We don't always look like what we've been through or what we're going through. The struggle is not always apparent. That is one of the reasons why we must be careful about how we respond to one another. How we respond may either help others out of their struggle or pry their fingers loose from the hope of getting out of the struggle.

Sometimes it's the subtle and well-practiced habits that can be the most condemning. We may nudge our neighbor with our elbow or foot when we see what we believe to be tell-tale signs of effeminate movements and gestures. We may raise our eyebrows and roll our eyes upon noticing the exchange of a knowing searching look or touch from one brother to another. We may shake our heads in disgust or even avoid a sister whose gaze and appearance we feel present a more masculine appraisal. Perhaps we just continue to snicker and gossip behind the backs of all of those whose struggle we believe could never be our own. None of these things will change anything... for the better.

We don't always look like what we've been through or what we're going through. The victory is not always apparent. We do a disservice when we presume to categorize or label someone because of the way he or she acts, looks, or sounds. Some are what we may perceive them to be, but that doesn't mean that they will always be. Some were what we may perceive them to be, but that doesn't mean they still are. What God has cleansed, no one has the right to call unclean; and what God can cleanse, no one has the right to call condemned.

We can easily make the mistake of trying to convict others of what we believe to be their wrongdoing, but that's not our job. We can confront in love as we are given opportunity, but conviction of the heart belongs to the One who made it and knows it. With all the tools of change at His disposal, it is goodness, not condemnation, that God employs to turn us away from our sinful habits. If this is the strategy that God deems to be most effective, this is the strategy that we should put into practice. If we don't, it may be "us" and not "them" who will need to make use of this strategy.

The next time we see someone whose appearance or behavior tempts us to nudge our neighbor, raise our eyebrows, roll our eyes, avoid, snicker or gossip, we would do well to ask ourselves whether or not we are looking at a struggle or a victory. Since we cannot know with any certainty the answer to that question by mere external observation, perhaps it would be best if we simply follow our Leader and let goodness be our guide.

Aleathea Dupree is the author of Though The Vision Tarry: Waiting For My Promised Mate and the Administrator of the Deep Waters website/forum. Copyright © 2005. All Rights Reserved. For permission to reprint, please contact: administrator@deepwaters.info.

SPECIAL EDITION OF GIRL TALK (View Promo)
Girl, You Need To Hear This (Part 2)

Join Elder Vikki Johnson & Friends for an intimate, informal, and unscripted evening.

Friday, July 22, 2005 @ 7:30pm
Free Gospel Deliverance Temple
4703 Marlboro Pike
Coral Hills, MD 20743
301.420.9300
Apostle Ralph Green & Dr. Shirley M. Green, Senior Pastors

The church is located at the intersection of Southern Avenue, Marlboro Pike, and Bowen Road, SE, Washington, D.C.

A healing exchange between an all female audience and a panel of God-fearing, strong, compassionate MEN who speak the truth in love.

This session's dialogue will be more guided and focused on the "Daddy" issues that women have.

PASS THE WORD!!!!!

First Lady: The Real Truth
Finally, a book is being written about the challenges of being a pastor's wife. Interviews with past and present pastor's and minister's wives are needed to explore this topic which is rarely discussed in today's churches. The book will primarily focus on the experiences of Candie A. Price, wife of Pastor Arthur Price, Jr. of the historic Sixteenth Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, but will likely include stories of courage, strength and God's grace from other pastor's and minister's wives. It will encourage all women toward a closer walk with Christ as He molds them into their purpose. It is intended to be a book that all Christian women can relate to on some level, but also give them the "real deal" about the unique role of a pastor's/minister's wife.

If you would like to share your story, please contact Candie at (205) 542-7449 or via email at candieprice@deepwaters.info or you can place your story on our website at: www.joy2bhizz.com. All information is confidential and no names or church names will be revealed. If you prefer total anonymity, send your story to Candie at 1405 Winola Lane, Birmingham, AL 35235.

If you have or know of an event that will support the needs and interests of the Deep Waters family and friends, please forward event information to support@deepwaters.info.

FORUM UPGRADE! The Deep Waters forum has been upgraded to provide you with some great new features and options. Please remember to update your Favorites link to point to www.deepwaters.info/forum.

Deep Waters Network Problems

The Deep Waters forum had been experiencing some server problems since 7/1/05 which caused some posts/personal messages and new member registrations to disappear and reappear intermittently. Fortunately, we have resolved the network issues. Unfortunately, some posts, private messages, and new member registrations since 7/1/05 may have been lost in the process.

If your recent post/response is missing please send a note with details (i.e. portion of topic title or description of content) to support@deepwaters.info. We will attempt to recreate posts from our backup database. If you sent personal messages and did not receive a response, please re-send. If your user account is missing, please re-register.

We apologize for this inconvenience.

Regards,
The Deep Waters Forum Support Team

Share the resources that have been a blessing and inspiration in your life (books, tapes, videos, websites, ministries, etc.) in our Freshwater Pearls section of the forum.