Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

[Hebrews 12:13 New Living Translation]

Steering In The Right Direction

Good Morning Beloved,

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it!

I heard something yesterday that caught my attention.  A news reporter gave safety tips for driving in the snow.   One of the tips was to look where you want to go.  If you don’t want to go into the tree, keep your eyes off of the tree.  His premise was that you will go where your eyes are looking.  That stuck with me and this morning I thought, “ummph… that’ll preach”.  Where our eyes go, our bodies will follow.  Whatever we dwell on will eventually take on life become a reality.  If our mind is on McDonald’s fries, it won’t be long before our legs carry us to McDonald’s.  No one has ever “accidently” had an affair just coming out of the 7 eleven with a Slurpee.  It started off as a thought, some sort of plan… a break-down somewhere.  If we can keep our train of thought from getting ‘derailed’, we can keep ourselves out of a whole lot of trouble.  It is the holiday season and many people are traveling all over to spend some time with family and friends.  Not everyone has as wonderful a relationship with their family as I do.  I know that I am extremely blessed with a great bunch of folks.  Everybody doesn’t have that testimony.  Some are dreading the time they are about to spend with their people.  For them, one day is way too long… two days is misery… three days torture!  Wonder what would happen if they changed their prospective on the situation.  Instead of looking at it as a chore and a duty, why not look at it as a way to start over.  To enjoy them in all of their oddities and idiosyncrasies.  Time is flying and all we have is right now.  Family members are at war over stuff that happened back in the 80’s.  If the thing can be changed … change it, if not let it go.  Life is too short.  Forgiveness is another powerful weapon in our holy arsenal.  If Jesus could forgive those who nailed Him to the cross, surely you can forgive your sister for stealing your boyfriend back in high school… I’m just sayin’.  Just think of all of the recent deaths, young and old.  People who had gone Christmas shopping, gifts from them to their loved ones lying under the tree.  Folks with presents under the Christmas tree who will not be here to open them.  The verse tells us in essence to walk straight, so that others who are weak can walk straight.  Somebody is looking to us to see how to put legs to this Christian walk.  They need to see a real live sure ’nuff honest to goodness flesh-n-blood person love their spouse and honor their marriage vows.  They need to see someone with a well-adjusted state of mind, a good work ethic, a kind and generous spirit that reflects the love of Christ who walks in honesty and integrity.  That may seem to be a tall order… well … it is, but God’s Word assures us that, “we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us”. 

…. that Beloved… is Good News!

Y Stress… U Blessed!

HAVE A FABULOUS DAY!

Regina

my daughter Jah and I Christmas Celebration 2009 ~still not too late to get tickets for the show…it was postponed from last week.  It’s happening this weekend Sat., Dec. 26th (12:00p, 4:00 & 7:00) & Sun., Dec. 27th (5:00p) at Evangel Cathedral, 13901 Central Avenue, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774

www.evangelchristmascelebration.com

… hope to see you there!

“My Mind’s Made Up”, Rev. Milton Bronson and the Thompson Community Choir

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mb90PTvNoiU

“Thank You”, Rev. Milton Bronson, lead:  Kim McFarland

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

“Work On Me”, Tonex

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

“Available to You (part 1)”, Rev. Milton Bronson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4i7z3ga0Fdo

“Available to You (part 2)”, Rev. Milton Bronson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9Fg32AF-BQ

“Say Yes”, Shekinah Glory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76125fjyaSI

Friday, July 24, 2009

 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
[Hebrews 12:1]

Good Morning Beloved,

Happy Friday!  They say a picture is worth a thousand words.  Trust God and run on!  Anything that is weighing us down needs to be shed off.  “A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.” (Proverbs 17:22)  Ever notice how difficult it is to get motivated when you’re feeling a little down. There are people who just can’t seem to function due to a melancholy nature or oppressive circumstances.  Remember the Mary Poppins song, “a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down”… well, that can be a key ingredient.  In the middle of whatever is going on, there is something sweet somewhere… find it.   Somebody, somewhere needs what we have and when we sit on it, it doesn’t do anybody any good.  Remember this story:

 
There was an important job to be done and Everybody was asked to do it. Everybody was sure Somebody would do it.  Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did it.  Somebody got angry about that because it was Every body’s job.  Everybody thought Anybody could do it, but Nobody realized that Everybody wouldn’t do it.  It ended up that Everybody blamed Somebody when actually nobody asked Anybody.

Sometimes, speaking from personal experience, we have to shake ourselves loose from the chains of complacency.  God will not do it for us.  It would be lovely to know in advance exactly what God is doing and why, it would sure make our lives easier.  God is not interested in us living on ‘easy street’.  No one lives there.  Not even the fabulously rich and famous.  We see the glitz and glamour, but we really don’t know how they are living, until we are there.  The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.  Ever stop to consider that maybe their grass is greener because there is more ‘mess’ over there.  What good is a 20 million dollar home if nobody lives there but the servants.  What good is a garage full of luxury cars and a closet full of designer clothes, if sickness, disease or addiction is consuming your body. What good is it, if you have a family that you can’t trust and no true friends.  We have lost many great celebrities over the past couple of months.  They left great possessions behind, but for their loved ones, nothing can replace them.  I’m sure Farrah’s son and Michael’s kids would much rather have their parent, then a house.  God knows how much we can handle.  At each new level, there is a new ‘devil’.  Something that we have never had to deal with before.  Ignoring it won’t make it go away..I’ve tried that.  Procrastination is not our friend.  It is a thief. Sin is our mortal enemy… that thing wants to kill us.  Kill our spirit, kill our good reputation, kill our hopes, kill our dreams, kill our self-worth, kill our relationships, kill our anointing, kill us mentally, spiritually, physically, emotionally, and psychologically. That little thing that doesn’t seem to be really all that bad, if fed will grow into a monster.  A good question to ask ourselves before doing whatever, is if we would continue to do it if Jesus Himself were to materialize in front of us at that second.  A sobering thought considering He is there.  Trust… strip… and lets go!

….Beloved, that is Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Wonderful Weekend and a Fabulous Weekend!

Regina

“I’ll Trust You”, James Fortune and Fiya

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rRwQy2eQbJM

“Let Go”, Dewayne Woods

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76o4xhxIKfs

“Your Will”, Darius Brooks

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

“Standing In Your Will”, Men of Standard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOXVn6k_i4E

“The Question Is”, The Winans

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

“Ain’t No Need To Worry”, The Winans

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

“Cast Your Cares”, Lejuene Thompson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTQwem9kQjw

“Healing”, Kelly Price

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eV4P7TI522o

 ______________________________________________________________________
Rex Barker (RexBarker@Joke-Of-The-Day.com) “Bridge Building,” sent in by George Z. from Milwaukee, WI

Once upon a time two brothers who lived on adjoining farms fell into conflict. It was the first serious rift in 30 years of living side by side, sharing machinery, and trading labor and goods as needed without a hitch. Then the long collaboration fell apart. It began with a small misunderstanding and it grew into a major difference, and finally it exploded into an exchange of bitter words followed by weeks of silence.

One morning there was a knock on the older brother’s door. He opened it to find a man with a carpenter’s toolbox. “I’m looking for a few days work” he said. “Perhaps you would have a few small jobs here and there. Could I help you?”

“Yes,” said the older brother. “I do have a job for you. Look across the creek at that farm. That’s my neighbor, in fact, it’s my younger brother. Last week there was a meadow between us and he took his bulldozer to the river levee and now there is a creek between us. Well, he may have done this to spite me, but I’ll go him one better. See that pile of lumber curing by the barn? I want you to build me a fence — an 8-foot fence — so I won’t need to see his place anymore. Cool him down, anyhow.”

The carpenter said, “I think I understand the situation. Show me the nails and the post-hole digger and I’ll be able to do a job that pleases you.” The older brother had to go to town for supplies, so he helped the carpenter get the materials ready and then he was off for the day.

About sunset when the farmer returned, the carpenter had just finished his job. The farmer’s eyes opened wide, his jaw dropped. There was no fence there at all. It was a bridge — a bridge stretching from one side of the creek to the other! A fine piece of work, handrails and all — and the neighbor, his younger brother, was coming across, his hand outstretched.

“You are quite a fellow to build this bridge after all I’ve said and done.”

The two brothers met at the middle of the bridge, embracing one another. They turned to see the carpenter hoist his toolbox on his shoulder. “No, wait! Stay a few days. I’ve a lot of other projects for you,” said the older brother.

“I’d love to stay on,” the carpenter said, “but I have so many more bridges to build.”

This is Rex Barker, reminding you that many (although not all) of your conflicts are reconcilable. Often egos take over, and we forget what even caused the conflict in the first place. If you were sincere friends with someone before, maybe you should rethink the situation. In abusive or truly hostile situations, often the healthiest thing is distance from the other.

Wednesday, July 14, 2009

The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace

[Psalm 29:11]

Good Morning Beloved,

Ever received a blessing so fabulous it makes you nervous?  As much as we know and have experienced the goodness of God, sometimes we can think, “what did I do to merit this?”.  Well, the Bible does tell us that the goodness of God leads one to repentance (Romans 2:4), and Matthew does remind us how well God takes care of the sparrows, and the lillies and of the fields and that we are worth more than they are.  Not one single thing escapes His attention.  I was just thinking about Sampson.  Most people know his story.  We’re familiar with his strength, his hair, his addiction to women, his donkey’s jawbone weapon, and the most expensive hair cut in history.  Not only was Delilah paid very well for her services by the leaders, but Sampson sold his power, his strength, his anointing, his position, his dignity, and in the end he received nothing but death… that was one expensive hair cut.  Most of us know the story, but what sticks out in my mind is how many chances God gave Sampson.  Even to the very end God never left him.  He was waiting for Sampson to come to his senses.   Wonder how the story would have ended if instead of asking God to let him die with the Philistines, he had asked God to forgive him and deliver him from his enemies.  Every step along his journey there were roadblocks, signs, walls all around him trying to keep him out of trouble.  His parents tried to reason with him about his choice for a wife… he pushed through that.  He knew the laws governing the Nazerites… he pushed through them. His first wife betrayed him out of fear for the safety of herself and her father… and then there was Delilah.  Every step of disobedience hardened his heart, and made him even more susceptible to the next act until he was in full fledged rebellion.  He began to act as though he were master of his strength, instead of realizing that his great strength was given to him by God for Gods’ purposes.  Playing with sin and dancing around the edge of the cliff rebellion, he finally fell in… head first… into the lap of deception.  His is one of the saddest life events in the Bible.  So much potential… wasted.  God protected His people from their adversaries, and the imminent threat to them was vanquished for a season… but Sampson died.  His life serves as a warning to us of the dangers of “playing with fire”, but it also tells us something else… God loves us and we will never find ourselves in a situation where there is no way out.  Take the exit!

… and THAT Beloved is Good News!

U Blessed

Have A Fabulous Day

Regina

“I can’t even walk (without You holding my hand)”, Jesse Dixon

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bv6rLqdNDBc

“Shelter”, Jumelle

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

“It ain’t over”, Maurette Brown-Clark

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vXNhArf-MSk

“um good”, Smokie Norful

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1lsYUeihV8s

“Guide me oh Thou Great Jehovah”, Rev. Timothy Fleming

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEBaCapT-Ls

“A song of strength”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7-XxVJNVHw

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

]]> http://www.morningsoulfood.com/2009/07/15/gods-goodness/feed/ 0 http://www.morningsoulfood.com/2008/04/09/my-hero/ http://www.morningsoulfood.com/2008/04/09/my-hero/#comments Wed, 09 Apr 2008 14:27:54 +0000 FAVORED1 http://www.achristiandevotion.com/2008/04/09/my-hero/ Good Morning Beloved,

How’s it going?  I pray you walk in divine wholeness today and that it is well with you. Remember those old movies from back in the day.  You know the ones where the strong silent man rescues the damsel in distress.  Remember how she would swoon and say ‘my hero’…  I had that feeling this morning, as I read Mark 11.  There is a lot happening in that small chapter.  The triumphal entry, the cursed fig tree, Jesus straight going ‘off’ in the temple (sorry, sometimes ’DC’ shows out in me).  We learn much about Jesus’ temperament. If you listen to ‘the world’, they will have you thinking that Jesus was weak. They portray Him as this pitiful, wimpy emotionless chump, but the Jesus I see in Mark 11 is strong, fearless, tough, powerful, and just.  The bible says to “trust in the Lord with all of your heart, and lean not to your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge  Him and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Proverbs 3:5).  Trust.  I remember I had my baby cousin for the weekend.  She was about 2 years old at the time.  She was sitting on a chair watching television, I was sitting on the couch a few feet away.  Someone upstairs dropped something and it scared her.  The next thing I knew my girl was ‘air-born’.  She leaped from the chair, into my lap.  I still don’t know how she did it.  That was trust in its purest form.  She knew that if she could get to me, nothing could hurt her.  She understood she was safe with me, because she knows how much I love her.   Aha!  That’s it. That’s the key.  If we ever realize how much Jesus loves us, we will trust Him more.  I’ll say it again. We will know that ‘all things work together for the good to them who love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose’  (Romans 8:28).  Sometimes we may need to ‘jump into God’s lap’ through prayer and worship.  No big flowery words are necessary, sometimes we will only have time for “JESUS!! … HELP!!!“.  He is nearer to you, than you are to Him.

Cartoonist’s Comment:

The world around us is dark & scary & full of sin. But if we stay close to Jesus, we will be safe in His light.

U BLESSED!

Have A Spectacular Day!

Regina