On Helping Others by Sheldon Fleming

Okay so I have always been one willing to help others. I can say that it’s a gift for God. It’s something that also stems from my mother’s hands helping out others as well.

Now I will admit, depending on the situation, helping others can be stressful at times based on the different topics a person has. I’ve had some that are very serious, touching topics while there have been ones that have been irrelevant or my favorite, the ones that I put in a category as TOO MUCH INFORMATION!!! I’ve had topics on love, religion, hatred, character, school, etc. There have been many times when I had topics that I couldn’t even comment on. That’s why I always tell a person if I can’t help them. No one wants to be lied to. I always have done my best though.

For the most part, I can say that all my wisdom comes from the Lord. I’ve prayed to God a while ago, after reading the Book of Solomon in the Bible, to give me wisdom to help others. He answered my prayer and also gave me a calling to preach.

One thing that a Christian is supposed to do is to help others. Why? It’s simple really. It’s like a equation:

Helping someone in need = A dream fulfilled

The Lord is the one who can make all of this possible…and he will.

Everyone wants to accomplish their dreams. God always opens doors. He opens the flood gates of heaven and sends down blessings like rain. I highly recommend you listening to the song titled “Let it Rain” by Bishop Paul S. Morton. Very good song!

I went to an evening service one time and heard Bishop Paul S. Morton preach and he himself said the key to success and achieving dreams is to help someone else achieve their dreams.

Another reason for helping people is to show that you aren’t a self-centered, cocky person. No one is too good to help somebody when they are in need. I like the saying “your feces smells bad just like everybody else’s” and that’s the truth.

I am extremely upset with people who aren’t willing to help put the elderly or the mentally challenged. What gives you the right to judge them? What if you become mentally challenged or disabled in someway? What would you do if it were your children? What will you do when you become elderly? Won’t you need the same help as they do? Wouldn’t you have feelings the same as they do? Think about it next time.

That is something that really kills me. Another thing is when you ask someone for help and they completely ignore you no matter how many times you ask them or try to reach them. For me, if I don’t get in touch with a person immediately, I do my best to get in touch with them as soon as I can. I always give my word. So to those who have my cell number, yes I do answer my voice mails as soon as I can. I don’t think I’ve ever had a person wait for any longer than a week. I always try to get a person back soon. Not ignore them. I know at my job, I assist people as soon as possible.

When a person is crying out for help such as a suicidal plea, one should be able to help them immediately. For me, I’ve had to actually convince someone to not commit suicide a few times. When they aren’t a Christian or Catholic, it’s very difficult because you can’t convince someone outside of that religion of the fact that they would immediately be sent to hell by God for ending their life. The Lord knows all that we do but at the same time, we can make a decision on our own.

So my point of this topic is that God has given us all the movement in the world to do many things. If you are able to help someone, please do it. You will get a blessing out of it. You never know what physical or mental state of mind you will be in one day. Therefore it makes no sense to be selfish and care for only yourself. Even if you aren’t meaning to ignore someone intentionally, remember actions speak louder than words to many people. It doesn’t take much to:

-Help the elderly walk

-Pick up / carry something for someone

-give advice to those who ask and need it

-care

Proverbs 1:7- “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction”…true story

Sheldon Fleming

A Lady Came into Admissions...

So at my job, a certain lady came in to fill out an application to the college and then register for classes, you know the basics at CCBC. Well after this lady filled out her application, she came over to my co-workers desk. Well at this time I think I was either finishing my lunch or just in another world at my desk lol! Yeah it was actually the end of my lunch. Well, she was explaining to my co-worker that she in fact had a certain mental illness and that it kinda held her back from attending CCBC in the past. She told us that her mother, who had previously worked at CCBC felt a little embarrassed about it. "Here is her daughter who has a problem" Here is her daughter who isn't right" the lady told us. She told me her mother had a lot of pride so I guess that type of reaction to her daughter's illness was expected...but I know my mother would have acknowledged the problem if I had it and she would have done it with the utmost care.

Well it really hurt me when she said that she felt dumb and stupid and the saddest thing about it is that she has thought of these things ever since she was diagnosed with her illness. It made me think 1st, how would a mother think this way to her daughter? Would Joan Crawford have done that to her children? I want to say that she too would have acknowledged mental illnesses in a different way but maybe I need to watch Mommie Dearest again.

So I guess I can say that the Holy Spirit made me think of my favorite quote by Dr. Ben Carson "There is no such thing as an average human being. If you have a working brain, you are superior" That quote holds much truth. Actually that quote is in my emails as well I believe. She cheered up when I told her that. I was glad it did. I told her to never think that way about her life or her brain but to pretty much think positive. She said she was definitely going to start getting around positive people. I can tell you, when you hang around negative people, it actually does make you negative. Not only that, but listening to something negative can make you exhausted too. One thing that made me happy after our conversation was that she said she was definitely going to come to admissions again. Our office has to be the most positive place on campus and I can say that for many people, admissions is the start of a new beginning. I hope it felt that way to her

But you know, there are people who will make you feel like you aren't worth anything. If you are around those people, you need to let them go. They will tear you apart and put you in a state of depression that has no return. You might even resort to drastic things. I thank God I know how to ignore what a person says. It works wonders. Now if the person can't seem to take being ignored and they decide to touch me...yes we will have a physical problem! For me, I always made myself think positive in almost all situations. People in high school who I had problems with, they weren't going to pay my rent and they definitely weren't going to die for me. Why should I worry about them and their thoughts? They were trivial! Jealousy is actually the reason why people feel the need to bother you. They wish they could be you. Trust me, I know! Then the other reason is that people can be evil. This is a cruel world and the people in it make it that way.

When you are optimistic, you will feel better about yourself. And if you need help getting optimistic or optimistic again, ask me. I know. People tell me all the time that I just seem to be happy all the time. Even though this isn't entirely true due to some situations in my life at current moment, when I'm out and about, I do try to be happy. It's not going to do me any good being sad or angry...you get exhausted from that all the time! One thing I do that makes me happy is listening to music. Tina Turner does wonders for making you happy again lol! I love that woman! Gospel Singer, Shirley Caesar also does better wonders for inspiring you too. I met her numerous of times. She told me "God's got it all in control." Take the time to think that way.

When it comes to those jealous people or those haters lol, pray for them. It's only satan using them for his plans and their letting him. Take it also as God teaching you something to make you a better person. He is giving you practice. So simply cheer up and be positive.

Proverbs 1:7- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction"...True Story

Sheldon Fleming

*I dedicate this blog to that lady who came into admissions yesterday and my new best friend, Paige =D

My Explanation for Proverbs 1:7

It's quite simple really. You see my Pastor got me into reading Proverbs in the bible. So I read them. In the very 1st chapter, the one that caught my eye was verse 7:

"The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge but fools despise wisdom and instruction"

That message was clear to me. When you understand all that God is capable of doing, especially with punishments, you begin to see things clearly. Why? He presents them to you. You learn from your mistakes and won't do something stupid that karma will get you for later. And yes, God created Karma. How else will we learn anything? Why wouldn't a person want knowledge on how to live a better life? Especially when it's right! That's why I never understood why people can't take 5 minutes to read the bible. God teaches something new everyday! Trust me. He's the best teacher ever!

When I realized that all my advice kinda stems from that verse, I started using it as my signature. You will see it in all my emails even my work emails. Amazing how the Lord can use you isn't it?

I challenge you to remember this in your everyday and do in fact read proverbs. You will be amazed at the knowledge you will find in it. The Holy Spirit will give you better vision in your everday life. And Remember, When God disciplines you, there is no other beating like it lol! It hurts in all aspects but above all helps in all aspects!

Proverbs 1:7- "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction"...True story

Sheldon Fleming