Negative Disturbances

Whenever we have the opportunity to make human assessments, the assessments we make will always betray our doctrine of man. We can always glean from what one person has to say about another, their doctrine or philosophy concerning man in general.

When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. Matthew 2:3.

The comments made here in Matthew focus on the negative because there is something negative that is disturbing Herod and something negative brewing within him. He hears about Jesus being born and the magi looking to locate Him so that they could worship Him. Herod immediately begins to feel threatened; so much so that his behavior becomes pathological and results in the death of thousands of innocent children.

Well, this negative something is in all of us and we need to deal with it. We must come to terms with the fact that there are some negative qualities that are common to all human beings. We know this because we realize how difficult it is to honestly say what we will or will not do in any given situation. Peter, you recall, was one of the closest disciples to Jesus. He loved Jesus and Jesus loved him. But he lied, cursed, and betrayed Jesus to save his own skin. He walked and talked and dined with Jesus for three years. He had seen miracles performed and heard sermons preached and claimed he was willing to die, yet denied even being acquainted with Jesus.

Now, we have never seen Jesus, never walked with Him, or talked with Him in the same sense that Peter had. So we have to come to a consensus on human nature. Man was born in sin and shaped in iniquity. We possess the capacity to do all kinds of negative things. We see it in others and we see it in ourselves, do we not? Yet, through the power and might of Jesus Christ, we are enabled and empowered to overcome the negative and the stronghold of sin. Jesus bore our sins on His shoulders at Calvary, thus releasing us from their yoke. When we view life and live life consistent with the will of God, old negative thoughts and behaviors pass away. Behold! All things become new.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Water: A Grief Healing Workbook, will be available soon.

---

Do You Have Hot Buttons?

You may ask, "What are hot buttons anyway?"Hot buttons are... Read More

Readjusting Our Eye Focus

Peter is a man after my own heart. I feel... Read More

Getting Results

We desire to understand the world by giving names to... Read More

The Universal Connection

I believe in a phenomenon I have been known to... Read More

When Bad Things Happen (Part 1)

Rabbi Kushner in his book "When Bad Things Happen to... Read More

Gods Love is Not Humanitys Love

(Channelled)Good morning Roy, good morning Joseth.What has love got to... Read More

Crystal-Healing the Chakras: A Practical Guide

Who among us really understands the chakras? For all that... Read More

Angels on Assignment

Recently it has come to my attention people are noticing... Read More

The Power of Myth to Transform Your Life

Irish myth has the power to transform your life into... Read More

Letting Go of Judgment - Finding Good (God) In Others

"I resolve to speak ill of no man?and proper occasions... Read More

The Spiritually Dead Church

The spiritually dead church. Now, I am not talking about... Read More

Secrets of Effortless Action

Action dakini gets everything done. When wanting and grasping hold... Read More

Addiction and Confession

ADDICTION: - There are numerous obsessions and addictions which prevent... Read More

Gods To Do List - Get Specific!

I know eyebrows are probably raising about now, but let... Read More

Anam Cara - Life as a Box of Paints

Lonely Song"a box of paints - lament for my da"It... Read More

Looking for God - Heres My Story On Finding the Lord

Hopefully you're reading this article because you're intrigued by the... Read More

What Is Your Relationship To Time?

Have you ever thought about how your orientation to time... Read More

The Many Waters, Lauretta Lueck

The Many Waters explores the universe and sifts through the... Read More

The End of Guilt

What is the purpose of guilt?Well, let's look at it.Some... Read More

Accepting Non-Acceptance

It's not always easy to stand in the midst of... Read More

Change Your Outlook on Change

Make no mistake about it, change is challenging whether it... Read More

You Are Not Your Stuff

We humans are a funny, funny breed. We spend our... Read More

The Power of Ritual

As humans, we are the species that operate with symbols.... Read More

Get Off The Freeway

Have you ever noticed how much our lives resemble a... Read More

Can Moms Have a Quiet Time, Too?

Spending 'Quiet Time' with the LordFrom the beginning of my... Read More

The Recipe for Love - Christmas Special

"This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as... Read More

Why Keep a Journal

What purpose does keeping a journal serve?Do you write down... Read More

How to Pray and Receive a New Car - Within 4 Weeks!

Last month, one of my readers needed a new car.... Read More

Christianity - Not a White Mans Religion

Christianity: White man's religion?Martin Luther King referred to Sunday as... Read More

Where Are You Currently Heading?

Do you know where your current path is taking you?Education,... Read More

Spiritual Healing - The Hidden Truth and Misconception

Throughout history, what is portrayed in all religions as being... Read More

How A Grudge Can Affect You

As we go through life we all have to deal... Read More

Beneficiaries of the Promise

We are the beneficiaries of the promise God made to... Read More