Posts Tagged ‘death’
Through The Eyes Of God
Written by FAVORED1 on August 15, 2011 – 9:49 am -
Monday, August 15, 2011
He is looking for someone who will have the faith in Him to allow Him to do exploits through them. Someone who is not afraid to do something they have never done to get a result they never have before. A person who has placed their trust in Him, is blameless, whose heart is open and attentive to the voice of the True and Living God. Someone who has hidden the Word of God in their heart that they may not sin against God. Someone who repents quickly when they fall short and gets back up again. Someone who will pray hard, love hard, work hard and play hard!
Tags: death, life, living life to its fullest, Pastor Zachary Tims
Posted in Morning Soul Food | No Comments »
“Hidden & Safe”
Written by FAVORED1 on February 10, 2011 – 11:35 am -|
Thursday, February 10, 2011
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler, and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.. [Psalm 91:1-4]
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You who sit down in the High God’s presence, spend the night in Shaddai’s shadow, Say this: “God, You’re my refuge. I trust in You and I’m safe!” That’s right—He rescues you from hidden traps, shields you from deadly hazards. His huge outstretched Arms protect you— under Them you’re perfectly safe; His Arms fend off all harm. [Psalm 91:1-4]
“Hidden & Safe” 
Good Morning Beloved,
This morning the mother of a dear friend and sister-in-Christ, Denise Wilkins, passed on. Death has a way of sobering us, because it brings to the realization of how fragile and short life really is. It is the final “rubber-meets-the-road” moment of our earthly life. Everything in our life boils down to one question. Where are we going? If Jesus should tarry, and we do not leave by way of the Rapture… What happens when we close our eyes on this side? What will our eyes see next? There are those in our society who say “nothing”, that we just cease to exist and nothing happens afterward. Others say, we all go to a beautiful pristine heaven. Both are wishful thinking. The Bible lets us know that there are two destinations and we get to make our reservations for which one we want. Our favorite family get-a-way is Orlando, Florida. When we purchase a ticket to go to Florida, we are not surprised when we get there. If we purchased a ticket for Florida and end up anywhere but Florida, we have an issue and somebody is going to correct that. We live in an imperfect world. Plans do change, flights are canceled or diverted, but they know that if these people paid to go to Florida.. some way, some how we have to get them there. Well, we serve a God who is Sovereign. One who can never make a mistake. He knows “those who are His”. He knows our “sunrise” and our “sunset”. He is with us every moment of every day. He is more interested in the “life” in our years than He is the “years of our life”. We are told to “occupy” until Jesus comes. That means that we can not shut ourselves away in our little world, in a room somewhere, and wait for Jesus to come and get us. We should not be afraid of the world. We should not fear getting “world cooties” … we are to be witnesses to the world. In short, we gotta tell somebody somethin’! We do not impress God by hiding away from people we consider “unholy”. The only bible some will see is us, and how can they see us if the never see us. The Bible tells us to “come out from among them and be separate”. Separate.. set-apart… not hidden. Anything separate is going to be clearly visible. Hidden in Jesus means that wherever we are, He is there. It means we are acutely aware of His presence. Our thoughts are how to please Him. How to glorify The Living Savior in our everyday lives. We are witnesses. Our goal is to be a good one. This is serious business. People are leaving this earth so quickly, souls are at stake, we can’t afford to be timid or selfish. Hidden in Him implies intimacy…closeness. We are “seated with Him in Heavenly places”. We are children/friends/servants of the Most High God and whether we go see Him or He comes to see us.. it will be well!
(pause… whoa!) … that beloved is Good News!
Y Stress? … U Blessed!
Have A Fabulous Day!
Regina
 Please keep the family of Sister Denise lifted in prayer as they go through this difficult time of life.
Father… thank You for gifting this family with Ms. Coralee. In the days ahead, when the calls and visits have slowed.. help them to know that You are with them all and will never leave nor forsake them. Touch them in that place where only You can. Give them a joy that is overflowing and a peace that is unspeakable. Anoint them afresh to handle whatever situation may arise. We bind the hand of the enemy that whatever he may try to do will fail, and we loose Your love to flow over the entire family. Strengthen them dear Lord. Bless them abundantly… supply all of their need according to Your riches in Glory that they lack nothing spiritually, emotionally, or financially. We praise You dear Father for the legacy this dear woman of God left behind. A beautiful and loving family of worshipers… for this we are grateful.. and we thank You.. this is our prayer in Jesus matchless Name.. We love You…. AMEN.
“I Remember Mama”, Shirley Ceasar
“Shelter -Psalm 91″, Jumelle
“Psalm 91″, Chrismax
“My Help”, Lionel Petersen
“My Redeemer Lives”, Nicole C. Mullen
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Tags: death, eternal life, life in Jesus, separate
Posted in Morning Soul Food | No Comments »
Precious Legacy of a Great Woman
Written by FAVORED1 on October 13, 2010 – 3:21 pm -
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
His Lord said unto him, Well done, you good and faithful servant: you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter you into the joy of your Lord.
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FOILED AGAIN
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“Resting Place”, Dietrick Hadden
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkwUZ4kCRBo
“He Reigns (Our God Is An Awesome God)”, Kirk Franklin featuring Papa San
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkwUZ4kCRBo
“He Reigns”, Kevin LeVar & One Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPDUvrKIRtY
“Here I Am”, Kevin LeVar & One Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJGD6qqPCo
“When Sunday Comes”, Darryl Coley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjBWidpzxU8
“Thank You”, Walter Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXq1Eff4M4
“(Tell You) With My Whole Heart”, Edwin Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVOxHRt4fAU
| What lies on the other side? |
Facing his own death a man turned to his doctor, as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don’t know”. The dying man said “You don’t know? You, a Christian man, do not know what is on the other side?” As the doctor was holding the handle of the door, from the other side came a sound of scratching and a dog whining, and as he opened the door, a golden retriever sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He’s never been in this room before. He didn’t know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. You see, I don’t know what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing… I know my Master is there and that is enough.” Heaven lies on the other side. Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme definitive happiness. What a beautiful place, a lasting resting place, where waiting for us is our Creator. |
Tags: death, death of a saint, Dr. Betty Peebles, God's people and death, Jericho
Posted in Morning Soul Food | 3 Comments »
Life After Life
Written by FAVORED1 on October 7, 2009 – 1:47 pm -
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
[Ephesians 5:15-20 New Living Translation]
“Life After Life”
Good Afternoon Beloved,
This morning, my family and I attended Homegoing services for a beloved part of our church “Vaughn”. Vaughn died in a car accident September 29th. He was only 22. He was a nice young man with a sweet and humble spirit. It has been difficult to wrap our minds around it. Seeing a young man so vibrant and full of life with such a bright future ahead of him in a casket is hard to understand. There are many things that are hard to understand in this life. One thing is for certain, if we are not caught up in the Rapture, all of us have the same appointment Vaughn had. That is where the hope of our salvation comes in. Jesus has conquered death, hell and the grave. For the believer (which Vaughn is), it is merely dying to one world and being born into another. Bishop TD Jakes describes it something like this ~ When a baby is conceived, it lives in a world where all of its needs are taken care of. He or she receives their nourishment, comfort, even their entertainment inside of their protected environment. Then one day, something starts to happen… and the baby, is pushed out of their dark, safe, secluded home into a world of bright lights, noise and weird smells. The baby probably thinks that he or she is dying, and that nothing good can come out of whatever is happening to them. After entering into the light, somebody grabs them sticks something in their nose and mouth, wipes off their body, wraps them in something that they’ve never felt before, and gives them to a person, who they’ve never seen before. When she speaks, Baby recognizes her voice, and the voices of the others who have been around. Baby is then put in a box with wheels and kept there for a few days, and then is transported with the nice people to another place, and thus begins their new life as a member of a family. Now, Bishop didn’t say all of that, the extra after baby is pushed out into the world was from the mind of Regina
. Bishop made me think about how traumatizing our birth really was. If the baby had his/her way, not really knowing what to expect, they would probably choose to stay put. For the Believer, we are that baby. There is a time coming where we’ll be ‘pushed’ out from this life, into our new life. That is why it is so important that we get to know Jesus now. On the other side we’ll be able to see the smiling face of the Person we had only heard through His Word.
…. and that Beloved is Good News!
His LORD said to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things: enter into the joy of your LORD.
[Matthew 25:23]
U Blessed!
Have A Fabulous Day
Regina
Happy Birthday Wishes to my beloved Sister-in-Christ Vivian!…. you are one of the sweetest people I know… I pray that this birthday is extra special for you. May God bless you with the desire of your heart and many, many, many more good birthdays. You are a great mom, a beautiful lady and a fabulous friend… thank you for just being you!
My friend … See U later Vaughn!
“It Ain’t Over”, Maurette Brown Clark
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6Atrp22d2g
“I’ll Trust You”, James Fortune & Fiya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NsqiqkTF5Ao
“The Blood”, James Fortune & Fiya
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l18nzrg4bEE
“How Great Is Our God”, Chris Tomlin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pF11qnJ8rw
“I Wouldn’t Know You Like I Do”, James Fortune & Fiya w/Keith “Wonderboy” Johnson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmyGXKD-Vew
“I Need You Now”, Smokie Norful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDpY-2M5dVo
“I Know Too Much About Him”, Smokie Norful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K_6-EBvv6Y
“God Is Able”, Smokie Norful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3t5YhOJ_6PI
“Um Good”, Smokie Norful
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lsYUeihV8s
“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GeMiXvKGvwM
Tags: birth, death, Jesus, life after death, salvation
Posted in Morning Soul Food | No Comments »
SALVATION
Written by FAVORED1 on August 3, 2009 – 8:24 am -
Monday, August 3, 2009
“SALVATION”
The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower
How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Hebrews 2:3
Good Morning Beloved,
HAPPY MONDAY!
This morning I had a nightmare… now here is the thing, I very rarely have them. It was as if I were watching a movie, or one of those forensic/law enforcement type situation dramas on TV. The dream was apocalyptic in feel… an end of the world type of scenario. Panicked people running for cover in terror, as fire from the sky rained down on them consuming them, while the ‘heroes’ of the story raced to find the ‘answer’ to the situation. Did they? I have no idea… I woke up… hey, I had to get ready to go to work!
That dream reminded me of the scripture that said,
“Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the Face of the One who sits on the Throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive?”
[Revelation 6:15-16]
God is loving, gracious and merciful. That is a Truth that we should never ever forget, but we need to remember the other side of God… His Holiness, righteousness and judgment. That has never changed. I marvel at the tee shirts I’ve seen at many funerals, most young, most that had led lives, by their own admission far from God. Those tee shirts read, “only God can judge me” … If they only knew what that meant. God’s judgment is not a good thing. I would much rather be judged by humanity, then by a Holy God. There is only so much they can do to you. When I read the Bible, when God judged a person or a nation something died. Something was destroyed. I want mercy and forgiveness from God … not judgment. The good news is that we don’t have to suffer that fate. We have been saved from the wrath to come. Our hiding place is secure in Jesus because we have put our faith and trust in Him.
You are my hiding place and my shield: I hope in Your word
… and that Beloved of God, is Good News!
U Blessed!
Have A Fabulous Day
Regina
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Kangaroo
-Psalm 143:9 |
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Whatever enemies we may be facing, be it sickness, poverty, loneliness, fear, etc., we can be safe from them in Jesus, just as this joey is safe from the dingos in his mother’s pouch.
August 2, 2009 |
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“Thou Oh Lord Art A Shield For Me”, Byron Cage
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sB6cFqCBMAE
“Surround Me”, Clint Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dqGC-snEIEU
“He Reigns”, Kevin LeVar & One Sound
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPDUvrKIRtY
“Jesus Be A Fence”, Fred Hammond & RFC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ce7LQfY0d30
“He’s All Over Me”, Georgia Mass Choir
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MsAK8xQS0CU
“Who Can I Run To”, Ricky Dilliard & New G
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MhJYAE62CuY
“God Is Trying To Tell You Something”, Color Purple Soundtrack
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ8XkY6Too0 (music only)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7ZT5sajkys (movie clip)
“Breathe On Me”, Clint Brown
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-RnpTYHOIg
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Tags: death, love of God, mercy of God, obedience to God, salvation
Posted in Morning Soul Food | No Comments »
His Peace…
Written by FAVORED1 on June 26, 2009 – 7:48 am -
Friday, June 26, 2009
Peace I leave with you, My peace I give unto you: not as the world gives, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
[John 14:27]
Good Morning Beloved,
I love Jesus. I love the compassion He has. He knew that His time was drawing near to be offered up. He had been with His disciples for 3 years. They depended on Him. They had left their homes and businesses to follow Him. He let them know that He was not going to leave them completely alone. He told them that He was leaving them His peace, and the Father would be sending the ‘Comforter’ to them… the Holy Spirit. Of course they had no idea what He was talking about at the time, but He knew they would soon enough. All of them with the exception of John who was exiled to the isle of Patmos, was martyred for their faith in Him. He knew that extremely difficult days were ahead for them. In spite of, they all died, not only willingly, but felt honored to be counted worthy to die in His Name. We are blessed to live in a nation where we have the freedom to worship the True and Living God. We have no fear of armed guards coming into our churches and attacking us and putting us into prison for our faith. That is happening today in many places around the world. That Word is real for millions of persecuted believers all over the world. Peace is invaluable. Now, we do have issues and situations that rock our peace. There are so many tragic events all around us. Some people are afraid to ride the subway because of the crash here in DC, others are afraid of large crowds and malls because of various incidents around the country. Fear is an insidious thief. God has not given us the spirit of fear, so one guess where it came from.. you’re right, the enemy of our souls. The peace of God will squash fear. When I heard of the death of Ed McMahon I was sad. I felt like a piece of my childhood died with him. Some of my fondest memories of just hanging with my grandmother watching “The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson”, Lawrence Welk, Mike Douglas… yes .. that was how we rolled. Then, I heard of Farrah Fawcetts’ death from Cancer … another icon from my childhood, Charlies’ sweet Angel, but when Michael Jackson passed on the same day at 50 (only 9 years older than me) … I was stunned. The death toll this week of people I knew or knew of is unnerving. For people who we love and admire, they could live to be a 150 and their death would be too soon. My thoughts and prayers go out to not only the families and loved ones of these great people, but to all who have suffered loss recently. It is a reminder that life is brief. The bible describes our life as a vapor. It makes fulfilling our vision and walking towards our destiny even more crucial. I don’t want to meet God with any unfinished business. I want to do what He created me to do. I submit to you that the half has not been seen. He has planted so much within us. We need to press into His heart like never before and release what He has for us… its not for us… it is for somebody else..
… that Beloved is Good News
U Blessed
Have A Fabulous Day
Regina
“All Hail The King”, Shekinah Glory Ministries
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwB-Q4F89RM
“Peace Be Still”, Vanessa Bell Armstrong
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1tplMwItTtk
“He’s Preparing Me”, Daryl Coley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpJ_0IxNoUM
“Sovereign”, Wilmington Chester Mass Choir w/Daryl Coley
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApCX84oDDJ8
“Restoration”, TONEX
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYwrSv437WM
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Tags: death, Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett, Michael Jackson, peace, peace with God
Posted in Morning Soul Food | No Comments »
Life and More Life
Written by FAVORED1 on March 24, 2009 – 9:43 am -
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor. Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge. He alone has the power to save or to destroy. So what right do you have to judge your neighbor? Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.
[James 4:7-13]
Good Morning Beloved,
I love the balance in the scripture. It does not leave us to believe that we have no personal responsibilities when it comes to living right. However, it does not constantly condemn us as if we have no hope either… balance. It is designed to get, and keep us on the right track. Now, Brother James did not bite his tongue did he? Sounds like a little wake-up call for us to get our ‘house’ in order. Our office is mourning the sudden passing of a great lady today, a precious lady named Nancy Elfstrom. Nothing puts life into prospective more than the passing of another individual. I just saw her Friday. She was looking well, perky and smiling. She has been consulting with the company off and on since the ’90s. She LOVED coffee, and I made sure she had it everyday. She would always smile and tell me how grateful she was. She would stop by my desk and just start talking, always asking if she could do something for me. She was just such a sweet person. We just found out this morning that she died on Sunday. News travels slowly around here. She will be greatly missed. The brevity of life. We do not know the day or the hour when we will pass from this life, to life everlasting, but we know the One who does know. That is the reason, He is urging us to live. Not just exist from day to day, but really live. Jesus said that He “came that we might have life and life more abundantly“. That means life here, and life after we cross over the threshhold. There is a reason we were birthed into the earth. We have a God given purpose and destiny…
…. and that Family is Good News!
U Blessed
Have A Fabulous Day
Regina
“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3uwlVfReVA
“Breathe Into Me”, Fred Hammond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hpl_906fqk
“Tomorrow”, (concept video by David Roberts, King David Productions)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZBCv7ChP38
“I Want My Destiny”, Fred Hammond
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWEjrFxfaBE
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Tags: abundant life in Jesus, death, destiny, purpose
Posted in Morning Soul Food | No Comments »
Farther Along…
Written by FAVORED1 on December 11, 2008 – 7:36 am -
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
[Philippians 4:7]
. Enjoy today. Life is so short. This morning I received a call from a close friend; her beloved Grandmother has passed. She was at her bedside at home. This wonderful lady, who I’ve known since I was 16, has been battling cancer for many months. It has been her strong desire to go home to be with the Lord. She has lived a full life. A good life filled with the love of her family and friends, a very long and distinguished career as an educator and a comfortable life-style. They thought they lost her a while back, but I told my friend that while her body and her spirit are ready to go… her mind and her eyes wanted to see the nation elect it’s first African American president. I thought she would try to hang on until Inauguration Day, but maybe she felt she had seen enough. I don’t know. I do know that the Bible is clear when it tells, “Whereas you know not what shall be on tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away”. [James 4:14]. A sobering thought. It should make us want to live with righteous gusto! Make our life count in eternal ways. Leave a positive mark on the world that will never be erased. We will not understand everything now, but we will one day. One of our church mothers – Ms. Meacham- is one of those sweet, generous, tough, little, fiery saints that always has a mischievous smile on her face. She used to stand at the podium, with her hands on her hips, shaking her head decisively and sing:Words and Music by J.R.Baxter and W.B.Stevens
© 1937 Stamps-Baxter Music
Why it should be thus all the day long,
While there are others living about us,
Never molested, though in the wrong.
- Refrain
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
It leaves our home so lonely and drear,
Then do we wonder why others prosper
Living so wicked year after year.
- Refrain
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
A few more days to labor and wait,
Toils of the road will then seem as nothing
As we sweet through the beautiful gate.
- Refrain
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
When He comes from His home in the sky,
Then we shall meet Him in that bright mansion,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
- Refrain
Farther along we’ll know all about it,
Farther along we’ll understand why;
Cheer up my brother, live in the sunshine,
We’ll understand it all by and by.
If we keep our mind on Jesus, He will keep us in perfect peace. That is the greatest battlefield and where the war for our soul is won or lost. No life is not fair all the time, but no matter where we travel in life, if Jesus is on board, we have love, peace, joy, power, goodness, temperance, meekness, protection… eternal life… all wrapped up in one.
-2 Corinthians 4:16
May 18, 2008
-James 5:8
December 30, 2007
-2 Corinthians 6:2
September 23, 2007
Tags: death, Jesus, life, purpose, time
Posted in Morning Soul Food | No Comments »
For them …
Written by FAVORED1 on November 12, 2008 – 11:11 am -
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
But He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.(Isaiah 53:5 New Living Translation)
Good Morning Beloved,
. I noticed something yesterday. My family and I traveled to the Living Waters Theater in Pennsylvania to see “The Voices of Christmas“. It was a beautiful production. Live animals, great actors, glorious sets and costumes, magnificent choreography, beautiful voices raised in song to celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. It was held in an intimate atmosphere conducive to worship. My daughter laughs because I don’t cry easily, but some things make me cry like a baby. Yesterday was one of those times. When they enacted a piece telling the story of George Frideric Handel, and how he came to write “Handel’s Messiah”, I was in awe. When they started to sing the “Hallelujah Chorus”, I was mesmerized, but when an elderly man rose to his feet during the song, to honor God, and people all over the auditorium stood up like a wave… that is when my tears flowed… and I wasn’t the only one. What a beautiful experience! The presence of God was evident and powerful. It was one of those moments I wish I could have frozen in time. What I find interesting is how that project was born out of a man who was going through turmoil. Broke and despondent, a letter from a friend, gave him purpose. The friend approached him with an opportunity to help other people, which actually drew Handel closer to God. While composing this work, he felt God, and when we listen to it … so do we. It is amazing. I have a good friend, Arlene. She is a great woman of God, with an amazing voice. I don’t think she realizes how beautiful it really is. She gets many compliments on her singing, but what people don’t realize is how much suffering she has endured over the years. How much loss, grief, deaths of loved ones, (including her mom, dad, a niece, a nephew, and two of her brothers), abuse, humiliation, betrayal, poverty, and sadness. She has gone through so much, and has managed not to allow bitterness to settle in her heart. She has been hurt, but she still has a heart that is tender towards God and people. She is generous, hard working and thoughtful. A child of God. Marvin Sapp is another one. His encouraging anthem, “Never Would Have Made It”, isn’t just any song; it’s very near and dear to Sapp’s heart.
It was particularly out of the pain and grief over his father’s death that the song was born — written the Sunday after Dr. Sapp buried his father.“The Lord said to me, ‘Marvin, there’s something you need to understand,’” Sapp explained. “Although your father isn’t with you physically, I will never leave you nor will I forsake you. I will be with you always even until the end of the earth’. Then I walked into the pulpit with my Bible. When God began to assure me that He was there for me, I stood up. I grabbed the microphone and started singing, ‘Never Would Have Made It,’” he recalled.
…. and that dearly Beloved is Good News.
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Tags: country, death, Handel, Jesus, majesty, Messiah, peace
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