Monday, January 31, 2011

Change is HERE!  

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
[Jeremiah 29:11]
 

My mother says many profound things.  One statement she made, has stuck with me for years.  She said, that even when the children of Israel made it to the promised land, they still had to fight.  They went through 40 years in the wilderness, and when they reached the destination, much to their dismay… there were GIANTS in the land.  Can you imagine their disappointment?  They must have thought that life would be a piece of cake after what they had gone through.  Finally, they could stop moving, “chill”, put down roots in a fertile land, and live happily ever after. No matter what they faced in their new “spot”, the fact still remained that they were IN THE PROMISED LAND.  The land that Almighty God gave them.  Fear almost robbed them of taking possession of it.  Isn’t that like us at times?  God is not going to make everything we are to obtain “easy” for us.  His yoke is easy, His burden is light, but sometimes we need to stretch our spiritual “muscles”. If God handed us everything on a silver platter, we would become weak, spoiled, self-centered and self-indulgent.  We would develop a sense of entitlement and the slightest ripple in our life would send us into a tail-spin.  God is not raising “wimps” … He is raising children who are strong.  Strong in spirit, strong in character, strong in wisdom, strong in their love and compassion toward all of God’s creations.  So, if you’re wondering where is the promise of God and why hasn’t it manifested in your life, stop to consider that maybe it already has.  Take a look around and see the wonderful works of God in and through your life.  There really is no such thing as a ‘little Blessing from God’.  From bus fare to a new job, every blessing is a major deal.  Prospective.  How are we looking at what is in our hand.  There is always another way of looking at a situation.  Positive or negative.  We get to choose.  The thing can be really negative.  Say a spouse walks out on you, or you lose a job.  The positive is that you have the chance for a brand new life and a fresh new start.  The possibilities are endless.  Or, what if someone near and dear to your heart goes on to be with the Lord.  Yes, it hurts.  We miss them.  A void is left in our life, and if it happens suddenly, we may not know what to do.  The day will come, when you’ll be able to think about that person and all that they meant to you, all they taught you and bless God for the time you had with them.  You’ll remember things they said, that spoke into your life and helped to propel you where you are.  You’ll also remember that God got you and you’re gonna be alright!’.  You will get through this.. victorious.  It can also serve as a reminder that, maybe it is time for YOU to be to someone else, what that person was to you.  Our journey may be seem as tumultuous as the Israelites.  Guess what?  We are under a sweeter deal. 

“Shelter” (Psalm 91), Jumelle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wwt2mSjXxBw

“I Was Created To Worship”,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1StT119raYk

“He’s Able”, Darwin Hobbs w/Dietrick Hadden & the Voices of Unity

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIAGWndg2Fw

“The Best In Me”, Pastor Marvin Sapp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgwt-UhPhhs

“A Change”, Debra Killings

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNbnT_RRe8c

“Sir Up The Gift”, Joe Pace and the Colorado Mass Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4DWNSJa4go

Thursday, May 13, 2010

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?  I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.
[ Isaiah 43:19]

“Shift”

Good Afternoon Beloved,

SHIFT!  These last few messages sound almost like a series.  I just keep hearing the same message and it’s getting stronger and stronger.  There is a sense of urgency that I have never felt before.  A zeal for the Body of Christ to take its place.  To go after God with everything in us.  To be so close to the heart of God that we hear His heartbeat.  To be so close that everything not like God in our life dissipates, disappears or begins to look like Him!  SHIFT! Shifting from one gear to the next.  Preparing to turn the corner and knowing that whatever else is around that corner … God is already there.  He sees our beginning and he stands at the end (ummmmp… thank you Israel Houghton, Live From Another Level).  God has pressed the accelerator and things are happening quickly.  Everything we’ve gone through has prepared us for where we are now and for what is about to happen.  I was speaking today with a young man who has been going through a storm the last few months.  I have been encouraging him to draw closer to God and to write.  I truly believe his experience will bring healing to many other young men who have dealt with the same issues, and have suffered in silence.  I feel many of our young people are sitting on a powder keg .. that is about to explode.  When it does, tragedy ensues.  They act out violently and foolishly.  There is an under-current that is slowly being dealt with.  The enemy is very interested in destroying them.  God has placed us in a position where we can stand in the gap and intercede for a generation that is powerful… but distracted.  They are distracted because the enemy can’t afford for them to truly get attached to the True Vine.  When we are absolutely awesome things happen.  Keep your eyes open, and see the salvation of the Lord.  Keep your ears open and hear what the Spirit of the Lord is saying to the Church.  Keep your mouth open to receive from Him what He wants to give you.. to give to others.  Keep your hands open always ready to be a blessing to somebody else.  At the same time shut down negativity, shut down unbelief, shut down ‘verbal abuse’, shut down murmuring, complaining and evil speaking,  shut down hatred, shut down malice, shut down envy, shut down self-loathing, shut it down.. shut it down… shut it down… and the God of all flesh will rise up within our very soul and do exploits through us.  Remember the end result is VICTORY!

…and that Beloved is Good News! 

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

 

 

Friday, August 28, 2009

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.
[Joshua 24:15]

“Crossroads”

Good Morning Beloved,

Sometimes life can appear to be as confusing as the “One Way” sign above pointing in both directions.  We’re going along and then, BAM!… something comes out of nowhere that we never anticipated.  We have to make a decision and the answer is not always clear cut.  Other times, the answer is as plain as day, but we don’t like it and try to find ways around it…. OK, maybe not you but I know I have .  Crossroads… we all have them… we make decisions every minute of every day.. life altering decisions.  This morning, I was reminiscing on when I left the country to move in with my mom in the ‘big city’.   I was so ready to go, until it was time to pack and go.  See, I knew Calvert County living… DC was a whole other thing.  It also dawned on me that my Grandmother would be all alone.  I contemplated telling my mother that I wanted to finish high school down there.  Crossroads.  I often think about how different my life would have been if I had made that decision.  I developed creativity in my Grandmothers house, but I gained independence in my mother’s house.  I had to learn my way around confusing city streets (no more big yellow cheese bus), as well as confusing city folks .  Everything was different, new and exciting.  I could have fallen into some really deep traps, but I believe God Himself blocked some things.  He sent me a friend who had both common sense, and way more discernment than I had.  She kept me out of a lot of trouble, and some of the trouble I experienced, I could have avoided if I had listened to her.  Crossroads…. all throughout scripture we see the choices people had to make at their crossroad.  Abraham… instructed by God to leave everything and everyone he knew and just start walking.  God told him He would let him know when he arrived…. huh?! Young Mary, told by an angel that she would bear the Messiah… hello?!  They stoned women for that!  Joseph’s name and reputation would also be sullied… and he didn’t even do anything!… Her parents would be ostracized and talked about for raising a ‘loose’ woman.  Everybody in this story was at a crossroad.  Joseph son of Jacob (Israel)..his whole life was one serious crossroad after another —as was his father’s.  So we’re in good company, but you know what is nice? ~

 
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that you may be able to bear it.

[1 Corinthians 10:13]

… Family…. that is really Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend

Regina

choose your ’crew’ wisely….

THEM     or     THEM

“Crossroads”, Deitrick Hadden w/Lady Life

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yvB4APiP9As

“God Didn’t Give Up On Me”, Deitrick Hadden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thEi5unUp0s

“Pray”, CeCe Winans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBezVm8NPso

“Purified”, CeCe Winans

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

“Alabaster Box“, CeCe Winans

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uq8VP9osGrg

“I Wouldn’t Know You”, James Fortune and Fiya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmyGXKD-Vew

“Living Clean“, Canton Jones

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

“I Will Run”, Karen Wheaton’s “Chosen”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jUp0eo0zL34

“Lord, You’re Holy”, Prestonwood Baptist Church

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9zl6Sf3Rt0s

“How Can I Say Thank You”, Hezekiah Walker and LFC (solo: Monique Walker)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tW9AGEL8bE

Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that His disciples get back into the boat and cross to the other side of the lake, while He sent the people home.  After sending them home, He went up into the hills by Himself to pray. Night fell while He was there alone.  Meanwhile, the disciples were in trouble far away from land, for a strong wind had risen, and they were fighting heavy waves. About three o’clock in the morning Jesus came toward them, walking on the water. When the disciples saw Him walking on the water, they were terrified. In their fear, they cried out, “It’s a ghost!” But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” He said. “Take courage. I am here! ”Then Peter called to Him, “Lord, if it’s really You, tell me to come to You, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said.  So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt Me?” When they climbed back into the boat, the wind stopped.  Then the disciples worshiped Him. “You really are the Son of God!” they exclaimed.

[Matthew 14:22-33]

Get To Steppin’

Good Afternoon Beloved,

This morning I attended home going services for a dear lady who was like an adopted grandmother to me… Lottie Wallace Hughes- “Nana”.  She was sick for a while, but she outlived all of the expectations heaped on her by doctors.  She was a feisty and seasoned 88-year old child of God.  She was simply ready to sleep in the Lord, and that is what she did.  It was good to listen to all of the glowing reports about her life… and know that the people were not lying in the presence of God.  I could testify to every beautiful word spoken about her and the legacy she left behind —three amazing grandchildren that she helped to raise (Tina, Cathy and Raymond), and six awesome, sweet, intelligent great-grandchildren (Christopher, Alexandria, Charlie, Mark, Raina, Fatima).  It made me realize even more the brevity of life.  It seems only yesterday that I, as a 16 year old country-girl, met her piercing eyes at her door.  Her grand-daughter and I were trying to sneak in, see, we had hooked school, and were going to hide out at her house and watch TV until the school day ended– her face we were not expecting.  (Don’t worry… I was on the honor roll when I graduated high school… I skipped school after I completed my assignments and taken my tests…. don’t try this at home kids…. I was totally wrong… anything could have happened to us).  The years have sped by at break-neck speed.  Our tendency could be to just mock time and do a little something here and there.  In the text we see Peter operating in great faith.  I went on the One Love Gospel Cruise in 2007.  There was a great storm out there and I can’t imagine climbing off the ship.  I can’t imagine trying to walk on calm sea, not to mention ferocious waves with winds and rains beating down on me.  Peter made his move because He trusted in the Word of His Lord.  Jesus said come and he went.  However, (this is why I like Peter… he is so like me) after this great act of faith… he noticed the waves and probably thought, “what am I doing?… people can’t walk on water”… that is when he began to sink.  Now Jesus could have rebuked him and let him drown, but no, when Peter called out to the Lord, “HELP!”… that is what Jesus did and they BOTH walked back to the ship with Jesus holding his hand.  This Word is for me, but I know that I’m not the only one that God is admonishing to …. in the words of Martin Lawrence… “Get to Steppin”….. why not?  We really have nothing to lose.. and everything to gain… Jesus is holding our hand….

….. and that precious child of God… is Good News!

U Blessed,

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

Dynamite -Mark 11:22,23     The power of God can remove any obstacle that is preventing you from getting to where God wants you to be. Our faith allows God to release His power in our lives, to remove the mountains in our way.

 *********************************** 

11 year old preacher… he really blessed my heart…

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/myfox/MyFox/pages/sidebar_video.jsp?contentId=7819375&version=1&locale=EN-US

Friday, October 17, 2008

Good Morning Beloved,

Happy Friday! 

We’re hearing a lot about change lately……. change takes some getting used to, however change can be not only good, but vital to our growth, well being and development.  The most crucial change is accepting God’s love gift and allowing Him to change us from the inside out.  We are to be reflections of God… we are after all made in His image and after His likeness.  The closer we get to God, the more of His fragrance we take on…. like hugging someone that smells really good…it sticks to you right?  In the same way, if we get too close to something that stinks…. we’ll stink too.  Having said that, God is able to take stinky situations, use them for His Glory and make something sweet come out of them.

…. and that is Good News!

Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing.

2 Corinthians 2:15

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend!

Regina

 Tamela Mann “Step Aside” from the stageplay What’s Done In The Dark…. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaG-2z1M-dc

*********************************************************************

My cousin Diane sent this email to me and it really spoke to me:

STOP!

Oh Lord, help me not to cuss anybody out today
Freeze my tongue, if somebody gets in my way
Fill me with Your grace, so that I might stay cool
I‘m trying to do right, but I ain’t nobody’s fool
Cause me to humble myself, before I get fired
Even a saint like me sometimes gets tired

Praise your name, because You’ve saved me, many times before

Cartoonist’s Comment:

Jesus said in John 6:36 “I am the bread of life”. It is up to the believers to take the Bread of Life (Jesus) out of the Bakery (the church building), to where the hungry people are. After eating “Satan’s Garbage”, the aroma of the Bread of Life will certainly smell good.

HAPPY FRIDAY!    You made it!  Enjoy your day today.  I pray that your foundation is sure….. solid, so that you will be able to stand through any situation…. weather any storm… hold on to your faith… There is a song by Sound of Blackness “Hold on, change is coming, don’t worry about a thing”… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0DsQT6AQB0  How do you hold on to your faith?  By using the same tenacity we use with everything that is important to us.  Long ago, someone called me a pit bull…. they said, “when you lock onto something you won’t let go.”  Of course that has had its share of positives and negatives.  Negative when I locked onto something, I should have been loosed from, but positive when I have stood against obstacles that were placed in the way of my assignment.  Wisdom, determination, and passion submerged in righteousness will bring you into the fulfillment of your God-ordained destiny. 

‘And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that reads it. (Habakkuk 2:2)’

U ARE BLESSED!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Rockin’ Weekend

Regina

Cartoonist’s Comment:

God has a purpose and a plan for each of us, and in Christ, He has already given us all that we need to fulfill that plan.