Don't let your enemies make slaves of you
Published on 3/27/2008
"In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly." Job 1:22
By Gloria Barr Ford
There was a little boy visiting his grandparents on their farm. He was given a slingshot to play with out in the woods. He practiced in the woods but could never hit the target.
Getting a little discouraged, he headed back for dinner. As he was walking back, he saw Grandma's pet duck. Just out of impulse, he let the slingshot fly, hit the duck square in the head and killed it. He was shocked and grieved. In a panic, he hid the dead duck in the wood pile only to see his sister watching.
She had seen it all, but she said nothing. After lunch the next day, Grandma said, "Sally, let's wash the dishes," but Sally said, "Grandma, Johnny told me he wanted to help in the kitchen." Then she whispered to him, "Remember the duck?" So Johnny did the dishes. Later that day, Grandpa asked if the children wanted to go fishing, and Grandma said, "I'm sorry, but I need Sally to help make supper." Sally just smiled and said, "Well, that's alright because Johnny told me he wanted to help." She whispered again, "Remember the duck?" So Sally went fishing and Johnny stayed to help.
After several days of Johnny doing both his chores and Sally's, he finally couldn't stand it any longer. He went to Grandma and confessed that he had killed the duck. Grandma knelt down and gave him a hug and said, "Sweetheart, I know. You see, I was standing at the window and I saw the whole thing, but because I love you, I forgave you. I was just wondering how long you would let Sally make a slave out of you."
It's amazing how we let the enemy or other people make slaves out of us by bringing up the past or throwing other things in our faces. God forgives and forgets. Remember, he was at the window and saw the whole thing. (From e-mail files)
Cumberland service
Good Friday services were held at Cumberland AME Church in the Pennyroyal community on Friday, March 21, at 7 p.m. with the Rev. Rose Goodwater presiding. Prayer was done by Sister Sandy Ladson, and Brother Ralph Frasier read the scripture. The program consisted of the seven last words said by Jesus on the cross. There were seven different speakers, including the Rev. Catherine Gibbs of St. John AME Church of Pawleys Island, who spoke from Luke 23:34: "Father forgive them for they know not what they do."
Yours truly spoke from St. John 19:25-27: "Woman, behold thy son; son, behold thy mother." The Rev. Rose Goodwater spoke from Luke 23:43: "Verily I say unto thee, today shall thou be with me in Paradise." The Rev. Staci Scott of Mt. Lebanon AME in Andrews asked the question from Mark 15:34: "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" The Rev. Leondra Stoney of Ebenezer/Mt. Zion spoke from John 19:28: "I thirst." Licensed Phillip Lance of Cumberland AME spoke from Luke 23:46: "Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit."
The last speaker was the Rev. Thomas E. Drayton from Bethel AME in Georgetown, who spoke from John 19:30 with the words, "It is finished." The altar prayer was done by the Rev. Herman Ford Jr.
The Rev. Goodwater and the Cumberland family would like to thank everyone for their presence and participation.
Lily of the Valley
Lanes Creek Lodge No. 406 P.H.A., Lily of the Valley No. 352 O.E.S. held its annual banquet on Saturday, March 22, at 7 p.m. at Mt. Sinai Missionary Baptist Church with Brother Jeffrey Linnen, WP, presiding. Others on program were Brothers Sean Thomas, Rodney Moses, Moses Geathers, Alden Holmes and District Deputy Wayne Davis, along with Sisters Margaret Carr, Karen Thomas, Sylvia Linnen, Worthy Matron Mary J. Holmes and Grand Associate Deputy Lois Middleton. Sister Shelia B. Dansforth is Grand Worthy Matron of the State of S.C., and Brother Nathanial Durant, 33 Degree, is Most Worshipful Grandmaster of the State of S.C.
The guest speaker was the Rev. Dr. James Coleman Jr., pastor of Second Calvary Missionary Baptist Church of Heath Springs. His message was "The Power of One."
Mt. Zion program
Mt. Zion AME Church in the North Santee community celebrated its annual Easter program at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 23, with Sherry Livingston presiding. Kai Logan and Beaunca Grayson served as mistresses of ceremony.
The Easter presentation, part one, consisted of speeches and songs. The Easter presentation, part two, consisted of an Easter skit with participation from all of the classes. Brother Richard Swinton is assistant superintendent, Brother Sammy Grayson is superintendent and the Rev. Alfred Darby is pastor.
Remember to pray for the sick and shut-in, the bereaved, those in nursing homes, the homeless, the mentally ill, our men and women on the battlefield in Iraq and each other. God bless you. Have a beautiful week!
Gloria Barr Ford is a Georgetown resident.
