Breakfast For Your Soul

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

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

Psalm 18:2

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

[Psalm 119:114]

… and that Beloved of God, is Good News!

U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

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

“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

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

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

Fort Peace -Philippians 4:6,7 31 of 127   If your mind is being bombarded by fear and worry and doubt, seek the shelter of God’s peace by going to Him in prayer. May 27, 2007

When Fear Knocks… -Mark 4:40 29 of 127   When Fear knocks..let Faith answer the door. May 13, 2007

Lion of Judah -Deuteronomy 28:7 7 of 127   In Revelation 5:5, Jesus is referred to as the Lion of the tribe of Judah. Like a lion, our Lord is powerful and strong, and able to protect us from the enemy. January 1, 2007

Highway Exit -Matthew 7:13 8 of 127   The Hebrew word translated repent is nacham, which means to turn around, or change one’s mind. On the highway of sin, there is only one destination. Repentance takes us in the opposite direction, to the road that leads to life. January 1, 2007

Don’t Worry -Matthew 6:26,27 12 of 127   It can be easy to let yourself fall into the trap of worrying about money. We must learn to trust that God will take care of us, and provide for us, just as He takes care of the birds of the air. January 1, 2007

King James Version view cartoons in Biblical order Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters

Dynamite -Mark 11:23 13 of 127   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. January 13, 2007

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

Killer Dog -Romans 8:13 116 of 116   Sin may seem harmless when Satan tries to sell it to us. But it will soon grow into a devouring monster, that will eventually kill us, if we don’t, by the Spirit, kill it first. March 22, 2009

Dinner Bell -Luke 14:17 103 of 116   The good news is that, through Jesus, everyone is invited to take a seat at the table of God’s blessing. We need to be telling the world about the blessing Christ has provided for them. November 23, 2008

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]

 

 

 

Good Morning Beloved,

 

What a beautiful day it is!  Unseasonably warm isn’t it DC metro?  This is that “get-outside-and-do-what-you-need-to-do-out-there-before-the-real-winter-comes” weather.  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:

“Farther Along”, Rev. E. Dewey Smith, Jr.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7JGahCqGH4

 Farther Along
Words and Music by J.R.Baxter and W.B.Stevens
© 1937 Stamps-Baxter Music

Tempted and tried, we’re oft made to wonder
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.

When death has come and taken our loved ones,
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.

Faithful til death, said our loving Master
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 we see Jesus, coming in glory,
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.