top of page
Search

Updated: Aug 25, 2021


My family and I are privileged to have a unique neighbor. Her mom and I are agemates. We moved into our house in the fall of 2005 when she was just thirteen. My family and I were the only people of color in an all-Caucasian neighborhood of those days. The demographical stats have somewhat maintained the status quo. What does it matter if you've got the love of God in your heart; have the joy of the Spirit, possess self-respect, and simply open your mouth to simply say "Morning, Neighbor!" with a joyous smile on your face?


Despite the differences in our ethnicities and backgrounds, Aliyah — not her real name — ensured that no Christmas passed without her duly exchanging gifts with all my five children. She was the good-natured young lady of class, charisma, and phileo love! We did the same —and shared gifts with her and her teenage daughter. We even home-watched theirs if they traveled overseas on short or long hops! Gradually, our sense of communal friendship and camaraderie; mutual respect, and honor had blossomed. Aliyah, then purchased a new home farther into the country, leaving her daughter — call her Sally — and boyfriend, plus their six-year-old granddaughter as our new neighbors! For Heavenly reasons, Sally continues the perpetuation of friendship with us much like her mom Aliyah had done almost two decades ago. My adult children are also transferring the same perpetuation onto Sally's little girl! This set of Brownies was Sally's most recent gift to us: In fact, she bakes anything from Fruit cakes to Carrot cakes, brownies — and all in between. Almost weekly, she shares with us. I wrote on my social media commenting on Sally's generosity thus: "Methinks, if you don’t get to receive bakings from your neighbor, it’s either something is wrong with you. Or them 🙂"


What is the trick?


"There's no trick anywhere. It is a fact that what you do unto others, they will learn to do to you. It is very easy and simple: Whatever relationship types you're involved in, do unto others as you would love for them to do unto you. Goodness and generosity already have embedded in their genetic codings, the law of perpetuation! How you would love others to treat you, sit down and thoughtfully think it through first. THEN, TREAT THEM THAT VERY SAME WAY. And never let that baton rest with you: Pass it onwards!"

P.S

Get to feed your faith by watching our Youtube.com/user/harvestways channel. Subscribe to it with a click upon the Notification bell. Then SHARE freely. Thank you!


Should you love to book a one-on-one counseling session with Pastor Sammy, then, click here to book: https://www.harvestways.org/counseling


Photo credit: Sammy Joseph Ministries. Copyrighted photo used by permission and must not be reproduced, stored, or altered without the written permission of the copyrights holder!

6 views0 comments

I am not a doomsday prophet, but I'd love for you to be forewarned, and thus fore-armed! Fore-armed against the notorious thought that answering the call of God - or doing the bidding of the Father from the heart - leaves you a foolproof guarantee and assurances that you would inherit the promise. Or that you would NEVER face nagging, troublesome issues! Far from it! Instead, please note crucially that EVERYONE called of God certainly undergoes a crucial junction in their life's journeys with the eternal God! This junction is the Valley of Uncertainties.


Valleys of Uncertainties are best summed up in David's description in Psalms 74:9 where David says: 1.) His signs from God had all but disappeared. 2.) There is no more prophet sent, and, 3.) He didn't know for sure how long until the light will be shed from above in light of the current predicament!


Joseph encountered his Valleys of Uncertainties many times before receiving the promise. Ruth settled it in her heart to seek the eternal welfare of her mother-in-law, Naomi, and look after her in her old age. When they both had arrived Bethlehem - the house of Bread - and had been hungry and famished, the young lady did not bolt back, and away to Moab. Rather, she chose to listen to the wise counsel of her aged mentor! David too had followed the instruction of Jesse his father, to go look after the well-being of his brothers at the war-front when destiny would have him hear the empty boasting of the Giant Goliath. That encountered had changed his little life. but then, when Saul would chase him into the deserts for so many years, looking to murder him, David had cried out "What is my sin? What have I don't, that the whole King of Israel would love to have me put to death for?" Jesus Christ too had almost buckled at the weight of His imminent death upon the cross. He had prayed: "Father, if it's only possible that you let this cup pass over me; nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done!"


IF YOU ARE IN THE VALLEY OF UNCERTAINTY:

1.) Be proven in the perfect will of God (Romans 12:2); and,

2.) Commit your soul unto the hands of the Righteous Judge that judges righteously (1Peter 2;19-24).

3.) You may also choose to watch this teaching https://youtu.be/kOrLc3_Okdk and subscribe to our channel with a click upon the Notification Bell.

We thank you!

11 views1 comment

The majestic OAK. The symbol of the strength of character, depth of in-depth wisdom, the width of magnanimity, and soaring height towers of grace. These are the attributes the Holy Spirit would encourage each of His children to possess - as the days turn into weeks. weeks into months. And months into years.


Why is this so?


This is because the oak tree is a symbol of majestic strength. It stands in a world of its own. It is formidable and grows through the years of hardship and adversity. It weathers the storms that blew others away. So, so much expectation is laid upon the Oak.


Dear Oak-christian, God has endowed you with much! Just because .... one of the "just-because" is the truth that you will encounter the brambles and spikey-shrubs in your growth of life, some of which will endeavor to spike and draw carvings on you. Some will do this out of spite; others, out of ignorance. Whatever the adversity you encounter is called, remember you are not another tree. Your roots are given to you to draw sap for any that would be engrafted into you. This is your destiny: Be not afraid, you will NEVER run dry.


Therefore, be compassionate. Be kind. Be gentle with other shrubs and trees of lesser girth and width than you. Be understanding. Be accommodating. Be slow to speak and quick-footed on the brake-pedal to spare the lives of emergencies that cross your pathway of travel. God will help you. God will preserve you. And if your branch has fallen on another, please, re-visit the incident, and foster His peace, your peace!

53 views0 comments
bottom of page