Tag: love

Posted in Just Talkin'

A Call to Radical Love: Praying for Our Political Opponents

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

In these divisive times, it’s easy to feel the pull of anger, resentment, and even animosity towards those on the “other side” of the political spectrum. The news cycle, social media, and even everyday conversations can fuel a sense of “us vs. them.” But as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher standard, a more profound way of living that transcends earthly divisions.

Let’s turn to the challenging yet transformative words of Jesus in Luke 6:28-30 (English Standard Version):

“bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from one who takes away your cloak do not withhold your tunic either. Give to everyone who begs from you, and from one who takes away your goods do not demand them back.”

What is God trying to tell us here? This passage is a radical call to agape love – an unconditional, self-sacrificing love that extends far beyond natural human affection or reciprocity. It’s about responding to hostility with grace, to injustice with generosity, and to anger with prayer.

Consider the profound implications for our political landscape:

  • For Black Christians who feel the sting of injustice: Perhaps you feel that certain policies or rhetoric from Donald Trump and many Republicans have been unjust, harmful, or dismissive of your experiences. The natural human response might be anger, bitterness, or a desire for retribution. Yet, Jesus calls us to a different path: to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” This doesn’t mean condoning injustice or ignoring wrongdoing. It means choosing to pray for wisdom, compassion, and a change of heart for those you perceive as your political adversaries. It means asking God to work in their lives, to guide them towards righteousness and empathy.
  • For Christian Trump supporters who feel maligned: Conversely, if you are a Christian who staunchly supports Donald Trump and finds yourself frustrated or offended by the words and actions of Democrats, the same scripture applies to you. You are called to “bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” Instead of allowing resentment to fester, pray for Democratic leaders and their constituents. Pray for unity, for understanding, and for God’s will to be done in their lives and in their policies.

The core principle here is revolutionary: Love extends to all, even enemies: True love, as exemplified by God, is not limited to those who are easy to love or who reciprocate our affection. It encompasses those who oppose us, curse us, and harm us.

This isn’t about ignoring the very real issues and disagreements that exist. It’s about approaching them from a spiritual posture rooted in Christ’s teaching. When we pray for those we disagree with, we are not only obeying a direct command from Jesus, but we are also:

  1. Breaking the cycle of animosity: Prayer has the power to transform hearts – theirs and ours. It prevents us from being consumed by bitterness.
  2. Demonstrating God’s character: Our willingness to love and pray for our enemies is a powerful testimony to the transformative power of the Gospel. It shows a world consumed by division that there is another way.
  3. Trusting in God’s sovereignty: We acknowledge that ultimate justice and change belong to God. We release our need for immediate vindication and trust in His perfect timing and plan.

So, no matter where you stand on the political spectrum, and no matter how deeply you feel wronged or misunderstood by the “other side,” let us commit to the radical act of prayer. Let us choose to bless rather than curse, to pray rather than retaliate. In doing so, we not only honor Christ but also become instruments of healing and reconciliation in a world desperately in need of both.

Let’s begin today. Who will you pray for, even if it feels difficult, even if it feels counterintuitive?

Posted in Positive Flow

Building a Moral Compass: Why Our Actions Speak Louder Than Our Words

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

We all want our children to grow into kind, honest, and responsible adults. We tell them about the importance of telling the truth, being fair, and following the rules. We strive to instill in them a strong moral center, a compass that guides them toward good choices even when we’re not around. But sometimes, in the hustle and bustle of daily life, we might inadvertently chip away at the very foundation we’re trying to build.

Our children are always watching. They are sponges, absorbing not just our words, but more importantly, our actions. They are learning about right and wrong, not just from our lectures, but from how we navigate the world ourselves.

Consider these everyday scenarios:

  • “Tell them I’m not home.” When we ask our children to lie on our behalf, even about something seemingly small, we send a confusing message. We’re essentially telling them that honesty is conditional, and that sometimes, it’s okay to bend the truth for convenience. This undermines the very concept of integrity we wish them to embrace.
  • “Just say you’re five instead of six for the free meal.” This might seem like a harmless way to save a few dollars, but to a child, it teaches that deception is acceptable if there’s a personal gain. It blurs the lines between honesty and dishonesty and can lead to a sense that rules are meant to be circumvented rather than respected.
  • “Just cross here, it’s quicker than the crosswalk.” While seemingly innocuous, this teaches disregard for safety rules and community norms. It suggests that personal convenience outweighs established guidelines for public safety. More broadly, it can instill a subtle disrespect for authority and a tendency to prioritize shortcuts over responsible behavior.

The famous musical “Into the Woods” features a poignant song with the repeated lyric, “Careful the things you say, children will listen.” This isn’t just about spoken words; it extends to every unspoken lesson we impart through our behavior. Our children are listening, watching, and internalizing.

So, how can we truly build that strong moral center?

It starts with us. It requires conscious effort and a commitment to embodying the values we want our children to hold.

  • Be a role model of honesty: Let your “yes” be yes and your “no” be no. If you make a mistake, admit it. Show them that honesty, even when difficult, is always the best policy.
  • Demonstrate integrity: Follow the rules, even when no one is watching. Pay your fair share, respect public spaces, and show integrity in all your dealings.
  • Prioritize safety and respect for rules: Explain why crosswalks and other safety rules are important. Show them that rules are there to protect us and create an orderly society.
  • Talk about choices: When situations arise, discuss the ethical implications of different choices. Ask them, “What do you think is the right thing to do here and why?”
  • Apologize when you falter: We’re all human, and we will make mistakes. When you do, apologize to your children. This models humility and teaches them that it’s okay to acknowledge and learn from errors.

Building a moral center in our children isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency and intentionality. It’s about recognizing that every action we take, every choice we make, is a lesson being taught. Let’s be mindful of the lessons we’re imparting and ensure that our actions are consistently reinforcing the values we want our children to carry with them throughout their lives. Because when it comes to character, our children are indeed watching, and they are listening.

Posted in Good Stuff, Just Talkin', Positive Flow

Relax in Being You!

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

I’m just sitting here thinking about how my life has been. I’ve accomplished a lot of things. I’m proud of myself. However the thing I haven’t accomplished is being comfortable with who I am. This has been a true struggle. Realizing who I am and being comfortable being who I am in public and in private. As I sit and think, I start to realize that some of my actions are not my own. They stem from the way I think others want me to behave, the way I saw others do things when I was younger, the way my family believes things should be done. Once I relax in who I truly am and clear out all the other stuff, I can enjoy being me. I can love being me. “ An old white woman, trapped in a black man body…. that is gay but not that gay” LOL 😂 I love who I am! If I make you feel uncomfortable…… just relax in being you!

Other people can’t change who you are because you are you!

Daily Affirmations: Today is a Wonderful Day. I truly love who I am. I’m in love with me. I am who I am, and who I am, I love. My life is fabulously blessed. I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in Just Talkin'

Mr Demby’s Teaching Philosophy!

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Teachers. Don’t overlook teachable moments trying to teach! Many times we’re so busy trying to follow the curriculum, that we miss major life shaping lessons. Your teaching should inspire your students, so if they are asking questions; help them find the answers. Even if the question doesn’t pertain to to this particular lesson you’re teaching. If children are excited about something enough to ask about it, go with it. It is my belief that children don’t really learn from what you teach, but from how you teach. Case in point, we were doing a piano lesson in class. We were learning to play D-F-A. One of my students said, “ I wonder how pianos makes sounds”? I instantly took the top off the piano and call the students over and showed them the hammers and mechanisms. Then I allowed them to touch it. They were amazed. That wasn’t the lesson. The lesson came the next time someone had a question about something. “Let’s take it apart and see, just like we did the piano” ! That was the lesson!

Daily Affirmations: Today is an Awe-inspiring Day! I look forward to what every new hour brings. My life is divinely guided and I am always headed in the best direction. Every experience is an opportunity to learn and grow. I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in Positive Flow

Show and Tell!

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! With so much negativity going on in our world right now, we need to pull our loved ones close and show them that you love them. Even if you don’t have the capacity to love someone from another ethnicity, show love and tell love to the ones close to you. When you’re in the vibration of love, it’s hard to hate others. So today, let’s tell as many people as possible that we love them and show them that you care. Show and Tell! #spreadlove

Daily Affirmations: Today is a Wonderful day! I sprinkle love into every interaction I have today. I am loving and lovable. I love and approve of myself. I love my family. I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in Positive Flow

We Need More Love

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! Let’s spread love today by loving ourselves!

Love your neighbors as you love ❤️ yourself. You’ve got to first love yourself.

Daily Affirmations: The day get better as it goes along. I’m falling in love with myself more and more. I feel good about myself. I give myself unconditional love, warts and all! I love every part of me. I am loving and lovable. I’m easy to love! I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in Positive Flow

U. G. L. Y.

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! With everything going on in our country, it shows that a lot of people don’t love themselves. By hating someone else, it’s shows the parts of you that you hate the most. So today let’s be UGLY and learn to love ourselves. There was this comedian who started saying that years ago. I’m not sure who, but the joke was instead of people calling you ugly to your face, they would simply say, “ You got to love yourself!” As I get older, I realize that in this life, that’s where we all need to get to; Loving ourselves. If more people loved themselves, there would be more people spreading love to others.

Daily Affirmations: Today is a Magnificent Day. I choose to feel good about myself. I love who I see in the mirror. I truly love who I am. I am grateful to be alive. Living in my present moments makes me feel good. I am loving and lovable. I’m easy to love. I am healthy, wealthy, whole, and complete. ALL IS WELL IN MY CLASSROOM. ALL IS WELL IN MY SCHOOL. ALL IS WELL IN MY WORLD. ALL IS WELL AND I AM SAFE. #IBlessMyWorldWithLove

Posted in Good Stuff, Positive Flow

Soothing ANGER with LOVE ❤️

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! There is a lot of unrest in the United States right now. There needs to be something done. The rules of policing and due process needs to change. No matter what the outward problems, the inward problem is the lack of love. So I , with my small voice, speak love. I cover every city with love. I cover ever protester with love. I cover every police officer with love. I cover every government official with love. I cover every fear with love. I cover all sadness with love. I cover myself and my mental state with love. Let love fill our hearts and please share and spread love with me. Please join me in speaking and spreading love!

Posted in Positive Flow

I Speak Love ❤️

Posted on by dembysplayfulparables76

Good Morning Most Awesome and Wonderful World Changers! I speak love over this country. I speak love over our government. I speak love over our police officers. I speak over our African American families affected by police brutality. I speak love over those people who are frightened by African Americans. I speak love over all who read this. May love fill our hearts again. Love! Love! Love!