You are the salt of the earth, but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; (…) “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Jesus Christ – The Beatitudes – Gospel of Matthew.

I came across an acquaintance’s social media profile this week that made me ponder about the broad meaning of the word “Influence.” Her profile read in big letters, “Influencer.” As I browsed her pictures, I realized that she has successfully become a fashion ambassador for several brands. Because she has acquired a large following, companies are investing as she promotes stores and labels in her profile.

I remember when she started — fun, lighthearted posts, showing how a woman in her 40s can still wear trendy clothes and look “sexy.” Her beautiful figure and carefree personality helped increase followers, which, in the social media world, means you have become an “Influencer.”

As I looked at the big words on the profile, a smile crossed my face.

“I want to be an influencer,” I said out loud.

My mind was lightyears away from the fashion and fitness world, however. Instead, my thoughts were drawn to Jesus’ words at the end of the Sermon of the Mount — a passage which I have studied in depth.

After addressing the crowd that came to hear His teachings, Jesus turned to focus the discourse on His disciples — the very men who he would later commission to spread the gospel to “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.”

The Master knew the challenges ahead of His followers. They would encounter avid opposition, face persecution, temptations and resistance from the Jews and the mighty Roman empire. They would undoubtedly be tempted to take matters into their own hands and succumb to pressure.

Instead of practical instructions about how to persevere, Jesus’ words were a reminder and a warning concerning the disciples’ attitude: “You are the salt of the earth and the light of the world.”

The Jews understood the symbolic meaning of salt in their culture. In the book of Numbers, God’s everlasting covenant with the Jewish people was referred to as “a covenant of salt.” Likewise, the gospel that the disciples would spread to the world would be an everlasting gospel.

Salt was required in every sacrifice in the Old Testament, representing cleansing and preservation. The disciples, therefore, were to become instruments for bringing life, purity and light to the world. They were to become light-bearers in the dark places and influence the world for good. Moreover, Jesus admonished them that if they lost their “salt and light” qualities, their influence for good would likewise diminish or die altogether.

Jesus' #disciples are called to be light-bearers in the dark places and influence the world for good. If we lose our “salt and light” qualities, our influence for good will likewise diminish or die altogether. @AJC #MondayDevotional…
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The concept should give us pause.

Our social media followers may be few. We may be far from being labeled as an “influencer” by the powers that be. But there is no question that we are all influencers in our environment to one degree or another.

Our social media followers may be few. We may be far from being labeled as an #influencer by the powers that be. But there is no question that we are all influencers in our environment to one degree or another.@AJC #MondayDevotional…
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We may not receive the call to be missionaries across the seas, but every child of God has a sphere of influence, whether they realize it or not.

Our children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews are watching our words and attitudes. Our friends pay attention to how we face life’s circumstances. And let us not forget — our social media followers are reading our posts, whether we share a Bible verse or rant about politics. People cannot be fooled.

We may talk a big game about our faith and commitment to God and his principles, but if our walk does not match our talk, we have lost the salt and light qualities that once made us stand out, “season” and “brighten” the world around us.

We may talk a big game about our faith and commitment to God and his principles, but if our walk does not match our talk, we have lost the salt and light qualities that once made us 'season' and 'brighten' the world around us.
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Jesus’ message to the men and women who would become the greatest influencers in the first century still resounds to 21st-century believers everywhere: Be salt. Be light. Period. That’s the only influence that truly matters.

“My life shall touch a dozen lives before this day is done; leave countless marks for good or ill, ere sets the evening sun. This is the wish I always wish, the prayer I always pray: Lord, may my life help other lives it touches by the way.” — Anonymous

Jesus’ message to the men and women who would become the greatest influencers in the first century still resounds to 21st-century believers everywhere: Be salt. Be light. Period. That’s the only influence that truly matters. @AJC…
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This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution on Saturday, April 10, 2021. Find it on the AJC’s website HERE.

The post We Are All Influencers {The Atlanta Journal-Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“How to turn a disagreement into a feud:

1. Be sure to develop and maintain a healthy fear of conflict, letting your own feelings build up so you are in an explosive frame of mind.
2. If you must state your concerns, be as vague and general as possible. Then the other person cannot do anything practical to change the situation.
3. Assume you know all the facts and you are totally right. The use of a clinching Bible verse is helpful. Speak prophetically for truth and justice; do most of the talking.
4. With a touch of defiance, announce your willingness to talk with anyone who wishes to discuss the problem with you. But do not take steps to initiate such conversation.
5. Latch tenaciously onto whatever evidence you can find that shows the other person is merely jealous of you.
6. Judge the motivation of the other party on any previous experience that showed failure or unkindness. Keep track of any angry words.
7. If the discussion should, alas, become serious, view the issue as a win/lose struggle. Avoid possible solutions and go for total victory and unconditional surrender. Don’t get too many options on the table.
8. Pass the buck! If you are about to get cornered into a solution, indicate you are without power to settle; you need your partner, spouse, bank, whatever.”

I read the list and could not help but laugh at the shrewd insight the authors offered on passive-aggressive conflict. Truthfully, most people can think of at least one person they know who display this type of behavior when it comes to disagreements.

I confess that it took me many years to understand and identify the passive-aggressive personality. I was raised in an environment highly influenced by the culture of southern Spain and Portugal. One of the characteristics of people that originate from the Iberian Peninsula in comparison to those of Anglo-Saxon origin, is their tendency to be direct and wear their feelings on their sleeves, so to speak. I never had to wonder how my mother felt. If someone disagreed with me, they simply told me so. We would sometimes fight, make peace, and, more often than not, forgive and forget.

Because of the culture I was brought up in, it took me a long time to learn how to identify passive-aggressive behavior. Truth is — I still have a hard time dealing with people who are hard to read.

Passive-aggressive individuals may seem peaceful and controlled on the outside, but truth is, deep down, anger, jealousy and contempt simmer like a volcano, ready to explode.
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“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

Jesus said these words in his longest sermon recorded in Scriptures: The Sermon of the Mount. While doing some research about the sermon for a paper I am currently writing, I came across interesting geological information about the Mount of Beatitudes. This mount is located on the Korazim Plateau — a volcanic plateau, located in northern Israel. I find it interesting that Jesus would give instructions about peace, purity and mercy, while his audience was sitting on a dormant volcano.

Think about the paradox of the imagery: Peace on the surface is not always a reflection of what lies deep within.

Peace on the surface is not always a reflection of what lies deep within. #MondayDevotional #MondayMotivation @AJC
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Indeed, throughout the sermon, Jesus called his Jewish audience to look past the outer aspects of religion, which were so widely revered at the time. This beatitude particularly teaches that seeking peace with others is a characteristic observed in those who have truly found peace with God.

Those who find peace with God seek peace with others. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional
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As funny as the “eight-step process on how to turn an argument into a feud” may be, it delivers a sobering reflection on the condition of one’s heart: Will we value pride over peace? Or will we choose to resolve our differences with honesty, clarity and humility?

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – March 2, 2019.

This article is Part 5 of the Sermon of the Mount Blog Series published in this blog. Read the other messages here:

Part 1 – The Most Challenging Sermon of All Time

Part 2 – The Heart of Christmas

Part 3 – Another Strange Blessing

Part 4 – The God-Shaped Hole

May we choose today to become peacemakers instead of peace-breakers, lest all our religious efforts be mocked, our influence shattered and our words … forgotten!
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The post Blessed Are the Peacemakers – The Sermon of the Mount Series {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

As Messiah started His longest sermon recorded in Scriptures, the first words spoke of comfort, and yet, their meaning must have been strange and puzzling to some.

Last week, in the second part of this blog series, we dove into the deep meaning of Jesus’ first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.” You can find that message by clicking HERE.

As He continues, Jesus talks about a concept that would have reminded His followers of words of prophets of old like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Zechariah:

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4

The Greek word for “blessed” here, makarios, is translated as “happy” and was used in pagan Greek literature to describe the state of happiness and well-being such as the gods enjoy. But in the beatitudes, makarios is given a strong spiritual content, containing a congratulatory concept, as a note in Weymouth’s New Testament suggests: ‘People who are blessed may outwardly be much to be pitied, but from the higher and therefore truer standpoint they are to be envied, congratulated, and imitated.’

Therefore, Jesus’ concept of happiness as expressed in the beatitudes transcends those things that make us smile and laugh. Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, invites His followers to experience the joy that is found by obeying the Father.

Jesus’ concept of happiness as expressed in the beatitudes transcends those things that make us smile and laugh. #Jesus, the Man of Sorrows, invites us to experience the joys of obedience.
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There are two concepts of mourning that need to be addressed to understand this beatitude:

The first one is intrinsically related to the first beatitude: “Blessed are the poor in spirit” … Mourners in this instance are those who, unlike the Pharisees, realize their unrighteousness, mourn for their sin, and express their mourning by repenting.

“All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away.” Isaiah 64:6

And again, as Paul quotes Psalm 14 and 53:

As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;” Romans 3:10

These “blessed” mourners are Jesus’ followers who, realizing that their sin grieves the heart of the Father, repent and turn from them. These mourners will find the happiness of being comforted by Yahweh’s boundless forgiveness and grace.

Furthermore, these mourners mourn for the sins of others.

They have a zeal for the lost, and for sharing the Good News of salvation with the dying world around them.

I am so thankful for these types of mourners. They are like my youngest aunt, who, being the first person in my family who became a born-again believer, cried out to God for my salvation for many years. She was comforted… as God’s grace reached down, drawing me to repentance and salvation almost a decade later.

Are you that type of mourner?

Do you mourn for those in your family and friend circle who are lost? Do you weep before the Father, fully realizing what your loved one’s eternal destiny truly is, if they die without Christ?

Do you mourn for those in your family and friend circle who are lost? Do you weep before the Father, fully realizing what your loved one’s eternal destiny truly is, if they die without Christ?
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I confess that I do not mourn enough. Not as deeply as I should.

Jesus’ words convict and remind me that He still answer prayers for the salvation of others. Yes, He is faithful to comfort those type of mourners…

Just as He comforted me when I came to the cross, repentant … and filled me with the joy of His presence.

Or as He comforted me by saving my mom after seven years of prayers… and when my dad accepted Christ soon after that.

Or as He comforted me when my brother prayed to receive Christ during a devotional time with me in 1999, and when my best friend prayed to accept Jesus as her Savior, over the phone on December 22, 2002 – my Christmas gift that year.

Those who mourn for the lost will be comforted… and blessed.

The other concept of mourning implied in this beatitude is the promise of comfort for those faithful believers who suffer in this present age, nevertheless remaining faithful to the Father. These are the steadfast believers who go through the sorrows of life with unwavering faith.

The cancer patient whose doctor shakes his head when all human resources for cure are exhausted… and whose soul can soar above the bad report to sing: It is well with my soul…

The father who loses his job, draws the last unemployment check and still believes: Jehovah Jireh, my Provider, will come through…

Those mourners, who keep their eyes anchored on the Rock of Ages, will be comforted by the One who sat upon the Mount that day.

What a blessed promise! What a challenge to my heart today!

Mourn for your sins… mourn for the lost… mourn for your pain… for Jesus, the Grace Giver, promises to pour comfort and supernatural joy upon your weary soul

Mourn for your sins… mourn for the lost… mourn for your pain… for Jesus, the Grace Giver, promises to pour comfort and supernatural joy upon your weary soul.
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Join me next week for the continuation of The Sermon of the Mount Blog Series

The post Another Strange Blessing {The Sermon of the mount Blog Series – Part 3} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

The Sermon of the Mount is believed to have been delivered in the beginning of Christ’s ministry, after His baptism by John the Baptist and after His many miracles in Judea and Galilee. The focus of the sermon was to teach His newly appointed 12 disciples and the multitude that followed Him on the New Covenant’s standards of righteousness.

The words have possibly been the most repeated sermon since the first century. It is a practical discourse, which transcends the credenda of Christianity and bleeds into humanity’s yearnings; for gentleness, comfort, mercy and peace are gifts desired by all.

The first sentence out of Jesus’ mouth sets the tone that revolutionized the beliefs of first-century Jews.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

The first sentence out of Jesus’ mouth sets the tone that revolutionized the beliefs of first-century Jews: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. #SermonoftheMount #Christmas #MondayMotivation
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I confess that I was puzzled by the first line of the Beatitudes for a long time. At first glance, both in my native language Portuguese as well as in English, the word “poor” conveys a negative meaning, and one would think that Jesus would want his followers to be spiritually “rich.”

A study on the context of the setting of the sermon and the Greek language, however, opens our eyes to the deeper and strategic meaning of those first words.

As Jesus performed miracles, multitudes followed him — some seeking his gifts, others out of mere curiosity. While the onset of his ministry involved many signs and wonders, Scriptures also say that he taught in synagogues, confronting many of the teachings of the Pharisees. These first-century teachers of the law associated righteousness with observing Jewish feasts, following rituals and abiding by endless rules, many of which had been established by rabbis throughout Israel’s history as supplements to the law of Moses as established in the Torah. Christ confronted their teachings as legalistic rather than spiritual, and the first words on the Sermon of the Mount clarify that position: “Poor in spirit” in Greek, refers to the humility needed by those who seek God. The poor in spirit (otherwise also translated as “the meek” or “the lowly”) are those who humbly acknowledge their need and dependence on God. Those find the blessedness and joy of having access to the father.

Humility and dependence. I cannot help but smile as I realize the connection between Jesus’ first words as recorded on his first sermon and his advent to this world.

Humility and dependence. I cannot help but smile as I realize the connection between Jesus’ first words as recorded on the Sermon of the Mount and His advent to this world. #SermonoftheMount #Christmas #Humility
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The king born in the lowliest of places. A manger. The little baby whose birth distressed the great Herod, moved wise men to travel for months to bear Him gifts, and ultimately changed history like no one else before or since, came to the world as a modest carpenter’s son. Messiah, born as a completely dependent baby, reminds us, as a grown man, that if we are to be blessed by God, we are to humbly depend on Him.

Messiah, born as a completely dependent baby, reminds us, as a grown man, that if we are to be blessed by God, we are to humbly depend on Him.
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As we gear our hearts to celebrate Christmas, I am challenged to connect His birth to His words on the mountain that day. From His lowly birth to His challenge to those who would hear him … from the moment I realized my inadequacy to come before a holy God on my own merit, to my desire to follow His teachings, I believe Jesus’ words translate the very message of Christmas:

Blessed are those who are humble as the Baby in the manger … humble to acknowledge that nothing they can do gives them access to an almighty, righteous God.

Humility and dependence are indeed the heart of Christmas. They are also the key to God’s heart.

This article was originally published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – December 7, 2018.

Blessed are those who are humble as the Baby in the manger … humble to acknowledge that nothing they can do gives them access to an almighty, righteous God. Humility and dependence are indeed the heart of Christmas. #Christmas…
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The post The sermon of the Mount and the heart of Christmas {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

When Jesus saw the crowds, He went up on the mountain; and after He sat down, His disciples came to Him. He opened His mouth and began to teach them, saying…” Matthew 4:24 – 5:1,2

He spent the night in prayer, seeking the Father’s heart before appointing the Twelve disciples who would later start His church on earth. At that point in His ministry, Jesus was incredibly popular, and therefore, a great crowd greeted Him as He came down from the mountain where He selected the Twelve. The multitude came from Judea and Jerusalem, as well as the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, both to hear His words and expectant to witness His work. They had heard about the miracles, which validated Messiah’s message. The Kingdom was near.

People from every walk, both Jews and gentiles, crowded the Mount of Beatitudes, located on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and Gennesaret. It what there that Jesus gave his longest and most quoted sermon. Matthew dedicated three chapters to the words of that sermon.

Jesus saw these followers as sheep, longing to hear their Shepherd’s voice, ready to fill the emptiness that religion had failed to satisfy.

Jesus' followers longed to hear their Shepherd’s voice and were ready to fill the emptiness that religion had failed to satisfy.
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The Pharisees sought to help those who wanted to seek righteousness by codifying the Law into 365 prohibitions and 248 commandments, thus making the righteousness of the law impossible to obtain.

Jesus, in offering Himself as their King, demanded the same righteousness as a prerequisite to enter God’s Kingdom. The difference was, however, incommensurable. Christ’s measure of righteousness had nothing to do with attending the feasts, nor following the Sabbath’s laws. In the New Covenant offered by Israel’s long-awaited Messiah, righteousness would be obtained by repenting and putting one’s faith in His Person.

Christ’s measure of righteousness had nothing to do with attending the feasts, nor following the Sabbath’s laws. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional #Jesus
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The multitude on Mount Sinai agreed in one thing: Righteousness is needed to enter the Kingdom of God. They had heard the same thing since their toddler years, preached on the synagogues and every gathering where Jews would meet. The question in their minds was not: “What is required to enter God’s Kingdom”, but rather: “What IS righteousness.”

Jesus summarizes the contrast on verse 20:

“For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.”

To the Pharisees, His words were heresy. They even accused Him of being demon-possessed. But Jesus did not back down. He had come to fulfill the Law by becoming their righteousness – The righteousness they could never attain, as hard as they may work in keeping the Law. But in a seemingly simple, however deep discourse, the Savior explained to those following Him what true righteousness looks like.

That is the heart of the Sermon of the Mount: an exposition of the holiness of God, and His expectations for those who believe in His Son and are accepted into His Kingdom. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional #Jesus
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The sermon is fascinating… and challenging. For as many other things the Savior said, there is much more in its words than what meets the eye. This sermon is not a simple agglomeration of disconnected teachings. It is believed that it is one harmonious unity, seamlessly progressing in rational order. It was Jesus’ inaugural sermon, delivered soon after His return from Galilee, where He had performed His first miracles, and strategically delivered at a time when His followers had enough evidence given by His supernatural miracles to substantiate His Messianic claims.

I want to invite you to join me on a journey for the next several weeks, as we unfold the Sermon of the Mount together.

It will inspire and make you think. My main objective in this blog series, however, is to challenge our walk as followers of Jesus, for a deep study on His words on the Mount of Beatitudes should challenge anyone who calls himself a Christian.

Because, even though it’s true that His amazing grace is vaster than the ocean and salvation does not depend on anything you and I do or don’t do, there is no doubt that He longs to find His church walking in righteousness when He returns.

Even though it’s true that His amazing #grace is vaster than the ocean & #salvation does not depend on anything we do, no doubt He longs to find His church walking in righteousness. #MondayMotivation #MondayDevotional #Jesus
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So, I invite you to come back next week as we start unpacking Jesus’ Words… to understand what the “blessed” in The Beatitudes really look like.

In the Meantime, I invite you to read the Sermon, found on chapters 5 through 7 in the gospel of Matthew, and rejoice in the fact that you and I do not have to abide by endless prohibitions and laws. Jesus’ blood, our righteousness, is all we need to enter the Kingdom of God. And His Spirit, our Guide, is all we need to be able to live as Christ taught us to live, that we may experience and further His Kingdom, right here on earth.

Come back next week for the continuation of the series!

Question: Is there any part of the sermon of the Mountain that challenges you in particular? Share your thoughts below!

Have a blessed week!

The post The Most Challenging Sermon of All Time {Blog Series} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

While I watch the videos, pictures of children around the world parade across the screen: an orphanage filled with children in tattered winter clothes. A village somewhere in Africa where boys and girls flash beautiful, broad smiles at the camera. A church floor somewhere in Latin America where a little girl with sad eyes holds her box as her most prized possession.

No – certainly not all orphans on the screen have Elena, Irinia and Ted’s happy ending. Yes – most children in the African village go back to a life of poverty. But as they hold the toy-filled shoe boxes, their sorrow pauses, if only for a moment, as their hearts grasp this message, loud and clear: “Somewhere, out there, someone cares about me.”

I’ve been writing columns about Operation Christmas Child for the past five years right before collection week. As an ambassador for this organization, I have had the privilege to hear countless stories, as well as meet adults who were once recipients of one of the boxes delivered across the globe. Each story shares a common thread: A simple shoe box brought new hope to a child’s heart.

This is the season when our children fill their Christmas list with toys and gadgets, which often end up at the bottom of a closet within a month or two. It’s the season for companies to spend millions of dollars in advertisements, designed to entice our cravings for more and better. Indeed, consumerism can easily turn our hearts from the true meaning of the season.

Several years ago, however, my husband and I made the decision to use the holiday season as an opportunity to teach our children about the joy of giving. We receive the Samaritan’s Purse catalog, which contains the wonderful projects sponsored by this organization across the globe. From purchasing a chick to help feed a family, to raising funds to build wells in places where drinkable water is a rare commodity, the catalog offers various opportunities to help people in need.

On an account in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus had left the temple in Jerusalem with his disciples, when he started teaching through parables, as he often did. In one of them, he talked about separating the sheep from the goats, in a reference to differentiate those who are truly his followers. He then used words that puzzled his disciples: “I was hungry and you gave me to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came visit me.”

The disciples were confused, for they did not remember helping the master in any such instance. Jesus then explained: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”

What a challenge to those of us who boldly claim to love God! His words remind me that self-gratifying religion is no religion at all. At this age of entitlement, when children complain when they don’t have the latest smart phone, or throw a tantrum when they don’t get what they want when they want it, caring and giving to those in need can become the perfect antidote to a self-centered society.

May we heed Jesus’ words as we draw near the time to celebrate his birth, for giving to the “least of these” is giving him the perfect birthday gift.

You can find out more about Operation Christmas Child and other projects at www.samaritanspurse.org. Shoe box collection week starts this Monday, Nov. 13.

This article was originally published in Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – November 11, 2017.

Whatever you do for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you do for Me.
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It had been a long time since I heard God speak in such a clear, unmistakable way.

It took me by surprise. Of all things He could have used to send me a message, He chose a bird. A plain, small backyard sparrow delivered a message that I will never forget.

It was 2002 and I was home with a small baby and an unemployed husband. In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks of 2001, my husband’s job was eliminated only three months after the birth of our firstborn. Our savings were draining fast, and I was afraid.

I knelt by the couch in our family room and cried out to God. For the first time since my husband lost his job, I was transparent in my prayer:

“I’m scared. How are we going to pay the mortgage?”

Was God aware of the price of diapers and baby formula?

As I finished “informing” almighty God of all that was going on in our lives and our imminent needs, I felt a strong need to be quiet and wait for him to speak.

Silence filled the room and several moments passed by. I was about to give up when I heard it:

“Chirp!”

I looked up and saw the sparrow, sitting on the lounge chair outside my window. It seemed to be looking straight at me.

“Look at the birds of the air, Patricia. They do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet I feed them daily. Are you not worth much more than they?”

I knew where the words were printed: Straight from the Sermon of the Mount, one of Christianity’s most beloved passages. The sermon is the longest continuous section of Jesus speaking in the New Testament, and it includes some of Jesus’ most famous teachings, such as the Beatitudes, as well as the widely recited Lord’s Prayer.

In my Bible, the subtitle of this particular passage of the sermon is “The Cure for Anxiety,” a passage often quoted as a reminder that nothing escapes the omniscience of a loving and caring God.

This happened 15 years ago and I’ll never forget it. The question often replays in my mind when I see sparrows lining up on electric wires:

“Are you not worth more than these?”

Whether it’s unemployment, illness, or any other trial or need that we may face, the question remains. And although at times the magnitude of the trouble that assails us is such, that it becomes almost impossible to grasp this truth within our hearts, the answer never changes.

Yes. We’re worth more than those.

We’re the apple of His eye.

That’s Jesus’ point, really.

At the end of the passage, He invites us to, instead of fretting and worrying, seek God’s presence, His kingdom and righteousness …

And then let God be God.

The job didn’t come right away. As a matter of fact, my husband was out of a permanent job for 18 months at that time. But God kept sending small jobs here and there, and often provision came from unexpected places. We never missed a meal. God provided for each one of our needs, even if at the eleventh hour.

While walking through that desert and many others I’ve faced since then, “seeking His kingdom and righteousness” has become my main focus.

No, it’s not always easy. It’s often a struggle to believe past the hurt, pain and confusion. But just as He provided to that bird that joyfully chirped to a distressed young mother on a cold winter morning years ago, I choose to believe He will keep taking care of all my needs, protecting and guiding me through the hard times I face.

He’s done it so far.

Why would He not do it again?

This article was published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday – August 5, 2017.

Anxious about tomorrow? A Small Sparrow... and a message I'll never forget. Read this!
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The post A Small Sparrow and “The Cure for Anxiety” {The Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.

“Let me show you something,” my stepdad said.

He pulled the message from his cell phone, and read his daughter-in-law’s text out loud.

She spoke of his influence in her life, and the admiration she holds. He grinned from ear to ear, the words filling his heart with joy.

“I never thought she felt this way about me,” he said.

What followed was a conversation about people that we influence and don’t even know it.

A similar situation happened to me just the day before. As I was leaving my church’s choir room, a lady that I know from a distance stopped to thank me for something I had written the week before. Her eyes filled with tears as she told me that the devotional had been received “right when she needed it.”

As my stepdad and I continued discussing the importance of leaving a positive legacy, a Christian song that I heard years ago kept coming to mind.

The song, titled “What’s Your Story,” speaks of small gestures that seem to go unnoticed, but which impact people’s lives daily. In the chorus of the song, a poignant question rings, which I will never forget:

“What will they say when you leave?”

Wow. Think about it.

In the song, the idea behind the question is to make us think about how we are impacting eternity, but, in reality, the honest answer to this question can help influence each word we say and every decision we make.

If we were a fly on the wall … what would we hear people say when we leave the room?
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The fact of the matter is — we impact people’s lives daily. From the shyest of human beings to the most famous and outspoken world leader — whether on a small or large scale — our words, actions and decisions leave a mark. No question about it.

We simply don’t stop to reflect on this truth often enough. Should we do it, we would hold our tongues more often. We would think longer before commenting on social media. We would pray more before acting. And wait a little longer before hastily jumping to conclusions.

We would be more sympathetic, and more forgiving. More caring, and more careful.

Some of Jesus’ most famous words recorded in the gospels are compiled in a sermon famously named “The Beatitudes.” At the end, he summarizes his teaching with what is known as The Golden Rule: “Treat others the same way you want to be treated.”

As I think about the people in my life — from husband to children, from parents to siblings, from acquaintances to my closest friends, I want to live a life that, though far from perfect, will essentially leave a positive mark when I leave. I don’t need to know about it, but I want to live a life which will be remembered as one that brought more joy than sorrow, more laughter than tears, more forgiveness than revenge.

It’s not a matter of “if” they will say something when you leave. It’s a matter of “what” they will say.

May God help us remember that, the next time we feel the urge to say something negative, complain, or seek to retaliate. Someone is always watching. Your words can be forgiven, but not forgotten. Neither will your love and kindness.

May they say great things about us, every time we leave the room. May our loving influence remain, long after we leave this world.

This article was published on Patricia’s column for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

When you leave this earth, will you leave a lasting, positive influence? Read this.
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The post What Will They Say… When You Leave? {Atlanta Journal Constitution} appeared first on Soaring With Him Ministries.