I am not a clinican, therefore I can’t provide citations or cases to confirm my beliefs however I’ve found that its helpful to remind myself of the champions of my spiritual journey. My champions are people who were willing to engage in spiritual warfare and defend the right for the existence of persons like myself (including those uniformed and spiritual soldiers who died before I was born). As challenging as it can be today, our champtions faced the unthinkable and did so without the promise that anyone would remember their names or faces.
As we know, Memorial Day is a day to remember those who paid the ultimate price in service to this nation. This Memorial Day, I honor every woman who gave her life in service of this country. I honor them for sacrificing their lives for a country that in some cases never recognized them, their worth or their efforts. To this day, some women who serve face opposition and harrassment, yet they keep fighting, keep serving and keep striving to ensure the next generation can serve, free of fear. If the women in your family died in service to this country, please speak their names and salute them, honor them and remember them. I also honor women of faith who didn’t give up or walk away from the draw by the Divine to them. I honor those who were endured every vile name thrown at them because they knew the Divine loved them and empowered them. It is because they were willing to endure: ridicule, opposition and oppression that persons such as myself can operate a bit easier in our offices and placements. I salute you Mothers, Evangelists, Missionaries, etc.. I honor you and remember you. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette
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A while ago a series of devotionals, dominated the landscape. It seemed as if there was a “soup” for everyone. I can’t help but wonder in our age where we increasingly rely on fast food for physical meals, are we doing the same thing spiritually?
Please don’t misunderstand me, in no way am I claiming that I never enjoy fast food; sometimes I crave it but I’m also keenly aware that too much fast food over a prolonged period can have consequences that I don’t desire. Spiritual fast food can meet a temporary need but after a while can leave us longing for more than sound bite theology, overly sugary praise tunes and an undisciplined spiritual digestive track. The thing about soul food, natural and spiritual, is it takes a while to prepare. Some things have to be marinated, others need to simmer, others require soaking and still others take a while to bake. There is no substitute to marinating on spiritual principles (Jos. 1:8). Allowing your mind to be transformed requires thought over time (Rom. 12:2). Not every part of our journey is easy; some requires us to be drenched (time and time again) in prayer (1 Thess. 5:17). What’s your spiritual diet? Mine includes a daily intake of scripture with generous portions of prayer that’s been infused by worship, tall glasses of grace and heaping servings of mercy. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette Moms are superheroes. My mother showed me how to: be an active part of your child’s life; hold down a career while moving up the ladder of success; be a real person of faith (one whose walk matched her talk); obtain a degree as a working adult; have a vision for your life and work your vision; we a wife; start your own business and operate it on your own terms; change careers; change churches (while keeping your integrity and friendships intact); care for your aging parents and retire while you’re young enough and healthy enough to enjoy it.
As I celebrate my queen and you celebrate (or remember) yours, I encourage you to also celebrate, and model, her faith. Mothers hear the declaration to kill their sons and build a shelter to protect and preserve their lives (Exodus 2:3). Mothers hear angelic pronouncements about the future (Luke 1:28 – 38). Mothers love when hope doesn’t seem to be an option (John 19:25-27) and mothers won’t stop until their children get what they need to thrive (Matt. 15:22- 29). Today my sister-queens is for the Mom’s and everyone whose put on the pumps as a mom. Although every day we recognize your work, on this particular day we celebrate you just a little more and say thank you for everything including the gift of faith. Blessings, Rev. Antoinette |
AuthorRev. Antoinette Gatewood-Sykes, Inspirational Speaker Archives
May 2019
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