James Langston's Blog - Posts Tagged "mama"
A Mother's Work is Never Done!
The Will to Succeed
The Will to Succeed gives a “through the eyes” glimpse into the emotions, thoughts, decisions, and highs and lows of a mother’s life. Although the consequences of a wrong decision, no matter how slight weigh heavily on her, she presses on – faithful, strong and determined.
Encapsulated in the eight chapters of this book, you will experience the uniqueness of life through the eyes and heartbeats of eight mothers and its ensuing oddities and uncertainties.
Although a compendium of ideas, thoughts, career fields and family structure is found among these mothers, one common thread connects them – commitment.
Several of the mothers are married. Some are single, and others widowed or divorced. One mother is a military spouse; the other an Admiral in the Navy.
Yet, each one is doing her best to love, protect and provide for her family.
Someone once explained motherhood to me with these words, “At a sporting event two types of people are gathered, spectators and participants. Anyone can be a spectator, just say whatever comes to mind, either for or against the contest or the contestants.”
“However, it takes a special warrior to be a participant. You are no longer in the stands, high and safe above the crowd. Now you are face-to-face with your opponent in the arena of life, fighting, striving, getting knocked down, getting dirtied but refusing to quit – those are the real mothers!”
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
The Will to Succeed gives a “through the eyes” glimpse into the emotions, thoughts, decisions, and highs and lows of a mother’s life. Although the consequences of a wrong decision, no matter how slight weigh heavily on her, she presses on – faithful, strong and determined.
Encapsulated in the eight chapters of this book, you will experience the uniqueness of life through the eyes and heartbeats of eight mothers and its ensuing oddities and uncertainties.
Although a compendium of ideas, thoughts, career fields and family structure is found among these mothers, one common thread connects them – commitment.
Several of the mothers are married. Some are single, and others widowed or divorced. One mother is a military spouse; the other an Admiral in the Navy.
Yet, each one is doing her best to love, protect and provide for her family.
Someone once explained motherhood to me with these words, “At a sporting event two types of people are gathered, spectators and participants. Anyone can be a spectator, just say whatever comes to mind, either for or against the contest or the contestants.”
“However, it takes a special warrior to be a participant. You are no longer in the stands, high and safe above the crowd. Now you are face-to-face with your opponent in the arena of life, fighting, striving, getting knocked down, getting dirtied but refusing to quit – those are the real mothers!”
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
Grandmothers – The Unsung Heroes.
Grandmamma's Prayers
“GrandMamma’s Prayers,” don’t underestimate the persistency and consistency of a praying grandmother!
When we think of GrandMamma, we often think of good food, dress up days and Sunday morning church. GrandMamma’s Prayers records a simpler time in life.
A time when the social, economic, or cultural status of a person was not the determining factor of a relationship.
Life in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s was anything but uncomplicated. Yet, even with all the inherent uncertainties of these times, they were still some of the best of times and worst of times, all at the same time.
GrandMamma’s Prayers takes a nostalgic look at those bygone years. A time when a neighbor helped a neighbor without expecting anything in return: when a ride in an old wagon was the highlight of the summer and where Sundays’ were the official church days.
So often you will hear people say, “You know my GrandMamma always said . . .” or “My GrandMamma always did . . .” or “She taught me how to . . .”
These were testimonials to the unselfish work and labor grandmothers carried out for their grandchildren and everyone around them.
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
“GrandMamma’s Prayers,” don’t underestimate the persistency and consistency of a praying grandmother!
When we think of GrandMamma, we often think of good food, dress up days and Sunday morning church. GrandMamma’s Prayers records a simpler time in life.
A time when the social, economic, or cultural status of a person was not the determining factor of a relationship.
Life in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s was anything but uncomplicated. Yet, even with all the inherent uncertainties of these times, they were still some of the best of times and worst of times, all at the same time.
GrandMamma’s Prayers takes a nostalgic look at those bygone years. A time when a neighbor helped a neighbor without expecting anything in return: when a ride in an old wagon was the highlight of the summer and where Sundays’ were the official church days.
So often you will hear people say, “You know my GrandMamma always said . . .” or “My GrandMamma always did . . .” or “She taught me how to . . .”
These were testimonials to the unselfish work and labor grandmothers carried out for their grandchildren and everyone around them.
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
Going to Church with GrandMama - Reflections
Grandmamma's Prayers
Excerpt from Chapter II - "Let's Go to Church!"
If memory serves me correctly, I was about five or six the first time I attended church with GrandMamma. The roads were mostly dirt, so we either walked or rode in wagons to and from church.
My most memorable part of the ride was the rhythmic sounds the chains made as they brushed against the leather collars around the mules’ necks.
Invariably, we would meet up with others along the road also headed to church.
Whenever that many saints came together, it was only a matter of time before someone started singing one of those old spirituals.
When they did, others joined in until everyone was singing. One of my favorites was “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
Swing low, Sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, Sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
As the Spirit began to flow, some clapped their hands, others stomped their feet. All the kids would grab straw off the wagons and throw it into the air.
An inexplicable excitement compelled everyone and everything breathing to participate in this time of jubilee! And, by the time we got to church, we had already been to “church!”
Please understand, I’m not saying that an outward display of what some term “physical gymnastics” is a true sign of worship.
However, I do believe that if the Spirit of the Lord is present, there will be visible responses as He moves on hearts and lives.
[image error]
When these sons and daughters of former slaves and their progeny began to worship, they were participants in the greatest event on planet earth – the Praise and Worship of the Lord.
The Gospel of John says, “. . . true worshippers shall worship him in spirit and in truth . . .” This they did to their fullest.
A Church service should never be geared to simply excite and stimulate the flesh. Conversely it should not feel like a stroll in a graveyard!
There must be balance, with emphasis always on allowing the Holy Spirit to have preeminence.
The Word says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Sadly, this spontaneity (the moving and operation of he Spirit) is so lacking in worship services today.
We have become so adept at form and fashion worship (a disjointed mixture of flesh, flesh and more flesh) that true worship (which comes as the heart is broken before the Lord) is as scarce as the proverbial “hens” teeth.
When Ezekiel wrote,
“And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh,” he was describing a powerful flowing river that breathes life into whatever it touched!
If the river does not flow, the deacon cannot pray, the choir cannot sing, and the preacher cannot preach! Only the flowing river quenches the thirst and satisfies the soul.
My GrandMamma was a very orderly lady. Her clothes, her hats, and even the way she walked all bore these unique defining qualities.
Yet, when she worshipped the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, she displayed a youthfulness and vigor rivaling her years.
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
Excerpt from Chapter II - "Let's Go to Church!"
If memory serves me correctly, I was about five or six the first time I attended church with GrandMamma. The roads were mostly dirt, so we either walked or rode in wagons to and from church.
My most memorable part of the ride was the rhythmic sounds the chains made as they brushed against the leather collars around the mules’ necks.
Invariably, we would meet up with others along the road also headed to church.
Whenever that many saints came together, it was only a matter of time before someone started singing one of those old spirituals.
When they did, others joined in until everyone was singing. One of my favorites was “Swing Low, Sweet Chariot.”
Swing low, Sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
Swing low, Sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.
As the Spirit began to flow, some clapped their hands, others stomped their feet. All the kids would grab straw off the wagons and throw it into the air.
An inexplicable excitement compelled everyone and everything breathing to participate in this time of jubilee! And, by the time we got to church, we had already been to “church!”
Please understand, I’m not saying that an outward display of what some term “physical gymnastics” is a true sign of worship.
However, I do believe that if the Spirit of the Lord is present, there will be visible responses as He moves on hearts and lives.
[image error]
When these sons and daughters of former slaves and their progeny began to worship, they were participants in the greatest event on planet earth – the Praise and Worship of the Lord.
The Gospel of John says, “. . . true worshippers shall worship him in spirit and in truth . . .” This they did to their fullest.
A Church service should never be geared to simply excite and stimulate the flesh. Conversely it should not feel like a stroll in a graveyard!
There must be balance, with emphasis always on allowing the Holy Spirit to have preeminence.
The Word says, “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.”
Sadly, this spontaneity (the moving and operation of he Spirit) is so lacking in worship services today.
We have become so adept at form and fashion worship (a disjointed mixture of flesh, flesh and more flesh) that true worship (which comes as the heart is broken before the Lord) is as scarce as the proverbial “hens” teeth.
When Ezekiel wrote,
“And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh,” he was describing a powerful flowing river that breathes life into whatever it touched!
If the river does not flow, the deacon cannot pray, the choir cannot sing, and the preacher cannot preach! Only the flowing river quenches the thirst and satisfies the soul.
My GrandMamma was a very orderly lady. Her clothes, her hats, and even the way she walked all bore these unique defining qualities.
Yet, when she worshipped the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, she displayed a youthfulness and vigor rivaling her years.
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
The Building of A Church
The Building of A Church
Excerpt from Chapter One, "That Little Old Country Church"
I was born in the late 50’s, so I grew up under the hippie, peace, “right on,” influences of the 60’s and 70’s.
Yet, thankfully, I had the fortune to attend a little country church strategically located between the cities of Egypt, Texas and Spanish Camp, Texas, named Camp Zion Baptist Church: one of the few churches that still preached a message of separation from these influences.
My sister recently told me the church had become a recognized historical landmark in the state of Texas.
I know many people worked hard for this recognition, and I am excited about the notoriety, however during those days; there was nothing unique or eye-catching about the building. In fact, if you drove by it, you would not have noticed anything unusual.
Our services were simple. The pastor, the late Reverend Elbert Hinton, talked about a Jesus that could do the impossible. Pastor Hinton was not a great orator, nor was there anything overly stunning about his demeanor.
[image error]
Yet he did have a story worth telling. He loved to talk about a God who could make something out of nothing and do it so well that you thought the nothing always was something!
In the winter, we used an old “pot-bellied” stove to heat the building. If I remember correctly, our combination pulpit and choir area was one of the first in our area.
The inside architecture of the church consisted of hard wood floors, wooden benches, and stained glass windows. This made it notoriously cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
On hot days, we kept the church cool by propping open the windows so a breeze could blow through. Many a time I remember watching the grown ups furiously fanning themselves with those familiar “funeral home” fans trying to keep cool.
I also am ashamed to admit this, but I learned at an early age the consequences of “acting up” in church. Southern women would correct you with a stare, a pinch, or a quiet yet firm, “Stop that.”
If none of those tactics worked, my Mama or GrandMamma would give me the, “You are going outside with me” look.
I knew an old-fashioned whipping lay in store if I continued my foolishness, yet, I persisted in my cantankerous ways.
Why? The Holy Spirit through King Solomon summed it up best, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
Excerpt from Chapter One, "That Little Old Country Church"
I was born in the late 50’s, so I grew up under the hippie, peace, “right on,” influences of the 60’s and 70’s.
Yet, thankfully, I had the fortune to attend a little country church strategically located between the cities of Egypt, Texas and Spanish Camp, Texas, named Camp Zion Baptist Church: one of the few churches that still preached a message of separation from these influences.
My sister recently told me the church had become a recognized historical landmark in the state of Texas.
I know many people worked hard for this recognition, and I am excited about the notoriety, however during those days; there was nothing unique or eye-catching about the building. In fact, if you drove by it, you would not have noticed anything unusual.
Our services were simple. The pastor, the late Reverend Elbert Hinton, talked about a Jesus that could do the impossible. Pastor Hinton was not a great orator, nor was there anything overly stunning about his demeanor.
[image error]
Yet he did have a story worth telling. He loved to talk about a God who could make something out of nothing and do it so well that you thought the nothing always was something!
In the winter, we used an old “pot-bellied” stove to heat the building. If I remember correctly, our combination pulpit and choir area was one of the first in our area.
The inside architecture of the church consisted of hard wood floors, wooden benches, and stained glass windows. This made it notoriously cold in the winter and hot in the summer.
On hot days, we kept the church cool by propping open the windows so a breeze could blow through. Many a time I remember watching the grown ups furiously fanning themselves with those familiar “funeral home” fans trying to keep cool.
I also am ashamed to admit this, but I learned at an early age the consequences of “acting up” in church. Southern women would correct you with a stare, a pinch, or a quiet yet firm, “Stop that.”
If none of those tactics worked, my Mama or GrandMamma would give me the, “You are going outside with me” look.
I knew an old-fashioned whipping lay in store if I continued my foolishness, yet, I persisted in my cantankerous ways.
Why? The Holy Spirit through King Solomon summed it up best, “Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child; but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.”
Pilgrim Outreach Ministries Bookstore
