Southside Scoop - 2.25.2024

T H E S C O O P

Southside Church of Christ

800 Elmira Avenue

Durham, NC 27707

info@sside.org

www.sside.org

919.688.3535

STAFF

Orlander R. Thomas Senior Minister

William A. Stephens Minister Emeritus

D’Andrea Fanning Director of Ministry Operations & Non-Profit

Candice P. Blount Church Administrator

Quentella Williams Executive Assistant

DEACONS

John Alcox

Anthony Green, Sr.

Arthur Hackney

John Mathis

Chester Mayfield, Jr.

Roger McDougal

Joe Williams

Keith Wright

It’s Primarily How You See and Think About

Yourself By RICKI FULLER

Recording Artist DOE released a song entitled ‘Holy Hands’ which speaks to varying forms of trauma experienced in people’s lives. Here are the lyrics:

I don't feel like it all the time, but I am good enough …, ‘Cause you made me good enough; Last in the lineup, try to keep my head up, I was so entangled, I was mangled from the ankles up, Trapped by my own stuff, past had me handcuffed, Day-to-day was torture with my future lookin' so rough; And You changed the direction I was running to; You gave me Your spirit and it made me new; Now when I see me, I look like You; You made me holy, You gave me holy hands, I'm lifting up holy hands; Washed by the blood, Passed through the watеr, Got baptizеd, made us official, Now I'm on a mission and I'm handing out eviction, To the enemy, You can't stay with me; The shame, it weighed me down (And it held me down); Chains held me to the ground; But Your love, it called me out (But You called me out); I walk on water now (But now I can't let down these Holy hands); I'm lifting up holy hands 'Cause You gave me holy hands; Yeah, You made me Holy, Yeah, and I'm lifting up these holy hands; Oh, I thank You, Lord…for these holy hands; Giving me another chance, To worship at Your throne again; I thank You for these holy hands.

This month we have learned from Bible Class Lessons and from Sunday Morning Sermons that we can, in fact, overcome the trauma(s) in our lives. It has been specified that many times GOD, actually, allows us to experience traumatic or painful events. Purportedly His allowing us to suffer trauma helps us to realize He Is actively present with us ensuring our ability to overcome obstructions.

Some teachers even advise their class participants to not give up, nor grievously give in to the negativity of traumatic situations/circumstances. Instead, the teachers recommend we prayerfully, mentally, emotionally and physically go through whatever pains or trials may affect our lives.

As DOE’s song indicates, we should practice lifting up those hands of ours in prayer and gratitude recognizing He has justified us, made us holy and righteous (see Romans 5:19, 8:28-30, 3:23-26; II Corinthians 5:21; Ephesians 3:6). Imagine yourself truly believing that GOD’s love for you is so amazing that He provides all you need to live successfully regardless of temptations, sins, traumas, failures, or whatever (see Philippians 4:19, 13). As you see yourself as He has fashioned you, one who is justified and good enough, does that clarify/renew your thinking about GOD and about yourself (see Romans 12:2)?

Yes beloved, GOD’s Comfort, Peace and Presence are with you! So, lift up your holy hands as you trustingly and effectively travel through, and overcome traumas (II Thessalonians 3:16; John 14:27)!

“So God created mankind in his own image” -Genesis