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practice print for july issue

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5 WAYS TO +MUSIC LADY: A POEM practice faith at work THOUGHTS ON WOMAN OF THE MONTH unconditional love SADA K. * WORLD PREMIERE: + THE PERFECT BALANCE Broken Music Video WHEN WALKING THE TIGHTROPE OF LIFE Love, Faith, and Purpose in Life VOL 2 | JUNE 2015 www.autumnmagazine.com

CLICK A PAGE ISSUE 2 | JUNE 2015 | ISSN 2377-9128TO GO STRAIGHT IN THIS ISSUE THERE!4 LETTER from the EDITOR5 Meet the team6 The Music Lady Poem by Joan Dance7 5 Ways to Practice Faith at Work By Ivy Villaflores8 Walking a Tightrope By Kacey Hartung12 INSPIRATION OF THE MONTH: SADA K.19 Unconditional Love By Stephanie Reynolds

WELCOME! to Autumn Magazine. Below are details that will provide you with ways you canutilize the digital magazine to its full capacity.SOCIAL ICONS ASK AUTUMNWhen you see a social media icon (Facebook, Twitter, By clicking on this tab you will be driven to a page toInstagram) you can click on the icon and be taken out of fill out information that will be emailed to Autumn'sthe magazine to the social media site of our magazine or Marriage and Family Therapist. Here you will be requiredof a company from an ad that has been placed. to fill out the form that includes a subject, age, and question. There is also a page in the magazine dedicatedVIDEOS for your questions so you don't have to leave the issue to fill out this information.AUTUMN presents videos for content or ad space so youhave the ability to watch videos while flipping through TABLE OF CONTENTSthe magazine. Just click the play button in the middle ofthe video screen. When you arrive at the table of contents or use the thumbnails below you can select a page and be directlySURVEY transferred to the article you want to go to. No struggles with having to flip through the magazine to find theWhen you click on AUTUMN'S survey tab you'll be article that you want to read right away.transferred to a brief survey. These surveys help usto continue to produce relevant information to you, E-MAIL ICONSthe reader. Similar to the social media icons, when one of theseAUTMUN WEBSITE buttons is clicked it will trigger the email address to the ad or AUTUMN magazine to contact someone. This worksBy clicking on the AUTUMN logo above or anywhere with stand alone e-mail address too.you see the logo or the company url you can be drivendirectly to the AUTUMN website. SHARE BUTTONSSUBSCRIBE When you see a social media icon (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest) you can click on the icon andClick subscribe to receive weekly updates and be taken out of the magazine to the social media sitenewsletters from AUTUMN'S website and blog. of our magazine or of a company from an ad that has been placed.The interactive magazine will point out each icon that has a hyperlink and is interactive every timeyou turn the page. Watch for the glowing content to know for sure what you can click OR simplyclick away. You won’t break anything, we promise. HAVE FUN AND ENJOY! 3

4 letter \"Ask for help. My advice is to do what you can do to the best of your ability and don't stress about it afterwards.\" from the Matthew 6:27, Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? editor June's issue reflects on ways you can deal with stress in your day-to-day life. These articles will examine ways to deal with hardships at work, balancing home + take our survey life, and even looking forward in the times that you can't see the light at the end + go to ask autumn of the tunnel. + connect with us! I know too well how a person may perceive a quote like this when you are at your ultimate low. It's an easier thing to say than to adapt to. Recently, I had a Fill out the survey, so we conversation with my best friend who was going through a tough time at work. can mold what we publish She felt that she couldn't give her all to both her job and her personal life. Trying to you to fit especially to juggle both was overwhelming for her and it was resulting in her second- for you. Or do you have guessing her ability to get anything done. She went on in detail to explain specific a question? Ask through work projects she had completed and how difficult keeping her house and family Autumn’s anonymous intact was. form to have your answer After listing carefully, I explained to her that all of the issues she was having were published in the next based on her doubting herself. Her task at work and home during the past week issue of the magazine by had been completed, and she had moved on to new ones with new stresses. If a Marriage and Family she just took a second and congratulated herself for overcoming one thing at a Therapist. time, she would start to realize she had juggled and had actually not dropped the ball. Even if she did, even if she fumbled, life will go on. I told her to ask for help. My advice is to do what you can do to the best of your ability and don't stress about it afterwards. Though I believe you should lift your head up and live confidently, we are not superwoman. You can't do everything. You can take a break, and it's okay to step back and breath. Have faith. You can't control every situation that arises but you can ask for God's help, and you can realize that by worrying you're not adding a single hour to your life. And afterwards, get back to life because although you may not be a superwoman you are a warrior. Delight in your work. Women, we not only become mothers, wives, homemakers, and full-time career women all wrapped in one, but also mediators, leaders, and councilors. Know that yes, you are needed and you are able. Be blessed!

Wayne and Marilyn Redd INDEPENDENT DISTRIBUTORS [email protected] (602) 696-6206 www.reddcoffee.myorganogold.com (623) 206-4709THE TEAM CONTRIBUTING TEAM Every month we have a selection of external talent that helps contribute material to make our magazine what it is. We thank them and also welcome your skills at the table. Interested in contributing to Autumn Magazine? Contact us at: info@ autumnmagazine.com. Owner and Editor Audio Video Director Contributing Photographer Lisha Riabinina Jayme Parkinson Kevin Parkinson Contributing Writers Ivy [email protected] Joann Dance [email protected] Kacey Hartung Stephanie ReynoldsArt Director Interactive Interview Journalist AUTUMN MAGAZINE is published monthly by Autumn Magazine, Inc., Office: P.O. Box 46171, Phoenix, AZ 85063. Website: www.autumnmagazine.com. ForAshley Gaffney Brittany Clark advertising inquiries, contact: [email protected]@autumnmagazine.com [email protected] REPRINTS AND PERMISSION: © 2015 Autumn Magazine, the writers, photographers, and artists. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any other means, electronically, mechanically, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from the publisher.

ve·pe rsonal·na6 rrati The Music Lady Blessed service of God, By Joan Dance When the music of men, and the music of angelic love Join with Heavenly Hosts, in The praises of song, lending tidings of things from above. When the music begins, it soothes the soul and makes the heart rejoice. It’s wonderful to find that the Spirit is playing a beautiful, Glorious part. May the music ring ever on the Mountains. Play it boldly in The valley. Play it gently by The streams Until it blends with the joy of Forever. Play the music so sweetly Again.

e ·l i fe·and·a dvic 7 WAYS TO 5 practice FAITH DAILY AT WORK By Ivy VillafloresToo often, I find myself caughtup inthe dailydemands atwork I: INSPIREand become too focused on secular duties. I’m very proud ofwhere I’ve landed myself and my position, but I get caught up Even in the business of our day, you could be inspiring someonein my professional realm and forget that I need to keep myself and not even know it! A small gesture like complimenting afaith-focused.IrealizedrecentlythatIneededtocentermyself supervisor on a job well done, or noticing a coworker’s outfit canin a more faith-based daily routine. Sometimes, it is hard to actually make a world of difference in someone else’s day. Whenintegratebothyourpersonalconvictionswithyourprofessional you give a little inspiration to someone, a domino effect usuallylife, but if we take just a few moments each day to reflect, follows, and your faith is shared ten-fold and beyond!it’s quite possible to do both. Here are five ways in which Ihave found daily habits to boost my faith without becoming T: TRUSTdistracted inthe dailygrind ofworkthroughthe mnemonic ofFAITH at work: I’m sure I’m not the only one who finds themselves in disagreement with other coworkers at times. We need to trustF: FRIENDSHIP not just ourselves, but God, in realizing both notions: that we aren’t always right to also trust our confidence. The next timeA lot of people understandably try not to make close friendships there you face yourself in conflict at work, take a moment to prayat work, but the truth is, we spend most of our day with our co- and ask yourself: do I trust God enough to lead me in the positiveworkers. Why not surround yourself with those who positively path in how to approach this? When you reflect, you’ll find thatimpact you? Without crossing the lines between professional and sometimes the answers fall into place, all because your faith letspersonal relationships, it’s can be healthy to cultivate friendships you trust God.in the workplace. I’ve found that having friends at work whoshare the same faith as me helps me not only with my personal H: HABITSbeliefs, but it’s actually a pure gift from God to have “workfriends.” Spending lunch, a quick break or even sending a friendly Get into the “habit of making good habits!” When situations fallemail that reflects both yours and your coworker’s faith is a great into a gray area and aren’t so black and white, reflect on whatway to boost yourself and remind you of God’s gift of friendship is important to you and being faithful. Does it benefit others?throughout the day! Yourself? And most importantly, is it a reflection of your faith in God? There may be people we don’t get along with at work andA: APPRECIATION tasks we don’t want to do, but getting into the habit of practicing positive thoughts and actions will not only restore your faithIt’s not easy, especially when you’re having a rough day, but throughout the day, but make it stronger as well.taking a moment to appreciate where you are is a way toremember to be faithful to God’s word. Try taking even just a few It won’t always be easy remembering these suggestions, but it’sminutes from your coffee break in the morning or before lunch always worth a try to “keep the FAITH.”and just appreciate the fact that you have a job, no matter howstressful your day is! So many other people are without jobs, andwhen we remember to be thankful for what we do have, it’s easyto appreciate God’s blessings, no matter how big or small.

e ·l i fe·and·a8dvic Walking a Tightrope By Kacey Hartung I have a challenge for you – I want you to walk across a tightrope! I’ll even give you a long pole to use for balance, are you up for it? Oh, you have questions - do you get to practice? Well, no you don’t get to practice. What about the weather? Yes you’re right, it might start raining, or it could get really windy, but you’ll just have to figure out a way to keep going. Will there be other objects flying around while you are going across? Yes, you’ll have to figure out how to avoid anything that might be flying around and get in your way. So are you ready? Go! What’s wrong? Are you afraid of falling? Or does it seem impossible to keep your balance with no practice, avoiding the wind, rain, and other elements? You’re probably right, logically it seems like a nearly impossible task. What if I changed the context a little bit – when you become a parent you probably felt this expectation that you should automatically be able to achieve balance in your life. No, practice time. No, preparation. Just this unwritten expectation that not only should you be able to do it, but you should be able to do it well right from the start. Not only that, but if you are not able to achieve this balance, you’ll feel this extreme guilt that there is more you could

e ·l ife·a nd·a 9 dvicbe or should be doing. Would you rather go back of balance (or imbalance) comes our way. Trust meand walk the tightrope? it’s not as daunting as it sounds. All you need to do is decide what is crucial to you, write it all down in aHow did we get here? Research has shown that list. Then, once you have your list, use your heart asparents spend more time with their kids today than your guide to decide what your priority is for eachthey did two generations ago. No, that is not a typo; item. By listening to your heart, you will prioritizewe spend MORE time with our children. So why is the things that matter to you. It will help you feel theit that we have these ideas in our heads that we are importance and see the value in making the time tonot doing enough; that we should be doing more? do the things that fill you up and bring you joy.Social media has made it easy to compare what weare doing with everyone else. Pinterest has upped Let’s think about this in terms of a concretethe ante. When I was a kid having chocolate cake example. This school year I decided it was a topand vanilla ice cream was the norm for a birthday priority for me to volunteer in my first grader’sparty. Now you have to have a theme with a classroom. The years go by so quickly, and your kidsspecially decorated cake that matches your table- only want you in their classroom up to a certainscape, games, and party bags. Do anything less than age, so I knew I needed to make it a priority now, orthe max and the guilt starts to creep in. I would lose my chance. I coordinated with my boss to come in later on Friday mornings. If meetingsWe strive for a perfect balance that we know is were scheduled, I arranged for someone to coverimpossible, but yet we drive for it anyway. When for me. Generally I would want to give 110% to mywe don’t achieve it, we feel as if we are the only job, but I stuck by my decision that volunteeringone who is unable to do it. You look around at your was my priority. The hour that I am in the classroomfellow parents who appear that they have done it, is priceless. The kids wave when they see me,so why can’t I? The truth is none of us are doing it, giving me hugs and high fives. I love watching themand no one is achieving the perfect definition of interact and seeing the dynamic of the classroom.balance that we all think that we should have. Best of all the smile and pride on my little guy’s face is beyond words. Has volunteering forced my FridayWhere did this definition come from anyway? The work life to be a little out of “normal” balance? Yes itnext time you find yourself feeling guilty about how has, I get up a little earlier and work through lunchyou are spending your time take a minute to figure so that I can get it all done, but it is totally worthout where that expectation came from. Where did it. When you have clearly defined your priorities,this definition of balance come from? What part of it makes achieving balance so much easier. Yourit is making you feel guilty? Don’t stop at the first balance may never be a perfect 50/50, but at leastanswer that comes to your head, really think about it’s not an out of control teeter totter.it and get to the root of your belief. Work Life Balance is something that can changeBalance is something that only you can define. You day by day or even hour by hour. What looks likeare the only one who knows what it truly means to balance today, may be the complete opposite ofyou. There is no right answer, merely the definition what balance looks like tomorrow. And you knowyou create for yourself that is right for right now. The what, that’s ok! It will never be perfect and willchallenge is that many of us don’t take the time to never look exactly like someone else’s balance. Socreate that meaning for ourselves. We don’t think give yourself a break, release the guilt and startthat is something we can control. We let life happen walking across that tightrope.to us and by doing so we accept whatever definition

“I’d pray to stay strong. I’d pray to soften hearts of our captors. I’d pray for God to lift the burdens we couldn’t handle. And I’d pray that our moms would know we were OK” - James Foley We started our journey with a simple goal; we wanted to offer support to the children in our community so they can have a quality future. Initially, we were going to offer support in the form of a single scholarship to honor of our dear friend James Foley, Award-winning American journalist who was kidnapped on November 22, 2012 in Syria and publically murdered by his captors on August 19, 2014 after 636 days in captivity. However, with the help of former students, colleagues and friends of James Foley, our humble goal grew into the mighty vision of The Foley Foundation of Arizona.Eddie Martinez Kristen MartinezToday, we are proud to say we are a formal scholarship program as well as a registered 501(c)(3) Non-ProfitOrganization. We also have a diverse Board of Directors to help us bring our vision to life. The mission of The FoleyFoundation of Arizona is to preserve the spirit and legacy of James Foley by providing financial assistance to those ofeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds. Specifically, The James Foley Scholarship Fund (JFSF) works to ensure thatfinancial constraints do not hinder a young person’s ability to obtain a quality educational experience. By giving studentsthis opportunity, The Foley Foundation of Arizona is making a difference in the lives of children and their families in ourcommunity.Despite our enormous amount of passion, our journey is not easy. This journey to provide hope and a future to thechildren in our community is dependent on support from those who can donate their time, money and skills to ourfoundation. Together, we can continue to grow and make a scholarship program like no other in Arizona.Join us on this journey,Eddie and Kristen MartinezCo-Founders, The Foley FoundationWebsite: http://www.foleyfoundationaz.org/

ASK AUTUMN!“Ask Autumn” is an anonymous advice section.Women have the opportunity to ask and submitpersonal questions. Each question is read andreviewed by a Marriage and Family Therapist andanswered in the following issue of the magazine inthe Ask Autumn column. E-mail [email protected] Folk Art Treasures by Joan Dance Turn your self portrait into an acrylic folk art painting Shop at Etsy and find more information by clicking the direct links below!

n· ins pirational·12womaWOMAN OF THE MONTHSADA|K .Interview by Brittany Clark Tell us about your album Long story short? It’s me sharing my story and my journey of life’s ups and downs. And also, I wanted to create an album that shares everything about me from my faith, to love, to life. It’s a journey that feels like you’re going through or listening to a story. It's to uplift and inspire people through what I’ve been through in my life. What was your inspiration behind the song Broken, and what does it represent to you? Broken means a lot to me. I experienced a physical incident where I couldn't walk anymore, my parents went through some incidents, and there were a lot of other things that just kept coming at me hard at once. I fell like everything that I’ve been through in the course of the past three years has made me come out a lot stronger. I feel like I can take on anything if I can get through living on a tour bus, not being able to walk on my own, and to watch both of my parents fight cancer at the same time. I know I can get through anything. I am ready to do the work to answer the calling that God has placed on my life and not just let these things happen in vain but, use these to uplift people. I feel like these things happen because my family happens to be a strong family. God knew that we can handle it and turn things around for the good and I know all things work together for a purpose.

Lisha Riabinina

n· ins pirational·womaLisha Riabinina

n· inspirati onal· 15 womaI have a song on the In the song it says nothing can break me becausealbum called: Make I’ve already been Broken, are you referring to yourIt (See Us Win), and leg? If so, please explain? I’ve always had issues with my knees and it always that's my heart popped in and out. I kind of over did it while touring with the band I was with at the time. About a month \"I JUST and a half after the tour I came home and was REALLY stretching and about to work out, and my knee just popped out of place and it didn’t go back. Months WANT after, I was still trying to figure out what was going TO SEE on and I eventually ended up needing to have two US ALL surgeries. I had to leave the band and had to take care MAKE IT.\" of myself for some time. I went through everything from crutches, canes, to big braces. I was also in a wheelchair for a short period. My muscle memory was so bad that I had to learn how to walk all over again on my own. It was tough to say the least. There were a lot of months of physical therapy. God just sent me angels with my surgeon and physical therapist, and He just helped me to get back on my feet. I now feel like I can get through anything because it was really tough. How do you balance your struggles and entertainment with your personal life? It’s hard, every day I make cautious decisions and I try to make a balance. Sometimes I don’t do as well as I should. My sleep may get sacrificed for it. Even in the last month I have been trying to make cautious decisions to make an effort for myself; mentally, physically, spiritually, and creatively. When I was down it was hard. I tried to not post anything on social media that was sad or depressing even though I felt that way. I was trying to fight that and try to walk in love with people and inspire people. I am thankful for the little things; I was able to lift my leg a little bit higher. I was always posting pictures of me smiling during physical therapy. I just wanted to post statuses that were positive because that is important to me. And that’s a balance that I try to keep. The content that I tried to keep out there is created to uplift people. I don’t want to be singing to just be singing. I want to make a difference. I think with what we see in the media today, it’s more important to have a message of hope and love no matter if people believe what I believe or not. I just want to be that source where people can see that I walk in love and that I stay positive no matter what may come my way. I want people to know that I

n· ins pirational·16womaam also human and that I acknowledge that it was a I hope to be able to inspire people and encouragetough experience but, I know that things are going to them to get through the journey, as I was able to.get better. I stand strong in that area and keeping my Do you have a target audience?integrity and keeping that positivity force for others. No, and I did that on purpose. I created an albumDo you have any advice to give to your fans? that others. I feel has something on there forJust be open-minded when you do take the time to everybody. I have received feedback from reallylisten my music and feel the love that was put into seasoned and wise individuals to, my little sistersit. I did it independently and I just really wanted to and brothers out there. I want to be a big sister tomake an effort tomake sure that it these kids that they canwas authentic, that look up to. I want to beit was me. That I was that mutual friend thatable to spread love to everyone is cheering foreveryone no matter if or wants to see makethey’ve ever listened it. I have a song on theto a “Christian” record album called, Makeor not. I just want It (See Us Win), andto feel the love and that's my heart. I justunderstand that Gods really want to see us alllove is real. We are all make it. I want to seein this world together us all win. I feel like thisfor a reason, and we album gives us a littleshould have mutual fuel to keep pushingrespect for each other and motivation thatand love one another. we need to keep going.We should walk in My demographic islove, be kind, and everybody. I just want toencourage people. I feel the love, no matterwant to encourage who you are or whatpeople that are you’re going through;inspired by my music everybody needs loveto it to pay it forward. and hope. I kept thatI received a lot of in mind when I createdpositive feedback this album.from people. They say Lisha Riabinina How do you deal withthey have listened to stress overall?my music receiving treatment while in the hospital Honestly, I started to practice before I start my day. Ior passed it to people that may have a spouse that's pray in the morning. I have a devotional that I’ve beenincarcerated. I see kids who love the songs and sing reading. I pray a lot in the morning. I meditate becauseit. It blesses me to be able to see families listening the bible says meditate on the word. I am very healthto music together because it’s not a lot of music out cautious too so I try to take good care of myselfthere that people can listen to and enjoy with their and exercise and eat clean. I always make cautiouskids. So, I guess if I had a message to the listeners decisions to take care of myself because this is theis that I pray that they just get uplifted and feel the only body that I have, and I truly believe my body is ahope and the love that was wrapped in every lyric. temple. I love hiking, and that helps with stress. Living

WORLD PREMIERE OF SADA K. MUSIC VIDEO, BROKENin LA there are a lot of hiking trails in the mountains, are lost and they don’t know how to apply normal lifeand that’s my favorite place to get away, even in a skills. I don’t just want to sing about uplifting people.big city like LA. Praying or getting out in nature, and I also want to do the work as well. I hope this music isexercising are probably my favorite things to do. a foundation for something much greater to help toWhat are things that you want to accomplish change people's everyday life. As we see in Baltimore,through your music? I just want people to have a chance to be happy in lifeIn a perfect world, to change the world. I want to make and have opportunities just like everybody else. I justa difference. I want to take my music on the road pray that this music leads to something even greater,and not to just sing but to strive to have community where I can provide content and opportunity.events where I actually leave a mark and uplift Growing up did you always want to be a singer?communities where there is hurting. I want to be I’ve been singing since I was three years old. I hadable to provide content through community driven my first solo on Easter Sunday, but I never thoughtevents and movements to be able to help our hurting I would ever leave Kansas City, I didn’t know if thatcommunities here in the United States. I feel like a lot was a possibility. Education was very important inof people are really quick to go to overseas and other my household. I grew up modeling and working. Icounties but my heart is here in some of the hurting started working when I was three. I didn’t know ifcommunities. Even in my own hometown there is a lot I was going to do the modeling thing or what. Myof violence there, a lot of pain, and a lot of people that education turned out to be the most important

Lisha Riabinina How long have you been married? It’s a beautiful thing, this year in August I will bething to my parents, so I stopped modeling and celebrating our 10-year anniversary. He works rightreally focused on my education. Thankfully I got by my side and to is able to create that balance. Wemarried at a young age, and we just said we wanted are a good team. He has been managing me for adifferent opportunities so that we can have more for year now. He is also an athletic, actor, and model.our kids, so we decided to move to California and He has been in the entertainment industry for a longsee what could happen. While there I was asked to time and has a lot of respect from people. Whenjoin a band, and I did that professionally for a long we decided to be independent, he was the one totime. Eventually, I became a solo artist, and it’s take care of all the studio sessions and make surebeen an awesome experience, lots of hard work, but everything was taking care of. It has allowed me toI love every minute of it. be creative and to know that he has my best interest at heart. So it’s been a blessing to be able to work as a team and have that healthy balance because teamwork makes the dream work. How do you feel about being on the cover and both creating and featuring the Broken music video with Autumn Magazine? I feel honored and humbled. It’s a blessing for anybody to care about what you're passionate about, what's on your heart, your dreams, and visions. Do you have anything that you would like to close with? The album is available at all digital outlets. If anyone is looking to book me, I am open to sing at churches. I want to encourage listeners by letting them know that they are not alone. I am very active on my social media. So, if they feel alone they always have a big sister or a friend to reach out to. And I will pray with them. I just want them to be able to listen to the album and let it speak to their heart and soul and to have others pass it onto their friends. Word of mouth is the best thing in the world. I appreciate everyone that has listened to the album and that are inspired to listen to the album after this interview.The Art Of The Flip: How to CreativelySucceed In Job Interviews“In this market, flipping has to do withmaking interview questions and answersreflect you positively.\"PICK UP YOUR COPY TODAY!

rsona 19 ve·pe l·naunconditional Love rrati By Stephanie ReynoldsJoshua 24:15 is a popular verse of scripture that The answer is clearly found throughout scriptureI see plastered on all types of home decor. “As but summed up in Matthew 22:37-40.for me and my house, I will serve the Lord” is 37 Jesus said to him, “ ‘You shall love the Lord yourdeclared on colorful throw pillows and hung on God with all your heart, with all your soul, andplaques above doors and walls. I’ve even seen with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatit on calendars, sticky notes, bumper stickers, commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Youand greeting cards. Our family’s version is neatly shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 40 On theseplaced on a decorative rock that sits on the two commandments hang all the Law and thewindowsill in our kitchen. I pass it several times Prophets.” -NKJVeach day and barely noticed it until a few days ago In order to understand this verse, you mustwhen I knocked it over while watering the plant understand the Greek word for love that is used inthat sits next to it. verses 37 and 39. It is the word, agape (Strong'sLast week was a long emotional week. I’d seen #26), which translates to unconditional love. Itand heard numerous angry debates over the Black is not just a fondness but the kind of love thatLives Matter movement, LGBT marriage rights, sent an all-knowing, all-seeing, infinite God intoborder protection, America’s waning support of a limited human body to be beaten, accused,Israel, ISIS and a host of other major topics. I’d scorned and hung on a cross for crimes He did notbeen inundated with Facebook and Twitter posts commit. My crime. Your crime. Humanity’s crime.outlining why each side of the various issues made I picked up the rock and wiped my tears with amore moral sense than the others. My soul was paper towel and breathed deeply a few times. Thistattered by the amount of venom I saw coming kind of love takes discipline because it first seeksfrom my brothers and sisters in Christ over the a relationship with God that challenges it to studyissues. Various scriptures were being used as His Word and find out His plan for creation. Thisweapons, not to spread the Word of God or His love, kind of love takes courage because once it learnsbut to defend a biblical principle. the truth it must then apply and uphold it. ThisAs the rock lay on the counter below the kind of love takes humility because it puts thewindowsill, the words leaped from its surface into needs of others above its’ own, even those thatmy mind, and I just stood there with tears rolling don’t believe. This kind of love can’t be obtaineddown my face. I closed my eyes, sighed deeply or even earned. It’s a gift that is given to us whenand asked, “God, what does it mean to serve You?” we submit ourselves to Christ and are united withI have to admit that I have asked this question our Heavenly Father. It then has power behind itover and over through the years hoping that the and can be used as a magnet that attracts peopleanswer would change. But it doesn’t. It stays the to God instead of a personal weapon of arrogancesame because the Word of God is unchangeable that repels them.and permanent. I want the answer to change As I sat the rock back on the windowsill, I prayedbecause it would be easier to live comfortably in for the ability to serve people and through thatthis world if it did. I want the answer to change service to speak God’s truth. I also prayed forbecause I would be liked by more people if it did. forgiveness for times where I placed my agendaI want the answer to change because ultimately, above God’s, because it is only when we fullyI think more about what I want than about God’s internalize that we were saved by grace that weplan for His creation. will be able to extend grace to others.

+ take our survey + go to Ask Autumn Connect With Us!© 2015 Autumn Magazine, the writers, photographers, and artists. All rights reserved. no part of this publicationmay be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any other means, electronically,mechanically, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without prior permission from the publisher.20


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