Strengthening Sisterhood

 

The theme of our Women’s Ministries Department for this year is “Releasing Strongholds; Strengthening Sisterhood.” According to the dictionary, a stronghold is a fortified place, like a wall around the city. In the spiritual logic, a stronghold symbolizes a wall of resistance to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.  In 2 Corinthians 10: 3, Paul refers to this as the spiritual battle. It is the spiritual battle which the Christian must fight, not against flesh and blood but against a spiritual entity.

            Sisterhood is defined as a friendly relationship among women based on shared respect, genuine concern, support and admiration for one another. Sisterhood is critical for living a successful Christian life. One of the ways we learn to be good Christian women is from other Christian women.  Similarly, our young sisters look to us for examples of how to grow into strong and mature godly women. The Bible says in Proverbs 27:17, Iron sharpens iron; so a man [woman] sharpens the countenance of his friend [sister].   What are some of these strongholds? They are things such as pride, envy, backbiting, lying, deception, gossip, selfishness and, un-forgiveness towards one another.  

 Strongholds prevent us from coming together to experience the joy of sisterhood, and from connecting with one another on a personal level. They make us insensitive and indifferent to the needs of one another. The devil knows that when sisters come together to love and support one another, their families will become stronger, so he drives a wall of division between us.

  Thankfully, God provides an avenue which helps us to release these strongholds. In 2 Corinthians 10: 4, the Bible says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.  As sisters, the power of God is at our disposal to help us pull down fortresses or strongholds among us so that we can feel free to come together to experience joy of sisterhood. In the next issue, we will discuss some tips on how to strengthen sisterhood.



–Submitted by Faye Torrington

Women's Ministries

 

 

Special Education: The Myth of a Bed of Ease

Education that helps children and young adults with various special needs gain life-skills for functional independence and meet standards of a school’s core curriculum; is called Special Education. This area of education requires systematically monitored arrangements; adaptive equipment and materials; various interventions and individualized teaching techniques and procedures. Phew!  A mouthful! Yet this does not complete the gamut of special education involvement with its many challenges. The reality, for educators, like myself, in the field of special education; is that it is administratively, physically, mentally and pedagogically demanding. Briefly tabulating some of the challenges should help to dispel the myth that “special educators have it easy.”

These may be considered among the top challenges of special education:

1.      Low teacher morale:  A lack of appreciation for the work that special educators do affects their sense of contribution to students’ progress in general and grade level achievements of students on standardized tests.

2.      Paper work: The regular and time- consuming paper work requirements leave little time and energy to the special educator to do the greater work: help special needs students achieve their IEP goals and the core curriculum standards.

3.      Limited parental support: Many parents virtually “drop” their children on the school and relieve themselves of full participation in the academic and social development of their children. This is something that I have observed for more than 8 years in the field of special education. The special education teacher can also have a “double-edged sword situation of limited support from the school’s administration. In some instances, to be seen as managing, the special educator must contain and confine to the classroom the various problems that can arise and not be requesting backups too frequently.

4.      Scheduling related teachers: On a daily basis the special educator has to coordinate   his schedule with other teachers of services that are mandated for the students. These are counselors, speech pathologists, psychologists, occupational therapists and so on.

5.      Supervising and training paraprofessionals: The academic assistant may be assigned to the class in general or to a certain child. And it is not uncommon to see more than one paraprofessional with the special educator because of what is mandated for students. This represents additional work for the specialist to plan, schedule, guide and evaluate not just the students, but also the paraprofessionals whose actions the specialist is held accountable.

6.      Data collection:  The specialist has to keep minute by minute record of some students ‘behaviors that would be necessary for evaluation, behavior plans and future appropriate placement .All this is expected in a class of mixed  and varied degrees of disabilities including children classified as emotionally disturbed .All this this is in keeping with my first -hand experience.

7.      Great variations in students’ needs: The differences which challenge the delivery of differentiated instruction range from  disparities in learning styles; grade levels; rate of understanding concepts ;nutrition of students and mandated instructional goals. 

The above mentioned issues do not exhaust the challenges in special education. It is in the interest of time and space that only mention must be made of the fact of the high attrition or “burn-out rate of special education teacher: 50 percent leave the classroom every 5 years. Those who make it past 5 years leave within 10 years (Dage, 2006).  I am one of the statistics. Not in the least are the challenging effects of cuts in education budget on special education; the difficulties of measuring certain goals of special needs students by simply filling in a bubble of standardized test that reforms in education must consider; the racial disproportion of Colored and Hispanics minorities to Caucasian children in special education and much more that cannot now be listed here.  The perception that special educators have the easiest job with 12 students and assisting paraprofessionals is a myth amidst the multitude of evidence to the contrary.

—Submitted by: Dr. Wilford Hyatt, M.S.Ed., N.D.

 

THE LORD'S COMPASSION

I stumbled upon this adult section in a local newspaper. By curiosity I decided to browse through it.  I saw a number of girls in lingerie’s with a price tag and actual men with the same. I felt sick in my stomach when I saw these young men and women selling themselves and probably doing so with no shame. I began to think of so many reasons as to why these men and women would post their pictures in a newspaper and to make it worst, be half naked. I could not come up with one worthy justification. I felt appalled by these men and women who, instead of looking for legitimate ways of generating income, cowardly compromise their integrity and self-esteem by offering themselves up for sale. Whatever happened to men being a father figure in a family, a role model to other men and their sons; or bearer of rules of ethic and honor? Or whatever happened to women being a mother figure in the family, a role model to other women and their daughters; or bearer of morals and dignity? What are they passing on to society and generations to come?

I looked at these men and women as spoiled brats who preferred the easy way out. They probably lack something which I can’t pin point. I was uncomfortable with it and could not understand why our men and women would stoop to such lows.

I took a deep breath and looked deep inside for some reconciliation. After failing to find that peace or justification, I decided to take another look in the hope of finding another insight or perspective. BAM! As I looked, something hit me right in my gut. I felt an unknown feeling of sadness taking me over. I then began to consider the surmounting challenge these men and women must face to hit that bottom. Were they abused as children?  Were they raised without a fathers or mother figure?  Are they dealing with some inside demons that we can't see on the outside? Are they just free-spirited and feel they are within their own right to be and do what they want? I recalled the verse in Mathew 7 which asks us not to judge.

God in His Omnipotence knows us inside out. If it was for justification, none of us would be saved according to His standard but He loves us anyhow. Maybe these men and women may have failed to live up to my own standards; but as a Christian, I am challenged to learn how to love them anyhow. I am not better than they are just because I do not face the same challenges they do. I simply have a different outlook; but on the inside we all are struggling with one issue or another. What you do, or what happened in your past does not determine who you are!  Push past this need to look down on yourself or on others, and create a brighter future.

God in His unfailing love forgives us and has redeemed us in spite of our littleness and imperfections. Through God's eyes we're simply a child who needs help. Instead of forsaking us whenever we fail Him, He loves us with a compassionate heart. He freely gives and He only asks of us to accept His grace. He gave us Jesus not because we deserved Him; but simply because he so loves us! All we need to do is to accept His mercy which is freely given to whoever believes.

Are we taking another look at those around us and seeing the need for compassion, love, care and ultimately Jesus? We all need Jesus. He has been the game changer for me and He can change the game for you as well!

–Submitted by Keisha Hamilton
AYS

To Help You

To Help You
by Tabby

Through the trials,
You think you all alone.
Through all the trials,
You feel you've been disowned.
Through the trials,
You feel no one cares.

Well I'm here to say:
I am here to care.
When you talk, I'll listen;
When you weep I'll give you a shoulder;
When you scream I'll take it in.

I'm here to love you,
Never let you alone.
The troubles are not yours
But now become ours.

Listen to me my friend,
I'm here in time of need,

Lean on me and the One
Above and you will be relieved.

–Submitted by Keisha Hamilton

 

Be Thankful

Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don't already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know everything,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge
because it will build your strength and character.
Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary,
because it means you've made a difference.

•••••••••<<§>>•••••••••

Author unknown

–Submitted by Keisha Hamilton

A Word to the Wise

 

So you got the job……now what!

McDonalds, Citibank, Home Depot, The Law Firm, The Hospital...You’ve aced the interview, you’ve charmed the employer and your first day is Monday.  You’ve got it all planned out what you'll be doing with the money….a new iphone a new ipad a new….don’t count your chickens before they hatch.  As easily as you were hired, you can be fired.  But don’t worry, I got your back!  There are a few of many things you need to keep in mind.  The first is personal and the others are business.
 

1. Manage Your Finances!

If you don’t already have one, open up a bank account…..Preferable 2….but ideally 3, a Checking account, a savings account and a ‘don’t touch’ savings account.  The checking account you will use for your bills and Tithe, your savings account you will use for your ‘misc.’ items i.e., entertainment and your #2 savings account should be an account that you decide NEVER to touch.  Put something in there every week.  Be it $5 or $10….let it stay and let it grow.  Don’t get excited when it grows….get encouraged and motivated to let it grow even more.  Don’t tell your friends about it……it’s not for loans; it’s for your future.

2.  Do your job!



Find out what is expected of you and DO IT!! It sounds easy but you’ll be surprised how many people pass through occupations doing what they perceive to be the bare necessities, but never do what they are responsible for. If necessary keep the job-posting information as a reference or request a description of the duties expected to be performed by you along with deadlines; if there are any. Then fill your day with what you know you are supposed to do.

 

 3.  Become an asset!!
 

You’re being paid to work! There will come a time, if you are diligent, when your duties will be finished. Be industrious, be observant, and continue to find ways to improve your environment. Do what was not asked! Make an impression; improve upon what’s already in place. Find out if your co-workers need assistance. There is always something to do. It may not be what you want to do but there is always work for you to do. If there is no work, there will be no job. Be thankful and ‘WORK!’.

Always remember you are still being watched.  There is a probation period for everyone.  It may be explicit or implied but you do have probation period.  If you are usually a ‘slacker’, the first 3 weeks of the job are not the time for these traits to shine through.

Congratulations…..now you’re ready to work!!!

–Submitted by Julie Ann Daley

 

The Bible vs. cell phone

Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bibles like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?

What if we gave it to Kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we travelled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go....hmm...where is my Bible? Oh, and one more thing, unlike our cell phones, we don't have to worry about our Bibles being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think 'where are my priorities? And no dropped calls!

When Jesus died, he was thinking of you!

                                                                                —Submitted by Pat S-Brown