Wednesday, November 24, 2010

And when He saw them, He said unto them, Go show yourselves to the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, And fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks: and he was a Samaritan. And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And He said to him, Arise, go your way: your faith has made you whole.

[Luke 17:14-19]

Thankful…. 

Thank You, Gracias, Merci, and in Lesotho where my World Vision sponsor child lives “Ngiyabonga”.  Gratitude in any language is a beautiful thing, and it delights the heart of God.  Jesus wanted to know what happened to the other folks that He had cleansed from Leprosy.  Leprosy was the A.I.D.S of that day.  There was absolutely no cure.  No vaccine.  No treatment.  Nothing could help you.  It was something that you lived with until you died.  People feared it so much, that once you contracted it you were put out of the city.  Your own family could not have contact with you.  You were considered “unclean” -a threat to public health and safety.  These men risked death by even coming in the midst of the crowd.  They took a step of faith and it paid off BIG TIME! .. They were healed of their affliction.  Now, at first glance, it looks like they were going to do as Jesus told them.  “Go show yourselves to the Priest”.  That was their “ticket back into society”.  The Priest was akin to the “law” in their community.  What Jesus marveled at was not that they were going to do as He had said, but that they never said “thank you”.  These were people under the Abrahamic covenant.  Children of Israel. God’s Chosen.  If anybody should have understood the importance of giving glory to God… it was them.  Besides, how much time would it have taken out of their day to stop, turn around and say thank you to the man who in an instant had changed their lives forever, and given them a new lease on life!  The one person who did was a “stranger”. He may not have had the honor of being a “covenant” son, but he had enough gratitude and manners to simply say “Thank You”… It is a sobering thought to me.  I never want to get too “busy” and “bogged” down to tell the Lord “Thank You”… (*pause… *tears*..) .. OK.  God is so good.  He is so faithful.. generous.. compassionate.. slow to anger.. quick to forgive.. beautiful in the ugliest of situations.  His love never fails… His mercies are endless. He is light, love and peace.  Genuine joy and wholeness is found in Him.  He remembers promises He made to us years ago, and He is faithful to bring them to pass.  We think it is for us, but really it brings Glory to Him to bless us.  Think about it.  As parents, how blessed are we when our kids step out looking good.  How does it make us feel when people compliment the manners of our children.  We feel that our children are a reflection of ourselves… good, bad and in-between.  My daughter is a beautiful person.  Soft-spoken, quiet, sweet, caring, beautiful and intelligent. I’ve always known this, still, when people tell me how awesome and wonderful she is, it makes me feel good.  God is the same over His kids.  He is the one who sets us on high.  “..light of the world”..”A city set on a hill that cannot be hid” {Matthew 5:14}.  Allow yourself to be GREAT.  In whatever you do be great.  God has blessed me above measure.  I am awed by what He has done in just the past few months.  When things were looking “rougher than rough”… He stepped in.  He supplied me and my family’s every need and our faith has increased.  We learned even more how to stay at His feet.  How to hold to His “unchanging Hand”.  He has caused me to be placed before great men and women.  Nothing I could have done on my own.  I really wasn’t looking for it, but He has given me my heart’s desire.  (HALLELUJAH JESUS!!!)… Trust God to keep you humble as you’re being exalted and nothing shall be held from you.  We have access to the Throne of God through the Blood of Jesus and “no good thing will He withold from them who walk upright”.  We have the attention of the King of all kings and the Lord of all Lords.  In the broad scheme of things… think about it, what difference does it make if you drive a hooptie or a Maybach.  Whether you live in a roach-infested apartment, or in a mansion in a gated community. All of it will be left where ever it is when the day of the Lord comes… or your day comes whichever comes first…so .. get what you want, but remember to give Thanks to the Lord! …

Have A Fabulous Day and a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

“Be Grateful”, The Hawkins Family

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUEkRp69aIU

“How Can I Say Thank You”, Hezekiah Walker (Monique Walker leading)

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

“God Is Standing By”, Walter Hawkings and Love Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWOnuI4-0OY

“God Is Here”, K&K Mime

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

“I Will Bless Thee Oh Lord”, piano solo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41G-VG8yYac

“Thank You”, Walter Hawkins & Donnie McClurkin (AZUSA ’93)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0bI7cG1vfQ

“Already Here”, Brian Courtney Wilson

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YkmZBV6AXc

“I Deisre More”, Crystal Aiken

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

“I Have A Friend”, Clint Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7i3GMSY6Dp4

“Blessed”, Fred Hammond and RFC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwQ8_iqorUE

“Blessed and Highly Favored”, The Clark Sisters

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

“Healing”, Kelly Price

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

“God’s Got A Blessing With Your Name On It”, Norman Hutchins

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fn2C0tpF01c

“I Will Bless The Lord”, Byron Cage

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBtjP31ZIlQ

 

Jah and I are honored to be in this great production again this year.. there are a lot of changes, so it you’ve seen it.. you really haven’t seen it!  … surprises…

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Thursday, November 26, 2009

*******

There will be joy and songs of thanksgiving,
      and I will multiply MY people, not diminish them;
   I will honor them, not despise them.  [Jeremiah 30:19]

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto GOD… [2 Corinthians 9:12]

But we continue to preach because we have the same kind of faith the psalmist had when he said, “I believed in GOD, so I spoke.” We know that GOD, who raised the LORD JESUS, will also raise us with JESUS and present us to Himself together with you. All of this is for your benefit. And as GOD’s grace reaches more and more people, there will be great thanksgiving, and GOD will receive more and more glory.     [2 Corinthians 4:13-16]

[ A psalm of thanksgiving. ]

Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth! [Psalm 100:1]

Enter His gates with thanksgiving; go into His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and praise His Name. [Psalm 100:4]

The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust Him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving. [Psalm 28:7]

They sang, “Amen! Blessing and Glory and Wisdom and Thanksgiving and Honor and Power and Strength belong to our GOD forever and ever! Amen.” [Revelation 7:12]

Good Afternoon Beloved,

Now, usually I do this on Friday’s … but I gotta do it… I gotta break out praisin’ Morris … I am so grateful for everything that the Lord has given me.  I am grateful for everyone that has crossed my path and deposited precious jewels in my life.  I’m thankful for everyone who takes time out of their busy schedule to read these offerings to God.  I’m even thankful my tests and trials, because in the broad scheme of things it could sure be a whole lot worse.  I went to bed last night not having to worry about someone breaking into my house, beating and throwing us all in prison because of our faith in Jesus.  I ate yesterday.  I was able to drive to rehearsal last night in the rain and I made it home safely. I had the option of driving to work or riding the metro today.  I live in a house where the roof does not leak (anymore, praise GOD!), where there is running water and electricity.  We are blessed with all sorts of conveniences.  Sometimes we can get so distracted and bogged down with life’s circumstances, we forget that the cell phone we’re complaining about, we did not have a few short years ago.  That’s just the “stuff”.  An even more important blessing is that I still have my friends and family with me.  Last Thursday, my boss’s wife was killed instantly in a head-on collision, by an SUV that had crossed the median.  Life is precious. Life is fragile. I was blessed to hear from an old friend, ”Lil Billy”, who is in the armed services and has served in Iraq.  I am happy that he is doing well.  I don’t take that for granted… What a blessing!  I am thankful that God is restoring the health of my precious sister-in-law Michelle daily.  I am thankful for the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with my 81-year old cousin Mabel, her husband Al and their kids Renay, Speedy, and Vincent.  I am excited… this will be the very first Thanksgiving season my family will spend with my brother and his family! I was blessed to be reunited with my sister and her beautiful family this year! I’m eternally grateful to God for my beautiful daughter who was the best Christmas gift I ever received in my life!… and I’m thankful for a mother like no other. An awesome lady of God!  I’m thankful for my friends and the Regal One family for everything they have done this year. What a blessing! In everything we are admonished to give thanks.  There are blessings all around us.  The cares of the world will try to choke out the effectiveness of the Word of God in our lives, it is to our benefit for us to be vigilant and to guard our hearts.  Prospective. The proverbial ‘glass’.. is it half-empty or half-full?  I’ve taken inventory on my life and my answer is … ‘full’, because I’m determined to give God the glory in every situation and through it all I will bless His Holy Name forever!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!  Hallelujah!

… and that Beloved is Good News!

I am soooo thankful for you!  Love you forever

U Blessed!

Have A Great Day and a Wonderful Thanksgiving!

Regina

 ”All Around”, Israel & New Breed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3cU47HN_I0

“Lord You Are Good”, Israel & New Breed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UF2mikICUAo

“Thank You, part 1″, Richard Smallwood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bF87TPplBsM

“Thank You, part 2″, Richard Smallwood

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjGni5fx2RI

“How Deeply I Need You”, Shekinah Glory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FVPfT51FH8Y

“God Is Good”, Regina Belle

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

“Nobody But The Lord”, Alvin Darling

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLTBzp2EgOw

“This Is The Day”, Fred Hammond

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFdMbkYXI70

“You Don’t Know”, Kierra Sheard

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

“It Ain’t Over”, Maurette Brown-Clark

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

“Thank You”, Hawkins Family

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4FXq1Eff4M4

“Be Grateful”, Hawkins Family

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rUEkRp69aIU

“Hallelujah”, The Clark Sisters

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

 

 

HALLELUJAH! 

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

Good Morning Beloved,

I’m still in Thanksgiving mode.  I have a cousin, Mabel, who is a ‘Thanksgiving Baby’.  She is one of those ’seasoned’ saints who appear ageless.  I don’t even know how old she is now, but she has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  She was raised by my grandma’s mother, in the country– on the same land where I was raised .  She was a hot to-male let me tell you.  She lived in an age where, if you wore red lipstick and make-up you were considered a ‘Jezebel’.  Mabel was (and still is) a strong-willed woman.  As long as I can remember she has been strong.  She is a little tiny, petite woman, but I’ve seen her intimidate grown men… she would fight them.  She has been married to “Al” just about my whole life (I’m 41) … they are a perfect match.  He was just as wild as she was. She was a gregarious and fun-loving party-girl who loved entertaining and ‘talking trash’… and so was he.  Al will tease you to no end, but it is all in good fun and we know he loves us.  Their house was party central… especially around the holidays.  Mabel was sweet, but you did not want to cross her.  She loved her children, but would not hesitate to .. shall we be politically correct and say “discipline” them.  I remember her children Elzie, Renee, Speedy and Vincent (yes, I’m calling you out cuz y’all were wrong and I’m still traumatized) ....leaving me in a hole that I fell into because they thought we were being chased by bullies.  My bright yellow knit poncho stuck on the branches in the hole and I couldn’t get out.  I was about 5 and they were not much older than me.  They eventually came back and got me, begging me not to tell.  Of course our parents ALWAYS knew when something was not right with us.  Mabel started asking questions.  She separated us and interrogated us one by one.  I was scared of Mabel.  I knew somebody was going to be in trouble.  I must have looked a sight with sticks and dirt in my poncho and hair all over my head.  She found out what happened and they were… uhhh…. ‘corrected’.  Of course they were mad at me for their…. ‘troubles’.  Isn’t it amazing how something so serious and scary at the time, can morph into a fond memory as we get older.  Many years later, at an appreciation service held for my mom by our church, I had the privilege to witness Mabel give her life to Christ… she was about 70 I think.  She is currently a faithful member of her church, with the same loving and welcoming spirit she always had, but now she has a glow that can only come from someone who has a relationship with the Lord.  Her steps have gotten a little slower, she has a few little health issues, but I have heard her talk about them as if they are nothing.  She is happy in Jesus and she told me that she has had a good life thus far with no regrets.  She is very wise.  You see, she realizes that everything in her past, has prepared her for where she is today …. and she is so grateful.  Tomorrow, I can’t wait to get to Baltimore with my video camera and capture this beautiful lady on film… yeah, and her kids and grand-kids are all right too…. God is so good, and His mercy endures forever!

…. and that is Good News right there!

U Blessed,

Have A Fabulous Day!

Regina

Grace Cafe - 2 Corinthians 1:20 3 of 103   All of God’s promises throughout the Bible are fulfilled in Jesus. The grace of God has been made freely available to us through the blood of Jesus. January 1, 2007

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Yolanda Adams “Thank You”

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

Shirley Ceasar “Jesus, I Love Calling Your Name”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM5I7vPUn1I

Walter Hawkins “Thank You”

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

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Sing unto the Lord with thanksgiving; sing praise upon the harp unto our God

Psalm 147:7

Good Morning Beloved,

I hope you’re having a beautiful morning.  I received this little message from Rex Barker (joke of the day.com):

I woke up early today, excited over all I get to do before the clock strikes midnight. My job is to choose what kind of day I am going to have.

Today I can complain because the weather is rainy or I can be thankful that the grass is getting watered for free.

Today I can feel sad that I don’t have more money or I can be glad that my finances encourage me to plan my purchases wisely and guide me away from waste.

Today I can grumble about my health or I can rejoice that I am alive.

Today I can lament over all that my parents didn’t give me when I was growing up or I can feel grateful that they allowed me to be born.

Today I can cry because roses have thorns or I can celebrate that thorns have roses.

Today I can mourn my lack of friends or I can excitedly embark upon a quest to discover new job relationships.

Today I can whine because I have to go to work or I can shout for joy because I have a job to go to!

Today I can complain because I have to go to school or eagerly open my mind and fill it with knowledge and adventure.

Today I can dejectedly murmur because I have housework to do or I can feel grateful for shelter for my mind, body and soul.

Today stretches ahead of me, waiting to be shaped, and here I am, the sculptor who gets to do the shaping. What today will be like is up to me. And I shall decide what kind of day I shall have!”

This is Rex Barker asking you “How will you live TODAY?”. Try reading this every morning for a week, and see how you feel afterwards. And please share this and the other pieces for the week at your Thanksgiving table.

 

An attitude of gratitude.  Regardless of what is going on around us, there is something to be thankful for.  I am thankful for you. You mean a lot to me.  You are a child of God, so that makes us family.  Your natural family may not be the Huxtables, they may be more like the Addams Family, but they are yours.  Make peace where you can, and realize that you do have a place in the Body of Christ.  Your very own seat at God’s table.. you do know that God’s Words tells us,

The bible declares that, “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up.” (Psalm 27:10)  You have a natural family (and some of us are blessed to have awesome families…..Elnora, Jah, Jacquie, Diane, LZ, Bev, Tina, Arlene, Shaun… much love), great friends that are family.  The Family of God – family all around you.  It is said that this time of the year is the loneliest time of the year for many people.  Considering the sheer numbers of lonely people, that is a shame… here’s a thought…. go on a people blessing mission…..

Friday, October 10, 2008

The next day there was a wedding celebration in the village of Cana in Galilee. Jesus’ mother was there, and Jesus and His disciples were also invited to the celebration. The wine supply ran out during the festivities, so Jesus’ mother told Him, “They have no more wine.” Dear woman, that’s not our problem,” Jesus replied. “My time has not yet come.” But His mother told the servants, “Do whatever He tells you.” Standing nearby were six stone water jars, used for Jewish ceremonial washing. Each could hold twenty to thirty gallons.  Jesus told the servants, “Fill the jars with water.” When the jars had been filled, he said, “Now dip some out, and take it to the master of ceremonies.” So the servants followed His instructions. When the master of ceremonies tasted the water that was now wine, not knowing where it had come from (though, of course, the servants knew), he called the bridegroom over. “A host always serves the best wine first,” he said. “Then, when everyone has had a lot to drink, he brings out the less expensive wine. But you have kept the best until now!” This miraculous sign at Cana in Galilee was the first time Jesus revealed His glory. And His disciples believed in Him. After the wedding He went to Capernaum for a few days with His mother, His brothers, and His disciples.

[John 2:1-11]

HAPPY FRIDAY!

I find it interesting that Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding feast.  Many in today’s culture have hostile, dim, convoluted or just plain strange views of marriage, but it was (and still is) instituted and ordained by God.  It is His to change, redefine or throw out of a window.  He hasn’t done any of the above, so we need to leave it alone. Period. End of story. Marriage, is a picture of the covenant God has with us.  I’ve mentioned that before.  This morning though something else caught me attention.  Ever notice how much partying was going on in the bible?  Those folks really loved to celebrate didn’t they? They had no problem eating, drinking and dancing()……. yes, dancing!  If something is truly good, it should invoke some kind of a positive response… shouldn’t it?  When I’m thirsty, and I get a nice large lemonade/sweet tea mix at the neighborhood ‘carry-out’… WOW!I don’t eat the food much, but I’ll go in there just for the ‘mix’…  I have a smile on my face, and you know that I have just experienced something ‘good’.  If a drink can get that type of response, if my favorite artist, or my friends and family can get that type of response… how much more should my God get an even better response.  He has been better to me than any of the aforementioned (and they have blessed me tremendously let me tell you!).  Ecclesiastes tells us that there is a time for everything.  I’ve been around sisters and brothers in Christ who were not much fun to be around.  They were mean, depressed, arrogant, spiteful, tale bearing saints and those were their good qualities!  LOL!  Not a good representative of the kingdom, we gotta love them anyway.  It is possible to serve God, and effectively witness for Him without compromising His Word and in the right spirit.  That does not mean that everyday you’re Mary Poppins with an anything goes attitude.  It means even when called upon to deal with difficult subjects and situations… we can handle them with grace, wisdom and tact.  How?  Well it helps to remember your purpose… to point the lost to the Jesus, and be a witness for what He is in our life, and encourage and edify the members of the family of God in their personal relationship with Him.

Praise Party with Mary Mary and Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.thefaithspot.com/videos/id_1420/

Still Have Joy – Tye Tribbett & GA

http://www.thefaithspot.com/videos/id_1421/

Stand Up“, church dance from the movie “Polly”

http://www.thefaithspot.com/videos/id_1422/

Church Scene from “The Blues Brothers“

http://www.thefaithspot.com/videos/id_1423/

Cartoonist’s Comment:

The way into the presence of God is through thanksgiving and praise. Grumbling and complaining will get you nowhere.