I have a problem with illegitimacy. More to the point, I have a problem when the tag or label of illegitimate is applied to children born out of wedlock. I ask, "What is illegitimate about these babies, children, teens, and young adults?" The marital circumstance of their parents perhaps was not ideal, and may have been nightmarish for the Mother, but please let us not impose a label on the child!
As so often I do, I ask you to join me in the Bible for a closer look at how illegitimate the word illegitimate is when describing children conceived and/or born to a couple not married at the time, or ever for that matter.
Let's begin with Psalm 127 . . .
"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward." (v.3)
Psalm 139 . . .
"For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb. I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (vv.13-14)
Jeremiah 1 . . .
Now the word of the Lord came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (vv.4-5)
Matthew 19 . . .
Then children were brought to him that he might lay his hands on them and pray. The disciples rebuked the people, but Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” (vv.13-14)
__________
Well, this is fairly easy to follow isn't it? Children are a gift from God. The Psalmist says a heritage, and the fruit of the womb (babies) is a reward. We learn that God knew us before we were born from just a plain reading in Psalm 139 and Jeremiah 1. And the value of children in the ministry of Jesus is evident in the verses from Matthew 19.
How can a child be considered illegitimate if God knows they're going to be born? Maybe the circumstances of their conception fall under the heading of sin (sex outside of marriage / fornication). Okay that's scriptural, but it is not an indictment of the baby! Perhaps the parents are not married when the child comes into this world; it happens.
The Bible tells us that, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue...." Unfortunately it is used to bludgeon the spirits of little children by labeling them bastards and worse. They are caused sometimes irreparable harm by the thoughtless comments, accusations, and harsh words directed at them, and in their presence, by adults.
Additionally they suffer verbal blows from other children who parrot their parents' own ignorant rants. The worst of it may occur from the non-verbal daggers thrown their way as they are shunned, ignored, or minimized for no other reason than the facts surrounding their birth. This is sinful behavior directed at the defenseless, and the practitioners of it should be ashamed.
Please be careful, ladies and gentlemen. Be careful of the little children, the tweens, the teens, and young adults whose parents were not married when they were born, and/or who were born into a single parent house. Be careful in how you speak of them and to them, and to whom you speak regarding them. These little ones are gifts from God, deemed worthy of this life by God's matchless love, grace, and eternal plan.
Scripture tells us they are fearfully and wonderfully made. It tells us they are God's workmanship and are wonderful, and according to Jesus, the kingdom of Heaven belongs to them.
Fearlessly,
JD
Showing posts with label responsibility. Show all posts
Showing posts with label responsibility. Show all posts
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Challenge Before Us
What an interesting and exciting time to be a Speaker! We have the singular most marketable skill in a world ruled by communication - the ability to address an audience, to hold their attention, and to convey a message. But what is the message YOU wish to convey?
For those of you who desire the stage as a professional Speaker please remember to whom much is given, much is required. When you step in front of an audience of any size you do so as a de facto expert. If you are speaking to a local civic group about real estate, your words carry weight and people may make a decision to buy, sell, debate, or stay out of the market based on nothing more than what you say during that twenty or so minutes.
The same applies to virtually any other topic. Anthony Robbins' success today is built upon the foundation of information he taught years ago when he first came to be known as a thought leader in his own right. Your success in the future will likewise be built upon the message or messages you deliver. And remember, to your audiences the fact that you command the stage elevates you in their eyes to the position of expert.
The message which I am truly blessed to share with audiences has universal application. Every person on the planet can and should find out the reason for which they were born. We all have the opportunity to live lives of great meaning and significance when we do. Ultimately, as a Christian and a Minister, I believe a life of great meaning and significance finds its only true and lasting fulfillment through faith in Jesus Christ.
That said, it is important within the diligence and steadfastness of my faith that I frame the message in terms to which everyone can relate no matter if they self-identify as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or profess no faith at all. When I speak in a secular setting I am not preaching to win converts as much as I am disseminating a truth of Scripture which applies to all.
But, in a sense, I am preaching to win converts, and every professional Speaker is as well. Our very success depends in no small measure upon winning public opinion within our sphere of influence as a thought leader. Take for example the plethora of personal success systems. There are countless books, CDs, and DVDs on the market aimed at pleasing the 'disciples' of Jim Rohn, Anthony Robbins, or Les Brown to name only three. In every industry and market segment there are thought leaders who have followings. And so it goes with you as well.
If your message does not have universal application as mine does, you should yet frame it for as large an audience as possible. However, please endeavor to never lose sight of your audience's need to be treated honestly and with the utmost respect. You hold great responsibility when you hold the microphone. You are an expert, after all. The challenge before us as Speakers is to honor the sacred trust between Speaker and Audience, and to seek their betterment at all times.
Fearlessly,
JD
For those of you who desire the stage as a professional Speaker please remember to whom much is given, much is required. When you step in front of an audience of any size you do so as a de facto expert. If you are speaking to a local civic group about real estate, your words carry weight and people may make a decision to buy, sell, debate, or stay out of the market based on nothing more than what you say during that twenty or so minutes.
The same applies to virtually any other topic. Anthony Robbins' success today is built upon the foundation of information he taught years ago when he first came to be known as a thought leader in his own right. Your success in the future will likewise be built upon the message or messages you deliver. And remember, to your audiences the fact that you command the stage elevates you in their eyes to the position of expert.
The message which I am truly blessed to share with audiences has universal application. Every person on the planet can and should find out the reason for which they were born. We all have the opportunity to live lives of great meaning and significance when we do. Ultimately, as a Christian and a Minister, I believe a life of great meaning and significance finds its only true and lasting fulfillment through faith in Jesus Christ.
That said, it is important within the diligence and steadfastness of my faith that I frame the message in terms to which everyone can relate no matter if they self-identify as Christians, Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus or profess no faith at all. When I speak in a secular setting I am not preaching to win converts as much as I am disseminating a truth of Scripture which applies to all.
But, in a sense, I am preaching to win converts, and every professional Speaker is as well. Our very success depends in no small measure upon winning public opinion within our sphere of influence as a thought leader. Take for example the plethora of personal success systems. There are countless books, CDs, and DVDs on the market aimed at pleasing the 'disciples' of Jim Rohn, Anthony Robbins, or Les Brown to name only three. In every industry and market segment there are thought leaders who have followings. And so it goes with you as well.
If your message does not have universal application as mine does, you should yet frame it for as large an audience as possible. However, please endeavor to never lose sight of your audience's need to be treated honestly and with the utmost respect. You hold great responsibility when you hold the microphone. You are an expert, after all. The challenge before us as Speakers is to honor the sacred trust between Speaker and Audience, and to seek their betterment at all times.
Fearlessly,
JD
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Speakers! Never Discount the Miraculous
In no way do I ever discount the miraculous! As a Speaker, Evangelist, and Author, I am blessed to have many opportunities to meet a vast array of my fellow humans. They are tall and short, heavy and light, funny and serious, believe like I do and not, but they are all beautiful, and enrich this life’s experience.
In 2003, I was a delegate to the All Nations Conference of Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa. It was the first time I had crossed the Atlantic; the first time I had been on a plane for 20+ hours; and it would be the first time I would preach a sermon. I found out the day before departure that I would, in fact, be closing a revival service! What?!! All I could say to the news was, “Oh my. Wow. Are you sure? Okay. Well, praise God, He must have something in mind.” And He did.
At the time, I had been writing an internet column for almost three years. I printed eleven columns from the more than 150 I had written, packed them in my carry-on, and looked forward to writing a sermon during the 20 hour transit. I was given no information about the theme of the revival, the order of the service, or the congregation. If you have ever been asked to speak, and the person booking you says something like, “Oh we trust you! Whatever you want to share will be fine,” be gratified for their trust, then, whether or not you are a person of faith…start praying!
Sitting in the church the night of my arrival in Cape Town, I was enjoying the amazing experience of being in a different culture for worship! South African pop singer, Ricardo, was the Pastor’s guest, and doing some of his own songs when, quite suddenly, he decided to sing an old hymn. When he sang the first lyrics of ’How Great Thou Art’ tears streamed down my face. I looked down at the sheet on my lap, a column I had brought with me entitled, How Great Thou Art!
Eleven columns had been printed from more than 150. Of those eleven, I had selected ‘How Great Thou Art’ for the text of my remarks. And the theme of the revival, which I discovered upon entering the church, was Miracles in Motion! Two men (me and Ricardo), on two separate continents, six time zones and eight thousand miles apart, having never met (at least not until after the service), had one message on our lips, How Great Thou Art! Yes, God had a plan.
Speakers, you never know when your remarks are going to touch the lives of someone in your audience. Do your very best at all times to be prepared, and if it applies to you, be prayed up as well. We bear a wonderful and awesome responsibility to our audiences to bring them our very best, and in doing so, we will find that not only are they blessed, but we will be as well.
Fearlessly,
JD
In 2003, I was a delegate to the All Nations Conference of Ministers in Cape Town, South Africa. It was the first time I had crossed the Atlantic; the first time I had been on a plane for 20+ hours; and it would be the first time I would preach a sermon. I found out the day before departure that I would, in fact, be closing a revival service! What?!! All I could say to the news was, “Oh my. Wow. Are you sure? Okay. Well, praise God, He must have something in mind.” And He did.
At the time, I had been writing an internet column for almost three years. I printed eleven columns from the more than 150 I had written, packed them in my carry-on, and looked forward to writing a sermon during the 20 hour transit. I was given no information about the theme of the revival, the order of the service, or the congregation. If you have ever been asked to speak, and the person booking you says something like, “Oh we trust you! Whatever you want to share will be fine,” be gratified for their trust, then, whether or not you are a person of faith…start praying!
Sitting in the church the night of my arrival in Cape Town, I was enjoying the amazing experience of being in a different culture for worship! South African pop singer, Ricardo, was the Pastor’s guest, and doing some of his own songs when, quite suddenly, he decided to sing an old hymn. When he sang the first lyrics of ’How Great Thou Art’ tears streamed down my face. I looked down at the sheet on my lap, a column I had brought with me entitled, How Great Thou Art!
Eleven columns had been printed from more than 150. Of those eleven, I had selected ‘How Great Thou Art’ for the text of my remarks. And the theme of the revival, which I discovered upon entering the church, was Miracles in Motion! Two men (me and Ricardo), on two separate continents, six time zones and eight thousand miles apart, having never met (at least not until after the service), had one message on our lips, How Great Thou Art! Yes, God had a plan.
Speakers, you never know when your remarks are going to touch the lives of someone in your audience. Do your very best at all times to be prepared, and if it applies to you, be prayed up as well. We bear a wonderful and awesome responsibility to our audiences to bring them our very best, and in doing so, we will find that not only are they blessed, but we will be as well.
Fearlessly,
JD
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