Category Archives: Faith and Culture

Discussing the intersection of faith and contemporary culture, analyzing media, entertainment, and societal trends from a Christian perspective.

In the Reflection of Our Father: Celebrating the Quiet Strength of Fatherhood

Posted on by yolandaberry
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Father and child

The divine role of a man in their household has been watered down by society. Due to the breakdown in the family that has been a gradual process over decades, men have lost their identity, function and position in the family. The established role that the Lord created for men has become blurred lines in relation to the roles between husband and wife.

In the Garden of Eden, a man was created in His own image. In the image of God, He created him; male and female He created them. Gen 1:27 A woman was created as a helpmate. Gen 1:20-24

Bird flying across the ocean

“Let him have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Gen 1:26

The Lord established the man to be the head of the household. He was designed to lead with Godly wisdom, authority and integrity. He was not created to take advantage of his own strength and power to dominate but to lead with holiness, authority and dominion.

When women began to work outside of the home, it shifted the whole dynamics of the family structure and foundation. There was a constant power struggle between the husband and wife which applied pressure on the family not to mention societal and economic pressures. Not only was there a power struggle, but there was an identity crisis, character flaws and a lack of Biblical values and principles established to build a strong foundation. With the rise of inflation, it’s nearly impossible to have only one source of income in the household. This has added financial conflicts, tension, anxiety and increased stress levels in the family.

In Esphesian 5:25-27, it states, “25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

In an act of obedience and commitment, the foundation established by a strong family result in raising up disciplined and respectful children.

little girl with soccer ball

“Train up a child in which way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Prov 22:6

The importance of instruction, discipline, obedience and guidance in raising a child in their early stages of life reflects the Lord’s natural and spiritual design and intentions for the family.

The role of a father is one of great sacrifice and dedication to the family. He has great responsibility and many heavy burdens that should be released to the Lord to carry – not only financially but mentally, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually.

infant hand holding father's hand

As we honor Father’s Day, may we celebrate the strength and endurance of the men who lead with dignity, wisdom and strength in a world that is constantly changing and with the demands and pressures of life that are fierce to undertake.

family walking in sunset in a field

Prayer for Our Fathers

For the fathers who have lost children, may the Lord comfort and strengthen you in your time of grief. May you receive courage, support and encouragement to fill the pain and void in your life.

May you walk with the hand of the Father who guides every step you take and every decision you make. May you desire a deeper relationship with the Lord to overcome every challenge, opposition or temptation that you face. May the hand of God shield and protect you and your family from any harm or danger as you walk in faith and lead with integrity, courage and tenacity in every area- family, business and life.. With trust and assurance, may you receive the provision and abundant blessings of peace, rest and grace to sustain you.

In Jesus Name. Amen.

Related Bible Verses

Eph 6:1-4

Eph 3:17-19

Exodus 20:12

Psalm 103:13

Luke 15:18-20

Prov 22:6

Prov 23:24

Prov 20:7

Cradled in Grace: A Mother’s Love Through the Heart of God

Posted on by yolandaberry
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newborn baby, holding baby

Photo image by Pixabay Sherwood

Mothers are a reflection of God’s love. Unfortunately, not all mothers have the same heart and intentions for their children. It’s heartbreaking to hear stories of abuse, neglect, rejection, and abandonment.

On the other side of the spectrum, Mother’s Day magnifies the heartache and pain of losing a child. For women who’ve lost their son or daughter through sickness, drug addiction, suicide, gun violence or a tragic accident, you are not forgotten. You may find support for your loved one at The Angel Mom Collective and SayTheirNamesMonuments. May the Lord strengthen and comfort all mothers grieving the loss of a child.

The qualities of a mother embodies genuine love, sacrifice, wisdom, compassion, strength and nurturing characteristics.

In Proverbs 31:26-30, it states, “Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

We are living in a time where mothers are under extreme pressure to raise their children. Their focus to protect them from physical harm and danger as well as implement online safety measures leaves mothers with profound anxieties and fears.

flower,

Photo image by Pixabay MrBassDeluxe

When you can shift your focus to the Lord’s protection and guidance and teach them Biblical values and morals when they’re young, the Lord will continuously chase after that one child all the days of their life. A child void of the absence of God is in extreme danger of the devices, plots and schemes of the enemy. When they are not raised with a spiritual foundation, they are led into the world that will eventually devour their life because they were not given the spiritual tools to overcome sin, temptations of the flesh, understand their identity in Christ, stand in faith, develop resilience in hardship and fight spiritual warfare.

The devil comes to kill, steal and destroy, but I have come to give you life more abundantly.

John 10:10

If you are a young mother or currently pregnant, I encourage you to build a strong foundation on the Word of God. When a child is born, it’s important to baptize and christen a baby for spiritual covering and protection. When they’re older, they will have the opportunity to make a decision to be baptized in the Holy Spirit in a public declaration and receive salvation as a confession of true repentance.

Photo image by Pixabay Biglinker

Spiritual practice and teaching start at the home. Unfortunately, some adults are acting out as bad as children. Making sound decisions, being respectful to others, showing appreciation and living honorably is a commodity. The fruits of the spirit which consists of love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control are in high demand in society.

As parents, you should reflect a spiritual nature as a role model for your children. Children are like sponges and will absorb the same characteristics and qualities that they see in their lives. They are highly influenced by their environment and with the impact of information at their fingertips through the internet and social media, it’s making it harder to regulate what your child is exposed to and if they are living in a toxic and unstable environment, they will also mirror the same values and attributes.

Unfortunately, in today’s world, some children are very disrespectful to their parents, authority figures, and adults, in general. There is a deteriorating of morals, values and Biblical principles. This problem is infecting out social and educational system. It’s like a viral cancer that has spread across the nation.

community service, children

It will take community to repair the damage of the moral decay that we are currently experiencing in this country and around the globe. The famous saying, “It takes a whole village to raise a child,” is just an example of what’s needed at this time.

As we celebrate and honor mothers for their sacrifice, hard work, generosity, selflessness, strength and dedication, let us grow a as a community [in unity] to reflect the love of Christ everywhere we go. As the world continues to rapidly change, we must stand in agreement with God’s plan and purpose for our lives.

Mothers have great purpose and responsibilities to their children’s upbringing and household. Their sphere of influence sometimes goes unnoticed, and they may feel unappreciated. As we celebrate Mother’s Day, let us reflect on all they have done and all that they will do. Also, if you’ve lost your mother and grieving her loss, may you hold and treasure the memories, let go of any unresolved issues of anger, pain, resentment or bitterness and embrace her everlasting love.

Happy Mother’s Day!

May peace be upon you.

Bible Verses and Mediatation

Prov 31: 10-31

Psalm 139:13-14

Psalm 127:3

Exodus 20:12

Deut 5:16

Prov 1:8-9

A Reflection of God’s Love

Isaiah 66:13

Isaiah 49:15

The Leadership Series: Leading through Uncertainty | The Life and Legacy of King Jehoshaphat

Posted on by yolandaberry
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Image by Marco Santiago from Pixabay

Jehoshaphat was the fourth king of Judah and reigned for 25 years (approximately from 870–848 BC). He was the son of King Asa and is remembered as one of Judah’s more righteous and reform-minded rulers. His leadership was characterized by religious revival, military readiness, and poorly aligned alliances.

King Jehoshaphat was diligently devoted to God and did not seek after Baal or idol worship. The Lord established him as the leader of Judah, and he was given riches and honor in abundance. He took delight in honoring the Lord and removed all the wooden images and idolatry from Judah. (2 Chron 17:1-6)

He was heavily dependent on God to lead him through crisis. He called for national prayer and fast when a coalition of armies came against him.

“We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.”

2 Chronicles 20:12

Photo image of wooden idols generated by Yolanda Berry utilizing AI

King Jehoshaphat was a strategic leader who strengthened Judah by building fortified cities and maintaining a strong army and establishing a system of judges rooted in justice and the fear of the Lord. 2 Chron 19:4-11

He also encouraged peace during a time of division, aiming to unify God’s people. His greatest mistake was building alliances with ungodly and wicked kings of Israel – King Ahab and Ahaziah which led to a failed trading excursion where all their work and ships were wrecked by the hand of God.

In times of uncertainty that we’re experiencing today, we can draw from the timeless lessons of Jehoshaphat—whether in business, ministry, or personal development there are nuggets of wisdom to glean from in his life and legacy.

Image by ha11ok from Pixabay

Life and Legacy

Jehoshaphat left behind a bilateral legacy: a godly king who led spiritual revival and trusted God in crisis, but who compromised his faith in God by partnering with ungodly leaders. He is commended for walking in the ways of the Lord and striving to lead Judah in righteousness despite his poor choices.

“His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord…”

2 Chronicles 17:6

What can we learn from Jehoshaphat?

Five Lessons and Application Principles

  1. Lesson in Poor Judgment and Discernment

Despite being a godly man, Jehoshaphat sometimes displayed poor discernment in choosing partners, seemingly prioritizing unity or prosperity over righteousness.

2. Prioritize Alignment with God’s Vision

One of Jehoshaphat’s first moves as king was a spiritual one: he set his heart to seek the Lord. He didn’t begin with a political agenda, a marketing campaign, or a military strategy—he began by aligning his leadership with divine purpose.

Application Principle:

In a world filled with noise, trends, competition and pressure to chase quick wins, true leadership begins with clarity of purpose. Whether you’re leading your family, a business, a nonprofit, or a creative project, take time to anchor your mission.

Are my values aligned with something greater than success? Am I leading with integrity, vision, and spiritual clarity?

“The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father.”

2 Chronicles 17:3–4

3. Invest in Education and Empowerment

Jehoshaphat did something extraordinary: he sent out teachers to every city in Judah to instruct the people in the ways of God (2 Chronicles 17:7–9). He understood that he could not complete this task alone. He also understood that training well-informed and spiritually rooted people would lead to a strong kingdom mindset. There is strength in numbers.

Application Principle:

Great leaders don’t hoard knowledge- they cultivate and nurture it in others. A culture of empowerment leads to resilience and strength in uncertain times.

In your organization or community, how are you empowering others to grow? Are you mentoring, teaching, or creating systems that promote continuous learning?

4. Be Willing to Seek Counsel and Correction

One of Jehoshaphat’s leadership flaws was his alliance with King Ahab of Israel. When he was rebuked by the prophet Jehu (2 Chronicles 19:2–3), instead of resisting correction, Jehoshaphat humbled himself and made changes.

Application Principle:

Mistakes often happen, but wise leaders seek feedback and make adjustments. It’s ok to make mistakes. It’s one of our greatest teachers, however it’s important to surround yourself with people who will speak the truth—even when it’s uncomfortable. And when the truth hits hard, don’t shrink instead dissect it, reflect on it, embrace it and grow.

5. Lead with Faith and Loose Fear

Jehoshaphat prayed and fasted then sent worshippers ahead of the army—praising God in advance of the battle. God fought for Judah, and they experienced a miraculous victory.

Application Principle:

Due to the current instability in these times—economic shifts, technological disruption, social, political and cultural changes, lead with faith. Don’t rush into battle without clarity. Take time to pause, reflect, pray, and strategize. Sometimes, your biggest breakthroughs will come not through force, but through faith-filled surrender and praise.

Tomorrow, go down against them.
They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz,
and you will find them at the end of the Wilderness of Jeruel.
You will not need to fight in this battle.
Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord,
who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!
Do not fear or be dismayed tomorrow
go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

2 Chron 20:16-17

6. Build Systems and Fortify What You Have

Jehoshaphat didn’t only focus on spiritual matters. He also strengthened his cities, appointed judges, and implemented systems of justice and governance (2 Chronicles 19:4–11). He understood the significance of leadership and administration.

Application Principle:

Vision without organizational systems leads to burnout. As the world evolves, so should your workflow, infrastructure, and decision-making processes. Whether you’re leading a team, a church, or your own brand, build solid systems that support a strong foundation, long-term sustainability, and clarity of vision.

History always seems to repeat itself. In many ways, we are living in a period of time similar to Jehoshaphat. The world is unstable, challenges are unexpected, and the masses are seeking leaders with strong character and who have values, morals, integrity, wisdom, courage and humility.

We all have the ability to be role models of leadership who:

  • Make wise decisions and live righteously
  • Align our lives with purpose
  • Empower others through education
  • Embrace feedback with humility
  • Stand firm in faith amdist fear
  • And build workflows and systems that serve with vision

Because in the end, leadership is not just about getting through the battle-it’s about helping others thrive on the other side of it.

This concludes the leadership series. I hope you enjoyed the series and please share with a friend or associate who would benefit from the message. Please feel free to leave your comments or feedback below.

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