Wednesday, June 23, 2010

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I Am He.  I do nothing on My own but say only what the Father taught Me. And the One who sent Me is with Me—He has not deserted Me. For I always do what pleases Him.” Then many who heard Him say these things believed in Him.  Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, “You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

[John 8:28-31]

BELIEF IN THE MIDST OF A SEA OF UNBELIEF

Good Morning Beloved,

What a beautiful day!  I hope you’re having a good one.  “The people who believed in Him”, grabs my attention in this text.  To fully appreciate this, we have to read the whole chapter.  Remember the woman caught in the act of adultury?  Yeah… this exchange occurred after that.  The Pharisees questioned Jesus… relentlessly.  They were always trying to find a fault in Him.  Hoping that He would slip up and say or do something they could use against Him.  What ended up happening?  People in the crowd heard the truth and believed on Him.  In the middle of all of the great thinkers, powerful leaders and naysayers, people still believed.  In our society, the “great thinkers and powerful leaders” have become increasing wise and subtle in their tactics.  Same spirit… different methods.  Their goal is still to discredit Jesus.  Another strategy that I’ve noticed is to make Jesus seem boring and “uncool” (which is crazy… Jesus is the epitome of “cool”).  Have you noticed how folks are able to take somthing that should be common sense, and completely switch it upside down? (good evil.. evil good) My family and I love Orlando Florida.  While on vacation at Universal Studios, it began to downpour.  We’re used to seeing that, but what caught my attention… was that there was an entertainer on stage.. and the show was not canceled.  In the midst of pouring rain, lightning, and thunder … nobody moved.  They continued to rock to the guy on stage who spoke of all that was “messed up”.  He talked about current events… the oil spill, the wars, the immigration laws.  His solution to the problems… “give me some liquor in a big ‘ole cup so you and me can be what… Messed Up!” … seriously… that’s what he actually said.  I thought about how many folks skip church when it rains, or if it is too hot or too cold.  If someone gets on our nerves or we feel tired we skip it.  Interesting.  Not only were these folks braving the elements to see their guy, but they were HAPPY about it.  Mind you… the vast population had no umbrella or covering, but they were smiling, laughing, dancing and jumping up and down in excitement.  Nothing “dampened” their joy.  This is how it was with “the people” who heard Jesus, and how it should be with us as 21st century disciples of Jesus.  Food for thought, how do we present Jesus in our everyday life.  Honestly, are we unwittingly presenting Jesus as boring? ..an afterthought?  Do we carry the attitude that I’ve had my “fun” back in the day, now I’ve settled down, gotten serious and I’m living for God.  Is there something that is more interesting to us than God?  Do we not realize that God desires to be part of everything that we are part of ().  YEP.  We are, as Paul describes, “an ambassador in bonds”.  Think of it like this.. we’re handcuffed to Jesus.  Wherever we go, He goes.. Whatever we’re doing .. He’s doing.  Does that strike fear or faith in your heart?  He’s our friend to no end.  He is not frowning at us as we relax by the pool.  He is not standing outside when we’re in the annual Board Meeting.  He is a part of us.. so is His Word.  The goal is soul winning and the Bible tells us that those who win souls are wise.  He will use our personality and His Word that is imbedded in our heart to reach those around us.  Jesus said He would never leave nor forsake us. He also said that whoever is ashamed of Him, He will be ashamed of in front of His Father and the Angels.  Stuff that tends to grab our headlines will be completely meaningless then.  We won’t care who’s sleeping with whom, how much so and so made in their last film, or the latest piece of juicy gossip.  It will all seem so silly.  We will see that it was all basically a distraction to keep us from what was truly important.  The Pharisees were well-educated and sharply dressed.  They appeared Holy men who had it “going on”.  Yet, people were able to look past their brilliance and see the Truth.  The good news is that we have the ability to do the same.  No matter what is going on around us, we are able to see Jesus.  We see His brilliance.  We believe Him even though we’ve never physically seen Him.  We know Him to be real.  We know His Word to be Truth.  We know that after all is said and done, He will stand alone … triumphant over every other school of thought.  We are blessed to know Him.  Let us be the ones who can stand in the storms of life, dancing, singing and smiling… knowing that the God of our Salvation has everything in control and will take that mess and squeeze a blessing out of it…

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

“He Reigns”, Kevin LaVar & One Sound

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

“Like Never Before”, William Murphy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNRxUDxfsI

“All Hail The King”, Shekinah Glory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwB-Q4F89RM

“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3uwlVfReVA

“I Desire More”, Crystal Aiken

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u3nWrD2nF9o

Friday, June 4, 2010

Jesus said unto him, If you can believe, all things are possible to him that believes.

[Mark 9:23]

 “Can U Believe It? .. Then Leap!”

Good Afternoon Beloved,

Happy Friday!  Mark 9 was a tough situation.  The man’s son was tormented by an evil spirit.  He knew what it was, but was powerless to help his son. This father was desperate.  He was broken hearted.  He didn’t want to “bother” Jesus with his problem, so he went to the disciples for help.  Evidently they tried, but were unsuccessful.  What I found interesting is that Jesus expected them to be able to cast out this demon.

“¹⁹ Jesus said to them,“You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.”

wow… can you tell that Jesus was just a little… uhhh… perturbed at His people.  Not exactly the pushover society wants to make Him out to be.  He spoke with authority and power.  His love is boundless, and part of that love is “tough”.  His tone, gentle or firm fits the situation.  It is the same with us.  He knows when we need an arm around our shoulder and a good cry, and He knows when it’s time to dry up the tears and get to work. A muscle that is not used will eventually weaken to the point of uselessness.  Sometimes we need to have the boldness and honesty of that grieving father. “Lord I believe, help my unbelief“… At first glance, it looks like the man was “double-minded”.  I believe he was being honest. He knew this Man could do miraculous things.  Jesus was the biggest thing going in town.  Everyone knew of Him and what He had done.  The question in the man’s heart was not if He could heal his son, but could He heal his son.  Huh!?  In other words, I know you can do it Jesus… but can you do it for me?  I’ve seen you do miracles in other people’s lives.  I’ve seen you save their children, bless them financially, provide homes for them, heal their bodies, strengthen their marriages… but… can you do it for me? … will you do it for me?.  “It’s me, it’s me it’s me oh Lord standing in the need of prayer”… For some that sounds strange.  Like we our too focused on ourselves.  Balance.  There is a time and season for every purpose under heaven.  There comes a point in all of our lives when we must take inventory on our life.  Discover those areas that need ‘tweaking’ and those that require a major overhaul.  Going through our dreams and goals and making the necessary adjustments.  Yesterday, I saw a post by my dear sister Elise that read:

Just when I turned my FAITH up so I can’t hear DOUBT calling me. Now FEAR is banging on my door. I’m not sure if I can tune it out. It’s banging real real loud…

That really stuck in my heart and resonated with me.  I told her:

When Faith is turned up to block out the doubt that is screaming at us & fear is banging on the door ..<thanks Elise >.. let the WORD answer them.. “God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think according to the power that works in us” (Ephesians 3:20)

 We need to realize that Jesus wasn’t only talking to the traumatized father in Mark 9, He included ALL of us who trust in Him, in this conversation when He said, 

all things are possible to him (or her) that believes

When we “leap”, He will catch us…

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend!

Regina

“Awesome God”, Helen Baylor

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkCti5rDSEU

“My Life, My Love, My All”, Kirk Franklin

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jDlXyqo7Lb0

“Draw Me Close To You”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLNL49TFC_8

“Breathe”, Michael W. Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad8ov10AjY

“Awesome Wonder”, Trent Cory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pCo04_puOJ0

“It’s A New Season”, Israel & New Breed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDUrIVGak-A

“Your Latter Will Be Greater”, Israel & New Breed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6j5gTIXmsOs

“I Give Myself Away”, William McDowell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4v5IXbEauM

“Closer/Wrap Me In Your Arms”, William McDowell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qceQsAAyah0

“He Is”, William McDowell

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-sHDghuYa4

“Just Wanna Say”, Israel Houghton

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6N7d3A39rls

Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Then said He unto me, son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, the LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.
[Ezekiel 8:12]

*******

So God created man in His own image, in the image of GOD created He him; male and female created He them.

[Genesis 1:27]

In The Image Of … Who?

Good Afternoon Beloved,

God made us… so He knows us.  He knows all of our thoughts, our imaginations, our secrets, our motivations.  That is both scary and wonderful.  Ever stop to think about what God sees in the course of a day.  The death, destruction, debauchery and decay, in the midst of the beauty, innocence, goodness and love.  The faithful among those who twist and pervert His Word at every turn.  Those who would create God in their own image, instead of recognizing that we were made in HIS image.  That thought is stuck in my heart.  God has made it so easy to know Him.  He has placed His own Spirit within us so that we can become more like Him, and He gave us His Holy Word that we can learn of Him.  The more we learn, the more assurance we should have.  I say “should have” because I know that there are people who have spent countless hours in bible study, only to still lead lives of confusion and self-destruction.  We need to have something else.  The Bible says that:

For unto us was the Gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the Word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.  [Hebrews 4:2]

Faith is something we all have.  We were all given a measure of faith by our God.  Even those who refuse to acknowledge Jesus as Lord of their lives have faith in something.  When our faith is focused, things begin to happen.  As a side note… do you realize that fear is actually faith in reverse.  Trusting and believing in the negative.  We need to take inventory of everything we’re afraid of… everything we’re afraid to do, and get to the root of what the problem is.  I used to be afraid to speak in public.  An unexpected benefit of working in theater ministry is that it completely killed that fear.  The root of my fear, was a fear of looking crazy or saying something foolish.  I was afraid I would fall or embarrass myself… I have experienced ALL of the above, so now… no worries!  I have several friends who have started various ministries.  All of them have the same things in common.  They all love God with all of their hearts, and they are all working toward their vision.  They are not sitting around, waiting for something to happen.  They are filing corporation papers, installing officers in their companies, producing Gospel Stage plays, writing books, etc. etc.  They are doing the “work” of the ministry.  They are all praying and seeking God for direction.  They are all “waiting” on the Lord, but they are not idle.  They have put their hands to the plow and are working in the vineyard. Their Father in Heaven who made them in His image, sees their labor of love, that for many of them, goes unnoticed by people.  He sees and He will reward them openly, because He sees Himself in them… you too.

…. and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

“I Wanna Know Your Ways”, Fred Hammond & RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGM9DxZkDCQ

“Inside Out”, Hillsong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2bXfNj3dvk

“Lead Me To The Cross”, Hillsong

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdq9Q8wJdjc

“This Is The Air I Breathe”, Michael W. Smith

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oad8ov10AjY

“Draw Me Close To You”

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

“It’s Already Done”, Evelyn Turrentine Agee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szWsf3FDp8g

“God Did It”, Evelyn Turrentine Agee

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGQyGQVM628

“Jesus Can Work It Out”, Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer (Original w/Diane Williams)

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF6K-Iiqshg

“Jesus Can Work It Out”, Cosmopolitan Church of Prayer (UPDATED w/Diane Williams)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cfbyj6AdPBY

Friday, January 22, 2010

 May GOD give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of GOD and JESUS our LORD.  By His divine power, GOD has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know Him, the one who called us to Himself by means of His marvelous glory and excellence. And because of His glory and excellence, He has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share His divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.  In view of all this, make every effort to respond to GOD’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our LORD JESUS CHRIST.

GROWIN’ UP IN JESUS

Good Morning Beloved,

I hope you’re having a wonderful and productive day today.  Rendering unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are His.  Meditating on this verse reminds me of our children.  Our ministry is full of these beautiful miracles of God.  All ages and stages of development.  We love newborns and toddlers. They are exciting to watch. Constantly changing.  Learning new things everyday.  How to sit.. to crawl…to stand… take those first wobbly steps.  New words.. phrases.  The first realization that they really understood the sentence they just said.  Pre-pubescent kids are fun too.  They almost have an unnatural wisdom and grow at breakneck speed.  And then come the “tween” and teen years.  At this point, between the hormones coursing through their little systems, and their insights and opinions on everything, as well as their need to question everything and everyone…. adults tend to shake their heads and pray for God’s strength not to seriously hurt their little darlings.  At that point, there is a pulling away that while normal can be very painful for both parent and child.  I used to tease my daughter Jah and tell her that she and her family were going to live with me.  Well, spiritually that is how we progress.  We start off as babes, excited growing by leaps and bounds.. falling… getting up.. skinning our spiritual knees… and crying because we don’t want the Father to touch it because we’re afraid it will hurt too much.  Then after He has applied the cooling salve of His healing ointment on our wounded places, we wonder why we spent so much time running from Him in the first place.  It is a time when our faith is on an all-time high.  We believe God and trust Him totally.  Simple child faith.  Then we enter our spiritual puberty.  This is a place where we’ve learned much, but our foundation is still being set.  We tend to stick close to the Word, and have no reservations crying out to God when we feel lost or need help.  Then comes adolescence… We’re “grown” now.  Not you, but somebody somewhere.  Now, we’ve heard every sermon, and could preach it better than the minister.  If we’re not “prayerful”, we can become distracted and cold towards the things of God.  Picking apart every scripture as if we have more knowledge, and spiritual revelation than the One who wrote the book.  I’ve heard people expound on certain verses by saying, “well, see it really didn’t mean that because there was an error in the translation and they “probably” meant to say…” Spiritual arrogance.  Remember, God’s Word says that “pride goes before a fall“ .  The sad truth is, once a person has made up their mind not to believe in the inerrant Word of God and trust it as final authority, their life has already begun a downward spiral.  The won’t have the peace and joy they once had.  They become cynical, angry, distrustful and judgmental.  All the time, their Father is looking on them with eyes of compassion and waiting for them to “come to themselves” and turn to Him.  The Bible tells us that “who the Lord loves He chastens (or corrects).  Chastening is never meant to drive the person away, it is for their own good.  I had an experience with my daughter when she was about 4 years old.  She stole a granola bar from the CVS.  She didn’t even eat granola bars at the time.  We were home before I saw the evidence of her theft.  I wasn’t driving at the time, but I went back to the bus stop and caught the bus back up to the store and asked to see the manager.  I told her to tell him what she had done.  “I sorry I stealed”, she said quickly handing him the bar.  She looked terrified.  Like she was about to be arrested.  Inside I was thinking, “that is the cutest thing… ahh .. my baby”.. but I kept a straight face.  The manager was very wise and instead of laughing it off, or downplaying it because she was just so darned cute, he gave her a good talking to on the seriousness of her deed, and made her promise never to steal again.  She is 21 now and one of most honest and trustworthy people I know.  Did I do that to humiliate her?  No.  I did it because I loved her.  I knew that in a few short years her “petty crime” would bring about stiff penalities and jail time.  We (the CVS manager and I) had to nip her little criminal act, before it actually became a real live crime spree.  For those who work in retail, shoplifting is an all to common occurrence… from the youngest to the oldest.  I’m sure he was all to happy to see one child taught such a valuable lesson.  It was worth the extra bus fare and the little inconvenience to raise such a remarkable young woman.  God is looking at us in much the same way.  His goal is a mature child of God made in His image and after His likeness, but developed after His nature.  This child that He can trust with His anointing.  That He can display as an example of His own handiwork.  That He can use to bless nations.

… and that Beloved is Good News!

Y Stress? … U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend!

Regina

“Rain On Us”, Ernest Pugh

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4EH7-TQj0k

“Fall On Me”, Shekinah Glory

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

“All Hail The King”, Shekinah Glory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TwB-Q4F89RM

“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3uwlVfReVA

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believes on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.  And whatsoever you shall ask in My Name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.  If you shall ask any thing in My name, I will do it.  If you love Me, keep My commandments.

[John 14:12-15]

What Do You Want? … The Price … Belief ..

I’ll give you peace, when the storm is raging.
I’ll be your light when the road ahead seems dim.
I have the power. Just put your trust in me.
Anything you need, have faith indeed.
Just ask, Just ask In my name
Just ask, Just ask in my name

I am the Lord, I can move all mountains
I’ll be your strength, when you’re weary, weak and torn
Believe in my promise. cast all your cares upon me
Anything you need, have faith indeed.
Just ask, Just ask In my name
Just ask, Just ask in my name

Chorus
In my name all things are possible
I’m able to do the impossible
In my name all can come boldly before me
Yes in my name
I am the father, Just put your trust in me
Anything you need, have faith indeed
just ask, just ask in my name
Just ask, just ask

Chorus

There is power
Power in the name (repeat 2X)
joy, in the name (repeat 2x)
love, in the name (repeat 2x)
I’ve got peace, in the midst of the storm.
I’ve got pe-eace in the name.
I’ve got joy in my name.
I’ve got love, its all in the name.
If your looking for love its all in the name.
Just ask in my name

[In My Name, Milton Bronson and the Thompson Community Singers]

Good Afternoon Beloved,

What would you do if God walked up to you and said, “What do you want?” … What would you say?  Is any of us really prepared for that question?  Well, we should be… because He said it already.   If we believe in Him, we will trust Him.  If we trust Him, we will obey His commandments knowing that He will not ’steer’ us wrong.  His love for us is perfect and it is in that perfect love that fear is ‘cast out’.  When our existence is wrapped up in the love of God, we can ask for anything, because our heart will be so entwined with His heart that our requests are actually coming from Him… ummph… wow… (pause) …. that is our goal… with God all things are possible….

… and that Beloved is Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

“In My Name”, by Milton Bronson & The Thompson Community Singers

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fEQ5YL3rh4

“All In His Hands”, The Hallelujah Chorus

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev3OPw2tvVo

***

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY TO MY SISTER-IN-CHRIST ALVINA… Her birthday was yesterday… my prayer is that the love of God continue to fill you to overflowing, that He bless all of your hope and dreams and that you are fulfilled in Him.  God bless you for the heart of compassion and love that you demonstrate for everybody who is blessed to know you every day. 

Love you my sister!

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

I received a message written by Tyler Perry and … MY GOD! … I was so moved I had to re post… a powerful testament of what forgiveness looks like and the freedom that comes along with it.  It is a long, but worthy read .

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

Subject: A Message from Tyler Perry – We’re all PRECIOUS in His sight

Hi there.

I know I’ve been a little quiet lately but I’ve been in silent reflection, quiet meditation, and prayer. Turning 40 is such a blessing. Especially because as I child I always thought I would die before I grew up.

If life begins at 40, then I owe the little boy that I was my life. Case in point, not long ago, I was brought a film to watch to see what I thought of it. It’s called PRECIOUS, based on the novel PUSH by Sapphire.

I sat at home watching this movie not knowing what to expect. After the movie was over, I sat there for a long time just thinking about what I had just witnessed. I watched all the things that Precious, a 16-year-old girl in the film, went through. I watched her mother be unusually cruel to her and I realized at that moment that a large part of my childhood had just played out before my eyes. It hit me so hard, I sat there in tears realizing that somehow, by the grace of God, I made it through. My tears were tears of joy, being thankful that I made it.

Believe me when I tell you, PRECIOUS is a powerful film. After seeing it, I had to be involved. I didn’t write it or direct it, nor am I making any money from it. Oprah and I both are giving any proceeds we would make to charity. I just wanted to get as many people to see it as I can. It gave me so much hope after watching it. For everyone who has been a Precious, male or female, this movie will make you so glad you made it through.

It took me through some raw emotions and brought me to some things and
places in my life that I needed to deal with but had long forgotten. It brought back memories so strong that I can smell and taste them. Like, when I was very young, my mother decided to leave my father…she had had enough of his insanity. She loaded me and my two sisters up in an old Cadillac that he had bought for her, and drove to California. When he realized she was gone, he called the police and reported the car stolen, as it was in his name. My mother was arrested and my two sisters and I were put in the cell with her. He and my uncle drove from Louisiana to California to get us. We spent several days in jail waiting for him. He bailed her out and couldn’t wait to get her into the car. He got into the back seat with us and beat her black and blue from California to Louisiana, as me and my sisters watched.  Even though I was only two or three, I know that this had to have some effect on me.

I’m tired of holding this in. I don’t know what to do with it anymore, so, I’ve decided to give some of it away…

Memories at 40: Not long ago, I was asked to speak at an engagement. I
walked in and I was told that they had assigned a person to take care of me while I was there. She walked up to me, all of 5′2″ of her, and asked if I needed anything. I looked at her and started to sweat. It took me back thirty-something years to her apartment. I couldn’t have been more than 10 years old when I went over to play with her son and Matchbox cars.
She opened the door in skimpy lingerie. There was a man sitting on the couch, smoking. She told me that her son was in the bedroom. I was there
playing with him about 20 minutes when I heard the man arguing with her.
He said he was leaving and slammed the door. She came into the bedroom
and told me that I had to go home. She told her son to take a bath and she locked him in the bathroom. I was at the front door trying to get out, when she came in and laid on the sofa and asked me if I wanted the key. I told her I had to go home as it was getting dark. She put the key inside of herself and told me to come get it, pulling me on top of her.

Memories at 40: “What the f*#K are you reading books for?! That’s
bull*#*T!”

“You F*#*ing jackass! You got book sense but you ain’t got no mothaf*#*en common sense! You ain’t sh*t and ain’t never gonna be sh*t!” I heard this every day of my childhood. As my father would beat and belittle me, he played all kinds of mind games with me. He knew I loved cookies as a kid, most kids do. So he would buy them and put them on top of the fridge and when I would eat them he would beat me mercilessly.

My mother was out one night, as she loved to play bingo, and my father came home…mad at the world. He was drunk, as he was most of the time.
He got the vacuum cleaner extension cord and trapped me in a room and
beat me until the skin was coming off my back. To this day, I don’t know
what would make a person do something like that to a child. But thank
God that in my mind, I left. I didn’t feel it anymore, just like in PRECIOUS. How this girl would leave in her mind. I learned to use my gift, as it was my imagination that let me escape.  After he was done with his rant he passed out. Since my aunt lived two doors down, I ran to her. She saw me and was horrified. She loaded her 357 and went to kill him. Holding a gun to his head, her husband came and stopped her.

Memories at 40: I got a call not long ago from a friend. He told me that a man that I knew from church when I was a kid had died and he didn’t have any insurance. His family was trying to reach out to me to see if I would pay for his funeral. I quickly said no, but I wish I would have said yes.  There is something so powerful to me in burying the man that molested me.  I wish I would have dug the grave myself.

Memories at 40: I was about 8 or 9 years old. I had a crush on a little girl across the street. She would come over to my house and we’d play.  She was about 12 or 13. One day she stopped coming and when I asked her
why, she told me that my father was touching her. I didn’t believe her, so I walked her into staying one night. We were both asleep — she was in one bed and I was in another. I opened my eyes to see my father trying to touch her and her pushing him away. I moved in my bed trying to make him think I was waking up. He looked over at me and left out of the room. Not long after that, he beat me mercilessly for something again. Another mind game set up, so I told my mother what he had done.  The blood drained from her face. We left that day. We were at my Aunt’s house and he came there about 1am. Not long after that we were back at home. Nothing would compare to the random, drunken, violent beatings I would receive from then until I was 19.

Memories at 40: We would spend the summers in the country, with my father’s adoptive mother. As a kid I was always sick. I had asthma and he hated it. He hated that I wasn’t strong and viral like him. He hated that I couldn’t be in the sawdust, pollen and the raw lumber like him.  He hated that I liked to read and write and draw. He hated that me and my middle sister were darker-skinned than him. He didn’t think he could make a dark baby. He just hated everything about me I guess. Anyway, I had to go to the doctor every Tuesday to get shots to control my allergies. When his mother found out she said, “Ain’t nothing wrong with that damn boy…he just got germs on him. Stop wasting all that money.”  When my mother left to visit some friends I heard what sounded like water running in a tub but it was sporadic. She came and got me out of the living room leaving my Matchbox cars on the floor. She said she was going to kill these germs on me once and for all. She gave me a bath in ammonia.

Grateful at 40: I was asked recently how I made it through all of this, (half has not even been told) and my answer to that is…I know for a fact that there is a GOD. When my father would say or do those things to me, I would hear this voice inside of me say, “That’s not true” or, “Don’t believe that” or, “You’re going to make it through this”.  I didn’t know at the time what “it” was, but today I surely have no doubt that “it” was GOD. That voice always gave me comfort. It allowed me to hold on. It kept me from being strung out on drugs, from dying when I wanted to commit suicide. It kept me from being a gang banger or drug dealer. Worse than all of those things put together, it kept me from being him. It brought angels to comfort me after every foul, harsh word
or every welt on my legs or back.  GOD, only GOD.

To know that the little boy that I was went through all that — he went through and made it. Then me, as a man…I have to take on the responsibility of forgiving all of those people. I owe it to that little boy that I was and, more than that, I owe it to the man that I am.  Think about it, as a child we have no recourse. We have nowhere to go.  We have to endure it. But as adults, we have choices. I choose to forgive with all my might. Forgiveness has been my weapon of choice. It has helped to free me.

If you’re having a hard time getting over something in your life, maybe you can try forgiveness too. It’s not easy, but it does bring forth healing. I know that there are a lot of people out there with stories far worse than mine but you, too, can make it. To those of you who have, welcome to life. I celebrate you. We’re all PRECIOUS in His sight.

TP

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Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Pilate therefore said unto Him, Are You a king then? Jesus answered, You say that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth.  Every one that is of the truth hears My voice.

John 18:37 

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

Battle Prayer
By: Elzie Mayfield Williams

High above the clouded sky
my rescued soul rejoices
It bid my wretched self, good-bye
and arose above bad choices

I prayed, Dear Lord, Deliver me
He heard my urgent request
His grace took hold and set me free
and put my soul at rest

(so) I thank you lord, so very much
for sending forth your Son
and when I’m tested, I’ll seek your touch
for I know in my heart the battle’s already won

Good Morning Beloved,

Thank God for Truth.  Contrary to popular opinion, there is a Truth that never changes.  The Truth of the Gospel… God sending His son for lost humanity (John 3:16).  Jesus is the way, the TRUTH and the life no one comes to the Father except by Him (John 14:6).  He is the door (John 10:7).  Jesus told Pilate that everyone who is of the truth will hear Him.  They hear Him in their heart.  What He says will connect with their spirit.  My mother used to tell me not to argue with people over the bible.  No matter how well thought out your point, there are some who do not want to believe, and will argue, just for the sake of arguing.  They have already made up their mind, they do not want Jesus or the Bible.  We are admonished to “go into the highways and hedges and compel them to come” (Luke 14:23), but there is also a time when we will have to “shake the dust off of our feet and move on” (Mark 6:11).  We use discernment, to distinguish between the two.  Hearing and receiving the Truth is how we all became children of God.  By the same token, hearing and receiving truth is our answer to whatever question we are dealing with today.  Sometimes the truth hurts.  It is not pleasant to hear what we are doing, or not doing, that is contributing to the problem, but when we take heed change is inevitable.  It is worth the initial ‘hurt feelings’ if in the end we fix the issue.  Remember the ultimate goal is for us to look like Jesus… different looks, likes, dislikes, assignments, personalities… same Holy Spirit… same destination.

…. and that Beloved is Good News!

U Blessed!

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina 

“Here I Am”, Kevin LeVar and One Sound

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=arJGD6qqPCo

“He Reigns”, Kevin and One Sound

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

“Well Done”, Tye Tribbett & GA

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

Balloon Popper -John 8:31,32 82 of 130   Satan’s lies can seem scary, but they are no match for the truth of God, found in His word. June 1, 2008     King James Version view cartoons in Biblical order Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters Concentration -Isaiah 26:3 34 of 130   There are plenty of voices in this world telling us that we are going to fail. But if we keep our attention on the Lord and His Word, and trust in Him, we will succeed. June 17, 2007 Made To Fly -Ephesians 2:10 79 of 130   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.

Shepherd’s Voice -John 10:27 120 of 130   With all of the voices there are in our lives, from the television, radio, internet, etc. we need to remember to take time to listen to the voice of Jesus, our shepherd. April 26, 2009

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
[Hebrews 11:1]

“Now Faith”

Good Morning Beloved,

This morning is so pretty.  The sun is shining… just lovely…and cold.  However, the forecast today calls for sunny skies and highs in the 60’s.  I mused over the sight of people in light jackets, and thin sweaters.  Some were not wearing jackets at all… over the word of the Meteorologist.  That is faith.  Now tonight, according to the same forecasters, the temps could go down to the 30’s… hopefully the non-coat wearing people will be indoors by that time.  OK… laying my weather girl hat aside, the verse “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” leaped in my heart.  No one has ever ’seen’ this day before, but they believe that it will be warm, because they have put a measure of trust in the weatherperson.  They have invested their comfort, and even their health into what that person said late last night, or early this morning.  Some have even planned their day accordingly.  That is great faith.  We have it, sometimes it just needs to be re-directed.  Ever been around a person that sees a dark cloud no matter how sunny the day.  These folks are always waiting for tragedy to strike.  They can never truly enjoy anything because they live in a constant state of, “yeah but, and what if”.  We are admonished to “be sober and vigilant”, and to also know that we are ‘more than conquerors”.

… and that Family is Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day… enjoy the sun.. and the Son

Regina

“God Has Not Forgot”, TONEX

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYbnIDuHQ5o

“Standing In Your Will”, Men of Standard

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

“Your Will”, Darius Brooks

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qxs0sfURZM

“Because of Who You Are”, Vicki Yohe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6WexG9uAJI

Faith Fuel -Romans 10:17 5 of 118   We need to have faith in God to get us down the highway of life, to the destination that God has planned for us. The Word of God is the fuel that keeps our faith moving along. January 1,

Don’t Worry -Matthew 6:26,27 12 of 118   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

Copyright 2009 Michael D. Waters

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Tuesday, February 24, 2009

For we walk by faith, not by sight..
2 Corinthians 5:7

Good Morning Beloved,

Things are not always as they appear.  I remember 2 high school friends, who told me in later years, that they were afraid to approach me.  They thought I was mean and did not want to be bothered.  The truth was I was shy and quiet — in the beginning, but once you got to know me watch out!  That is why it is not good to make assumptions, based on limited knowledge.  The same is true in our Christian journey.  We see many things with our eyes that sometimes directly contradict what God has already told us.  We say, “God, companies are laying off people in droves, businesses are shutting down, the economy is under the toilet”… God said He would, “supply all of our need according to HIS riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippian 4:19)“…  We say, “But God, so many Christians are suffering from crippling depression, thoughts of suicide, anger issues, and mental instability”…  He said, “greater is HE that is within you, then he that is in the world (1 John 4:4)“… We say, “I don’t understand how a loving and powerful God could allow such terrible things to happen” … He said, “trust in ME with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding, but in all your ways acknowledge ME and I will direct your path (Proverbs 3:5)“.. We say, “but God, people who name the name of Christ are dishonoring themselves, compromising and discarding their faith left and right”… He said, “I am the Good Shepherd; I know MY own sheep, and they know ME, (John 10:14) … We say, “yeah, but I don’t feel like a child of God all the time”… HE said, “I will never leave, nor forsake you (Hebrew 13:5)…” … “I am with you always even until the end of this world (Matthew 28:20)“… We say, “God, it’s hard to trust someone we cannot see”… and He says, “blessed are those who believe and have not seen (John 20:29)“… Things are not always as they appear. Things are happening behind the scenes.  Things we would not believe and could not understand right now.  But our senior saints can tell you, we’ll understand it better…. by and by…  Now I know that assaults our information driven psyche.  We have all sorts of knowledge at our fingertips.  We want answers and we want them now.  Good.  Seek answers.  God is never intimidated by an honest question, coming from a sincere heart.  He invited us to “come and reason together with Him“…

… and that Beloved Child of God is Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day!

Regina

Truth vs. Lies -Proverbs 12:19 111 of 112   Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus disarmed the powers and authorities…triumphing over them by the cross. The only weapons Satan has left to him are his lies, but they are no match for the truth of God’s Word. February 15, 2009

Jungle Guide -John 16:13 100 of 112   This world can seem as a dark, impenetrable jungle of various doctrines and beliefs. But, we have the map of God’s Word, and we have a guide, the Holy Spirit, to help us find the path of truth. November 2, 2008

JUST FOR FUN….

Pretty Cool  Don’t ask me!  I don’t know how it’s done!!   ——————————————————- Read out loud the text inside the triangle below.  More than likely you said, ‘A bird in the bush,’! and. …….  if this IS what YOU said, then you failed to see  that the word THE is repeated twice!  Sorry, look again.  Next, let’s play with some words.  What do you see?  In black you can read the word GOOD, in white the word EVIL (inside each black letter is a white letter).      Now, what do you see?  You may not see it at first, but the white spaces read the word optical, the blue landscape reads the word illusion. Look again! Can you see why this painting is called an optical illusion?  What do you see here?  This one is quite tricky!  The word TEACH reflects as LEARN.  Last one.  What do you see?  You probably read the word ME in brown, but…….  when you look through ME you will see YOU!  Do you need to look again?   Test Your Brain  This is really cool. The second one is amazing so please read all the way though.                                   ALZHEIMERS’ EYE TEST     Count every ‘ F ‘ in the following text:  FINISHED FILES ARE THE RE  SULT OF YEARS OF SCIENTI  FIC STUDY COMBINED WITH  THE EXPERIENCE OF YEARS…  (SEE BELOW)  HOW MANY ?  WRONG, THERE ARE 6 – no joke.  READ IT AGAIN !  Really, go Back and Try to find the 6 F’s before you scroll down.    The reasoning behind is further down.  The brain cannot process ‘OF’.     Incredible or what? Go back and look again!!  Anyone who counts all 6 ‘F’s’ on the first go is a genius.                      Three is normal, four is quite rare.  Send this to your friends.  It will drive them crazy.!  And keep them occupied  For several minutes..!      look at the spinning woman and if she is turning right your right side of your brain is working If she is turning left your left side of your brain is working . If she turns both ways for you then you have a 160 or better IQ  More Brain Stuff .  From Cambridge University .  Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs.  I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty  uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg. The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid, aoccdrnig  to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn’t mttaer in waht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can s itll raed it wouthit a porbelm.   Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas tghuhot slpeling was ipmorantt! if you can raed tihs psas it on  !!

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Monday, January 5, 2009

 He loves righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

[Psalm 33:5]

Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness and forbearance and long suffering; not knowing that the goodness of GOD leadeth thee to repentance?

[Romans 2:4]

“umm-ummm Good”

Good Morning Beloved,

I’m feeling really ‘churchy’ this morning!  LOL!!  I have tears in my eyes just thinking about God’s goodness in my life.  He brought me into another year… He didn’t have to.  He brought my beautiful family and my dear friends through.   So many didn’t make it… so many are in critical life and death situations as I write this.  I just gotta give God all my praise and testify that God is so Good.  I may have little issues and minor irritations, but I have no complaints… oh He is so very, very ‘God’ …. and so, so, so very good.  Beautiful, magnificent, splendid absolutely worthy of all praise.  All sufficient, all-knowing, all-powerful, completely perfect in every way.  I visited the mother of our church in the hospital, mother Alice Hughes.  She was my daughter’s first baby-sitter.  She kept my daughter from the time she was 4 months old, until she started school.  My daughter is 20 and everybody knows that she is “Ms. Alice’s baby”.  Ms. Alice has so many children, grand-children and great-grand-children she herself has lost count, but my daughter is still special to her… she’s always sneaking her something.  The doctor’s have diagnosed her with cancer and say she has about 6 months to live.  Please keep her and her family lifted in prayer.  We know that God has the final say so.  Ms. Alice has reassured her family that which ever way it goes, she is going to be alright.  She is ready to go home … to her physical home and to be with Jesus.  She has so much peace and she looks absolutely beautiful.  She tells everybody that will listen that the devil is a liar … God is real … and He is good …

Family that is Good News!

“Umm Good”, Smokie Norful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQh_Y0QmQyg

“God Is Good”, Regina Belle

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dy4dwdJKiy4

Garment of Praise -Isaiah 61:3 91 of 105   All around us in this world is the spirit of heaviness, despair and depression. The garment of praise can protect us from these, even though it may look silly to some. August 10, 2008

Fighter -1 Timothy 6:12 90 of 105   I heard someone say that a good fight is one you win. In our fight of faith, we can take courage from knowing that God promises that we will win in the end. August 3, 2008

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Friday, December 5, 2008     Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (Philippians 4:1) ~~~~~~~~~ Be on guard.  Stand firm in the faith.  Be courageous.  Be strong.  {1 Corinthians 16:13}        ‘Still Standing‘         Good Morning Beloved,   Happy Friday Saints!  This is the day the Lord has made, let’s rejoice and be glad in it! Stand!  Through life’s challenges and triumphs, I let my mind roll back to the days when I first got excited about Jesus. God uses different methods to get our attention.  With me it was music.  I’ve always loved music.  Music has a way of locking in a memory.  This morning I’ve been traveling down memory lane with the songs I fell in love with, when I started listening to Gospel music back in the 80’s.  The Georgia Mass Choir, Richard Smallwood, The Winans, The Hawkins, James Cleveland, Keith Pringle, The Clark Sisters, The Mighty Clouds, John P. Kee. Tramaine Hawkins (remember the controversy over ‘Fall Down On Me”… it was considered ‘worldly’)… Then I found Fred Hammond and RFC, Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, Vickie Winans, Yolanda Adams.  Many great artists who are still on the musical battlefield today.  Many days, when times are tough I hear a song that feeds my spirit and infuses me with strength.  What to do when you don’t know what to do?… STAND.  Stand on what God told you already… Stand on God’s Word… Stand on God’s promises… Stand for what is right… Stand for holiness no matter how ‘old fashioned’ it may be viewed by society.  Remember Stephen in the bible… He took a stand for Jesus… now he was stoned(), but  he was courageous, and he knew what he knew. Do you remember what happened?   He looked up towards heaven, and the very Jesus he stood for… was standing for him.  Jesus gave the man a standing ovation!  Standing is a show of respect.  We know we have the unconditional love of God, but to have His respect…. WOW!   …. now that is Good News!   U Blessed Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Weekend! Regina     “Work it Out/I Don’t Know What You Came To Do”, Beulahland Mass Choir http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpM5byAbNEc   “Stand”, Donnie McClurkin & Marvin Winans http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu1MNU08Au0   “Peace Be Still”, Vanessa Bell-Armstrong http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RAbxsMwHyYc   “Come On In The Room”, Georgia Mass Choir http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCzE_RRnPxg     Lawn Mower -Psalm 91:7 88 of 103   In John 16:33, Jesus says: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Trouble may be mowing down everything around us, but in Jesus, we can stand and not be cut down. July 20, 2008

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