BECAUSE OF GRACE (BOG)

GENUINE CHRISTIANITY

2012-02-10T14:01:00.000-08:00

Is there such a thing? What does it mean to be genuine? And, what does it mean to be Christian!?

In a conversation with a dear friend over the concern of some Believers who act out worldliness or live according to human standards then the disappointment it produces in other Believers, I heard myself say, "people are looking for genuine Christianity."

Immediately after saying those words, I knew that I needed to listen to the Holy Spirit for clarification; for an exposition on those words. And, a requirement to write what I would hear and learn from Him.

Then, I heard the words from Scripture that were spoken by our Lord; "Who do men say that I am?" Peter was the follower with the correct answer. Not because he himself really knew the answer. The answer was revealed to him by the Spirit of God! "You are Christ, the Son of God"

Jesus' response to Peter helps us to gage the importance of this Q & A. Unless the Holy Spirit reveals to men, that Jesus is Christ, very connected to Almighty God and on assignment by Him on this earth, we will miss our connection to and assignment because of Jesus that comes through the Holy Spirit from God.

Christ. The word Christian comes out of this word. "Little Christs," is what Christian means. But, what about Christ? What does His name mean? If we are little Him, it is of utmost urgency and importance to know what that means! Then, of equal urgency and importance is to "be" what it means!

So, Christ means "Messiah," The Deliverer. He came to deliver mankind from a condition that only He had the ability to deliver them/us from. Sin. Sin is a transgression from Divine Law. The man Adam transgressed upsetting mankind's eternal propensity. But, when Jesus came to the earth, died on the Cross, arose on the third day, and went back to the Father, He did all of this to deliver mankind from this eternal propensity, also called sin, bringing man into right standing with Almighty God, if we chose to accept.

Without getting gooky or heretical, we must get the revelation that we, who have accepted Jesus Christ into our lives, are here to deliver others from this eternal propensity, sin, through our connection with Jesus Christ. This, my fellow Christian, is our assignment. How we engage the assignment must come through us being genuine. Meaning, being true to who we are in Christ! Being true to what the Word from our Lord says about us. Free from pretense and hypocrisy; really being sincere! Not a counterfeit, but the real deal!

This is what marked Peter. He was the real deal. Though he may have looked too impulsive to some, Peter loved our Lord and was sold out to Him. This was a heart fertile for a revelation from God. I imagine that God knew that He could trust Peter to blurt out the revelation of Truth that came to Him and to live it out.

Don't you want to be like Peter? Sold out to the Lord, without pretense or hypocrisy, (until the circumstances of the Cross), and so sincere that he acted in immediacy regarding our Lord!

At least at this juncture in the journey he was totally real and very expressive. And even though this quality was later tested, we know that Peter came through. He was sold out for our Lord all the days of his life, delivering many, even to this day, from the awful propensity toward a sinful existence and eternity.

There's much more that I could say, but I'm sure you get the gist. What actually is this life about? What actually is your life about? Is it about you, yours, and a little bit for the Lord? Or, are you sold out? Are you a "deliverer?"

Voices: Whose is Influencing You?

2011-05-23T14:58:00.000-07:00

Recently, I watched House of Payne, a Tyler Perry sitcom. The husband on the show, Curtis, while sleeping on the living room sofa, thought that he heard the audible voice of God speaking directly to him. He heard "the voice" tell him to study the Word of God and to live out what it says. He was so impacted by the direction that he received from " the voice" that he found his Bible and vowed to read it from front to back. Afterward, he sat his wife down to inform her of what he had heard and how their lives would be changed as a result. He agreed to begin attending church with his wife as a part of his new way of life. He was very committed to this new pursuit, though very bothersome to his family and friends, until he learned that "the voice" was a TV infomercial. At that, he ended his pursuit of God and declared that he was returning to his "evil ways," as he described his life before God's Word became priority. All of us are influenced by some outside voice or voices. The influence is determined by the degree that we either give our time and/or attention to them, or to the degree of ignorance (literal meaning: not knowing) that we are seeped in about the impact of these voices. What voice or voices influence your life either knowingly or unknowingly? Is it the sexualized society that's promoted all throughout the day in so many ways, subtlety to explicitly? Or, is it conservative, liberal, humanistic or socialistic viewpoints? Could it be religious denominations or political parties? Or, is it the bling of the rich and famous or the local drug dealer? Is it status and prestige or having influential positions or titles of distinction? What influences you? If your five senses are in operation, as a human being, you will be influenced by some voice. If you do not choose "the voice" that will influence/give direction for your life, you may end up being led in directions not necessarily good for you. "There is a way that seems right to man, but the end leads to destruction." (Proverbs) Though Curtis, the character in the Tyler Perry sitcom did not continue to follow "the voice" when he realized that it was not God Himself speaking to him, we can learn something from this episode. The truth is that studying/learning the Bible, God's Word, is the influence that will help us toward a life that is good and lead us in the right direction. And, I didn't say that you would not have challenges. As we choose to study the Bible, we get to know God, and ironically, as we take the Word in and meditate on it, we get to see and know ourselves more clearly. It also helps us in our decision making and gives us the grace we need to live a life that brings us a sense of peace and joy. Whether at work, home, a sports activity, or recreational events, the Word we study and learn remains within us inspiring our actions and our relationships. Some say, "how do I do this or that? What about academics, science, psychology, or the medical field? The bible doesn't help with any of that!" The amazing thing about studying God's Word, is that as you consistently give time to it, reading and meditating, you will recognize that you have a better understanding in many aspects and arenas of life and are in a position of making wise choices. It doesn't happen over night, though. It takes consistent attention and obedience to it; doing what it says. And this is a choice that you make. "Choose between life or death, blessings or cursing." (Deuteronomy) Make a good decision today. Pay attention to what "voice" you are giving your time and attention to. If it is not the Word of God, know that you are on a shaky path. Choosing God and His Word as your "Voice" of Influence places you on a path that leads to a better way of life; living God's way, living a blessed life. It also helps us in choosing how to handle our business (as the saying goes) and our problems. And, receiving Jesus Christ, God's Son as your Savior and Lord, will give you eternal life (the greater life), to enjoy for eternity!

PREGNANT AGAIN

2010-10-22T20:50:00.000-07:00

I am pregnant again.

This time I didn't want to be,

But the baby that was placed in me

In years that have gone by

Never saw the birthing room

Its fruition never came.

But just when I had lost the Hope,

lost vision, and almost completely let it go,

The Lord spoke and said,

" Try it again. This is My time. This time My Way.

This time you will bring this baby to the birthing room

and see it become full grown."

So, I am pregnant again,

But not carrying the same.

This time I chose to put the baby

Completely in His hands,

He is the Master of my life

He is the Giver of this seed

He is the One who will bring it through

All the way to birth

then multiplied into many more.

I am pregnant again and soon

you, me, we all will see

The plan and purpose of God for me

not invisbile or delayed instead

being completely fulfilled;

Me accomplishing everything that

He has put inside of me.

By Rosalind M. Stanley

Inspired by WTAL 2010

DO YOU BELIEVE?

2010-06-05T14:16:00.000-07:00

A Prophetic Word For All to Hear & Receive:

Sons and daughters, the place where you find yourself is about faith and knowing who you are in me. You must remain focused and you must not allow the enemy to entice or distract you. This spirit of paranoia, anxiety and stress that you’ve allowed to attach to you is not of me! I am not confused and I don’t make mistakes. I don’t operate in chaos and I have told you to worry for nothing. I know the plan of the enemy even before he conceptualizes and attempts to implement it. For I AM ALL KNOWING. As such, why would you try to scheme, plot and plan in the natural when you have a Father who knows all things? You, by yourself, are not a match for the enemy and you continue to fight in your own strength. Yea, but through me, I reveal all and I stand ready to defend you. There were some hard questions I asked you at the beginning of this journey and I will ask them again because I am a patient and loving God. Who do you trust? Who do you believe in? Does it really ALL begin and end with me? You say, the king’s heart is in the lion’s hand and he turns it whichever way he chooses. Do you really believe my word? You say, my God shall supply ALL (physical, emotional, spiritual and psychological) my needs according to His riches and glory. Do you really believe it? Your status in life does not define you! Your place of employment does not define you! Your title (including your spiritual title) does not define you! If I removed everything that validates you, would you still love and serve me? Titles, status, money, position, power - these are things that allow you to operate in man’s system. These are things that you do and NOT who you are! Above and beyond the job, being (whatever is your ethnicity, nationality, culture), ..........(you fill in the blank) – you are a Christian (Christ-like). You are a believer (a receptor and carrier of my word). You are a child of the King of Kings (joint heirs to the throne including all the rights and privileges). The material things mean NOTHING to me and they have no value in my kingdom. They are here today and gone tomorrow. Just as fleeting as a white dandelion being whisked in the wind. I am far more concerned with your heart, your relationship with me and how you are conveying my love to others. Are you taking the time to fellowship with me? Are you taking the time (in the midst of your pain) to share my love with others? Are you taking the time to intercede/pray for others? Are you taking the time to encourage others? These are acts of worship that I honor. As you worship me in the midst of it all, I will exalt and honor you. For, I see you. I have not forgotten about you. Don’t look to man to place you where only I, God, can establish you. Your complete and utter trust must be in me. For I am the God of all and I more than care about you – I love you!

Published with permission from: Dionne J. Ferguson, Esq. of Tampa, FL

The Lord Cares Deeply for You... Psalm 23

2010-04-19T15:28:00.000-07:00

"The Lord is My Shepherd" He is my pastor, my leader, my guide. He will show me the way to go. He will guide me with His eye. If I turn to the right or to the left, I will hear a voice behind me saying "go this way or go that way." He will keep me on the righteous path and in His perfect will. He whispers, "trust and fully abandon yourself to Me." "I Shall not want" There is nothing that is too hard for my God. He will always meet whatever are the needs of my life. He is my Provider; He is my Healer. He knows what I need before I even ask. He longs to be there for me. He, Himself, fulfills the longings of my soul. He clarifies for me what a true need is. He helps me to understand want. He helps me to adjust my desires that they be in line with His heart, His mind, His plans. Then, there is no need that He won't provide. He has already made provision, because He is the Creator of the heavens and the earth. He speaks into my ear, "Daily look to Me, I am your Provision; trust My Way to meet whatever the need is. I Am your God." "He makes me to lie down in green pastures" As I lie in bed, meditating on these words, I could picture the beauty of the pastures; the bright colors. I could sense the serenity and feel the peace. He nudges me when I need to lie down. Be still my soul. Lie down, take in the beauty. Receive the gentleness of God's Presence; the sweet blow of the wind of the Holy Spirit. And, allow the Voice of the Word, to flow into your spirit. Stretch, stretch out; stretch your muscles, your feet, your toes. stretch your fingers, your hands, your arms. Allow your whole body, your nose, your face, your eyes, to stretch. Then release... inhale... exhale. Let go of stress. Let go of the way of the world, the rushing pace, the busyness. Let go of the pushing and greediness of the flesh, the need to proclaim yourself. Allow the Triune Presence to hold you, hug you, caress you. Be comforted. Be at rest. "He leads me besides still waters" God is Faithful! His very nature is Faithful. I can count on Him to lead me. He will lead me. I do not have to be concerned or afraid of the rushing waters of this life, the rumblings of the waves too high for me to see, or the waterfalls going so deep that I can't reach into them. Still waters... peace, flowing, yes, peacefully flowing. No matter how it looks on the outside, in the world I live in, the environment around me, the water is still - the Lord God Almighty is leading. He is in charge! "He restores my soul" My heart...my mind... my will... my emotions... God restores. I imagine this word in the original language meant a continuous restoration. Throughout each day of the battles of life, of the world versus the Kingdom of God on earth, the flesh versus the spirit, my way versus His Way, He restores my soul. He restores my soul from the heat of the day, and the coldness that I may encounter. He restores my soul from the rejection that I at times experience or the conflict of some relationship. He brings my soul back to Him - He is the Maker of my soul. He repairs it, He cleanses it. He removes the ugly in it and replaces it with His beauty, His Goodness, His Joy; His words and His thoughts. Bless the Lord, Oh, my soul. He forgives my sins and delivers me from my iniquitous ways. He makes my soul to be open to Him, to His Good News. Thank you Lord for leading me out of depression, sadness, grief and despair. Thank you for working in my soul that I can hear Your Voice and Your Sound. Thank you for empowering me to know You better, to have a smile in my soul. Thank you for restoring my soul! "He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His Name's sake" For His name's sake... He is Righteous! One of God's names is Righteous! Because of the work that Jesus accomplished on the Cross for me, taking my sins on His body, shedding His blood, to wash them away, dying, going down to the grave and hell for me. But, oh, how Awesome is He in being resurrected! Coming up from hell and the grave without the sin, the dirt, and the darkness, so I now can be/am made righteous through Him! I am righteous in the sight of God because of what Jesus Christ did for me! And, it is His Name, the representation of His Name that God leads me to... to doing things His Way. Righteous is His Way; The Way of our Lord. He knows the way that I take and when I come forth, I will be as pure gold, in every season, through every situation. He will keep me on the Path called Righteousness because I am His and He is mine. He is Faithful to His own. I don't know the Way unless He leads me. I have nothing apart from Him, I follow His lead... because He is my Shepherd, the One who lovingly cares for me, "I follow..." "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death" Even though He is leading me, and He is with me and never leaves me or gives up on me, there are times that I walk through the valley of the shadow of death; hard times, difficult relationships, issues that seem insurmountable, sometimes death. Death of self (it hurts and requires the funeral of letting go) and sometimes death of someone I love or admire. But, I am only walking through. Going through it often feels so overwhelming that all I can see is the valley. It is sometimes all consuming, as though life and light have disappeared. But, what is so wonderful, a principle that I have to keep hidden in my heart is that it is only a shadow! A shadow of death. It is a necessary walk that requires death to those things, situations, attitudes, ways, thoughts and sometimes, relationships, that keep me from an absolute surrender, a full abandonment to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; my True Love. It seems like real death, the problems that arise, the crisis' that I at times experience. Or the relationship grief that visits on occasion. It can be so painful, so gloomy, so dark, that it seems like death for real. But God uses these challenges, these shadows, to bring me to the Life that He sponsors, which is Light and full and abundant! It comes once I have walked through the valley; when I have engaged the shadows. And, when I, because of Him, become a conqueror. Then, on each new walk... "I will fear no evil. For You (God) are with me. Your rod and your staff, they comfort me." God shows Himself to be real on my behalf! No matter what happens or what it looks like, He is there protecting me!! Fear is gone because I have a faith in my Lord God that has become sure of His protection and of His might. No fear... fear no evil. The enemy’s greatest weapon is fear. He uses it in many ways, from subtle to outright and huge. He tricks me into fear. When I watch the news and hear of all the ways he is leading people to evil. Or to hurting others, even family member against family member. Sometimes, even church people/Christians, who yield to him in a moment bringing big news for the world to view. But I walk by faith and not by sight. I must be mindful of how much time I give to voices other than The Shepherd's, like the news or some news caster in my life who is full of the drama that the world presents. I must keep my face looking into His face... to keep my faith in Him intact. Fear and faith cannot operate together. I must choose. And when I am afraid, and can't seem to shake it, I will quickly run to Him, my Shepherd who is with me. He has the rod and the staff to fight for me. He shuns off the evil and comforts me in my fear. Oh Lord, surround me in Your Comfort, in Your comforting arms. Speak Your words of comfort into my soul. Let me see Your rod and Your staff at those times I need to see them. Deliver me from fear. Help me to take Your word into me and to choose to walk by faith in You, my Shepherd. Thank you for Your grace and love and compassion! "You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies" God continues to provide! His provision is exceeding and abundant, above what I can ask, or thing, or even imagine! In the face of my enemies, whose job is to dissuade me form the Lord and His Ways, or to demean and degrade me by various evil tactics, God is right there meeting me, making the way for me! He even allows me above my need. I get to occasionally travel, going places and doing things that we cannot afford. At times, I stand in the midst of people who I seemingly, am not considered to be in the number. Doors and opportunities of the Divine Nature are opened to me... and all this, in the presence of my enemies! Some enemies have human faces. Some are spiritual beings. Regardless, though, my Shepherd prepares the way for me. He makes the provision. He has the ram in the bush. Even when I don't see it, realize it, or are in a pout/self pity mode. He helps me by bringing me to the table. The reminder for me is to keep my eyes on my Glorious Lord; my Shepherd who is ever leading me and guiding me along the way. Who never leads me astray. I trust the Holy Spirit to remind me not to allow the presence of my enemies to overshadow the Presence of Almighty God. His Presence controls the atmosphere that where ever I am, He is, too and the table is always ready and prepared just for me. "You anoint my head with oil" I think of the oil that fell down Aaron's beard. God gives me the power and ability to accomplish His will, His plan. His power is in me and upon me because He has anointed my head with oil, with the power of His Spirit! I am covered with the oil of gladness and filled with the oil of grace. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I can leap over walls and climb over mountains, not because of me, but because of Christ, the Anointed One, who lives in me and gives me the anointing. Nothing is too hard for God, nothing is impossible with Him! His Holy Spirit, His Holy Anointing empowers me to think wisely, like Him; to make wisdom decisions, like Him. And,to stand firm in my faith, in Him. Thank you, Lord! I do not have to rely on me or my so called skills, knowledge, experience, personality, or on anyone else's. You, Lord are my Shepherd, I trust in You who have anointed me to live for You and do Your perfect will. "My cup runs over" Essentially, I am in the overflow! God has given me spiritual blessings that have no limit! His Presence, His Provision, His Power, never ends! I have more than enough to complete every task, assignment or responsibility that He gives me. The God who is More Than Enough has given me more than enough for everything that this life presents! I yield to this, I receive it, and I walk in it. Lord, help me to do my part to remain cognizant that my cup runs over - that I am in the overflow! "Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life" Surely, meaning without question, no doubt, with full confidence. Goodness-all the good that is in God, and mercy-His Great Compassion and Loving kindness, shall always be with me! No matter what, I can rest with full assurance in the Truth that my Shepherd is with me every single day of my life! He is there to turn situations to good. His mercy is present to help me feel His love, that I can forgive, repent, or have mercy on some one else. He is always there...for me! His plans for me are good and His mercy for me, endures forever, way beyond me into my current and future generations. Because He is, was and forever will be, my Shepherd who leads, but also, follows me. He is behind me, too, to watch over me. And, to keep me on the right path. My God, my Shepherd is completely involved in my life, all the time, everyday, and in every way... all the days of my life. "And I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever!" How Awesome is my God! He says, "I abide in you and you abide in Me." This is what it means to dwell. He wants me to stay there with Him, to live with Him. And He wants to stay with me. We live in the same place, together! The House of the Lord, is Him. Being in Him! In Him, I live, and move and have my being! My life, (because of Jesus Christ and my acceptance of Him), is eternally in the Lord. No turning back. This is my commitment, my choice and desire. This is my stance. No slipping to the other side. Because my Shepherd leads me, I can trust that any movement off His path, He will guide me to the Truth. I hear the voice of the Good Shepherd. The voice of the stranger I shall not follow. His Truth, hearing it and knowing it, sets me free from the traps that are set to harm me. It's always my choice to follow and to yield. But, I am in Him. He is in me. He helps me to discern, to know and to choose. There isn't a day that He doesn't see me, hear me or stand for me. He lives in me! I dwell in His House! I am never without Him! Only Lord, I pray, help me and my brothers and sisters reading this, quoting this, and proclaiming it over ourselves, to get the revelation deep in our souls: You are God, our Shepherd, who leads us, and who is with us always. You love and care for us deeply. You go before us and are behind us as our rear guard. You walk alongside us, we are Your friends. You are our Shepherd who has everything under control! You protect us, You fight for us. We don't see the unseen, but You do, so we trust in You. All is well no matter what the circumstances say because You My Shepherd are at work to will and to do of Your good pleasure in us, for us... for Your name's sake. AMEN

RETURNING & REST…QUIETNESS & CONFIDENCE

2010-03-01T11:45:00.000-08:00

Isaiah 30:15-17 NKJV For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel: "In returning and rest you shall be saved; In quietness and confidence shall be your strength." But you would not, And you said, "No, for we will flee on horses" — Therefore you shall flee! And, "We will ride on swift horses" — Therefore those who pursue you shall be swift! One thousand shall flee at the threat of one, At the threat of five you shall flee, Till you are left as a pole on top of a mountain And as a banner on a hill.

Isa 30:15 Bible in Basic English For the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, said, In quiet and rest is your salvation: peace and hope are your strength: but you would not have it so.

Isa 30:15 Holy Bible, New Living Translation

This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says: "Only in returning to me and resting in me will you be saved. In quietness and confidence is your strength. But you would have none of it. Isa 30:15 THE MESSAGE

God, the Master, The Holy of Israel, has this solemn counsel: "Your salvation requires you to turn back to me and stop your silly efforts to save yourselves. Your strength will come from settling down in in complete dependence on me — The very thing you've been unwilling to do.

Matthew Henry Commentary of Isaiah 30:8-17

They slighted the gracious directions God gave them, not only how to secure themselves and make themselves safe, but how to compose themselves and make themselves easy; they would take their own way, v. 15-17. Observe here, (1.) The method God put them into for salvation and strength. The God that knew them, and knew what was proper for them, and desired their welfare, gave them this prescription; and it is recommended to us all. [1.] Would we be saved from the evil of every calamity, guarded against the temptation of it and secured from the curse of it, which are the only evil things in it? It must be in returning and rest, in returning to God and reposing in him as our rest. Let us return from our evil ways, into which we have gone aside, and rest and settle in the way of God and duty, and that is the way to be saved. "Return from this project of going down to Egypt, and rest satisfied in the will of God, and then you may trust him with your safety. In returning (in the thorough reformation of your hearts and lives) and in rest (in an entire submission of your souls to God and a complacency in him) you shall be saved." [2.] Would we be strengthened to do what is required of us and to bear what is laid upon us? It must be in quietness and in confidence; we must keep our spirits calm and sedate by a continual dependence upon God, and his power and goodness; we must retire into ourselves with a holy quietness, suppressing all turbulent and tumultuous passions, and keeping the peace in our own minds. And we must rely upon God with a holy confidence that he can do what he will and will do what is best for his people. And this will be our strength; it will inspire us with such a holy fortitude as will carry us with ease and courage through all the difficulties we may meet with. The contempt they put upon this prescription; they would not take God's counsel, though it was so much for their own good. And justly will those die of their disease that will not take God for their physician. We are certainly enemies to ourselves if we will not be subjects to him. They would not so much as try the method prescribed: "But you said, No (v. 16), we will not compose ourselves, for we will flee upon horses and we will ride upon the swift; we will hurry hither and thither to fetch in foreign aids." They think themselves wiser than God, and that they know what is good for themselves better than he does. When Sennacherib took all the fenced cities of Judah, those rebellious children would not be persuaded to sit still and patiently to expect God's appearing for them, as he did wonderfully at last; but they would shift for their own safety, and thereby they exposed themselves to so much the more danger. (from Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, PC Study Bible Formatted Electronic Database Copyright © 2006 by Biblesoft, Inc. All Rights reserved.)

Go to Crosswalk on the web to view the Be Still video by Worship House Media. It is very short.

We all must take time to reevaluate our doings and our focus.

We must take time out to examine ourselves to see if we are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). To see if we are being led by the Lord (Romans 8:14) or just doing and being the way we think (Romans 10:3). This is not directed to the sinner or the new convert. This is about many who are doing “the Lord’s work,” however, He may have a different plan, or a different way to do what He has called you to. Or perhaps, He is giving you another opportunity to hear and heed what He has previously spoken to you? It’s Kingdom Time; actually, always has been. The Lord is calling us and is very serious at this time in the lives of His Kingdom bearers. God is loving us as He is speaking to us. Let us chose to listen.

Shall I say more? I am convicted and am receiving this Word to do what it says (James1:22). Will you?

KATRINA MAGNIFIED VIA EARTHQUAKE IN HAITI

2010-01-13T16:48:00.000-08:00

"God is... a present help in trouble, even when the earth moves and the mountains fall into the sea." Psalm 46

Traveling to the Dominican Republic took on a new sense of God as I awaited for the last flight of my trip to board. Looking at the TV in the waiting area, we learned that a 7.0 earthquake had hit Haiti! An earthquake of this magnitiude hasn't hit this land for 200 years. The number of people dead and/or missing is in the 100 thousands; totally incomprehensible! The after shocks continue. While I awaited the news regarding my now delayed flight, I learned that my daughter and son in law's house not only moved but throughout the Domincan Repiblic, which shares an island with Haiti, the land and buildings were shaking and moving, literally. As they each give their account of the earth moving, it seems like a movie. But, the Truth that God had already spoken to them early that morning when no one knew of the earthqauke coming, is that He is our refuge and strength and a very present help in trouble... no matter what is happenning, God is a Present to Help. He serves as a Refuge. He is the Strength that we need in order to make it. Many Haitians, as I write are disoriented, confused, grieving, in shock because they have lost family, friends, homes, communities, etc. The Domincan missionaries and others in the Christian community here are meeting and planning their strategy to go the 5-6 hour drive to Haiti to help, to provide food, water or whatever is God's purpose for them at the time they are released to go. Our prayer and intercession is of utmost importance for this country who had been for many years ravaged by all kinds of demonic influence. Now is the time to take back the land for God who created it and take back the souls of the people who God made in His image and likeness! Through prayer we can do powerful work! Let's send our money, send supplies, send the relief workers who are willing to go. maybe you will eventally go, because it will take years for the healing and restoration of this nation. But prayer and intercession is what will allow all of these acts to have anointed success. Let's not take our lives and our times lightly. God has given us Himself, His Word, and the ability to pray as tools to bring His will and ways to earth. Though the earth quake, we shall not be moved to fear, but to prayer! In the name of Jesus, who did the work which has enabled us to do even greater works...

PRAY FOR HAITI!

THE END IS ONLY THE BEGINNING

2009-12-31T20:50:00.000-08:00

The beauty of the end of a thing is that it leads you directly to the beginning of something else; something new or different. The old goes into a file so that the new and different can begin. A problem comes about when we continue to go to the "old file" instead of focusing on building the new and different file. Now, the old file does have some worth. If we never had the old, building the new and different would be a more difficult task because the truth is, we are unable to build the new without having had our "old" experiences. They help us in our decision making, that is, if we learn from them. Otherwise, the end only continues into more new of the same old stuff. Maybe different people or places but similar situations. As we move from 2009 into 2010, let's take a moment to reflect on the "old." Look at how the Lord God Almighty brought you through; for some, carried you through; and for others, pulled you through. What are some things, people perhaps, or places that you must let go of or say goodbye to? Not because they are necessarily wrong or bad in and of themselves (though they may be, so be willing to admit it if they are), just that they may not be a part of God's 2010 plan for you, for where He is bringing you or for what He wants to do in your life. Look at the old for just enough time to get out of it the lesson that God wants you to learn from it. Then, give it over to Him. Cry if you must, forgive, ask for forgiveness, make a decision not to turn back, then turn your face to the new and different. Recommit your heart and life to the Lord; to follow hard after Him. To allow Him to lead and guide you. Ask Him to order your steps. Decide to get on His agenda, accepting that without Him you can do nothing. But with Him, all things are possible. The end has come, but so, too has the new. Trust the Lord to be there for you and with you just as He has promised to. Regardless as to the challenges that 2010 may or may not bring, remember our Heavenly Father's promise, "I will never leave you, nor forsake you." And He will continue to bring you through!

2010...don't do it again... take on the new & the different

walking by faith in God (not in yourself or someone else) and not by sight (what your circumstance says)

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU AND YOURS !!!

FROM ME AND MY FAMILY : )

STRESS INDICATION TEST: An Informal Tool to Help Christians to Reduce Stress

2009-10-18T20:34:00.000-07:00

I have a new publication, STRESS INDICATION TEST: An Informal Tool to Help Christians Reduce Stress. The Lord gave it to me a few years ago and I recently revised it. Included is an informal test that indicates your level of stress and recommendations to help you to get rid of stress. Stress Reduction techniques and activities and other helpful information are also included. For more information or to purchase, please feel free to contact me at info@rozbog.com

LORD, I OFFER MY LIFE TO YOU

2009-10-01T15:04:00.000-07:00

Have you ever taken a look at yourself and realized that you are different? That something has changed in your life? It could be positive or negative. When you recognize it, usually you want to do something to get better if its negative or you may stand in awe of God, if it is positive, because you realize that you, in and of yourself, could not have made such a wonderful change. This song written by Don Moen, Lord, I Offer My life To You was and is a song that has ministered in my life over and over again. The more that I let go of my life and offer it to the Lord, the more peace I gain and the more He uses me for His glory. The reality is that no matter how much better our lives get, our relationship with the Lord is always progressing, growing and deepening, otherwise it becomes stagnant with the potential of it moving to the negative (Christians term it backslidding). If perhaps, you do not have a relationship with God, asking Him to come into your heart is one of the easiest prayers to pray if you mean it with your heart. He, then, lovingly comes in to give you the ability to choose to make the changes that will allow you to fully experience the Life that He paid for through the work of Christ on the Cross; and He did it for you (Romans 5:8 )!

Recently, the Lord directed me to share a seminar that He gave me some years ago. As He gave me the words and ideas, I wrote it, then left it in the book. While at my church's Women's Encounter, the Holy Spirit asked me why I hadn't shared it, confirming for me that I must at this time in my life and ministry. So, I took the step and offered it. God is steadily opening doors in different cities, even in the Dominican Republic where my children are serving as missionaries. He is serious about people understanding who He is and being willing to trust Him, choosing to offer their lives to Him. As I walk by faith, I "go" in His strength and for His purpose with His leading and guidance.

Are you at the place where you truly, honestly, and sincerely want to offer your life to Him?

Even though you may be apprehensive because you are not certain what that may mean for you, the willingness to trust the Lord, which is faith, pleases Him (Hebrews 11:6). Just remember that God is always with you and will never leave or forsake you. He is a good God and loves you. Even though we may not understand some circumstances or situations in ours or others lives, does not discount the goodness of God and the fact that He has our best interest at heart. Continued faith in Him will keep us on the right track and lead us to His peace and joy over and over again. So, join me as I again offer the stuff of my life to Him knowing, by faith, that "He who calls you/me is faithful and He will do it" (2009 motto for Trinity Church of Cedar Hill, Texas as taken from First Thessalonnians 5:24 )

YOUR DESTINATION AWAITS YOU: Go and continue

2009-08-19T20:31:00.000-07:00

“But when our time was up, we left and continued on our way…”

Acts 21:5a

It is important to be sensitive to the Spirit of God so to know when “our time is up” in a place, situation, relationship or assignment. Regardless as to how we feel about it, good or bad, agree or disagree, what those around us may say about it-positive or negative, ultimately, we must know for ourselves.

And when we know, we must take the courage to “let go” and to literally “go” away from it. According to the above noted verse, they “left and continued on their way.” They started out with an intended destination. As they traveled, they encountered some disciples; believers in Christ Jesus. They took time to fellowship with them. Just as at their last stop, they enjoyed the sharing and receiving. They strengthened the believers, and in turn, were strengthened. It felt good and relaxing. It was a comfortable atmosphere and certainly a place where Paul was needed and could find reason to make his permanent ministry.

However, evn though knowing in advance (because the Spirit had spoken to him through a prophet) that trouble awaited him at his intended destination-Jerusalem, he remained focused and on task. He did not allow fear or concern about what was ahead, to get next to him. His only goal was to please the God whom he served and to finish his assignment, whatever the cost.

At times, God is leading us to make a change in our lives. Maybe it is to let go of a ministry position that you’ve held for awhile. Perhaps, He has someone else prepared and ready to move into that position and has something else for you. It could be that you are lounging at a particular place, but it is time to go – your time is up.

Or, perhaps, you have lost sight of your destination because you have become settled, comfortable, or complacent where you are. You have decided that where you are is your final destination (whether it is a position, place, an assignment or possession), so you have closed out your ability to hear what the Spirit of God may be saying to you.

Paul kept his destination in full view even as he stopped to accomplish a ministry assignment on the road to his destination. He did not stay there. When it was time to go, he left! He did not allow his feelings, his personal agenda, his level of comfort, the relationships he developed or the fear/concern about what awaited him, to keep him from his God ordained destination. His goal was to fulfill the Master’s plan, no matter what. (vs. 13)

How about you? Take some time to contemplate about your place in life. Are you on task? Or have you allowed current circumstances, good or bad, cloud your focus? Have you, perhaps, allowed fear or concern about the destined place, stop you in your tracks? The Bible records these words, it is said, 365 times: “do not fear.” God is with you wherever you go. Stop, ask Him to clear your focus. If you recognize that your time is up in some area of your life, follow Paul as he followed Christ Jesus. Leave that thing, person, place, assignment, and continue on your way. Do it for the glory of God, not considering your own glory. But, remembering that God knows everything about you, His plans for you, and the way He has made for your life. Trust Him and go on your way. He’ll carry you through and to the destiny He has prepared for you!

DEATH IS WRAPPED UP IN LIFE

2009-07-07T07:49:00.000-07:00

I’ve noticed that there are seasons when death and dying seem to have center stage. During such times, they demand our attention leading some of us to meditation and careful reevaluation of our times and activities on earth. Questions begin to flood our thoughts:

Am I doing what I am supposed to be doing? How much time do I have left? Is my perspective on this side of life, correct? Do I have my priorities in order? What can I do to better my relationships?

The problem is that for some, the questions come and go quickly without much thought. For others, they become defining moments bringing about new or renewed commitments, diligence in living, and/or letting go of vanities and insignificant activities. As I give thought to death and dying once again, my goal is to live with determination being more sensitive to the Lord, freer in my soul and spirit to be led by His daily will, choosing His way each day.

As I think about those who have passed on, from many years ago to the most recent, relatives, friends, my friends loved ones, and celebs, I want to give honor to their lives as I can almost see them as they made their departure. Looking behind recognizing the vast difference between here and there and the difference in what is priority and the difference in perspective that awaited their steps as some approached The Pleasant Peaceful Pure Place of Presence with our Lord.

Many of you can relate as you have watched loved ones walk away in readiness to “The Place” we all aspire-even the wicked. Some others have gone on suddenly without a plan with loved ones never knowing where their departure landed. “Our times are in His Hand,” if we yield to Him. Otherwise, we kick against the goad spending life on earth in absurdity; taking a path that has no value bringing a sense of void when the door of finality is open.

This is why we, those who are given the task, must proclaim the Lord and His ways. In so doing, Someone will hear! Someone will change! Someone will make it to the right place, the place that God has ordained for men; the place where Jesus has gone to prepare for us and is peacefully awaiting our time of arrival. That place where our Lord’s Presence is so steady and real, so strong and abounding with glory! He gives us an occasional glimpse. It’s a glimpse that takes us out of the time and flesh barriers that we live in. It’s a glimpse that restores our hopes and lessens our fears. Oh Lord, bring me nearer to You! Nearer to Your Heart, that while I’m here, I can feel You and love You and touch others in a way that they, too, will look above!

HAVE IT NOW

2009-07-03T22:49:00.000-07:00

What you have, have it now.

So that later you don't regret.

Don't wait around and continually fret,

Thinking that "it" has not come yet.

Now is now so have it now!

Do it now!

Be it now!

Teach it now!

Love them now!

Write it now!

Live it, give it, use it now!

Enjoy and cherish what is now

Because now will never come again.

James 4:13-14

"Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, spend a year there, buy and sell, and make a profit"; whereas you do not know what will happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor that appears for a little time and then vanishes away. NKJV

THE SECRET OF THE LORD by Oswald Chambers

2009-06-03T10:59:00.000-07:00

The secret of the Lord is with those who fear Him . . . —Psalm 25:14 What is the sign of a friend? Is it that he tells you his secret sorrows? No, it is that he tells you his secret joys. Many people will confide their secret sorrows to you, but the final mark of intimacy is when they share their secret joys with you. Have we ever let God tell us any of His joys? Or are we continually telling God our secrets, leaving Him no time to talk to us? At the beginning of our Christian life we are full of requests to God. But then we find that God wants to get us into an intimate relationship with Himself— to get us in touch with His purposes. Are we so intimately united to Jesus Christ’s idea of prayer— "Your will be done" ( Matthew 6:10 )— that we catch the secrets of God? What makes God so dear to us is not so much His big blessings to us, but the tiny things, because they show His amazing intimacy with us— He knows every detail of each of our individual lives. "Him shall He teach in the way He chooses" ( Psalm 25:12 ). At first, we want the awareness of being guided by God. But then as we grow spiritually, we live so fully aware of God that we do not even need to ask what His will is, because the thought of choosing another way will never occur to us. If we are saved and sanctified, God guides us by our everyday choices. And if we are about to choose what He does not want, He will give us a sense of doubt or restraint, which we must heed. Whenever there is doubt, stop at once. Never try to reason it out, saying, "I wonder why I shouldn’t do this?" God instructs us in what we choose; that is, He actually guides our common sense. And when we yield to His teachings and guidance, we no longer hinder His Spirit by continually asking, "Now, Lord, what is Your will?"

BEST STAY AT HOME MOM

2009-05-04T16:21:00.000-07:00

You know that I had to blog about this!

(Click the link to Treasure You: http://www.treasureyou.org/Treasure_You/TY3.html or go to Good Morning America for the May 4th show.)

My daughter, Victoria Dominguez, was honored as "Best Stay at Home Mom" today on GOOD MORNING TEXAS! She was surprised by Pat Smith, Show host & founder of TREASURE YOU, which is also a segment on the show. Pat is a former Miss Virginia (among many other accolades), wife of Emmitt Smith, an industrious stay at home mother of four, and woman of God! We were all surprised today as we saw how God orders our steps and connects people in the strangest ways! I went to church with Pat's sister Pam in my early Virginia days. Vickie, not knowing Pat, many years ago saw her on a TV show and was prompted by the Holy Spirit to pray for her, and I can tell you that she has faithfully for years, without Pat knowing her. My former pastor, Bishop McBath (a different church than the one that me and her sister attended), dedicated her oldest baby. Then we meet up in Texas! Incidences, not coincidences, but God directed journeys. You know blogging is a one way chat. So, I am chatting with you. Comment, if you'd like to. As I mentioned on the program, I was 13 years old when I gave birth to Victoria. Many of you know that, many of you are probably surprised. When I look back, I am amazed. I won't go into any details about that, but I do plan to publish a book one day soon. 13 is sooo young. As I have opportunity to share with young girls, pregnant and not pregnant, I try to express to them the importance of waiting for marriage to have sex. Instead to work on allowing themselves to develop wholistically, and to learn how to have healthy relationships. Why? Because that wasn't fun...it was hard! And it certainly was not God's way or God's best for me. But God, as my sweet, wonderful mother says, forgives and restores. We had a hard life, but God... I am touched today more than my words can express. I have been privileged with seeing a change in my generation! As Vickie said, I am blessed to see the "fruit" of choosing to change for the good (our CTC slogan-http://www.christiantrainingcenter.vpweb.com/). The real truth is, allowing the Spirit of God to work in my life when I did not even know Him. What I do today, as a minister, as a counselor, is because I do know what pain feels like, what unhealthy living looks like and the drama of bad relationships. But, have been touched by God through Jesus Christ and am now a new person!! Better than before and getting better everyday (ask my husband : ). But God... God is the only One with the power to bring change that goes deep into the recesses of our souls, healing us and making us truly whole people. He did it, and is yet doing it for me/in me. What I am blogging about? Simply to say that GOD IS GOOD! His mercy endures forever! Pray for your children, your family members, your spouse, your relationships. Pray and CRI, CRI and pray as Donnie McClurkin's song suggests. CRI, Christian Relationship Initiative, a ministry of Christian Training Center, is in the works to help you pray your family into healthiness, godliness, and Victory. More to come about CRI. In the meantime, choose to allow God's way in your heart and life. It will more than likely mean letting go of some things. But, the rewards, the joy, the peace, and the blessings (Psalm 103), far outweigh what you must let go of to get there!!

Make a decision to be the change agent in your family... God extends His love to a thousand generations of those who love Him! (See John 14:15)

PS. If you would, tell Vickie that she did well. She was so shocked that she does not think she responded well.

HAPPY MOTHER's DAY

to moms, grandmoms, aunties, play moms, angel moms, sister moms, etc.... Without you, what?

“Got Fruit?”

2009-03-23T12:45:00.000-07:00

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV)

Spring break. Arthur, My husband, had promised our youngest son (Nathan) to a fishing trip, so we all set out for East Texas, Lake O’ The Pines, an area that Arthur had to see. Once in East Texas, we stopped at the last Walmart on the road to pick up a fishing license and miscellaneous items. I and our older son (Jason) went in one direction, while Art and Nathan went in another, agreeing to meet at the cash register.

Jason and I were done first, so we paid for our items and sat on a bench. A couple with a baby walked by (I’d recognized seeing them in passing while shopping). I overheard the husband say, “I’m not doing that!” I sensed that the wife had instructed him to give something to us. When they walked out of the store, I chalked it up as a mis-sense. However, within moments the young man with his baby came back in and walked by us again. My eyes followed him as he walked. He walked a short distance pass us, then turned back toward us.

As he walked by, he handed me a tract (see link noted below) that said, “Got Fruit,” with a God bless you and was gone faster than his arrival. I responded with a smile, “God Bless you, too.” I skimmed the tract, reminding myself to fully read it during our time at the lake. But, then came the questions: “Why did his wife think that I needed a tract?” (I was offended) They’d be surprised to know that I am a minister of the Gospel (I was in pride) Was it because I looked ragged? (I had no makeup on, and was dressed in my most raggedy/comfortable kind of clothing). “Or, was it because I’m black and they have a prejudice or racist view of blacks?” (This was an obviously predominantly white area) “Did I say something foul while shopping? (I was sure that I had not) “Or, did my countenance look mean, sad, or un-Christian like? (whatever that means- but countenance could be an issue)

Once getting in the car, I relayed the incident to Arthur and began to ask those questions of him and the boys. “Why do you think they thought I needed a tract?” They attempted to console me letting me know that they thought that I was a “good person” with Arthur saying that maybe the Holy Spirit just wanted them to give it to me perhaps to meditate on one of the Scriptures and not to think anything more of it or anything negative about it. After our short fishing trip and once home, I asked my daughter (Vickie) the same question. She responded by saying that it is probably just a confirmation to me about the fruit of the Spirit since it is something I emphasize (I gave detailed information about the fruit in my book-African American Family Life, It’s Time To Get It Back).

I am sure by now, you are probably saying to yourself something like, “Why so sensitive-do you have a fruit problem?” Or, why didn’t you just pray and ask God if there was something to it?” Or, forget about it, the young couple were just evangelizing! I did finally let it go, but to the Lord, asking Him about it. Did God answer? Not directly. But for the next few days the Holy Spirit made me more sensitive to when I was not walking in the fruit in my interactions with others or in my thought life. I found myself repenting for attitudes, behaviors, words or thoughts that do not reflect God’s Spirit. Because God’s Spirit, the Holy Spirit, is holy. And, His Spirit lives in me to help me (and us who believe and have accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior) to be holy. That is, to walk out the fruit of His Spirit on a daily basis.

So, for whatever reason the couple chose to give me the tract, God used it for my good! Complacency comes to all of us, especially when you are one walking with the Lord for a number of years and used of the Lord over a period of time. Though I spend my time counseling others by the Word and praying them through their issues, I am reminded by this incident that I have to, on a throughout the day basis, allow the Holy Spirit to flow in and through me, because I can, like many of you, just know what to do and how to do it. Or, can allow the Holy Spirit to flow on the behalf of others (for ministry purposes) but not allow the work of the Spirit to get to my own issues or life challenges therefore cutting off the fruit and the flow of the Spirit in my own life.

So, “Got Fruit?” I will be more sensitive to the Spirit as I live out my days because it is the fruit of the Spirit of God empowered by the Holy Spirit that is Jesus in earthen vessels doing the “greater works” that Jesus said we would do. (John 14:12) I hope that my experience will help you to be more willing to accept correction from the Holy Spirit and make needed changes so we all can live and walk as lifestyle evangelists that cause others to want to know “the hope that is within us”(I Peter 3:15) and bring much glory to God!

See the tract at: http://www.gospeltract.org/christiantest.html

UNITED WE STAND...DIVIDED WE FALL

2009-03-05T22:00:00.000-08:00

I’ve been thinking for a few months now about unity and its impact on our lives and relationships. The thought was stimulated by a few scenarios. Firstly, the continuing debate between the Republicans and Democrats, whom are both Americans (from the United States of America). Then, family members who treat one another as each others enemy; family in many cases are the ones there for you almost no matter what, when others give up on you, let you down, put you down, etc. Lastly, people who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, yet being divided, is the most amazing to me of all. Christians who hold offense against their brother or sister in Christ or disassociate with another or other Christians for an array of reasons that when it boils down to it are man made or self focused reasons and not pleasing to God.

I have had occasion not to click so well with another Christian brother or sister. However, a part of my maturity in Christ (and I didn’t say perfectly mature, but pressing on toward the mark)has been learning to obey the Word of God regardless of my feelings or human nature (human nature is bent toward sin). That is to honor God and to please Him rather than give any glory to Satan, the devil and enemy of God. I realized years ago that either I am aligning myself with God or with Satan in the way that I live and behave toward others. One Scripture says “Give no place to the devil.” Another says, “Whatever you do, do it to please God and not men, because it is the Lord God who you serve…and Him who will give you your reward.” Actually, Jesus was the one who said “united you stand, but divided you fall.” So, unity is of utmost importance.

Unity is what allows purpose to be fulfilled (it takes more than you to accomplish your purpose for existence). Whether we are talking about the United States of America, family members, or believers in Jesus Christ, the key to our destruction is to allow disunity to operate within us; being divided. This is a great opportunity for “the enemy” to slip in on us and begin the process of kill, steal and destroy (John 10:10).

If we do not see and understand this and understand that unity requires that we step out of selfishness and self-focused opinions or decision making, we are bound to experience destruction taking place in our lives and relationships. Allowing pride, anger, offense or other negative emotions to dictate what we will or will not do makes us unbelievers in the power of God or in what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the Cross. This is why it is so important for us to “pick up our cross and die daily.” This means that daily, we must choose to bear the difficulties that have come our way giving them over to the Lord to give us what we need so we can handle them in a godly (Christ-like) manner.

We must be willing to forgive and release people who have hurt us (intentionally or unintentionally), or those who we disagree with on some point or who disagree with us, choosing to go beyond ourselves, loving them with the love of the Lord while praying for God’s divine intervention in the situation and/or in our hearts. God is on the throne and is always watching us, longing to pour more of Himself into us (which is the character, behavior, or attitude we need at the moment). Unity versus disunity will not only affect us externally in our relationships, but also internally, in our souls (mind/thoughts/intellect, will/choices, and feelings/emotions).

Anyway of ours that is not God’s way will not be for our good. As we choose God’s way of doing things and relating to others, we will experience good and see the positive taking place in our lives and relationships.

To end this thought, I plead with you to ask the Lord to show you if you have a wrong relationship (or wrong attitude toward another or others) in operation. As He shows you, repent, forgive, release them and ask for His healing if necessary. If it is possible, go to the person and make amends (you be the better person and be ye reconciled!!). This doesn’t mean that they are right and you are wrong. Nor does it mean that ungodly behavior is being condoned. It means that you are obeying God/following Jesus, not giving place to Satan and God will work it out for good! If it is not possible to go to the person (they may be dead or too mean to approach), know that God hears you and you are okay with Him.

“Since God chose you to be the holy people He loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other's faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” Colossians 3:12-14 Holy Bible, New Living Translation ®, copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

HANDLING FRUSTRATION

2009-01-22T21:16:00.000-08:00

I want to share an acronym that can help you when you are dealing with a frustrating moment, day, situation, person, etc. If you choose to follow these suggestions (an act of your will is required/a choice), the frustration will begin to dissipate and you will begin to feel better and will be able to think more clearly. Here it goes:

Forgive others (so u too can be forgiven)

Release others (don't carry baggage)

U look at yourself & examine u, forgive u, etc.

Stay in God's Presence (He will never leave but we at times leave Him)

Talk openly, honestly & freely to God (Psalm 142)

R est in the Lord (maintain His peace/engage in Sabbath)

Always praise & worship the Lord

Tell of God's goodness, faithfulness, love- (His character)

Implore God (as much as you need to-this means to seriously call upon Him)

O bey God's Word (even if it kills you/Romans 8:13; Col. 3:5-10

Never give up (don't quit)

Doing these things will carry you and me through tough seasons, save us from defeat, and protect us from hard heartedness.

ENCOURAGE YOURSELF in 2009

2009-01-06T23:01:00.000-08:00

As we close out 2008 in our checkbooks, our activities, our hearts and minds, let’s remember our God who has brought us through to 2009. As I reflected on several of my years on this earth, I couldn’t help but remember some really difficult times, and yes, a number of them occurred in 2008. But as the song sung by the Kurt Carr singers pronounces, “God’s mercy kept me, so I wouldn’t let go.” And I am grateful to Him for His grace and mercy. Hopefully you are, too. When I think about some of those difficult moments and how God carried me through and out of them, I am humbled to tears. You may not be in any way like I have tended to be. Sometimes I whine or pout. Other times I have found myself in a depression. At times, just through. But, “only because of His grace” I am here to testify of His goodness. I know that he has been good to you, too. We tend to keep our focus on the negative or on the difficult situation or circumstance. However, just as Paul admonished Timothy, there are times when you must “encourage yourself” as the song sung by The Donald Lawrence singers suggests. My plan for 2009 is to grow deeper in my relationship with the Lord, meaning to rejoice in all circumstances knowing that God will never leave me helpless. He has taken me a mighty long way (as the old saints used to say) and not to leave me, but to bring me right into His will on a daily basis. What about you? What do you plan to do? As you decide, just remember that wherever you go and whatever you do, if you choose God as your means of support and not yourself or anyone else, your progress will be greater than what you could have ever accomplished yourself. So, don’t let go, don’t quit and as much as you need to, encourage yourself. You can do it! God is on your side. Just make sure that you do what he has for you and not just seeking what you want or want to do. If you follow God, your joy will be greater. Try it and see. I plan to. These are the songs that I mentioned. Take a few moments to listen to them and let them minister to you: I Almost Let Go by Kurt Carr Singers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4W5G1kt3pY&feature=related Encourage Yourself by Donald Lawrence http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c6yhgFxDQMw&feature=related

DUE PRAISE

2008-12-26T13:48:00.000-08:00

Four Generations:

Grand-daughter, daughter, me and my mother.

Let us praise our God above,

for He is God, God of Love.

Let us give the glory due His name,

yes, He is Worthy, worthy of our praise.

Let us speak of His holinesss

He is Holy so let us be the same;

"Be ye Holy as I am Holy,"

this is not an option, it's how we

win the game.

Do take time each day and

be sure to give Him praise;

It is due Him for the Life He gave...

He gave so we could live,

He gave so we could give;

praise brings His Presence

down to our earth.

Praise causes demons to be in a lurch -

to flee, to leave, a reminder of

Jesus's birth.

So, do give Him praise,

the praise He is due -

It makes Him happy and

it extremely blesses you!

Thank you to you out there who read my blogs and forward them to others. Your reading and responses serve as an encouragement. I'll be shooting them out all of 2009 as the Lord prompts me with a thought, a word, etc.

Trusting that Christmas was full of fun and love and the joy of the Lord! Though, some are reminded of the absence of a loved one at this time, some a very recent loss. Others have problems and issues that did not go away with Christmas day. And many of us are seeking to know God's direction as we quickly approach a new season in time/2009.

My suggestion is what I am focusing to do, and hopefully you, too, is to give God regular praise, to look for the good and be grateful regardless as to what a day brings. I encourage you and me to keep your perspective clear; to allow the vision of eternity present and future to lead your decisions, relationships, actions, and attitudes. Our job here on earth (for those of you who have received the free Christmas Gift of salvation) is to "represent" as slang goes. To represent our Lord being real in our humanity while living out our faith.

I wish you a HAPPY NEW YEAR FULL OF (the recognition) GOD'S GRACE to you!

LOVE: Let's Preach it, Let's Be it

2008-11-30T18:36:00.000-08:00

One of the problems that I have noticed over the past almost 20 years of counseling is people who want emotional healing and who want a deep relationship with God, however have not come to experience the love that God has for them. Not because He isn’t making His love known. Not that He has not already demonstrated His love through Jesus’ suffering, death, burial and resurrection (Romans 5:8).

But, partly because many ministers are not teaching about this Great Love. Many sermons don’t focus on the power of the gospel, leaving people to live out Christianity in their own strength. Or, to see Christianity as just another club, activity or gathering.

Another reason is that the hurts and pains of life keep people in bondage, unable to experience the inner freedom that life in Christ provides. To receive emotional healing, requires that we be vulnerable. To be vulnerable we need to feel safe and protected. True safety and protection comes through an accurate knowledge of God and a revealed knowledge of His love for you. When we know God’s love for ourselves we can trust Him with our hurts and pains knowing that He is our Healer and desires to bring healing and freedom to us (Isa 53:4,5; I John 1:2).

The main problem area comes about though when people do not have a healthy or clear understanding of love as God intended it. Much of media leads us to think of love as what the Greeks term eros, a sensual, romantic, surface love which tends to be fantasy like versus the love that God has given the world through Jesus’ birth, death, and resurrection to save the world from ultimate destruction (John 3:16, 17). The Greeks term this love agape.

Agape love is the love that comes from God to us and through us to others. It is covenant love; love that loves because it wants to love you and is full of commitment. Love that says “I will never leave you or forsake you; I will always be with you and will have your best interest in mind.” It is a forever love. Us humans can engage in it by an act of the will; that is, choosing to accept God’s love. Then choosing to show agape love and being loving regardless as to the disagreements, challenges and storms of life. It is a love that is determined to work all things together for ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

It is a selfless love. It cares to give love more than the desire to get love, though through covenant/commitment it will receive love. It is a healthy, godly love that never quits and bears much fruit (I Corinthians 13:4-8; Galatians 5:22). Agape love can be learned and applied; however, the ultimate of agape is recognizing God’s love extended to you, receiving it, and then choosing to allow His way of loving to flow from you. This happens by the work of the Holy Spirit who moves upon us inviting us to partake of God’s love or moving upon us as we seek after God (Psalm 42:1,2) .

So how do we begin to know this Great Love, Agape? Begin by finding a church that has discipleship classes, classes that help you to understand the Bible and in developing a relationship with God. Accepting Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord is #1 in importance and opens your heart and mind to understanding and knowing God. If you attend church regularly and have accepted Jesus Christ as your Savior, start praying on a regular basis. Ask the Lord to reveal Himself to you. Tell Him that you want to know His love. Read the Bible on a regular basis. Ask God to reveal Himself to you as you read and as you pray. Choose to obey His Word. This obedience says to the Lord that you love Him. The more obedience, the more He will reveal and the stronger in Him you will become.

Then when difficulties of life come your way (we all have them), or if memories of the past that produce hurt and pain present themselves, you can trust that the One who loves you so much that he died for you, will be there for you and will bring you through!

God's Message Through A Homemade Sign

2008-11-01T22:24:00.000-07:00

As I drove down a busy street toward an even busier intersection, I noticed a lady standing on the corner with a homemade sign. The sign read,

IT'S PRAYING TIME

As tears flooded my eyes I honked the horn at her and gave her thumbs up. She acknowledged with a smile. It seemed that my response gave her fuel to turn into the intersection with her sign a bit higher. I could feel the Presence of the Lord upon me as I held back my tears (I had my stepson and a few grandchildren in the car with me-which the oldest reminded me of stating “grandma you can’t cry now, you’re driving.”:)

Why in the world did a homemade sign touch me to tears? Because I knew that the sign was for me, if for no one else. This is a message that the Lord has been speaking into my heart for some time now. It served as a confirmation that God is speaking loud and clear. It also served me notice that I need to follow through on my pursuit to increase my level of prayer and intercession. I am grateful that in this season the Lord has lead us to a church whose focus is relationship with the Lord, living it out, and prayer & intercession as a lifestyle. This is helping me to recharge and to deepen my Christian walk and prayer life. Not there, yet, but joyfully and sometimes painfully, on the road.

But, back to the sign: “It’s Praying Time.” I am sure that many would agree with this sign. Some because of the upcoming election. Some because of the war that our country is currently engaged in. Others because of the economic crisis that our nation and world are facing. Many others have relationship problems or sickness or other personal crises that they would like to be resolved. But is this what God’s message about prayer is all about? Perhaps yes to all of these. However, the truth is that everyday of the life of a Christian is praying time since prayer is one of the main channels of a sincere relationship with our Lord.

Also, though on another level, we are in the time of the end (or endtimes) that requires much prayer in order to know the daily and moment by moment will of the Lord. If we don’t pray we will not have the staying power that comes from God, which is so needed in this time. Our spirits (the inner man that will live for eternity) need the connection and communication with the Lord to stay strong.

Another reason that “it is praying time” is that we have an automatic adversary whose tactics, schemes, and attacks are intensifying and becoming more targeted and openly visible and in some cases, accepted. We know that when the enemy comes in like a flood, God raises up a standard against him. However, we, the people that God works through, need God’s power (which comes through prayer and revelation of the Word) in order to stand against the adversary with confidence and authority that we have in Him. So, for me, definitely, and probably yes for you, too:

“IT’S PRAYING TIME!”

…DELIVER US FROM EVIL

2008-09-06T12:46:00.000-07:00

These words are a part of The Sermon on The Mount better known as The Lord’s Prayer. Most of us who can recite this prayer learned it from the King James Version of the Bible (KJV). Other translations say “deliver us from the evil one.” The point of the prayer is that the Lord God, whom is All Powerful, would take us away from that which is evil; the influence of evil and the actual involvement with evil.

For most of us, this word evil is a strong word and carries with it a scary meaning. Like the cartoons that emphasize the pretty person versus the sinister looking person or the super heroes whose continual assignment is to conquer the evil one and/or deliver the people from hurt, harm, or danger. Usually the evil person is portrayed as some very wicked villain or some monster like creature that intimidates and puts great fear into people. The evil one, in most of theses scenarios, is visibly discernable because of its hard, scary, or abnormal look and/or sound.

This word evil is not as deep and unattached to us as it has been

made to sound to us.

But this word evil is not as deep and unattached to us as it has been made to sound. Like the word, wicked. When we hear that word, it too, causes us to tremble in fear or picture some fairy tale witch like creature invading us or our homes. This perspective of evil or wicked is what causes many of us to categorize our wrongs. Of course, we are not evil or wicked when we do something wrong. In truth, we have all done wrong. As Christians especially, when we do wrong (sin), most of us know that in our heart of hearts, we do not consider ourselves evil or wicked. The truth about this word is that it simply means “that which is not like God.” That is the RStanley dictionary definition (smile). The word wicked and the word evil in the Bible, both mean that what is being done or said is against the way of God. It is opposite of what is godly. It is false verse Truth, right versus wrong, or good versus bad. When we talk specifically about what is right versus wrong, or good versus bad, sin, evil, wicked, or false versus truth, everyone has their own opinion. As followers of Jesus Christ, He becomes our standard for what is right versus wrong, evil, sin, wicked, or false versus truth, etc., instead of human opinion or demonic ways (Devil led or influenced). As followers of Jesus Christ, He becomes our standard for what is right versus wrong, what is evil, sin, wicked, or false versus truth, etc., instead of human opinion or demonic ways. So, back to my thought which is found in the Bible, Matthew 6:13 and Luke 11: 4 which reads, “…but deliver us from evil” (or the evil one meaning the Devil), is a prayer that we must look at more closely as we attempt to live lives pleasing to our Lord. If our aim is to please Him, if our aim is to be like Him, if our aim is to be witnesses of Him, then He must be our focus.

We must get our ministry from Him so we can recognize when we are engaging in evil or being influenced by evil. Our ministry from Him comes through seeking Him; reading His Word, hearing the preached word, praying (having conversation with Him), singing songs that praise and worship Him, and by having fellowship with people who proclaim Him. As we involve ourselves with God we must allow His Words (and His Spirit) to penetrate our hearts and minds so that we become more and more sensitive to Him. The more sensitive we are to Him, the less we will engage in or be influenced by evil (See John 10:4, 5).

Let me reiterate my thought in different words. Evil is not a big bad monster. Evil is not only the Mafia or a corrupt government or a robber, thief or a liar. All of these represent evil in action. However, evil is a way that is not like God and is in opposition to His Word. It is in the heart and starts with our thoughts moving to our attitudes then to our words and actions. It is not always some scary, monster like being, or some Hilter like person.

Evil is a way that is not like God and is in opposition to His Word. It is in the heart and starts with our thoughts moving to our attitudes then to our words and actions.

Unfortunately, being born into this imperfect world through an imperfect being causes us to have evil within us. (I don’t want to be too preachy, but take a look at these verses: Psalm 51:5, Jeremiah 17:9). This is why we need Jesus Christ to be our Lord and Savior. He made the way for us that we do not have to (because of our nature) live doing evil. The entrance of Him and His words into our hearts is what produces real change in us, causing us to focus on Him and His Way. If our goal/focus is to please ourselves rather than seeking to please God, we have begun a subtle track toward evil. Evil is a power that opposes God and His way of doing things, aka, righteousness.

And let the truth be told, all of us want to please ourselves or be pleased. Actually, God takes delight in the pleasure of His saints! The key is that God is the One who ordains the Way. He, who created man, knows what man is made of and what man requires for true pleasure. Evil wants to trick us into believing that pleasure will come through some man made way, material things, a person, power, position; essentially, through our own righteousness (aka, way of doing things) then we begin to focus on and pursue this.

In and of ourselves, we do not have the power to take ourselves away from evil or evil influences (naturally-in the world or spiritually-the devil and his cohorts). We need the power of God to deliver us from evil.!

We need the power of God to deliver us from evil!

And when we believe that God is All Powerful, when we seek Him, and receive His way by allowing it to become our way through our willingness, words and actions, day by day we will walk in deliverance from evil. That is, from all those ways that oppose Him, that are contrary to His Truth, that don’t look or sound like Him, or that are counterfeits of Him. Our intimate relationships will change for good and we will begin to take pleasure in pleasing God. Then in God we’ll find true satisfaction, contentment, and joy that evil ways can never give us.

So let's begin to include in a part of our daily prayer, first, remembering that our Lord is the All Powerful God, who knows us well, and who is able to do exceedingly above all that we can ask, think, or even imagine. Then, asking Him to deliver us from our individual evil allowing Him to show us evil that might be present with us in our thoughts, attitudes, words, or actions, at work, at home, at school, at church on the football field, or wherever we may find ourselves.

As we do this, yielding to His Way, we will begin to see that living our lives God's Way overshadows evil and that God is always at work on the behalf of them whose hearts are turned toward Him!

Living our lives God's Way overshadows evil.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC MISSION

2008-09-03T09:44:00.001-07:00

When He (Jesus) had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, "Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch." Luke 5:4 (NKJV)

Today is somewhat of a free flow blog. My daughter, her husband and my eight grandchildren are moving forward to fulfill God's assignment given to them. For many years we have discussed, considered, figured it wasn't God's time, discussed, considered and waited. Until now.

The Lord has given them the go ahead!

A year or so ago, Ruben and Vicki went to the DR, along with their pastor, Brad Weir of City Church International, their oldest son and youngest daughter, to scout out the territory. But, it wasn't time to move. Much prayer and waiting and doing what was the assignment at the time continued. (Ruben serves as an associate pastor at City Church International (www.citychurchintl.org) The Lord has put in their hearts to establish an orphanage for the many homeless children that that live in the DR. The land is rich and beautiful, however also rich with many villages so much poorer than our poorest poor in America. Parents are overwhelmed trying to feed and cloth their children. The average income is $3,600. 00 per year, however the majority of the people live below the average income, so providing the basics is a financial burden. Many of these villages do not have access to indoor water, some bathing in dirty streams that they use for cooking and drinking. The Lord has given Ruben a tremendous burden to serve the poor families of his country. In practical ways that are spiritual, as well as sharing the Word of God with them. many of the people tend to be religious, not fully understanding relationship with God. Others live out worldliness, increasing crime and drug traffic in the country. Ruben and Vicki have a burden to bring biblical instruction that will help people of the DR to develop a relationship with God and His Word. They will eventually establish a school for the children and a missions center where people and organizations can help the people through short-term missions trips. Thanks to many who have given financial support, Ruben and the family will travel to the DR this month on a short-term missions trip so that all of the children can make a connection with their future, and to visit village families, provide them some food, clothing, school supplies, etc. (that many people have donated), check out the land to determine where they will begin the work of ministry to children and families, locate potential housing (for their intended 2009 move), and to visit family that most of the children have only seen via Internet or photos.

We are all so very excited about this trust that the Lord has given them to reach The people of the DR for Him!

Hopefully, you too will be excited and engage with them in this mission through your prayers, donations and financial gifts, and maybe in the future through a short-term missions trip. Please let us know if you are interested in joining them through one or more of these ways that you can help. As you consider, please keep them in your prayer as they proceed into the deep waters of God's plans for their lives. Ruben can be reached at Email: ruben.d@citychurchintl.org

*Above picture is Dominguez family minus the youngest

TIME IS NOW TO MOVE FORWARD

2008-08-21T10:44:00.000-07:00

Let this word speak to your heart. Receive what God wants to minister to you; because it is time now for the people who know God to fill the earth with His glory: "You have to move forward. You cannot allow the circumstances in your life or the people around you to have negative affect on what I called you to and in what I am doing through you. It is time for you to arise and move forward in maturity. If no one goes with you, if no one follows you, you must still go and do what I have called you to. Let go of your attempts to keep everyone around you happy or at peace.

Choose this day whom you will serve!

Serving Me means being willing to allow others not to be pleased with you. It means dying to your need to be approved, accepted, and applauded by others. You must move forward! Get back into the swing. My anointing is upon you to do all that I have called you to and to fulfill my every plan and purpose for your life. I will handle the strife and contention that comes from your obedience to Me. I will smooth the crooked places. I will stand on your behalf and turn evil intentions to good for My Kingdom. Trust Me. Know that I Am with you, that I Am for you. Go forward. Do My will. Touch My people with Your gifts. Let Your confidence be in Me. Go forth, don't look back, no matter what go and do what I called you to." I asked the Lord, "tell me again, what am I supposed to do (for You)? His response, "I have already set you up. You are in place and in position to fulfill My plans. You know what to do. You know how. Time now to do it. I will bless you with the people who will help you to pursue all that I have put in your heart to do. But do not count on them, count on Me. Keep looking at Me, putting your hope and trust in Me. I will supply your every need. I am your Provider. Have I ever left you helpless? (selah-pause and think on this) Have I ever left you without a resource? (selah) I Am your Resource. Lock into Me for everything. This is the day that I have made. Rejoice and be glad in it. Go forward. Now is the time!" Isaiah 30: 18 Therefore, the Lord will wait that He may be gracious to you. And therefore He will be exalted and he will have mercy on you. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all those who wait on Him. (who put their trust in Him- Psalm 34:8) Note: Whatever you do, do it by faith operating in love knowing that God's grace is with you. Consider what this means if you are married, a minister or a caregiver. Love is always the answer. Love gives. (John 3:16). Always to give love is what God is calling His children to. Giving love will sometimes hurt you (dying to self); or it will hurt someone who requires tough love for the sake of their edification to come (refusing to sin for them). Love is not codependency. Love is according to God and His Word. Love and do. God will intervene for you.

TRUST IN THE LORD

2008-07-21T18:24:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that a month has gone by without a blog! Well, after the last blog, actually, at the time of the last blog, my family had to live out what I'd written about. That was, to be a godly example during times of illness. I learned that I had been walking around with pneumonia (I guess that is why it is called walking pneumonia-smile). One of my grand babies became very ill and a few other challenges with illness requiring us many interactions with doctors and other medical professionals.

I thank God for His grace that operated on our behalf and for those docs and other medical professionals that He used on our behalf! I believe that God received glory through our attitudes and behaviors (even when we had to apologize, repent and/or regroup) and the evil one's attempts to keep us from completing God's will were cancelled out.

Many folks were praying with and for us, and hopefully still are. "The effectual fervent prayer of the righteous avails much!" Thanks so much to all of you who prayed for us!

My husband woke up my writing passion by assigning me the teaching/preaching responsibility this past Sunday. I taught/preached what the Lord was ministering to me. I'll only brief you.

If you'd like the notes from the message, please email me at christiantrngctr@aol.com and on the subject line put: Send Notes from 7/20/08.

TRUST IN THE LORD

with all your heart:

Proverbs 3 chapters 5 and 6 are well known verses:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (NKJV)

It can easily become like a cliche', something that we say without full revelation, understanding, or compassion. As we take the time to prayerfully meditate upon the words of this passage, revelation and understanding will come that will cause the passage to actually become a part of your everyday life.

Trust, this is a word that all good relationships bank on, and that not so good relationships crave. To have a good relationship, trust is high priority.

Other words for trust are:

Rely on, depend on, lean on, believe in - to love (love and trust must work together for relationships to be healthy).

In order to trust, we must know something about the other person that gives us the sense that we can trust them. To trust in the Lord, means that we already have an understanding as to who He is, that is what “Lord” means, to even begin to decide to trust Him. What does the Bible mean when it uses the term Lord?

Lord means the One True God and speaks of God's unlimited power and authority. God, who revealed Himself as Jesus in the NT (read John chapter 1), is the Creator and made us in His image and likeness and knows our lives from the end to the beginning and is Present with us always (Emanuel, God with us) to help us live out this earthly existence according to His plans and purposes for our lives.

To trust with ALL of our heart indicates that we are to trust the Lord with all of who we are- with our whole being; with our mind, will, and emotions, with our inner man, with our life. Everything about us is to show that we trust in the Lord.

Recent scientific studies report that the heart functions as an intelligence center and communicates with the brain. The premise is that the heart has a belief system that is in communication with the brain. The belief system of the heart affects the bodies’ chemical makeup leading to a healthy being or destructive being.

When we read: Prov 4:23 , "Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life," in light of these scientific studies, we see that God, the Creator, knows all the details and functionality of the heart. If we do not keep our hearts, our lives and bodies are negatively affected (see Proverbs 3:8)

To capsulate, to trust the Lord with all of our heart, literally means to depend on, rely on, believe the Lord, the One True God who has unlimited power and authority, with all of who we are; for what we believe, or rather who we believe will show itself in our mental, emotional, physical and spiritual functioning.

Lastly, to trust the Lord with all of our heart means that we cannot lean on, that is trust in our human understanding. We must totally trust God’s Word to be the basis of our understanding. To acknowledge Him in all of our ways means that the Lord’s Presence in our lives, our real time relationship with Him, (which includes a desire to please Him/to do what He says), will be evident in all that we do, say, and involve ourselves in, to such a degree that He is actually directing our paths.

We do not have to figure out our next step if we trust the Lord with all our heart!

HEALING IS THE CHILDREN'S BREAD

2008-06-03T12:39:00.000-07:00

Healing is His Children's Bread. I know this. I suffered longer than the woman with the issue of blood. My blood count lingered around 6.9 on many occasions. The year I received a letter telling me I was no longer anemic I was speechless - God is GOOD. Now my blood count stays above average and better than most men - according to the doctor!!

They are just practicing physicians but they need us to remind them of who is really in control. So when we become ill and have to visit them and they tell us they don't see a way past our issues. Just smile and tell them it's not up to them and God is in control. Sooner or later when they have given up on their limited knowledge they'll see God's hand at work when we are healed. But remember, if we don't go see them how else will they know - A Candle hidden under the bed does no one any good.

So go, let them spin their wheels, keep the faith and let God get the glory!! It's what we do that blesses the world, not what we say. Jesus' actions is what has allowed us salvation. He constantly mingled with those of little or no faith and showed them how to stand on the word of God. Love conquers all - I'm learning more and more everyday.

Edna, your friendly neighborhood Realtor Century 21 Town & Country 175 Cady Centre Northville, MI 48167 Office 248-349-5600 Fax 248-349-5828 Office 734-455-5600 Cell 313-418-9826

This blog is a note from my cousin in Michigan. Since my intention was to write a blog of the same title (unbeknowst to her), I thought to just publish hers.

Just to add to it: God many times uses physicians to bring healing. He allows many of them to be used in His healing process, so we don't have to be afraid of them. We must continue to know Who is in control, keeping our faith in God and pray for the medical professionals. Those who are not His will come away perplexed as He uses them to help in the process and/or as He does it without them! All doctors are not bad, though many of us have had some not so good experiences. We, however must use godly wisdom, trusting God with our lives, not man. Second opinions are good. Working with the doctors, (who are the experts in their field), is good. Unless, you suspect otherwise, then seek the Lord for direction. How we behave through the process, if godly, brings more glory to God and opens the eyes of those who don't know Him, more than the miracle of healing. While things are tough and we behave in a godly manner, exhibiting belief in God, with His love flowing through us, others will be touched. And who knows who will come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior because of our lifestyle witness when under pressure? God will get the glory and we will please Him. On the other side of Eternity, we will receive a sure reward!

Note: Not going to the doctor, or not taking your children, when you should, is not faith and is not good. If we trust God with our lives and listen to Him, we will be okay, even through the tough times of sickness and infirmity.

He promises to never leave us and never to forsake us!

Believe what His Word says: HEALING IS THE CHILDREN"S BREAD!!!!

LIFT UP THE STANDARD FOR THE PEOPLE: Says the Lord

2008-05-18T16:16:00.000-07:00

Go through,
Go through the gates!
Prepare the way for the people;
Build up,
Build up the highway!
Take out the stones,
Lift up the banner (or standard) for the peoples!
Isaiah 62:10

God has always had concern for the people. The reason that Salvation (Jesus) came to earth to dwell among men, to be crucified, buried and resurrected, was for the people! The Lord spoke this Word to me not so long ago. I have read it, meditated and listened to hear His voice speak further regarding it.

This is what He shared with me and for me to share with you. Especially, you who are leaders; those of you who have received a call from God to help others come into a walk with Him and/or to come to a closer more developed relationship with Him.

God wants the people to be able to fully and freely worship Him. It is up to those He called to minister to the people, to make the way for the people that they then can put their focus on Him. He wants the people to be led to Him, with no obstructions or distractions, with no heavy burdens or protocol that may detain them from giving Him the praise and adoration that they tend to give to ministers (human representatives) who only work for God.

The Lord is calling the people back to Himself!

I have sat on this Word, listening to hear more clearly, I have recently heard other representatives of God proclaim the same or very similar message. God is speaking more directly to those He called to minister to the people saying,

“You have the responsibility of helping My people see Me. You must show them My ways and the Way to Me. It is not about you or your ministry growth. It is about My people knowing Me and growing in My love! How will they know lest I send them a preacher? And if I send a preacher who will not lead them to Me, then what is the purpose of your call?

Is it not to sacrifice your very own life and lifestyle that others can know Me in truth? Is it not about you and your family living for Me as a witness for others to see Me? Is it not about My Word, My Son who died to set the captives free? And rose that they might live a free life in Me?

I will snatch all that you have gained and garnered if it keeps you from the purpose for which I have called you! You will never lack if you fulfill My will for your life/for why I called you! My will for you is not how much you can gain in worldly possessions or attention. My will is that you proclaim Me, not just by words, but with your life – how you live it, and that you bear Kingdom fruit!

Fruit that says that the captives have been set free. Fruit that causes outsiders to recognize their need for Me. Get out of the circuits and the cliques; stop using all the clichés; it is time for My people to take Me and My Word more seriously and to move into a new way of being! To repent, (turn from…) and learn of Me that they, too, will bear fruit that represents Me!” (5/14/08)

Personally, I trust that the Holy Spirit will speak more clearly to you, that you will know specifically what this means for you, and that you will do whatever He says.

Lastly, another Word, also, He gave to me. Not just for me, but for you reading this, too:

Take heed to yourself
And to the doctrine.
Continue in them, for in so doing this,
you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
I Timothy 4:6

Many are called, but few are chosen. Those called indicate that they are chosen by what they do with the call God has given them. Will you do what God says to you or will you get caught up in this temporary life letting it lead you? I am still in a listening mode but as I write, am in the doing mode. With fear and trembling, doing what He has told me to do; fulfilling this assignment and moving forward to grow in representing Him in exactly the ways that He intends.

JEALOUSY… ANOTHER SIDE TO LOVE

2008-05-02T22:07:00.000-07:00

Over the past few years, we have had the unfortunate opportunity of hearing and/or viewing sound bites of different people speaking. Sound bites are used to have others hear only a portion of what another person may be saying. These sound bites can be used to portray something negative about what the person has said, or positive. It all depends on the perspective or intention of the person presenting the sound bite.

If we do not research the sound bite, we will accept what was said as the end all commentary by that person. However, often when we do engage in further investigation of the sound bite, we learn that there was more to what the person said and that what they said did not come near to the understanding or surmise that we walked away with.

This happens, I find, with preaching the Gospel. Many of us church grown people hear and have heard statements about God, His Word or how we are supposed to be, for so long, that we accept them at face value. What I mean, is that we tend not to research what has been said or read. We develop our own conclusion about what was said or heard, which is often based upon someone else’s slant or our own life experiences and/or family and environmental background.

Many times these conclusions are false. Some walk away with thoughts about God and/or Christianity that are more negative than positive. But, dare not say this aloud to anyone else, especially a fellow Christian. What happens though is that our attitude, behavior and sometimes lifestyle show that we have a conflict with what and Who we say we believe.

You may still pray, continue as a churchgoer and doing the “Christian thing,” however carry with you bitterness and resentments toward God because you think that He has given you a hard Way to follow. Or, that what you have heard or read is just really so wrong of God that you are afraid to fully trust Him. Others walk away altogether, concluding that they will not serve a God who is so humanly negative.

This has happened with the following verse (sound bite) that we so often hear, but do we really understand?

One of the Ten Commandments:
(also found in Deut 5:1-22)
And God spoke all these words, saying:
"I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt,
out of the house of bondage.
"You shall have no other gods before Me.
Exodus 20: 1-3 NKJV
And
Exodus 20:5-6
…you shall not bow down to them nor serve them.
For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
to the third and fourth generations of those who hate Me,
but showing mercy to thousands,
to those who love Me and keep My commandments. NKJV

If we do not further investigate, we can leave these verses thinking that God has the human way of jealousy whose outcome is usually negative. The bigger problem that I see with the potential conclusions regarding these verses, is this:

If we do not see God as the One and Only God and
the CREATOR of everything or
if we do not believe that the Bible is True (a literal believing)
than we can only relate to God as being like a human being

and mainly because the unspiritual cannot understand spiritual matters (matters pertaining to the True and Living God). It is our belief (our heart of faith) in God that opens our eyes, hearts, minds, wills, and ears to greater understanding and revelation of God and His Word. We receive the power of the Holy Spirit that allows us to understand.

God being jealous is because He created us and everything else, so knows what is best for us and what will and will not work for us. What is good for us bringing us benefit and what is not good for us bringing destruction (our adversary’s goal is to kill, steal, and destroy, as many people as he can in order to keep them from serving Almighty God; and he will do so by using us against ourselves if he can).

God’s jealousy is actually another side of His awesome love for us.

God gives us every opportunity to know Him which we do not often realize. Knowing Him leads us to understanding His loving concern and care for us. People, and especially some of those who are supposed to represent our God (parents, preachers, teachers, etc.), or at least lead us to seeing Him in a good way, at times, act out the negative. These negative acting out incidences cause many of us to think that God is like that, too.

(And please, don’t misunderstand me, I don’t say this to demean anyone because we all have done negative things…sinned and fallen short. What I am referring to is a consistent lifestyle of negative, even though sometimes done in ignorance of what is God’s way of doing things.)

However, if you make a decision to further investigate God and His Word, with even an ounce of faith, He will reveal Himself to you allowing you to have a personal experience with Him. You will never walk away! And you will never again settle for a “sound bite!” You will develop a hunger and thirst for Him, for His way of doing things and a love for Him that motivates your life. You will also receive a new perspective, a good and positive one; a perspective that will fill you with righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost! (Romans 14:17)

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUR SOUL

2008-04-13T15:27:00.000-07:00

This song, Can't Give Up Now sung by Mary, Mary serves as an encouragement to anyone weathering the storm of trials, temptations and other difficulties that life on this side presents. It helps us to remember that God is a God of love and He does care for us. However, it presents realism; we will have to face struggles that will test our faith and hope and cause us to have to choose whether we will allow the tough places in life to make us bitter or better.

Better is always a better choice.

The words follow. Go to the You Tube link noted below to hear the song being sung. Sing along. Think about your situation and allow the Holy Spirit to minister to you. The joy of the Lord is your strength (Nehemiah 8:10), that is, if you choose to face your problems turning them over to the Lord and seeking Him for His way of handling them (I Corinthians 10:13).

There will be mountains that I will have to climb

And there will be battles that I will have to fight

But victory or defeat, it's up to me to decide

But how can I expect to win If I never try.

I just can't give up now

I've come too far from where I started from

Nobody told me that the road would be easy

and I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me

Never said there wouldn't be trials

Never said I wouldn't fall

Never said that everything would go the way I want it to go

But when my back is against the wall
And when I feel all hope is gone,

I'll just lift my head up to the sky

And say help me to be strong

I just can't give up now

I've come too far from where I started from

Nobody told me the road would be easy

and I don't believe He brought me this far to leave me

Hook:

I know you didn't bring me, out here to leave me lonely

Even when I can't see clearly

I know that you are with me(so I can't)

I just can't give up now

I've come too far from where I started from

Nobody told me the road would be easy

and I don't believe he brought me this far to leave me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNk2whMMWiI

Do your best to give God praise and and put your focus on Him and His goodness in your life. No matter what your circumstance, trust Him. Keep your hope in Him, no matter what it looks like. Renew your mind as you examine whether you are in the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). Is your faith based only upon what God does for you or rather upon Who He is? God is with you! He will never ever leave you or forsake you! Connect with Him in prayer or in praise in worship, or reading His Word. Choose God. He is the only One who has the power to help you and see you through. And beside all of this, He loves you with covenant love!

CRY ALOUD FOR THE CHILDREN

2008-04-04T07:18:00.000-07:00

My heart, once again is being touched for the children. From age newborn to early 20’s are those of my concern. And my hope and prayer is that it is yours as well. As I listen to children and young people talking, especially those without a foundation in Christ, the reality of a very different mentality and mindset is evident.

Many of these children have very loose morals. They tend to value today and don’t recognize that their today’s make up their tomorrows. Many of them have been bruised and broken in their souls at very early ages. Some have had adult responsibility since kindergarten. Often the adults that they live with or live around seem not to understand the precious life, initial innocence, vulnerability and gullibility of children. So, are exposing them to things and experiences that they are not emotionally or mentally equipped to process in a logical, healthy manner.

So many parents have unresolved hurts and pains from their past, then pass their misperceptions and distorted reality to their children. These destructive thoughts, attitudes and behaviors become what their children believe to be the norm. Unfortunately, this includes many churchgoing Christians. Children are seeing and experiencing things in their own homes that are infecting and influencing them toward ungodly living to a detrimental degree.

Like the increase of STDs amongst teenagers. And sexual involvement at very early ages because that’s what everyone does. Teenage pregnancy amongst minorities and/or the low income is continuing to be the norm, and an acceptable norm to have a “baby daddy” to be like some of their peers. Drug use is a recreational sport for many, firstly marijuana, being smoked in some cases between parents and their kids as an okay thing to do, with the ungodly belief that “it won’t hurt you.” It doesn’t matter that it is illegal.

In some cases, teachers are not always the best example either, as we have seen many news reports of teachers engaging in sex or drugs with students or sharing with them their ungodly mentality of life and living (and I choose to believe that the percentage of teachers like this is low; my sister and some dear friends are public school teachers who are are very godly and passionate). Those teachers whose passion is for students to learn, be healthy and become a success are not always able to teach and connect with the children as they once did, in this way serving as godly role models, because public education is often focused on a single test or so much paperwork that the teachers ability to fulfill their very passion is curtailed.

What saddens my heart is when you attempt to share the reality (statistical and otherwise) and the Truth with many of the children, because they have been so inundated with the lie, with ungodly attitudes, behaviors, and mentality’s of some of the adults around them, media or peers, many of them refuse to consider that there is another way that is good for them. Bad is good and good is corny, old, out of touch, or antiquated.

Reading Lamentations Chapter 2, verses 18-21, my soul began to weep:

"Their heart cried out to the Lord, "O wall of the daughter of Zion, let tears run down like a river day and night; give yourself no relief; give your eyes no rest.

"Arise, cry out in the night, at the beginning of the watches; pour out your heart like water before the face of the Lord. Lift your hands toward Him for the life of your young children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street." (NKJ)

Though in many ways we (adults) have done wrong, God's grace and mercy are still waxing strong.

We must repent and cry out to the Lord for the protection and "Life" of our vulnerable children.

To save their lives from destruction and woe. That they may have the opportunity to also know the Lord and walk in His ways, that their hearts may be touched by God’s love leading them to repent, too. We all must be willing to repent of our sins and wrong ways, and be willing to let go of the wrong ways and sins of our parents, family members and ancestors and turn to the Lord for guidance and strength! That the Lord who is God would be glorified! (Repent means “to turn from” and includes soul remorse that leads to humility).

The children are hungry! In every city, in every state, throughout this nation, and the world. Our children are hungry! Looking for food to feed their souls. Looking for the person, for the plan, for the way that will bring them peace of mind and make them whole. They are hungering for Jesus, the Word that will give them the "Life" that their inner self knows is out there, somewhere, to be had.

They are seeking, they are searching, they are experimenting, and they are yielding, in their innocence, to the counterfeit, to the false, to the unreal. They are sad. They are given over to zeal without knowledge and zeal without true power because they have been obstructed from The Holy One. The One who knows them and will meet their need. And that only if we and they heed.

Woe, to him who would cause the children to stumble! Woe, to him who leads them astray! Woe to him who destroys their innocence and leads them along a wicked way! Is it not enough that you are destroyed that you have allowed your life to be consumed by ungodliness, drama and destruction? Are you so darkened that you can no longer hear? Are you so blinded that you no longer fear?

Have you lost the fear of the Lord?

Do you no longer tremble at His words? You men, you fathers, you brothers, you sons, do you not understand that the victory has been won? You women, you mothers, you sisters, you daughters, do you not know that God sent His Son?

Wake up, oh, people, you adults who can think and see what is happening to our children and youth! Awake from your sleep!

God the Father wants you to weep! To cry aloud to Him. To repent of your sins. To turn to Him in earnest, to make amends!

The children are waiting for you to arise. The children are waiting that they no longer die!

The time is at hand. Get into God's plan. We must save the children from the destruction of this land! Give up your lies, your comforts, your ties! Turn to the Lord! For through the children He will give you much more! Your life and theirs and that in abundance, too. He is standing. He is waiting for you to do what you must do! (see Ephesians 3:20)

BECAUSE OF GRACE

Christians Especially: What Has Happened to “For Better or For Worst, til Death do Us Part?” (Part 1)

2008-03-18T19:48:00.000-07:00

Recently, a dear friend and I were having a conversation about marriage, particularly of those in the church. We expressed sadness and disappointment regarding a number of marriages of other Christian friends or family who have divorced or are in the process of divorce. As we talked, we both acknowledged that marriage isn’t always easy and agreed that marriages go through seasons.

Seasons meaning that there are times when married life is like fall, winter, spring, and summer. Depending on what you are accustomed to, one or two of those seasons are not fun to you and you cannot wait until they pass. The fact of the matter is that the season does pass. The older you get, the better you become at handling the season you don’t like that much.

My friend and I talked about how important it is for couples to learn how to walk through the rough seasons of marriage (which are usually growth opportunities). We both exclaimed how appreciative we are of being in relationship with the Lord. His Presence in our lives keeps our marriages stimulating, alive, loving and godly.

My friend, Joyce Linyear, has been the only wife to her husband Dwight, for over 30 years! These are two faithful people. Their commitment to God and His way of living and being and doing, to the ministry, to their marriage, and their love for each other and family and friends, is a model for many!

My spiritual dad, Dr. Zin White, and his wife, Irma, have been married almost 50 years! To this day, they are partners in business and in ministry and companions who continue to learn a little more about one another as each year passes. They have a testimony about what it means to truly stick with each other, no matter what the circumstance.

These couples have deep and continually growing relationships with Almighty God that directs the course of their marriages including their love life with each other.

Faith in God, the love of God, and being led by the Holy Spirit are the main spiritual ingredients in a Christian marriage. Love for each other, of course, is absolutely essential.

However, love, God’s love, is a choice. It takes each person to choose daily to walk in the Spirit (versus the flesh-the part of our humanity not interested in God's ways), to speak and act with love and to but your hope and trust in God (this is faith) when the relationship is challenged.

It is very important to show affection to one another, with kindness, no matter what. And at all costs, avoid the tricks of the enemy set up to get you to turn your affections toward someone else! His aim is to divide and conquer… to kill, steal and destroy!

But God has given us everything we need to live this life and to live it in a godly way! Your marriage can last like these two marriages, if you choose to make it work. Seek godly counsel to help you work through troubling issues.

God is for your marriage… to Him, it is like Christ and His church!

Christians Especially: What Has Happened to “For Better or For Worst, til Death do Us Part?” (Part 2)

2008-03-18T19:05:00.000-07:00

The last thing that Joyce and I talked about was the following verse:

“But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal,
despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather
than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power...”
2 Timothy 3:1-5 (NKJV)

Unfortunately, there are those Christians who are unwilling to yield to God concerning their marriages so are falling prey to the spirit of the time that we are in. A number of married individuals are more in love with themselves than with God or their spouses. Some are far from being loving or holy in their attitudes and their way of life. And, unforgiveness, this is probably a key reason for the almost 50% of divorces experienced by Christians. (Forgiveness & repentance are not options of the Christian faith, these are commands of Jesus, our Lord and Savior!)

Self control is the area where many marriages fail, due to one or both engaging in adultery, i.e., cheating on their spouses. Adultery is having an emotional, romantic, or sexual relationship with another person who is not your spouse. Ususally, the relationship is carried on without the spouses knowledge (or a deception of the true relationship is known by the spouse). Adultery begins in the mind. It interrupts the sincerity and fullness of the marriage.

Eventually, the adulterer has a yoke that almost renders them helpless (no self control). As my mother says…”but God!” But God can intervene and even turn this around. If the couple decide to maintain the marriage, the adulterer has to be willing to completely sever all forms of contact and communication with the other person. Honesty, accountability, humility, a decision to turn toward your spouse, a willingness to work on building trust and waiting for the offended spouse to trust again, is the cost and the process.

Pleasure seeking, that is, “I’m just not happy,” are the words that convince many (who are consumed with "it's all about me" thinking) that ending the marriage is okay, rather than working hard to restore it. And, the very act of divorce, in most cases, denies God’s power, His ability to turn things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

With that said, I still have high hopes for marriages, especially Christians, because Christ is in you, the Hope of Glory! The key is to remember:

you can make it through whatever difficulties your marriage

may be facing, because NOTHING is too hard for God!

And WITH GOD, (not relying on yourself alone) all things are possible!

But, it is up to you to:
1) Call upon God (as MC Hammer says, “you’ve got to pray just to make it today!":)
2) Be willing to patiently wait for the turn around,
3) Walk by faith and not by sight (continuing to show love & respect for your spouse when the feelings are not as great as you’d like them to be), and
4) Study the Bible to understand and apply it; be doers of the Word, not just hearers only.

Marriage is a test of faith in God, self and our spouse. The rewards, however, are greater love, joy and peace, and a lasting lover and friendship, when you choose to answer every questioning moment or season with faith in God following His every word!

RELATIONSHIP CHALLENGES...LET'S FIX THEM

2008-03-13T12:42:00.000-07:00

I thought that I would publish an Ask Roz article that I wrote for Tamars House (www.tamarshouse.org) in 2006. Hope it blesses you or someone else you know.

ASK ROZ

Roz,

I seem to get into these relationships that at first seem just right, then turn out to be so wrong for me and full of drama. By the time I realize that the relationship is not good, I am attached to the person and feel guilty for even thinking about getting out of it. This happens often with men, in romantic relationships, but also often with friends at work and even some family members. Even though I see the problem, it keeps happening. What is wrong with me? And how do I fix it?

Shavon

Shavon,

Your problem is one that many people have. It is a problem of low self esteem that leads to codependency. I’ll explain both and also provide a way to fix it. Consider seeking help from a counselor to help you process through your past relationships and serve as accountability for you as you choose to change your self talk, self perception and the way that you relate/communicate with others.

My response is based on a biblical passage that serves as a command to us from God, a command meaning something we must do in order to have a successful life. It says:

"He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27.

Loving ourselves is very necessary in relationships with others. If we do not love ourselves, our love for others is not real. Our ability to love ourselves is tied to our self concept. Our self-concept (which controls our self-esteem) is largely formed by what others think of us. Because of our humanness and human need to belong, to be accepted, to have the approval of certain others, we tend to give them more liberty in the development of our self-concept than what God intended.

Initially, we look to have our parent’s approval. We want to know that we are accepted by them and acceptable to them. We want to have the sense of belonging. As we get older and begin to interact with siblings, then extended family, neighbors, friends, then boyfriends/girlfriends, co-workers, etc., we tend to look to them for our sense of okay-ness. We sometimes act in ways that we’ve learned will please them or that we think will please them.

We sometimes do certain things just to win their approval because we want to belong, to be accepted and acceptable, and to have their approval. Normal growth brings people to a place of maturity and a positive sense of satisfaction with self to a degree that others influence is minimal.

However, When a person comes from an abusive background, the need for approval, feeling accepted, and the sense of okay-ness is more intense. But even more difficult, is the ability to discern healthy relating versus unhealthy relating. It becomes blurred.

A person who has been abused carries a longing that is difficult to fill because it is encased with layers of shame and confusion. “Who am I?” is cluttered in by the distortion that abuse brings. Often, an abused person looks for the answer in others and/or in others response to them. This is a tricky matter.

If the person being looked to for approval is healthy, they can be a blessing to helping the abused person grow in a healthy manner, as they learn to see and appreciate themselves for who they are. However, and unfortunately, many people who have been abused tend to connect with unhealthy people who only perpetuate the cycle of abuse, though very subtlety.

The person then enters into a lifestyle of approval seeking which is met on a temporary basis. Then the cycle begins again, repeating itself with the same and/or different faces. Let’s look at codependency? Codependency has a lot to do with approval seeking/ the need to be accepted, belong, and having the sense of okay-ness based upon what others think. Codependency is an unhealthy way of relating to another person. It is an action to reaction, act/react cycle.

One needing approval may do something that they think will please the other. The other reacts in an unhealthy manner. The approval seeker feeds into the other persons unhealthy ways then reacts in unhealthy ways. Even though it does not feel good or brings about the kind of approval that is being sought, the attention that is given is the fuel to keep the codependency going.

The problem is that it causes resentment, bitterness, rejection, guilt, shame, anger, and so forth, to become a part of the relationship (s) as well.

How do we pay attention to what others think

only receiving what is healthy and good for us?

These three steps, Shavon, will help you to begin to “fix it." Taken from: Codependency: Breaking Free From the Hurt and Manipulation of Dysfunctional Relationships by Pat Springle ISBN 0-945276-12-51)

1) Begin to identify unhealthy behaviors. (and codependent relationships)

2) Take a moment to detach from it to think about the situation and determine how you can respond in a healthy way instead of the way you usually do.

3) Then decide to put that behavior or response into action; apply it. ( Includes: making independent choices, setting limits, surrendering the need to control others or the need to have others approval, and choosing to enjoy life)

When making the change to allow for a healthy self-concept and accepting only healthy views of what others think of you, you may experience emotions of fear, grief, and sometimes anger as others may respond to you negatively. It is important that you plan your responses in advance, because you know the kind of responses you generally get from the people or person you seek to please and you know how you usually react.

On 3x5 cards, list changes that you intend to make when in your next encounter with the person or people who you are in codependent (or unhealthy) relationship with. Write down the healthy changes in what you will say or how you will respond. These are changes that will make the relationship better or at least make you better. You may need to carry the cards with you at first, to remind you of your decision to change your self. Start the card by stating “With God’s help I will____________.”

Your self-concept/self-esteem, when rooted in God and in what He thinks of you, changes you from the inside out and changes your relationships from unhealthy to healthy. Use this month to pay attention to your relationships. Check yourself out to see if you are spending most of them on approval seeking. Start making healthy changes. Pray for God’s guidance.

Remember, this is a good time to seek out a counselor for guidance and support or talk with your mentor or some one more mature than you are whom you can trust to help you in deciding what you should change and/or how. As you do these things your self concept/self-esteem will begin to improve, and so will your relationships.

GOD’S IS REAL

2008-03-07T12:23:00.000-08:00

God wants us to know Him, not just about Him, and know that He is real. He wants us to receive His promises and wants us to be healed. Sometimes life challenges us and hurts us in ways that cause us to wonder if God is really real. Is He here for me? Will He help me or am I in this by myself? The truth is that God is always with us. He is always with you! He said that He will never leave you and will not forsake you. And, that He will never leave you helpless. Regardless as to how things look or how you feel, God is real!

Wherever you may find yourself, recognize that you are not alone. You may be depressed and sad. You may be distraught over a recent loss or betrayal. The hurt you feel is so painful that you don’t know what to do. Constant thoughts of the problem you are experiencing or the situation that occurred has consumed you. You may be in a transition, in that uncomfortable place of uncertainty. Or you may think that life is just not on your side.

God is real and He is there for you!

He loves you and desires the best for you. This walk through life on earth is indeed that, a walk. We walk from one challenge to another or from one pleasantry to another. Sometimes we live right in the middle of life’s challenges and pleasantries. Often, we really believe that we are to tell God what to do and He is supposed to do it, rather than the other way around. So end up being disappointed when what we want or hoped for is not found.

What is important for you to do is make a choice to choose God even though you can’t naturally see Him and in those times that you cannot feel Him. Recognize that God’s Word is true and that when you can’t feel Him His Word can bring you through.

As you read it day by day, God will surely make a way. He will reveal Himself and heal you, too. Only a few things that you must do: Read the Word, trust and do what it says, pray to God everyday. Stay far from negativity, whether it be people, thoughts, behaviors or places.

The biggest thing that will get you through is to have faith in God; trust Him to do what He said He’ll do.

He’ll order your steps and direct your path. He’ll bid His angels to watch over you. He’ll intervene in ways we can’t beforehand conceive. What the devil intended for evil, He will work for your good. His Holy Spirit will guide and teach you, showing you the way to go. He will warn and alert you to keep you from harm. While in your weakness, in Him, you’ll be strong.

This may not happen overnight, but little by little things will be right.

Most of what will happen for you is deep in the inside, His peace and joy will come to you. Trust in God, He’ll see you through. Plant this Truth in your heart and mind, God is real and He is real for you!

BECAUSE OF GRACE Consulting & Training Services

GET THE RELEASE!

2008-02-25T16:29:00.000-08:00

So many people today cannot seem to find inner peace or contentment. Many are caught in the trap of unfulfilled or unrealistic desires. Not always realizing that the desires are unrealistic, however, definitely recognizing that they are unfulfilled. Often, becoming sad and depressed or distressed and despairing thinking that something is wrong…either with themselves or some other whom they are looking to for fulfillment.

Craving things that are way beyond their ability to reach, yet receiving the lie that says, “what I want, I should have.” Or thinking that the way we think our life should be, is exactly how is should be. Often, not realizing that we tend to have an upside down mindset. That we are in a world that cannot provide the peace and contentment promised or expected from things it proclaims are necessary in order to have it, i.e., to be satisfied or to have success.

So how do we find inner peace and contentment? How do we actually “get the release”? It is a matter of Romans 12: 2, the Bible verse that talks about renewing the mind. We have to be willing to take an honest look at what we think and believe to see if it lines up with what is true, The Truth. The Truth comes from The Word of God (Jesus Christ, is The Truth).

Often, we have accepted lies that seem to make sense, so we give them the place of truth. Like the way a certain sex treated you proves that they are dogs or are gold diggers, so you believe that to be a truth. However, if you investigate, you’ll learn that every member of that sex does not behave that way. What you have received is a lie because of an experience that you have had.

Or perhaps, a thought that all the people of a certain nationality or ethnicity are a certain way. You hold on to this perspective when engaging with them often getting the same result. However, once developing a decent relationship with a person from that nationality or ethnicity, you understand that your truth was actually a lie.

The Truth exposes the lie for what it really is. Once exposed, it is up to the individual to choose the truth or keep the lie.

To choose the Truth requires that one let go of the lie.

Letting go can be painful. To actually accept that something that you have believed or held on to is actually a lie can produce remorse. However, letting it go will eventually produce a peace and contentment that you are unable to experience until you choose to let it go.

The lies that we hold on to, actually keep us in bondage!

We are in bondage, that is, oppressed by the lies we hold on to. Often, unknowingly. The fear of not having what we have had or believing what we have believed to be true can cause one to choose to go into a state of denial (deceiving oneself) in order to maintain it. Therefore, not letting go.

Get the release by letting go of the lie!

Be brutally honest with yourself and face the truth about your situation, relationship, beliefs, or your expectations of yourself and others. Think it through. Take some time to meditate on the Truth. Be willing to let go of the lie (s). Acknowledge it, forgive…repent, let it go! Take hold of the Truth. Get godly counsel if you need to.

Do what you need to do so you can have God’s peace. Peace and contentment come when we accept the truth about our lives and believe that God does work things together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).

Purpose to love God and to live according to His plans. Take courage in the Lord, who is your Advocate and Comforter, and let go of the lies! This brings inner peace and contentment because in so doing, you have allowed The Truth to become a part of you… the Truth you know does set you free!

JOYS OF LIFE

2008-02-18T22:00:00.000-08:00

I decided to post an old poem that I wrote hoping that it might help someone else to look for the joys of life:

The hurts and the pains were deep, so much pain that I refused to see. So, I blocked out the feelings those hurts brought about and continued to live life with much doubt. I did not believe that the pain would ever be relieved or that the hurts would ever go away from me. So I lived a partial lie, pretending to be fine, when in reality my heart was not fully alive.

All I could remember were the bad things that happened, so I covered them up and pushed them down, so the memories would not consume me. However, in the process the good things I knew, the joys of life that I had experienced were locked away, too.

But God began to heal me and took away the pain. The hurt went away causing me to see things His way. Then little by little, they came like a flash, memories of the fun things, the joys of life, began to come back. So now I know what to do when hurt comes my way – I give it to my Loving Father who cares for me.

He allows me then to feel what I feel, living a life that is real. I no longer fear or worry about pain, I realize that I am on the road to gain. The One who loves me the One who cares has given me such strength through my weakness that now enables me to enjoy the joys of life without fear.

BECAUSE OF GRACE™

Joys of Life in Perspective: my family

TRUE LOVE

2008-02-07T00:07:00.000-08:00

Our Wedding Day was blessed by the presence of our former Pastor, Bishop TD Jakes,

and him performing the ceremony...what a wedding gift!

As I drove down the road earlier this week, I began to have thoughts about love and romance. A running video came reminding me of when my husband and I met, our long and detailed conversations, and how intrigued we were with one another. Going on a few dates confirmed our interest in one another that, of course, eventually led to engagement than marriage. We married nine months after we met.

This year we celebrate our ninth year as husband and wife. We’ve had our good times and not so good times. Sometimes circumstances of life put stresses on our marriage that only the crazy glue of our God kept us. Other times our personality differences or idiosyncrasies caused us to see one another as the enemy. The fact that both of us separately had chosen the Lord God as our source for life before our marriage, our marriage is grounded on our individual desires to please Him.

This foundation has empowered us to choose to overlook faults and forgive and to choose to treat one another with His love (many times the choice came after choosing the negative responses!) The fact that I just hit a half a century and, my husband, that plus almost ten brings us both to a deeper searching out of God and a greater attempt to live this life to its fullest.

But, back to the love and romance video. The ability to communicate while dating connected Arthur and me. We became friends. Then one day, at about the same moment, the chemistry connection hit us. Then we wanted to kiss, hold hands and touch each other all the time which caused us to have to put limits on our dating time, alone time, etc. We had agreed to sexual abstinence until marriage and were determined to obey God’s Word regarding sex (even though we both had children from previous relationships and this was the 2nd marriage for both of us). We actually had to move our wedding date up to maintain this promise to ourselves and to God!

Since then we have had some stale marriage moments, but have learned to work hard at keeping our marriage fresh. Attending marriage trainer seminars, conferences to enrich our marriage, date nights, at times talking to someone to help us work through some conflict, and ministering to other couples, allows us to maintain our love and romance. Marriage tends to go through ebbs and flows. The ebbs can cause a break up if we do not recognize our Lord in the midst and remember the covenant that we made before Him.

As we approach Valentine’s Day 2008, I wanted to use this blog to take a moment to honor my husband and to speak well of him. He is a good godly man! Not a perfect man, even though he has a perfect wife (just kidding). He is a peaceful and caring person. He is a lover of God and His Word; a great preacher/teacher and loves to sing the songs of praise spontaneously throughout the day. He is silly and comical (making me laugh and helping me not to be so serious). He works hard at providing for his family and goes out of his way to help others as he is able. We are becoming more and more comfortable with one another. He is my best friend. Our friendship is deepening these days. The hard things and hard times that we have experienced over the years have actually taught us true love for one another which helps us not to take one another for granted, but has helped our marriage to grow in God’s grace! I love you Arthur, now more than ever. You are the man of my dreams!

EndNote: During this same drive, I thought about the Lord and my love relationship with Him, I began to praise Him, telling Him how much I loved Him. Then I began to say how grateful I was that he loved me first. Then I heard these words come from my mouth, “Lord you loved me before I even knew who You were! And you have continued to love me no matter what!” The thought brought tears. Jesus, lover of my soul! His Love makes our human love relationships more enhanced, more secure, more loving. And, more so when we receive those revelations of His love for us individually; He loves us just the way we are. It gives us such an inner security that we can love like He does. What a Mighty God we have! Let’s not just love Him in word but also in how we love our loved ones.

SUBTLE ATTRACTION = DISTRACTION

2008-01-27T15:58:00.000-08:00

Attraction by definition means something alluring, appealing or enticing. It tends to magnetize the one with the attraction. From one degree to another it is like an invisible pull toward something that seems to have some level of a hold on its admirer. It speaks with unspoken words in a language that cannot be heard, saying such things as, “you will benefit if you have me.” Or, “you need me; you’re no good without me.”

Exposure to the attraction increases its value to the onlooker and stirs up the fantasy of possessing it in some fashion. The fantasy sends the needy one into strategic thinking, with the focus on ways to obtain, be a part of, have access to, connect with or achieve the desired thing or gain relationship with the desired person or organization.

The attraction begins to hold the person in a mental grip. They begin to believe by silently telling themselves, “I have to have this or my life will never be right,” or, “this is the answer to my happiness, this will make me complete.” There are times when acquiring the attraction is a good thing, like two lovers coming together in holy matrimony. Or, like a person obtaining their college degree. Other times, the feeling that the fantasy plays out, never comes, leaving the attractor with unresolved hope and regret.

Often the attraction is repeatedly sought after, with the pursuer seeming to almost get there, but continually missing it. Obtaining it some of the time and experiencing pleasure for such a brief moment, like a thief in the night; never reaching satisfaction. This behavior becomes an addiction or can be termed a compulsive behavior. The subtle attraction becomes a fatal distraction, because now the person has lost touch with reality in that other aspects of their life begin to be destroyed for lack of adequate attention.

But what about the person who has a subtle attraction yet manages to stay on top of other aspects of their life? So much so that others cannot tell (except the intimate ones) that something (or someone) is pulling that person, that something (or someone) has more priority than what is being portrayed. I think about the church of today, the Body of Christ Jesus. No, not all Believers in Jesus Christ have subtle attractions, but many seem to be subtlety attracted by the ways and things of the world.

Seems that many of us believe that we have to prove to the world that we can do what they do, and still represent Christ Jesus. Or, that if we show them that we are as___________ (fill in the blank) as they are, then they will accept Christ or validate us, the Church, the Body of Christ. And, I am not necessarily addressing the use of technology. Technological advances are assets to spreading the Truth, that is, The Word of God, to more people and nations.

What I am referring to is, people of God taking on the looks, characteristics, attitudes, appetites and ways of the world, but camouflaging them to look like Christianity or evangelism. Not really with a goal to be all things to all men to win some, as Paul states he did. Many of us are just being like the world, getting for self and promoting self. Too many Christians are confused and not really understanding who they are and why they are. Too many Christians are living as though they think that this world is what we are about; being so earthly minded, that we are no heavenly good!

The subtle attraction that many of us Believers in Christ have for the world and the things of the world actually equals distraction.

Distraction from keeping our minds, hearts, eyes and lives focused on the One whom we are here for. We are not able to influentially proclaim the Christ we believe in and have accepted as our Lord and Savior because our attraction to the world slowly and subtlety grips us, hindering us from being truly radical for Christ and living lives that reflect His Kingdom ways. That is, being all that we can be in Him, allowing Him to flow through us to reach the world that they become attracted to us; to Christ in us, the Hope of glory.

We forget that Christ gave up His life to give us eternal life. Being “born again” moved us from a mere earthly existence to an eternal reality and a goal for Life forever with Christ. Some Christians have taken on the worldly view that my statement is the fantasy, an unreality. Rather, that this world is what we should be pressing about in life. Yes, we do have to take care of the cares of this world since we are in the world. But, we do need to remember that we are not of this world!

We do not need the world’s approval, acceptance, or validation to be who we are! We need to be who we are so that the world can see and believe and become attracted to the Reality of Life, which is (in) Christ Jesus our Lord.

And this, so that they too, can have eternal life becoming mindful of eternity and taking on an eternal view of this earthly life and the Christ way of living it!

This begins, my fellow Believers in Christ, with us being fully attracted to the One who gave us life and liberty that we can lead others to pursue Him and have eternal life and the internal freedom that it brings. Distraction brings destruction. The right attraction brings freedom and power to live eternal life on earth and for all eternity!

Time For A Refocus, Time for Change

2008-01-21T21:06:00.000-08:00

"For the sake of our children and our children's children, for the sake of the Kingdom of God on earth, we must take a genuine stand. We must regain our focus for living this life we call Christianity. We must do what Jesus said we would do: "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to my Father." John 14:12

(From my book: African American Family Life: It's Time to Get It Back, Xulon Press, 2004)

The cry for change has come to America. The way things used to be can no longer be status quo. The American church must change and become a change agent in this time of great transition. We must begin to recognize the true purpose of the church, acknowledging Who called it into existence and why. We can no longer allow philosophy, humanism, intellectualism, the tradition of men or the basic principles of this world to cheat us into thinking that we need more of_____ (money, fame, possessions, etc.) to be somebody. We are complete in Christ Jesus! It is who He is and what He has done for mankind that truly makes us who we are and determines our course in life! And this, because He has given each person a gift, that is, a pre-planned purpose for living and the ability to accomplish it.

The Church, the Body of Christ, believers and followers of Christ, aka, Christians must take a stand in this American land! You might be wondering "what in the world is she referring to?" and "what stand are we to take?" It is time for the church, the people of the True and Living God to stand up for Him! It is time to decide to live for God and not just for His benefits! What do I mean. We have got to allow the Lord to be represented in and through us on a daily basis. We must live, move, and have our being in Him, for His purposes, not our own. We must allow Him to direct our paths, from the inside to the outside.

People need to see that we are like the One we say we belong to. We, Christians must live this Life in the open for others to see! Not make it a private part of who we are. Our relationship with Christ should cause us to radiate to others! It should cause us to have morals and standards that are in line with His Word, that we practice even when under pressure from unbelievers! It should cause us to treat people, all people, whether they are like us or not, with decency and dignity! And with love and kindness, even if they are different in ethnicity, nationality, religion, economic status, values, etc. Jesus was like that. He talked to the most unlikely people. He was found in the most unlikely places (according to the religious), because His goal was relationship.

Relationship with God empowers us to relate to others in a way that transcends the way of man because God is Love! Out of our relationship with God, our relationships with others allow us to share the love of God in ways that bring transformation; to a person, a family, a community, a nation! Love is the antidote to a godless generation! Love is the antidote to the adult who carries an abused child on the inside! Love is the antidote for children without fathers around, and struggling, overworked and overwhelmed single moms and grandmas trying hard to make things work!

Love is the antidote for racism of all kinds, and for economic unfairness in our land! Love is the antidote for husbands, fathers, and men who are afraid that they may not live up to what it is to be a man! And love is the antidote to healthy relationships between men and women, for marriages to happen and to last, that is, God's love. Love is a spiritual concept. Perfect love, the Bible says, covers a multitude of sin, casts out fear, and operates out of faith. Love leads to actions that bring about good to others, that enacts God's righteousness in the practicalities of life. It doesn't sit on the porch watching, it walks off the porch and lends a hand. Love has to do something or it would not, in essence be love, that is, God's love.

For God so loved the world, that he did something. We must, too. We must refocus our energy on getting to know God, developing a relationship with Him by reading His Word to understand him. And praying to have conversation with Him. We must learn to put our trust in God so that we, too, can give to others the most precious commodity on earth, love, God's love, to bring change in America that will transform minds, hearts, and attitudes causing people's actions to be a help and strength to others; a blessing not a cursing. Changing individuals, families, communities, and this nation to being "one nation under the God of love...," with motives that have nothing to do with fear, but rather faith.

Faith in a God who is true, real, and able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask, think or imagine! He works through us. Won't you let Him? Choose to be an agent of godly change! Let's choose to be the kind of people, the church, that Jesus Christ died for... Changed for His glory, radically changed to impact lives for Him!

TIME TO FLOW

2008-01-01T23:05:00.000-08:00

New Year 2008. This year is destined to be great! So, why wait. It is time to skate. Not like a runaway bride, then you decide you want to hide, because you moved to fast and didn't think your decision all the way through. No, not you! This is the year when you begin to flow. All that has gone before has allowed you to grow. So, don't be slow. Move into this year with grace and dignity. Let the old be a lesson that helps you grow. Not a story that keeps you low. God's grace is sufficient for you! Please do not take His grace for granted or not give it the attention it deserves. Christ died and rose again for you, so that you could... whatever His call is on your life...you should. Do it, say it, be it! Agree with God and flow! The Holy Spirit is running the show, so let this year be it; the year that everything within you yields to God Most High, and you flow with His plans and purposes for your life. I am sharing with you what I am talking to me, too. Whatever you have in your heart to do, if you are a follower of God, He is with you! So be bold, be strong, you can, I know you can... for His glory, by His grace, who knows how much time you have left to run this race.