciously aware of his behavior, he is trying to compensate for his own insecurities; stemming from feelings of being unloved, low self-esteem, or from not having a positive reinforcement of self-worth from his internal home and or external environment.

Bullying becomes a way for the perpetrator of fulfilling the need for validation and winning the acceptance and the attention of their peers. Do bullies have a conscience? I believe they do. But that conscience is overshadowed by a stronger need to feel that they are in control as they mask their inner insecurities. The characteristics of a bully can develop within a small child and follow him throughout adulthood, leading to more serious and criminal behavior.

It is a sinful, wicked act of evil before God and man. It is by no means something new. It has been going on since the beginning of time, since man occupied the face of the earth. Nations bully nations. Kings, dictators bully their citizens. Races bully other races. Religions bully other religions. It is one of the characteristics and ploys of Satan to try and destroy the mind and spirit of a man. Although we cannot say that everyone who bullies is directly influenced by Satan, we can rest assured that he is one of the main cheerleaders that stand on the sidelines throwing coal on the fire.

What can be done to prevent bullying? We may never be able to completely stop the cycle or need for bullying, but we may be able to soften its blow by empowering the victim with the ammunition to fight back by first recognizing that bullying is going on, by identifying the perpetrator, and by immediately seeking clinical counseling, protection, and coping skills for the victim in order to reverse the psychological damage done. The perpetrator must also receive counseling and be educated about the devastating effects that bullying can have on its victims. They must also be made aware that it is a criminal act and punishable by law.

From the day of birth, parents should make sure that their children feel loved, protected, and secure. On a daily basis they should tell them how beautiful or handsome they are. They should tell them how proud they are of them and how much God loves them. They should make it a priority to praise and encourage them. In this way they will be able to build their child’s self-esteem and confidence, and as a result, be able to kill two birds with one stone. The potential bully will no longer be persuaded or feel the need to be a bully and the victim will no longer be vulnerable or easily intimidated by the bully.

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1 John 3:15

Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer, and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him.

Galatians 5:19–21

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, and they are these: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, quarreling, rivalry, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envying, murders, drunkenness, revelings, and such like. About these things I tell you again, as I have also told you in times past, that those who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.

1 John 4:20

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?

Matthew 5:22

But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment; and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council; but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

1 John 4:8

He that loveth not, knoweth not God, for God is love.

1 Peter 2:17

Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king.

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

1 John 4:11

Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.

Galatians 5:22-23

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Romans 12:10

Have kindly affection one for another with brotherly love, in honor preferring one another;

BULLIES

I smiled and you frowned at me

I reached out my hand and you held yours back

I chose to make peace and befriend you

But you chose instead to attack

You laughed and you mocked and you ridiculed me

The very sight of my presence you despised

Without reason or cause you looked at me

With so much hatred in your eyes

You made me feel like an outcast

In front of all of our peers

I felt so humiliated, embarrassed, so hurt and ashamed

You made me cry so many tears

You crushed my spirit until my self-esteem was so low

I began to believe all of your lies

Every time that I looked in the mirror

All I wanted to do was die

But then I heard the still small voice of God within me say

That I am fearfully and wonderfully made

And because of his love that abides in me,

My beauty shall never fade

Although to you it might seem powerful to be a bully

And to inflict pain on those who choose to turn the other cheek

To the contrary, my friend, victims are the true heroes

Bullies are the real cowards and the ones who are really weak

—Valorie Ray Jeffries

FRIENDS

In this life one may have many acquaintances but finding a true friend is like finding a priceless jewel. When dark clouds dim our way, the light of friends brighten our path. They listen without judgment and speak without prejudice. Their patience is longer than intolerance. They are slow to anger and are ready to forgive. They celebrate our success and encourage us when we fail. They laugh when we laugh and they cry when we cry. They lift us up and never put us down, for their love is pure and unconditional. They stand by our side and stick closer than a brother.

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Proverbs 18:24

A man that hath friends must show himself friendly, and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.

John 15:13

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

John 15:15

Henceforth I call you not servants, for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.

FRIENDS

Friends are more priceless than gold

They stand faithful beside us as we grow old

They often seem to find the time

To listen to what is on our minds

They’re always there in times of need

To lift a helping hand

They never pry or question why

Though they may not understand

They share our hopes and dreams

Our failures and success

They speak words of encouragement

And wish for us the best

Friends are slow to anger

And quick to forgive

They cherish and respect each other

For as long as they shall live

They share our thoughts and secrets

The things we don’t confide in others

They always keep their promises

They stick closer than a brother

Friends are a blessing

Sent from heaven above

Through them God wraps his arms around us

And showers us with his love

—Valorie Ray Jeffries

HEAL THEM WITH LOVE

Love has a way of putting a smile on faces where there are tears and frowns. Like a dose of potent medicine, love reaches deep down into the spirit and begins to heal the mind, body and soul.

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John 13:34–35

A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

HEAL THEM WITH LOVE

This world is full of lies and deception

Pompous and foolish pride

A facade of characteristics

Wherein most people try to hide

It is filled with anger, fear, and disappointment

So much distrust and suspicion

Leaving many minds caught in a trapped

And confused state of condition

But judging one another only makes the problem deeper

We must bear our brother’s burdens

And become our brother’s keeper

This world is made up of so many people

So many different faces

So many beliefs and cultures

Nationalities and races

If some people seem to you imperfect

And you don’t understand their ways

Don’t criticize or put them down

Show a little compassion and encourage them with praise

And if they don’t look, think, or talk

Or act the way you do

Accept them for who they are

And treat them exactly the way that you would have them to treat you

And if by chance you pass someone who has fallen by the way

Who appears to be disheveled by life’s troubles

Try to find a kind word from within your heart to say

So please don’t frown or turn your nose up or stick your head up high up in the clouds above

But with one small act of kindness, wrap your arms around them and heal them with your love

—Valorie Ray Jeffries

LIFT YOUR BROTHER

Most of us have heard the song He ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, but do we practice the meaning of those words? Where is the Good Samaritan in us? Have we closed our ears to the cry of the needy? How do we trample on and pass by our brothers who have fallen? How shall we mock and laugh at the lot of his calamity? We all live in the same boat. If we don’t lift our hands to help balance the weight of his load the scales will soon tip to the other side and we shall all sink together.

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Galatians 6:2

Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ

LIFT YOUR BROTHER

The weak are seldom understood

They are cast aside the road of impatient hearts

The rich seldom give to the poor

The arm of the strong overpower those of lesser strength

Every plant takes root from whence a seed was sown

Yet who will take the blame for empty fields?

So what shall it be, smooth hands and a wicked heart?

Shall we kill the bud before it blooms?

Shall we add grief where there is sorrow?

Shall we inflict pain where there are open wounds?

Gifts are received with joy and gladness

But ridicule swallows up pride

And cuts down new sprouts

Causing the true beauty of one’s spirit to hide

Love is more than a warm feeling

Nor is it just a carefree day

But it is expressed in the things that we do

And in the things we say

—Valorie Ray Jeffries

LORD, PLEASE HELP ME TO REMEMBER

We shall be rewarded for the good works that we have done, and so shall we be rewarded for the good works that we have not done.

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James 2:15–16

If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Proverbs 21:13

Whoso stoppeth his ears at the cry of the poor, he also shall cry himself, but shall not be heard.

Matthew 25:41–46

Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For I was an hungred, and ye gave me no meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me no drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not. Then shall they also answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, or athirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sick, or in prison, and did not minister unto thee? Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.

LORD, PLEASE HELP ME

TO REMEMBER

Lord, my spirit is sad and weary

To think of how I live a life of plenty

A bountiful harvest of food on my table

When starvation is plaguing so many

I am sheltered from the heat and the cold

Oh Lord, it makes me feel so sick inside to know

That I have clothes on my back and plenty to eat

That so many are homeless and have no place to go

Lord, I see their eyes streaming with tears

They are without drink or bread

Their starving bellies swollen from sickness and disease

The flesh on their bones wither until they are dead

Lord, please forgive me, I am guilty

Consumed with the things of this world and a high style of living

How have I forgotten my brothers and sisters?

How have I closed my hands so tight when I should have been giving?

Lord, please give me a heart of compassion like yours

Please help me to think of others as I should

To look after the widow and the orphan

To show love and concern as I go about doing good

Lord, let me be reminded and never again forget

When family and friends are surrounding me

To go and visit those who are in prison

Locked behind walls without liberty

Lord, there’s an emptiness in my heart

That nothing can fulfill

A longing and a yearning deep inside

To do your will

—Valorie Ray Jeffries

LOVE STILL WINS

It can be very tempting and perhaps even self-satisfying to stand up to what we now call baiters and haters, and we very well might feel just in doing so. It feels good when we hear others say that we’re in the right and that we’ve been wronged, because in some way or another it legitimizes our response.

No one likes to be mistreated, abused, or misused. No one likes to be taken advantage of or taken for granted. After all, we were taught as children to play fair and to do unto others as we would have them to do unto us. As we grew older we were slapped in the face with a rude awakening that life is not always fair and that everyone does not play by the golden rules. And so we begin to seek out other strategies to play the game of life, hoping that we might win.

We resort to reading all kinds of self-help