Loretta Huggins

My Prayers for the Family of Matt Garcia

2008-09-02T20:49:00.000-07:00

It is interesting that words have the power to effect the hearer: a word can give hope, or cause despair; a word can build courage, or devastate with fear. It can send cold chills up one's spine, or flood one's heart with warmth. Words can cause love and sadly words can bring hate.

With the power that words possess, it is strange that they seem inadequate when one suffers the lost of a loved-one; but it doesn't stop us from trying to comfort the hearer with words of Love.

To the Family and Friends of Councilman Matt Garcia, I am praying for you that you will hear words that will comfort your hearts and give hope.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Loretta Huggins

Just How Close Can You Get?

2006-10-12T21:08:00.000-07:00

Don’t lose your grip on Love and Truth. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. Earn a reputation for living well in God’s eyes and the eyes of the people.
- Proverbs 3:3 & 4 The Message Bible

Recently, someone said to me that shading the truth is different than lying. I disagreed and because the differences in our beliefs had polarized us, I politely ended the conversation.

I don’t understand why people spend time defending the right to deceive others. It isn’t sensible to live life so dangerously close to the edge of ruin.

The following is an Aesop-type story: A wealthy man, who lived in a chateau on top of a mountain, interviewed three young men for the job of chauffeur. He asked the same two questions of each interviewee, “Did you notice the increasing drop-off along the narrow winding road to my home? Tell me how close to the edge of the cliff can you drive without going over it?”

The first interviewee answered, “Sir, I can get within one inch of the cliff without going over it.”

The second interviewee answered, “Sir, I can do better than that! I can drive within one-half inch of the edge without going over the cliff!”

The third interviewee said, “Sir, as your driver I am going to hug the wall side of the road. It is certain I will damage your vehicle on the right side going down the mountain and on the left side going up the mountain because I purpose to stay away from the edge of that cliff.

He got the job.

Let us encourage one another to hug the wall of truth and avoid the edge of deceit, because in the words of Elizabeth Cady Stanton – Truth is the only safe ground to stand on.

Just Like Cheap Candy

2006-10-10T16:18:00.000-07:00

The words of a talebearer are as wounds,
and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
Proverbs 18:8 (KJV)

The motivation of a gossip is to be in control. For example, to be the one with choice information is to be in control of the conversation; or to have inside information to make another person feel like an outsider is to control the circle of friends.

I will briefly share my experience of 'gossip among friends': a little more than ten years ago I met Ms. S and within months of meeting her, I met Ms. V. Eventually, I introduced my two new friends to each other.

One day Ms. S informed me, “Your so-called-friend Ms. V said this about you….” I was stunned by the cruel words of Ms. V. However, I was more stunned that Ms. S was willing to listen to gossip about me and that she wanted to repeat it to me.

It took me some time to understand that both women wanted to control our circle of friends. Instead of controlling the friendship, they destroyed the friendship.

Let us look again at Proverbs 18:8

“Listening to gossip is like eating cheap candy;
do you really want junk like that in your belly?”
-The Message New Testament

All of Us, Any of Us and the Rest of Us

2006-10-09T21:14:00.000-07:00

A sad condition of the human nature is to spread information about others – gossip.

It is an interesting fact that the word gossip is an Old English word that means God-relative, kinsman, friend. Hence, a gossip was someone close to another person with privy information about that person. At one time the words gossip and friend were interchangeable. Apparently, there was a time a gossip was someone to be trusted. What happen?

Today, gossip means a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. Those facts are usually harmful and damaging. It seems that no one ever gossips about another’s virtues.

The saying sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me is an untrue saying. Words have the power to encourage or discourage; to heal or wound; to give hope or bring despair; to convey love or transmit hate. Words are indeed powerful.

What is gossip? If you are unwilling to say “it” in the presence of the person, then it is gossip.

To overcome challenges have all of us,
so it hardly behooves any of us,
to talk about the rest of us.

(modified quote of Edward Wallis Hoch)

Destiny

2006-10-05T20:46:00.000-07:00

From a very early age I have dreamed of great accomplishments. I have listened to others tell of their dreams and hopes. Today, after many years have passed some have accomplished their dreams; others are yet working toward fulfillment of their dreams; and sadly, there are those that have given up their dreams.

Why did some give up, while other persevered? I think the answer is in the following story:

A young man, just starting out in life, decided to go fishing early one morning. When he arrived at his favorite spot, he couldn’t believe his eyes because standing in the water a few feet from the shore was his hero, an aged man who had enjoyed great success in life.

Barely able to contain his emotions, he waded out into the lake toward the old gentleman. The old man acknowledged him with a smile. Then the young man just started sputtering, “Sir, good morning! I admire your life. You have accomplished so much! Please tell me the secret to your success!”

The old gentleman, without warning, grabbed the young man by the back of the neck and forced him face down into the water. The young man struggled for air and just when he thought he was about to die the old man freed him.

Coughing and spitting out water he gasped, “You could have killed me! What were you thinking?”

With no emotion the old man answered, “You wanted to know the secret of my success. When you want to succeed as much as you wanted that next breath of air – then you will succeed.”

Never let go of your God-given dreams, they define your destiny.

~~~ ~~~ ~~~
I invite you to visit Larry Huggins' blog spot at http:\\www.larryhuggins.blogspot.com

It's the Thought that Counts!

2006-10-04T23:19:00.000-07:00

One year in August I called a dear friend to wish her a happy birthday and discovered, much to my embarrassment, that her birthday is in April. Of course, I apologized and made a mental commitment to remember her future birthdays in the correct month.

That incident reminded me of my Aunt Virginia. She told me over and over that I was her favorite niece, but she could never remember the actual month and day of my birthday. To not miss my special day she would send me a birthday card twice a year.

The interesting thing is down through the years never once did I receive a birthday card from her in the month I was born.

Two months out of each year Aunt Virginia thought about my birthday. As far as I am concern it is the thought that counts!

Think Before You Speak

2006-10-03T18:20:00.000-07:00

In 1933 an educational director wrote, “You will improve your enunciation if you learn how to control your breathing and the use of your jaw, tongue and lips.”

After contemplating that comment I thought what if it were mandatory for everyone to carry a wallet size manual with instructions on how to control the articulators while breathing, titled How to Think before You Speak.

Imagine, someone tries to engage you in a difficult conversation and without saying a word you take out your manual and do the following:

Step One: stand erect with your heels together, your head up, chin in, chest up and abdomen in.

Step Two: inhale slowly until you feel that your lungs cannot hold another bit of air; then exhale slowly.

Step Three: repeat step two 3 times

Step Four: now let your mouth fall open as if you had no control over your lower jaw. Let your head fall forward until your lower jaw rests on your chest, if possible.

Step Five: roll your head slowly around to your right, back, left, front and up. Repeat three times.

Step Six: lie on the floor and relax every muscle in your body. If you find this difficult, ask for a little more space. Then relax each muscle consciously – starting with your big toe on your right foot. Continue until you are wholly relaxed.

Step Seven: when you feel too lazy to lift your left ring finger, breathe deeply three or four times and then rise quickly to your feet and ask the person to repeat their question.

Okay, the above scenario is a bit comical; however, it would certainly give you plenty of time to think before you speak.

http:\\www.larryhuggins.blogspot.com

Among Friends

2006-09-30T19:18:00.000-07:00

There are women in my life that I am honored to call friends. I have grown and matured in different areas of life because of my friendship with them.

My friends and I enjoy getting together for lunch and conversation; yet, there are times when one of us will become self indulged and monopolize the conversation. The rest of us are quite forgiving as we listen because we each have fallen into the trap of “it’s all about me!”

When the moment of realization dawns upon the self-indulged one, the statement is always the same, “Okay, enough about my favorite subject, now tell me what do you think about me!” Of course, we all laugh and move forward with the conversation.

It is wonderful to have friends that help you to grow.

Speak the Truth in Love

2006-09-29T20:39:00.000-07:00

There are those who believe sincerity can be dangerous in certain situations, perhaps even fatal. Hence the doctrine of ‘the little white lie’ and so people are encouraged to shade the truth. Of course, their argument is to spare the feelings of those who would dare ask “the truth is going to hurt” questions such as:

Do I look like I gained weight?
How do you like my cooking?
Does this make me look fat?
How did you like my speech?
Do you like the present I gave you?
How do you like my new haircut? ...or hair color?

Although, I don’t think the bluntness of the little boy who said out loud, “The emperor is naked” is always the correct approach, I do believe in every situation the truth should be told.

To lie is to say an untrue statement with the intent to deceive. I ask which is more harmful, to deceive someone or to risk hurting their feelings? However, being truthful is never an excuse to be unkind. The ‘tactless’ person is just as harmful as the ‘deceitful’ person is in any situation.

Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

The correct carving tool is Love.

What a Wonderful Gift

2006-09-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

“Let every one regard the rest as being of more account than himself; each fixing his attention, not simply on his own interests, but on those of others also.” Philippians 2:3b-4 (MSNT)

There is a wonderful and easy way to obey the above Scripture and that is to become a “listener.” When we take the time to listen to someone we are regarding, caring, considering and respecting that person. We are esteeming them more than we esteem ourselves because we have to hold our thoughts to hear their thoughts.

There is a group of people who need our listening ear more than we may ever realize, they are our families and loved-ones. Today is a good day to convey a strong message of love to them.

In our listening we are saying to those we love, “You are important to me. I am listening to you. I esteem you.”

What a beautiful gift to give.

Word Choice

2006-09-18T21:30:00.000-07:00

The flowering moments of the mind drop half their petals in our speech.
-Oliver Wendell Holmes

Good diction is to self-expression as good posture is to the body.

Posture is the position or bearing of the body. The person that has good (correct) posture always has the look of elegance and confidence – and others take notice.

Many times I have noticed someone and thought how attractive, only to see the beauty fade as the person slouches and slumps against a wall or into a chair. The same fading of beauty takes place in our speech.

Diction is the choice of words especially with the regard to correctness, clearness or effectiveness. Each time we speak we are expressing our thoughts and ideas. The words we choose can cause our light to intensify or to fade – and others take notice.

Jesus Christ instructed us to let our light shine. Let us start by carefully choosing our words.

What We Communicate to Others

2006-09-17T13:04:00.000-07:00

In all that we do we communicate to others why, what and who we are.

In a certain “camp” there are those who pride themselves on their positive confessions. They constantly broadcast who they are, what they are and what they can do; however, they also communicate a negative message about themselves.

As an example, I prefer arriving to Church early that I may find a seat without disturbing other worshippers after the service begins. Yet, ten to fifteen minutes after the service has begun latecomers will begin to arrive. With no regards to the fact that I and others have entered into worship – our eyes are closed and our hands are raised as we offer praises to the Most High God – the latecomers will interrupt us in order to take their chosen seat.

Without any expression of acknowledgement and/or apology latecomers have used their bodies to push me and others out of the way because we didn’t stop worshipping God quickly enough to accommodate them. Those latecomers are communicating that their presence is more important than the Presence of the Most High God.

It is true not only in word, but also in deed we communicate to others what, why and who we really are.

Talk Isn't Cheap

2006-09-09T17:17:00.000-07:00

I have heard the expression talk is cheap; however, I disagree with that expression.

I am reminded of a young lady's story: Larry Huggins and I were in Northern California in a church located in the Sierra Foothills. As Larry Huggins stood up to minister he said, "Listen, I have a word from the Lord," and then he said, "Elephants and knotholes!"

Before anyone could decide whether to laugh or not to laugh, a woman from the audience screamed and ran toward Larry Huggins. In a trembling voice she said, "Oh my! I told God if He wanted to help me, He had to make you say elephants and knotholes!" Then she explained that because of her obesity her family called her the elephant. These are the words she heard over and over again: is the elephant hungry; elephant come here; time to go to bed, elephant. Those words left her feeling as if she were on the outside of a fence peering through a knothole.

She continued to explain that countless nights as she cried she would pray, "Dear God, I may be an elephant but if You can touch me through this knothole I will be thankful! When she finished speaking not one person in the church had a dry eye.

The words of an insensitive family destroyed a young girl's self-esteem - for her talk wasn't cheap!

The Power of Speaking

2006-08-31T18:32:00.000-07:00

If speech is the power of speaking,
then speechless would mean powerless to speak.

In the year of 2004 I was challenged by a painful experience that for a moment rendered me speechless. Grief and sadness pressed upon me and I felt powerless. However, I knew that if I could speak my faith (confidence in the truth of God's Word) I could win against the depression that was trying to flood my soul.

My heart hurting and tears running down my cheeks, I forced myself to speak these words of faith, "Holy Spirit, You are my Comforter." -and He proved Himself True.

There may be circumstances in your life that seem to have knocked the wind right out of you. It may seem that words have escaped you. Yet, the truth is God has given you the power of speaking. If you have accepted Christ as your Savior then you are the Redeemed of the Lord. In Psalm 107:1 & 2 we are instructed:

O give thanks unto the LORD; for He is good:

for His mercy endureth for ever.

Let the redeemed of the Lord say so... .

What are you saying so about your life and the lives of your loved-ones?

The Power of Speech

2006-08-26T21:33:00.000-07:00

Speech: the act, the power of speaking

In the first chapter of the Bible the phrase "...and God said..." is repeated about nine times. Also, the phrase "... and God called..." is used about three times. That is at least twelve times in one chapter that God used the power of speaking.

Each time God spoke there was a reaction - something was created. The proof is shown throughout Genesis 1:1-31 in the repeated phrases of, "...and God said; ...and there was; ...and God saw that it was good."

You and I are created in the Image of God and we too have the power of speaking. In light of that truth, when speaking we should give careful attention to:

what
how
why
when
where
to whom

Someone in protest may say, "That is just too much to think about! I just say whatever and let the chips fall where they may!"

I agree it is a lot to think about; however, you and I are made in God's Image. When we speak there is always a reaction, a result and/or a situation created. It is important to think before we speak that we may, as God does, see the results and say it is good.

The power of speech

Introducing Loretta Huggins

2006-08-14T19:23:00.000-07:00

Loretta 01
Originally uploaded by ambassadorhuggins.

Loretta Huggins: a daughter of God, a wife, a mother.