The Chaplain’s Corner
MellaDee Warren has served as Denver Alumnae's Chaplain through two administrations. Her training as a nurse has taught her patience and love and she exudes that love each month with her inspirational words. Each month we are inspired by her timely and well though out words, and we appreciate them and her.
Below are some of her most memorable ones to date, Power of Love, Our Thankfulness, Peace on Earth - Good Will Towards Men, and Perseverance. They have inspired us, and we hope they will inspire you as well.
Power of Love
February 2007
1 John 4:7
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.
February 14th is a day we profess our love to the ones we love with gifts, cards, candy and flowers. Love is more than just one day it is every moment of our lives. To love is to be loved.
It feels good to express love, whether through a smile, a touch or a prayer. It heightens our sense of being alive. Acknowledging another’s presence means that we too, are acknowledged.
Knowing we are loved may be the key to our doing the things we fear. Love supports us to charge ahead, and we can support others to charge ahead. We know that if we fail, we have someone to turn to.
Giving love softens our edges, completes us, and connects us to the people with whom we are fulfilling our destinies. Wanting love is a normal human desire, not one we should deny. And we shall receive love, the less our emphasis is on getting it, the more on giving it. We freely and honestly give it.
God’s love is ours, every moment. Recognition is all that’s asked of us. Acceptance of this ever-present love will make us whole, and self-doubt will diminish.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, It is not rude, it is not self-seeking. It is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trust, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Our Thankfulness
November 2006
Psalm 95:2
“Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with Psalm.”
In 1863 President Abraham Lincoln established a national holiday in the United States “Thanksgiving Day”, celebrated the fourth Thursday in November.
At times, it is helpful to spend a few moments looking back over our lives to review how indebted we are to God for his goodness and mercy.
Every event of our lives is contributing a rich thread to our personal tapestry. We seldom have foresight to understand the worth or the ultimate value of a particular circumstance at its happening.
It is good to reflect on the circumstances that fail to thrill us. In all cases we can now see why we needed them. As our trust in God and the goodness of all experiences grow, we will more quickly respond with gladness when situations are fresh.
God gives us blessings. He breathes life into us every morning, he wakes us up with our mind in tact. Every time we express gratitude to God in difficult situations, we are declaring God is alive.
Our father knows the things we need before we ask him. As the father supplies our needs, perhaps we should see His provision from a new perspective and be determined to express our thanks. Practicing gratitude will help us more fully appreciate what has been offered us.
As we celebrate with family and friends, let’s praise his name with manful repetition daily. No matter who you are or what your circumstance may be, there’s always much to be thankful for. Praise him for his providential care.
Psalm 100: 4 “Enter into His gates with Thanksgivings and into His courts with praise. Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.”
Pease on Earth – Good will towards Men!
December 2006
Luke 2:10
“…then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people.”
During the Christmas season it is easy to be swept along by the flood of excitement of gift buying. Gift giving is showing our love for family and friends. The exchange of expensive presents reflects God’s gift to us, His son and in a way to spread joy.
This time of the year is more than just a season to be kind. Christmas is about Jesus - the real reason for the season!
At Bethlehem, knowing the risk, God gave the command “Light up the World.” Then Jesus was born. A radiant light began to shine, pushing back the darkness of the world, of spiritual ignorance, and of sin and despair. Jesus came to us as “the light of the world.”
When the angel of the Lord appeared to the Shepherds outside Bethlehem, he told them, ‘I bring you good tidings of Great Joy.” Even today, the great news that was brought about the birth of the savior is “great joy” for us as we continue through our everyday lives.
At this time of the year we think about the birth of the Savoir. The events of his birth are of vital importance, yet we would do well to reflect also on his earthly ministry, sacrificial death, the resurrection, ascension and promised return.
This season, let’s join those who have gone forth from their visit to Bethlehem to proclaim the good news of Jesus, who came to save us.
Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere --- Go tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.
Perseverance
October 2006
I Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.
Steady persistence in a course of actions, a purpose. Over the past year with the many projects we have undertaken with the many difficulties, have remained steadfast.
Perseverance is the plus that assures us of meeting the completion of our goals. As we forge ahead on our projects, it loses its power over us. Our confidence and abilities grow in concert with our progress on the projects, preparing us to tackle the next goals.
We have something special, and uniquely our own to offer in this life and we also have the potential to offer it successfully.
Help is readily available for us to discover our capacities for success. Abilities stand ready to be tapped; goals and projects await our recognition. Any commitments we make to a task that draws our interest will be reinforced by God’s commitment to our efforts.
The Lord wants us to keep working at our God-given tasks no matter how difficult they may be to complete the project. Even when success seems remote or impossible we are to remain steadfast, assured that there would be ample rewards for those who persevere.