Thursday, July 9, 2009

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Along life's road Honor thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee. — Exodus 20:12. Apart from June being my birth month and also that of my late father, it is an "active" month — the beginning of the hurricane season, graduations, proms, the end of the fiscal year propelled with overly zealous House debates here in our country. But most of all the month of brides and weddings! I have attended and provided music as organist for many weddings, of which many of the couples are still holding fast to the vows said on that eventful day. And yet, many have long since gone their separate ways — just couldn't make it, were too hurry or did not listen to parental advice. Every now and then a friend of mine reminds me that her daddy said that he could not find his razor to shave and so he could not come to give her away. "And you played for the wedding," she laughed. But she has done well, her separate way! A parent was complaining the other day. Her son's girlfriend, equipped with her wine glass in hand, cursed his mother to the "dirt." He told her that she would have to get used to his girlfriend because that is what he wanted. Well, when I heard the story, my mind went straight to Samson. Delilah is still looking for another Samson victim, and in the end he loses everything — respect, career, opportunities and all the joys of life. Everyone is banging up on the church about what she is not doing and blaming her for all the wrongs of society. It does not begin in the church, but at home. These commandments given to Moses by Father God himself is initially for the Home. Parents are admonished to train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it. A society is only as strong as the family — not the church! You wake up at home and go to sleep at home. Your character is formed at home. You may go to church, but you must go home. I don't know about other places, but here in my town, in some instances a place of worship is a social gathering for a time of entertainment and fashion show. These commandments as outlined in Exodus 20 is our guideline for a happy, successful, healthy and spiritual life. We are directed not to have any other gods but the almighty God alone. We are to use wholesome language only that uplift and not downgrade. The name of the Lord is holy. We are to set aside a day to thank God for the other days He has given us. We are to honor our father and our mother. How can a marriage be successful if a young man or woman is privy to disrespect for each other's parents. I don't care how expensive the dress or how long the trail, or how much you may have paid for the wedding celebration, it will not work, and only damnation is on the way. Like it or lump it! We are not to kill, keep sweetheart or steal. There are some people who are so biggety with adultery but I have a word for you, your pay check is in the mail! We are forbidden to lie. But there are some people who glory in telling lies. They say the sweeter, the better, but lies will bring you down to shame and degradation! Then we are not to be envious of what other people have. One person begins a business and 50 others come and do the same thing — no diversification. The Lord has led you to begin to have a congregation and once they can do it, I can have one too and call myself the "head honcho." I like what my sister Fanny said the other day. She called me up to sound her trial sermon on me. She said that she is not going to wear any robe but rather, she is getting herself a waitress uniform, because the words coming from the Almighty would be "well done, thou good and faithful servant, not well done thou good and faithful bishop, apostle, reverend doctor, evangelist" and she went on with her list. "We are only servants" she said. All I could say amidst laughter was "you go girl!" She role played well. For those who will become brides this month, be sure on your list is the blessings from your parents. If Mama says no and daddy said he doesn't have a tuxedo to give you away, then know the way ahead is stormy and dark. I did not say it, God said it "Honor thy father and thy mother." Be mindful of the attached promise that goes with this commandment. E-mail me with your prayer requests, comments and concerns to rubyanndarling@yahoo.com or write to P.O. Box 19725 SS Nassau, Bahamas. Thursday, June 11, 2009