What's That In Your Hand?
Posted by Katrina on Wednesday, September 1, 2010 at 5:37pm
When my son was little, I believe he was the most active child I have ever seen (for those that see him now, I know that is hard for you to believe). He was like Forrest Gump…If he went anywhere, he was running. He was really “like Mike” (Jordan that is…), jumping and leaping in the air shooting a pretend basketball, at a pretend basket, and scoring major pretend points. However, the habit that wrought my greatest frustration was the fact that he was a “thrower.” He was Satchel Paige, Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron all rolled up into one. Jamil would throw any and every thing he got his hands on. In fact, I can a recall a time we had company over at my parent’s house. Jamil was in the sitting area where they were all seated. And at the speed of lightening, Jamil picked up one of his building blocks, hurled it across the room and hit one of the guests square in the middle of the forehead (I’m laughing as I type this, but please know if was not funny at the time). Jamil’s favorite thing was to get outside at my parent’s house so he could load his pockets up and throw the gravel that lined the driveway. There were times when I would have to duck and dodge the onslaught of rocks coming at me in cannon-like fashion until I could get to him to empty his hands. Nevertheless, I still got hit a few times in the process (not a good feeling). Therefore, because I knew Jamil had the potential to hurt someone with his throwing, I tried to take a proactive approach whenever I saw him picking up a stone to throw. I would ask him, “What are you going to do with what’s in your hand? Don’t you know you can hurt someone if you throw that?” Ashamed by the fact that I had caught him; tenderhearted enough not to want to hurt anyone, Jamil always dropped his head and dropped his stones. What a powerful lesson. Many of us have made it our life’s business to carry an arsenal of stones with us everywhere we go. We have learned to keep them handy just in case we come across a target at which to freely cast them. And when it happens, when we identify our object, when we convince ourselves that we are well within “our right” to do so, like skilled marksmen, we focus in on our bull’s-eye and we fire away at will. These cast stones come in the form of many disguises - pre and post judgment, false assumptions, toxic opinions, unfair conclusions, self-righteous notions and the like. The list goes on and on. Unfortunately, while we are busy throwing our sanctimonious stones, we seem to experience memory loss, forgetting what it feels like to get hit with one. So I ask you today, “What’s that in your hand?” Before you throw it, consider the words of Jesus found in John 8:7 (NIV), "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Stones really can break bones. So the next time you consider throwing one, remember that it just might have a boomerang effect…Look Out! Copyright 2010 Katrina Spigner
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Pack Light...Carry On
Posted by Katrina on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 at 3:15pm
I love technology (at least on most days). My sister and I were recently talking to each other via instant messaging (IM) from our BlackBerrys. We were catching up on the day’s happenings and on the things going on in our lives overall. As the conversation progressed, we began to share matters of the heart. She shared with me her thoughts and the lessons she had learned as it related to friendships in her life (good, bad, and other). She also shared her journey of highs and lows and bumps and bruises. Nevertheless, at the end of her sharing was an inspirational testimony of overcoming victory and faith, mixed with the intestinal fortitude to move forward in spite of... As I received her last IM, I reflected on my own experiences. I recalled the joys of fruitful relationships in my life and recollected the feelings and tremendous weight of relationships “gone bad.” All the same, I responded to her IM with a divine lesson I learned through my own challenges. I sent her these words, “Remember this…Some luggage must be checked at the gate. Everyone in your life can’t be a carry-on.” Think about it for a moment… Prior to boarding any flight, there is a mandated check of the luggage that you may or may not be able to bring on board the plan with you. The determination is made based on the size and weight of the luggage. If it is determined that your luggage exceeds the flight’s mandated allowance, your bag(s) must be checked at the gate. And not only that, if your luggage is larger than or weighs more than your allowance, you will be charged for each additional pound. Therefore, to avoid the struggle with heavy luggage, the possible delays in your travel, and the costs associated with attempting to fly with too much weight, those intending to reach their destinations without the hassle, stress, and strain should, "Pack light and Carry-on." The bottom line is this; God has great plans for our lives. If we are going to be a “frequent-flyer” on our journey toward destiny and purpose, we must become very discerning about how, whom, and what we pack. Let’s face it; there are some people, places, things that are too heavy to make the journey with us. Checking them at the gate releases us from the burden of struggling with them on a spiritual flight that was ordained for us to be “Free to Move About The Cabin.” Therefore, I encourage you today on your journey… Pack Light, bring only the essentials in your carry-on, board the plane, put your carry-on in its proper compartment, take your seat, and enjoy the ride to your destination. And as a United Airlines slogan states, know this, “Life I a journey. Travel it well." Copyright © 2010 Katrina Spigner www.katrinaspigner.com
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Bad News...
Posted by Katrina on Friday, July 16, 2010 at 11:05am
As we consider the happenings in our world today, it can appear that things around us are completely out of control. Everywhere we turn; it seems there is a report of "bad news." Radio, television, Internet, and Smartphones have all given the media entry into our lives and bombarded us with the doom and gloom of living in this present generation. For example, here are a few of today's headlines: • Too early to celebrate well cap • D.C area rattled by earthquake • Flood-weary china braces for typhoon • Air pollution, asthma linked to suicide • Mel Gibson and hidden racism • Sex education for 5-year-olds draws fire Story after story, the list goes on and on in a downward spiral of a commentary on tragedy, disaster and darkness. Moreover, in every instance when I have been drawn into the drama and perpetuated view of dismal days and times, I have found myself feeling tremendous despondency, heaviness, and sadness. In fact, after every time I have surrendered to the infusion of "bad news" from CNN, World News Tonight, or Nightly News, the forces of hell chipped away at my hope for a "peaceful and abundant life." Now, add on top of the external, my own personal challenges, struggles, and situations which often came in the form of "bad news" - I could literally sense the weight of this world on my shoulders. BUT GOD, in His divine grace and love would not allow me to remain in that state. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, He reminded me of this simple truth: ...Whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them]. -Philippians 4:8 So, what's on your mind? Whose report do you believe? Remember that we are indeed in control of the thoughts we allow to consume us. "Bad News" does not and will never contribute to increasing our faith, inspiring our hope, or sustaining our joy. So as I have, I encourage you today to adopt these lyrics of a song from the famous musical, The Wiz as a rule for spiritual health and living: ...If you're gonna bring me something Bring me, something I can use But don't nobody bring me no bad news... Travel Note: "...How beautiful are those who bring the good news!" -Romans 10:15 Katrina Spigner © 2010 Song, "Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News" Lyrics by Charlie Smalls
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Say The Name...
Posted by Katrina on Wednesday, July 7, 2010 at 8:25am
I was riding in my car today on my way to lunch to meet a dear, dear friend. The CD that I had been listening to on the way to the office was still playing. However, I was busy navigating my way to our meeting place, so I really wasn't tuned in to the message through the music that was all around me. But after I had gotten well on my way and calmed down long enough to listen, I heard these words: Say the name of Jesus Say the name of Jesus Say the name so precious No other name I Know That can calm your fears, and dry your tears and wipe away your pain When you don't know what else to pray When you can't find the words to say Say the name Immediately the lyrics to this song enveloped my spirit as if God had wrapped Himself around me and was whispering in my ear. My eyes steeped with tears, I tried to see my way through lunch hour traffic, while out of my mouth began pouring words of worship, love, and adoration for God. And just as the song admonished, I whispered the name Jesus, Jesus, Jesus over and over again. With every worshipful whisper, I felt his peace. With every whisper, I felt His power. And with every whisper, I felt His passionate love for me. In a matter of moments, the Trinity had turned my steering wheel into an altar - into a place where I could cast away every care and lay down every burden. My encounter with the King of kings and Lord of lords had brought me suddenly into a place of perfect peace. If you are in a place where you are facing fears, you have been crying tears, and struggling through horrific pain, let me encourage you today. Stop whatever you are doing right now. Take a slow deep breath. And with a worshipful heart, exhale the name...Jesus. What's in a name you might ask...When the name is Jesus...EVERYTHING! Katrina Spigner © 2010 Song, "Say The Name" by Martha Munizzi 2005
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