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Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. -2 Corinthians 5:17
Spring has sprung! So in the natural same in the spiritual. It’s time to spring forth and walk in the scriptures. Winter is behind you, it’s time to forget what is behind you by turning from it and press toward what is ahead. Living the scriptures can be done and though it may not always be easy, life is easier when you do. Just how do I live the scriptures one may ask? Well to begin with you cannot apply what you do know. Therefore you must begin by reading the word. In doing so you will gain knowledge which is the accumulation of facts. Once you accumulate knowledge you will begin to gain understanding through the arrangement of those facts. Knowledge and understanding put together will bring you to the application of facts which is wisdom.
Spring has sprung it’s time to move forward with wisdom. 2010 is the year of restoration, testing and trials. Solomon encourages us in Proverbs 4:7 that the principle of wisdom is to get understanding. With understanding we can weather the testing and trials as we are restored.
In His Service,
- Terwana J. Brown , Author of Living My Life in Reverse
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Editor's Notes
 On March 10, 2010, God called home Blanche Isabelle Walker Somerville. Mrs. Somerville lived 102 years, 7 months and 22 days. That alone is a blessing. Her life was a blessed life. She lived her life with God as her center. She lived a life of a virtuous woman touching all with whom she came in contact. Her children call her blessed. She was easy to talk with, very easy going and understanding. She was a great cook and homemaker. Her minister's call her a blessing. She shared many leadership responsibilities within her church and she did them all unto God. She served communion every first Sunday with the pastor, to those who were sick and shut in. She led many testimony nights. She visited those at home who hadn't been to church in a while. She really loved God and it was evident. She was a true lady and a true example of Ebony Excellence. Her community called her blessed.
Mrs. Somerville received many honors over the last years of her life. These honors of special recognition made her and her family very proud.
V 1999 Kent County Commissioners Proclamation requested by African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Women’s Missionary Society - 25 years contributed to well being of others
V Kent County Commissioners Proclamation, July 15, 2007 as Blanche Walker Somerville day in honor of her 100th birthday
V 2006 “Maryland You Are Beautiful” recognition ceremony nominee
However, what will stick most in my mind is the way that she lived and the way that she died. Watching her very closely for the last three weeks of her life was sad at times yet there was lots of joy. While lying in her sick bed, she so enjoyed the scriptures that were read to her and the singing of her favorite songs. The reading of the 34th Psalm bought a special smile to her face. It is amazing but true: The way you live is the way you die. All of her life she praised God. I can see her at church, praising God with her hands held up, her handkerchief waving, her voice an octave higher, running for the Lord. As she lay on her sick bed, when she didn't even know who we were, she still raised her hands and praised God. What a blessing! What a legacy! She asked that her grandchildren live so that they will meet her one day around the throne of God. Because of the way that she and those loved ones from the family displayed the Christian example, we have no excuse to spend eternity anywhere else but around the throne.
Stephanie Drewery-Lindsey
Founder & Editor
Noteworthy: A family line of first born. O.V.A.A. founder Stepahnie’s mother (Marie) is Mrs. Somerville’s firstborn. Stephanie is the firstborn grandchild. Her son Tyler is the firstborn great grandchild and his son Tyler, Jr. is the first born great-great grandchild. |
Administrative Notes
Busy Lifestyles - Need Balance
As a single mother of two I often find myself constantly going. From the start of the day, on to work, going to the grocery store; etc. picking the boys up from school, attending basketball practice (seasonal sport) going to bible class and church meetings…home to do homework, prepare and eat dinner, discuss our day. While they’re getting prepared for bed, I’m cleaning up from dinner, trying to get a load of laundry done and a few things around the house accomplished. I get ready for the next day and go to bed; just to repeat the same things over again…….
When I began to really pray and ask God for balance I heard a scripture used by a preacher in a different context but God spoke directly to my prayer request, through that exact same scripture. The scripture comes from Luke 10:38-42……In this particular text Martha (sister of Mary) opens her home to Jesus. While Jesus was there Mary sat at his feet and listened attentively; while her sister Mary was distracted and busy with all the preparations “she” felt needed to be done. She gets very agitated with Mary and says to Jesus “Lord don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”….Martha is so distracted and consumed with so many things that Jesus has to call her name twice..Martha, Martha. Jesus said to her “you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken from her.”
I begin to meditate on this and I bless God for the illumination. What I got from this was my answer for “balance in my life”…..yes, I have to go to work, yes I must remain active in my church, yes it is very imperative that we keep our kids active with sports and involved with positive things; but before any of that gets done we must spend time with Jesus, early in the morning…in the middle of the day….and even late at night. When we do that he gives us the direction we need, the wisdom, the strength and the endurance we need to accomplish these things with the balance we need.
Remember, we all have busy lives whether we are young, old, single, married, with children or without children. Let’s not be so busy or distracted with things that we miss the one thing that matters the most…..Our relationship with Jesus. Let’s keep him first in all that we do; because only what we do for Christ will last!
Until next issue.
Kita Sorrell
Publisher’s Assistant |
