^WC Here is the thing, I am closing in on 1000 views for my new blog http://atomic-temporary-41693309.wpcomstaging.com/. Please help me get there. 😉
“No” is Not a Curse Word
The below lesson was taught to a parents group not long ago. The message becomes even more relevant during the Christmas season because of the many demands. Just remember it is OK to deny requests.
Also, please let it be know that this and all other posts I make should be considered (c) and I would appreciate permission for reuse except in the case of re-blogging. Thank you.
“No” is Not a Curse Word
Prepared for:
Harlem Park Elementary School
1401 Lafayette Ave
Baltimore, Maryland 21217
19 September 2012
Prepared by:
Elder William James Carter, The 1st
The Christian Perspective
“No” is Not a Curse Word
All too often parents work tirelessly for their families and those that surround them. But that work comes a great cost. That cost is that parents are often stressed, worn out, tired, impatient, underfed and the like. With that bad health is often not only at the door but sitting in the easy chair. When this happens parents are not good for themselves or their children. They have said yes way too often to way too many people for all the wrong reasons.
Saying yes is proper and right but not always necessary. There is no need to say yes to everybody for everything because it will have a negative impact. One impact, as noted is stress. But what is stress? There are two forms of stress; one good and the other not so much. The first form of stress is eustress which is a positive stress that provides energy for us. It is the kind of stress that is useful for creativity as well as getting us out of dangerous situations. For instance, if we are cross the street and suddenly a car comes streaming down the road we are suddenly filled with certain adrenalin that allows us to run across the street to safety.
The second type of stress is called distress. Some synonyms for distress are:
- Suffering
- Pain
- Anguish
- Greif
- Agony
- Misery
- Torment
- Affliction
This, however, is not the whole of negative stress. There is another term for negative stress which is hyperstress. Hyperstress is the compilation of a number of negative stressors which makes a person feel like there is no hope. Feelings of depression can seep in which makes the stress all the worse. Unchecked stress can:
- lead to emotional distress
- spiritual exhaustion
- Physical illness
Much of this stress can be alleviated if we simply learn to say “no”. Many seem to think that saying no is a curse word. That is many see denying others their services as being an obscenity or blasphemous. It is not. Not only is it OK to say no but often it is necessary to say no. For instance; if your child wants you to buy him $200.000 pair of tennis shoes but budget not only disallows it but he just received a new pair of tennis shoes at the start of the school year. It is OK to say no if only because there is no need for them.
And then there are the neighbors. They need this and they need that. Milk is needed for the baby but the store is two blocks away and she just came from the store. And then there are other needs of neighbors that really are not needs rather they are desires that have little to no necessity. But in the mind of the one seeking your help it is not only urgent but an emergency. But you just arrived home from work and dinner needs to be prepared. You are tired and the kids need help with their homework. Not only that you have to prepare for the next day’s work. It is OK to say no. This is a small part of the picture of the working parent because there are many other aspects to their lives. This is a list of things most of us are involved in or with:
- God
- Spouse
- Children
- Self – Most often denied behind God and Church
- Work
- Church
- Friends and neighbors
- Health
- Security
- Civic duty
With all this going on it is quite easy for a life to fall out of balance. In his book Margin Dr. Richard A. Swenson outlines steps to “restore balance.” Those steps are:
- Regain control over your own lives.
- Place God at the center of all things, and build outward from there.
- Beware of the trap of trying to solve the problem of imbalance by becoming even more unbalanced.
- Accept the No given by others.
Above all say NO when you need to and when you want to. It is OK to pamper yourself. So,
- Take that bath and let Calgon take you away (in my case Mr. Bubble)
- Watch a movie
- Twiddle you thumbs
- Take that walk
- Love You!
http://ow.ly/d/Xf8 ^WC Greetings all. Ju
http://ow.ly/d/Xf8 ^WC Greetings all. Just in case you were not sure how to contact me for whatever the reason you will find attached some of my contact information. So, I look forward to working for and with you all that are willing.
^WC I am trying this new program and not
^WC I am trying this new program and not sure how it will work. So, if you receive this message please acknowledge in some fashion so that I can know that it works. Thanks in advance.
Sick and Tired of Attacks on Christmas
Yea, I know that Christ was not born December 25th more than two thousand years ago. That is no reason not to recognize our Lord and Saviour. And, despite the ridiculous ranting of Jamie Foxx Jesus Christ is Lord and it is because of Him that we live and move and have our being. This is the reason I celebrate what has been deemed Christmas Day; it is not that I celebrate Jesus on this day alone but I find reason to give Him homage because had He not been born He could not have died. As such His death is the reason I live.
Having said that the atheist, like cockroaches in the night, find this time of the year to attack not merely Christmas Day but also the reason for the season; Jesus. I have had my fill of a few coming against the Christ that has given me life. Yes, I am sick and tired of those that choose not Christ working to tell me that I should celebrate Jesus in private because “religion” has no place in the public sphere. Well, Christians do celebrate in private but it is also necessary to worship God openly and in public so that others can see the God in us. Even more Christ mandated that Christians go into the world and teach the Gospel. So, if the atheists don’t want to hear about the God that loved them so much that He sent His only Son to die for them then they need not listen.
Now, I have to wonder how many of these atheist will come against Islam? I wonder if they have an aversion to Muhammad who took issue with Christianity? Did they really study the founder of Islam to find that he was married to multiple wives the youngest of whom was nine years of age when he took her to wife? What about the hate spewed by the Islamists that see Christians and Jews as the infidel? Why is it that Christians must be so maligned no matter what?
Well, you know what? I am sick and tired of those that attack the Holy One. I grow weary of seeing Him crucified over and over again simply because many have chosen to hate rather than give in to His everlasting love. I would that I could turn these stony hearts to hearts of flesh but if those that loathe Christianity because their own idiosyncratic reasoning choose not to celebrate then I might suggest that you go loathe in private just as you think that Christianity should be celebrated in private. Even more, we that are Christians don’t condemn the godless merely because they are godless rather we realize that but for the grace of God we too would be godless.
Yes, this is my rant. It has been forced upon my hand. You see, my first name is an old German one which means “bold protector.” As such I stand tall and strong in defense of my Lord and Savior. Were it not for the fact that Jesus was born to die I would stand no chance. It is in Him that I live and move and have my being therefore I really don’t care if I offend because I celebrate Jesus. You see, He has done more for me than I could ever do for myself and because of His love for me I cannot, no, I will not deny Him.
Yes, I am sick and tired of the attacks on Christmas but you can bet your boots that I will not give in, I will not be made ashamed and I will not stop sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ MY Lord and Savior.
I bid all a Merry Christmas as we usher in the day we celebrate the incarnation of the only Begotten Son of the living God Jesus the Christ!
In Case You Did Not Know
It’s true and I know I don’t mention it much but other than being an author and blogger I am also a public speaker. Yes, I have been know to get behind the mike espousing truths to all that will hear.
Now, while I often speak at church services in forums that include revivals, anniversaries and the like I answer to just good old-fashioned preaching and teaching. I also provide lectures, workshops and many other speaking venues. But my services are not for churches alone. If your company needs a speaker on such issues as diversity and ethics I will do my all to answer the call.
And if you want to know more about me I will be brief but you can learn more about me on my website. Even so I was saved at the age of seventeen, worked in the church in nearly every position to my present associate pastor. Further academia has found its way on my resume. I hold an A.A. in Business, a B.S. in Religion, M.A.R. in Biblical Studies and an M.Div in Pastoral Ministries. It is my hope one to to acquire that elusive doctorate.
Now, you know how to contact me and you know that all my work is premised upon the Word of God so I am on the standby to aid you in that I can.
preachercarter 