Happy February, Everyone!
By Dr. Ayvonne Reese

The traditional month of romantic love… And, what is love? Is it those warm fuzzies you feel every time that special someone walks into the room? Or is it the goose bumps that run up and down your arm when she/he says your name? Ask someone who has been married for thirty or more years how important the warm fuzzies and goose bumps are at this point in their marriage! I believe that these may be ‘symptoms’ of love—though (let’s be honest) it could also be infatuation.

Okay, so let’s move on to my real point--true Christian love. It can be summed up in three little words: “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) This same verse also states: “He that loveth not knoweth not God.” Wow, what a strong statement! So, at this point, it behooves us to take a good inner look at our lives. Do I love? Am I loving? Let’s take inventory:

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

The old hymn: “And they'll know we are Christians by our love, by our love…”

“Love your enemies, bless them that curse you…” (Matt. 5:44)

I work with some interesting people. One of these people can be so mean and sarcastic that, at one time, I did not want to acknowledge their presence to say hello. Yet, the Lord reminded me: “And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matt. 5:47, ESV) Oh, it was hard, but now (most of the time), I can greet this person even with a smile. However, I am always polite and cordial. How about you?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…” (Matthew 28:17, ESV)

Witnessing! Do you still do it? Again, it’s a commandment—not an option. The most loving thing that we can do for another human being is to point them toward the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes, we plant a seed, sometimes we water someone else’s seed, and sometimes we get the harvest. (1 Cor. 3:6) Yet, sometimes, we dupe ourselves into thinking that we do not want to offend others by talking about Jesus. Okay, so what is the greater offense? A few words about the Lord now that they may or may not receive? (SO WHAT?) Or that they spend an eternity burning and rotting in hell because we wouldn’t open our mouths? Hmmm…

The bottom line is if we love our family, friends, coworkers, etc., we will tell them—even in small ways—about the plan of salvation.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” (Mark 12:31, ESV)

You must love and respect your own self as a creation of God—created in the very image of God. You cannot effectively love others if you do not love yourself. Now, this is not referring to narcissistic love or prideful love—just love where you accept, value, and see yourself as God does. This means that you start speaking positive things in your life. You must leave behind the old things that others have programmed into your mind:

Don’t take up where those negative people left off in your life. If need be, talk to your pastor or a qualified, Christian counselor—whichever you feel led by God to do. But, most importantly, be healed in the Name of Jesus, and move on in His Victory and soul-restoring power. He loves you—you can ask Him for the strength to love yourself.

Well, I pray that this has been a productive time of inventory-taking. Love God, love others, and love yourself. And, until the next installment, have a happy, loving month of February!

P.S. Happy Valentine’s Day!

@February 2, 2010

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Recognition of Christmas
By Dr. Ayvonne Reese

Hello, again my friends. I pray that this installment finds you blessed of the Lord and inspired during this special season. I love the fact that we are still able to openly celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Sure, I know that there is much debate concerning His actual date of birth. Yet, it is still a privilege that, once a year, we are able to set aside time to focus on Him.

December is always a special month to me—one reason is that it is my birthday month. However, more than that, it definitely is the “most wonderful time of the year.” I am also blessed that my local fellowship, Beulah Tabernacle Church , actually has a Christmas morning service. I am inspired by the lights, the colors, the music, the parties, etc. Yet, for many years, I have been careful not to become swept up in the commercialism of it all.

However, what concerns me this year is that I have seen the downward decline in the actual recognition of the Christmas season. Even though we can still drive down streets in our neighborhoods and see lights, there are no where as many as there used to be. Stores are not decorating as much; some do not play Christmas music like years gone by. Of course, many stores and organizations only want to wish you a happy holiday--if they say that at all. Also, can someone please tell me what a Holiday Tree is? Schools no more have a Christmas Break—it’s just a Winter Break—as if the only reason why students get a rest from school is that the temperatures have dropped.

Yet, I am one (of many) who still acknowledges the Lord during this time. I still say “Merry Christmas.” I look to see which stores and locations are decorating and playing the music that I so love to hear. I feel that, if they really want my money, they will cater to what I want, also. And yes, I do boycott some stores that are being ‘naughty’, and not nice. I do not appreciate them having all of these specials to raw me in, but denying my Christian traditions at the same time.

Okay, to some, I realize that this may sound like a borderline militant stance, but where do we draw the line? We will freely give away our traditions and freedoms in the name of not offending others until we have none. And, what do we pass along to the next generation? “Oh, have a happy winter break with lots of new toys and holiday trees, my dear. But, don’t forget to acknowledge every other tradition and heritage except the one that started this whole season, sweetheart.” When children begin to ask: What is a carol? Why did people used to call this day Christmas? Mommy, I heard someone talk about a man named Jesus today, who was he?—then we’ll know that we have failed them utterly.

It may seem far-fetched. Yet, in my estimation, the train has already left the station and is gaining frightening momentum every year, month, week, day, etc…in small, but significant, ways.

@ December 16, 2009

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Let the Church be the Church
Dr. Ayvonne Reese

We are “…the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” - 1 Timothy 3:15

Greetings! My name is Dr. Ayvonne Reese, and I am a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am a native of the Hampton Roads area; I was born and raised in the city of Norfolk .

This column will be focused on issues that pertain to us as the body of Christ. We are His ambassadors/representatives here on earth, and we should conduct ourselves accordingly.

In these days of turmoil and turbulence, it is important that the church be just that—the Church of the Living God. Jesus said: “…I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18) What kind of church is the Lord building? A weak, powerless, defenseless one? Not at all! However, this is what the world sees and reflects back to us in the mirror of their perceptions.

The church has been a sleeping giant that is beginning to slowly awake. Yet, for too long, we have been silent on issues that are glaring at us, begging for our attention: abortion, same-sex marriage, broken marriages, violent youth, etc. These problems warrant solutions—the ones that can be found in the Lord Jesus and in His Word.

Join me in the next few months—and beyond—as we tackle these issues with a Biblical worldview. Until next time, may the Lord Jesus make His Face to shine upon you and yours!

--Dr. Reese

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