by Terrence Clark CLC (review)
The Value of Family National Sibling Day Today is Thursday April 10, 2015, I just got off the phone with my siblings. It’s National Sibling Day in the USA. I never heard of it before but yes it exist. It was incorporated in 1997 by Claudia Evart, to honor the memory of her brother and sister, both of whom had died at early ages. There are 5 of us in our immediate family. Probably over sixty or more now with grandchildren And God’s knows, some great grandchildren, in the mix, between us, who now are the family Elders. Our family has stayed intact over the years. God has been good to us. All of us are still on this side of glory despite many challenges we have endured. The Lord has been faithful to His Word – Psalm 34:19 [although] Many are the afflictions of the righteous [family]: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. In our family we have attributed this to our Heavenly Father. Our earthly father was a business man, laborer, musician and a preacher. He and mom kept us in church and it paid off. It wasn’t the beat of the music that kept us either, or some new stuff. It was God’s presences that called to us and sustained us, seeping up through the fibers of tradition & religion and saturating our hearts. Today Mom and Dad are both in heaven. We reminisce it was their both love for communicating the gospel that has become our family mark. We are Clarks----from the English clerks, or clerical, or clergy. In Ireland, it’s O’Clery, meaning of the Clarks or of the clergy. Our name at least form our European side pins us to the educated, literary, people of the land. We kept the books. And although, our African side may dictate our color, rhythm, beauty and leadership—the Clark name still has shaped us. My writing was passed on to me from mom, along with the softness of her voice in song---always searching for the pitch when she sang. Dad shaped my volume. He was brass and bellowed his praise over his Southern Baptist, soul, rock, electric guitar. Today, my oldest brother is the senior pastor of one of the churches I support and has served to be the leader of the family. The rest of my siblings are all in fellowship at the same church ironically called, Family Life Christian Fellowship. I have long meditated on this scripture Proverbs 17:17 (KJV) 17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Thinking, you can choose friends that will be there for you, but family that you’re born into may cause you heartache, but that the wrong translation. It is actually interpreted as expressed by the Message Bible 17 Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble. Good friends will be there for you---thanks God for them. Friends are chosen and kept. They also come and go. Family is locked together by some unforeseen reason called birth. In other words, Providence has connected kin. I just wanted to use that word. Like the church, (1 Corinthians 12:18) God has set people into families. So like it or not, our families are on purpose. The problem sometimes is with supply and demand. God has always supplied family. We are supposed to make the demand. Not abuse, but families are called to pull the best out of each other and work together for the common good, even if visions are different. Family are supposes to support one another when challenges deter. Christmas was a wonderful invention. Despite the criticism over its paganism and biblical accuracy, the time for families, to set time aside and come together, is genius---just my opinion. Keep Christ in Christmas. Keep God’s anointing (the meaning of Christ) in Christmas. The translation---keep the thoughts of the power God flowing families, so that every God given dream in that family can be established. We don’t have to wait until a holy day or holiday for families to encourage each other. Cell phones are nice and so are texts. Because of the telephone conversation with my siblings---my two sisters and two brothers, on National Sibling Day, we will be bringing our clans together in the next month to celebrate, honor our legacy. God told Abraham, the patriarch of all families (Genesis 12:1-3) in thee and in thy seed all the families of the earth will be blessed. This prophecy is fulfilled in Revelation 5:9, 10 as the redeem sing. 9 And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation [families]; 10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth. God always has a remnant of people forged from the all families and tribes. Take a moment today, tomorrow, and make a demand on your family members (your siblings) by way of a call or texts or visit. Make a demand to draw that king and priest out of your family line to stand before the King of kings and represent. One more thing, Its times to put away strife and unforgivness (almost forgot “unforgiveness” is not really a word)…just trying to help as you journal along with me. Terrence Clark is a the chief editor of the Voice of one magazine |
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Consider making and investment into this ministry to help as we reach the world with the good news. Terrence Clark is ordained Christian minister assisting multiple churches and ministries. He is the Chief Editor of VoiceCNC.com and is also a Certified Christian Life Coach—helping people to Win, Overcome, and Advance in the kingdom of God. For Life Coaching or to have Rev. Clark speak at your church or event email us at Vof1@aol.com or call (856) 728-0777 |