Archive for August, 2010


Meditate on These Things!

Filed Under: La Roya Jordan's Journal by LaRoya Jordan — 1 Comment
August 31, 2010

A very wise man once told me something that has stayed with me for over 35 years. He said “pay little attention to the disturbances that arise today or you will lose focus of the real goal.” His name was Dr. John L. Branham and at the time he was my Pastor and mentor. Although he has since gone on to his heavenly reward, the words he spoke way back then are still very fresh in my mind and truly affect my daily walk.

Let’s look at an account in scripture and how Paul handled a “disturbance.” In Acts 28: 3-5 But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper (disturbance) came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another (disturbance), “no doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” 5. But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm (Paul paid little attention). (parenthesis mine)

Paul could have focused on the ‘viper” but he chose to shake it off and keep his focus on what was at hand and not what people were saying and certainly not what the viper had the potential of doing.

Just think about it.  If we are focused on those situations or challenges that draw attention to strife, conflict, turmoil, chaos, confusion, disappointment, unkind words and the like, we will use time and energy on something that many times we cannot change.  And once time and energy are loss they are gone forever!

What my Pastor/mentor wanted me to do is to remain focused on Gods plan for my life and future.  And while I, like you, have had plenty of opportunity for disturbances, no matter the intention.   For the most part I have been able to see that if I focus on the challenge, I could very well miss what God has for me. That is the enemy’s plan for our lives, to send disturbances that will cause us to be anxious, worried and concerned to the point that we forget Who’s we are and  who we are!

So I leave you with Paul’s prescription found in Philippians 4:8 Finally brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-mediate on these things.

And that should keep you too busy for the enemy’s clatter !

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Come to Dinner!

Filed Under: Tinitia Dodd's Journal by Tinitia Dodd — 2 Comments
August 31, 2010

How would you like to eat something that will never spoil, never run out and satisfy you beyond what you’ve ever imagined? Jesus says “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me, shall never thirst.” John 6:35

We as believers have got to spend more time with Jesus. If we’re honest, we can say we haven’t been doing this as much as we should. Therefore, I beseech you bretheren and sisteren- we can’t roll like this anymore .

These last days are hectic, desperate, crazy.  Souls need to be saved.  And, the world is looking at us saying “your life looks just like mine.  What’s the difference?”  They are noticing that we haven’t been communing with our Heavenly Daddy like we should and it shows.

For in Proverbs 2 – 7a, we learn “(m)y son, if you receive my words and treasure my commands within you; so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding; yes, if you cry out for discernment , and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding; He stores up wisdom for the upright . . .”

Where do we seek wisdom, discernment, understanding and knowledge about how to live our lives? We should be seeking God for these things by spending time with Him. We get these things and much more in our sweet fellowship with Him.

There is no witness or example to show the world, when there’s no  power in our life. We haven’t allowed the word of God to transform our lives. Where is the wisdom and knowledge of God? Why are we making the same mistakes as everyone else? Falling into the same traps of sin and temptations. Our testimony has been compromised. We don’t know what to do because we haven’t been talking to God to direct our steps.   In Proverbs 16:9, it states, “(a) man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.”

We say “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge,“ Proverbs 1:7, but we spend more time studying for classes in school than we do at His feet. How many of us actually take time in our day to just meditate on His word and wait to hear from Him? How many of us take time to just talk to Him besides when we eat and go to bed? Be honest. We don’t.  Proverbs 1:7 tells us “(b)ut fools despise wisdom and instruction.”  Where can we find an instructor wiser than God? Are we not being foolish by turning to the world for answers instead of turning to Him?

The world is starving for Jesus. It needs to see a people living a life that is transformed by His word, power-filled, victorious and peaceful. We only get that by actually spending time with Him. Not saying that we won’t have afflictions and obstacles but we tackle these things differently because we know we are victorious in Jesus Christ.

Jesus drew away often from people to spend time with our Father. This is how He was strengthened for the promise He came to fulfill. “So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words, “ Matthew 26:44

Many of us are playing with our walk. We haven’t been zealous for God, but lukewarm. The evidence of this is seen in our lives, our communities and families. How much more we would see if our eyes were opened?  How much more would our lives change if we would allow God to speak to us daily and use us?  How can He do that unless we take the time to sit and eat His word with Him?  We physically eat everyday. Often, we do it without thinking. Our stomach pains and we go for the closest thing to put in our mouths.  But, does your spirit man hunger to read the word of God?

Just as we eat daily, three or four times a day, we should also eat from His word daily.  For “ . . . (m)an shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord,” Deuteronomy. 8:3. We are blessed that we have the complete written word of God available to us, yet we take it for granted.  There are many countries in the world that don’t have this luxury.

So He calls us out of this place where we hang in limbo, not cold or hot. Just skinning the surface, not really knowing Him, but saying that we know Him. “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth. . . As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Behold I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me,” Revelations. 3:15-16, 19-20.

Let me encourage you then to come to dinner. It’s sure to be a meal you will never forget.

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What Is Encouragement?

Filed Under: La Roya Jordan's Journal by LaRoya Jordan — Leave a comment
August 27, 2010

While looking for a meaningful definition of the word encouragement, I read where the first part of the definition says “encouragement: give courage, confidence or hope to.” Then I realized  that  when a tool has the power to give courage, confidence or hope to something it must be viable, useful and connected somehow to God!

I remember in my early years of schooling during a psychology course – they performed a study on things that affect a human’s well being. In this particular study they gathered everyone in the room except for one person and when that one person walked in  one at a time people would say things like “Are you feeling OK?’ or “You know you’ve looked better.” Or “Rough night huh?” Or “Maybe you need to go to the doctor.” This went on and on for a period of time until that person actually had to go home sick! Even though he came to work healthy and happy!

Then there was the second part to that study. Again, everyone in the room except for one person knew what was going on. As soon as that person walked in they were greeted with the most positive and encouraging responses they could pile on and by the end of the day he had out performed himself 100% from any other day that he had worked.

The difference in these two scenarios was the life changing power of “encouragement.” We see it all though scripture the power to give courage, confidence or hope to. In 1Kings 17:8-16, Elijah encouraged a widow woman who was about to prepare the last meal for herself and her son-  to feed him first “….The bin of flour shall not be used up, nor shall the jar of oil run dry…” And it didn’t!

In the book of Ruth, look how  after Ruth had a chance meeting with Boaz that Naomi encouraged her to do the right and proper thing. Ruth 2:22 says “(a)nd Naomi said to Ruth her daughter-in-law, “It is good my daughter, that you go out with his young women, and that people do not meet you in any other field.”   Look what a little encouragement did for Ruth in Chapter 4 verse13, “so Boaz took Ruth and she became his wife…”all because of that powerful tool of encouragement

In 1 Samuel 30:1-8, David was “mighty in battle” but this time the enemy came when he was not at home and took all the women and children. His men were so upset and angry they threatened to stone him. In verse 6,  scripture says “…David encouraged himself in the Lord!” And through that encouragement David sought direction from the Lord.  The Lord told him what to do and that he “would recover all” and he did!! There are many more examples of the power of encouragement in scripture.

Encouragement gives you courage, confidence and hope to – even when you have to encourage yourself!   I also read the second part of the dictionary definition of encourage which is “to give active help or to raise confidence to the point where one dares to do what is difficult. “

We have a Godly responsibility to encourage the world for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Encouragement can be a thoughtful word or act of kindness to a neighbor, the placing of a way overdue phone call, a note, or a card, or even the forgiveness of a debt or just a genuine smile

Now, my question to you is “When was the last time your encouraged someone? If you have to think about it-it has been too long!

Start where you are and start now. See how contagious it is when you begin to use this power of encouragement. Then sit back and relax as you reap what you have sown.

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Shoes for the sole and soul!

Filed Under: Maura Gale's Journal by Maura Gale — 4 Comments
August 26, 2010

I had a conversation with a friend about shoes today. They had a desire to sow 5 pairs of brand new shoes into the lives of church members who had a need or desire for them and of course, someone who liked the style of shoes and could fit them. I had recently spoken to this same friend about the act of sowing and reaping so within our conversation my friend asked very innocently “if I sow shoes into peoples lives does that mean I’ll reap more shoes?”

I believe that was not only a fair question but also an extremely logical answer on the surface.  After all if you plant/sow apple seeds you’ll reap or grow an apple tree just as if you plant/sow poison ivy seeds you will reap or grow poison ivy bushes. But lets dig a little deeper shall we?

The objects sown in the case of the apple tree or the poison ivy were seeds. However, you don’t reap seeds as the harvest you reap a fruit tree or a bush.

My friend was literally sowing shoes, yet spiritually they were also sowing kindness, generosity and selflessness.  Or more importantly they might be helping to meet a need in someone’s life.

So, maybe by literally sowing good seed from your heart, the ‘seed’ could possibly be rooted in a spiritual return or blessing!

The reaping in this case may not be as simple as receiving more shoes (which they definitely don’t need).  But, maybe, perhaps they will receive something less tangible like a smile, a word or note of thanks, the reward of a grateful heart or something even more valuable…a personal lesson they themselves needed to learn.

Sometimes when we feel an overwhelming desire to give up something that we love not because we no longer want it but because we are being led to give it away, the lesson could be one of obedience or it could be to reveal areas of over indulgence or waste in our lives. Or perhaps it’s Gods way of allowing us to help meet the need of someone’s secret desire or request. WOW, wouldn’t that be wonder-FULL?

The shoes that are in excess in our closets may be the very ones needed for someone to step out on faith, develop a closer walk with God and trust that when we pray our Father in heaven hears us.  And this means even if you never tell anyone about your secret desires, and regardless of how small or insignificant the request seems…God is so concerned about things that concern you, until He will cause someone to clean out their closet on your behalf!

There is nothing in your closet or home more valuable than LOVE, so today why not think about sharing love with someone in need. Whether you sow seeds in the form of shoes, a smile, time, or money ~ if it’s done with LOVE ~ you’ll reap a harvest and bless someone’s SOUL and that my friend means the benefits are out of this world…as in ETERNAL!

In His Grip

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Blind Faith

Filed Under: Tosh Brown's Journal by Tosh Brown — Leave a comment
August 26, 2010

Hey There Walkers!!!

I wanted to journal today, about the tragedy that took place about a month ago, in Shreveport, Louisiana.  This involved the death of of six teenagers, that drowned, in the attempt to save a friend.  The friend actually survived.

After reading several articles…the who…what….and how of the matter, It occurred to me that no one had even mentioned or acknowledged…. the “Blind Faith” these young people had.  I assume that is what the disciples experienced, when following Jesus.

It takes courage to sacrifice your life for someone else. It displays the unconditionally love and trust that you have for the person. We will never know….if any of those young people had their own personal relationship with God.

We do know that God allowed this to occur, as to remind us all of how we should follow HIM…..BLINDLY.  2 Corinthians 5:7 – For we walk by faith, NOT by sight. Enjoy your day.

Popcorn & Ice Tea!!!

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Romantic Mindset

Filed Under: Charles Perkins' Journal by Charles Perkins — Leave a comment
August 25, 2010

“For as he thinks in his heart, so is he. ‘Eat, drink and be merry,’ he says to you. But, his heart is not with you.” (Prov. 23:7)

We hear it all of the time. “We’ve grown apart”. “We just don’t love each other like we used to.” “The thrill is gone.”

These words and others like them have become so much a part of the American vocabulary, that we just accept them with a “that’s the way it is” attitude, even within the Church. With the divorce rate at 50% in the Church and so many mediocre marriages within the Church, maybe we need to take a reality check on how we view the marriage relationship. We have come to a point to where we just assume that romance will disappear from the marriage. So, when it does, we think that it is natural. Guess what! It’s not!!!

Romance is a mindset. For as he thinks in his heart, so he is.You are as you think you are. Once you are married, the first step to being a husband is to think as one. If you still think as single man, that’s how you will act. Thinking as a single man when you are married is a guaranteed path to a failed marriage. Notice that it doesn’t say, “as he feels in his heart” so he is. It’s not about feeling like a husband, it’s about thinking as one. Thinking indicates that there’s a decision to be made. You decide to think as a husband. You make a commitment to do it and then you do it. The same is true for being a wife by the way. But, there’s more.

Again, romance is a mindset. It begins and ends with how we choose to think of each other. So often, the business of everyday life alters our perceptions of each other. Day in and day out, we get caught up in our daily duties: Go to work, pay the bills, take care of the kids, wash the clothes, cook the food and so on and so on. “Eat, drink and be merry he says to you, but his heart is not with you.” We do all of the right things time and again, day after day, year after year. We take care of business. It’s just that our hearts are no longer into each other. . We do it out of duty, just because we know we should. We begin to think of our spouses as responsibilities. The thrill is gone. And, since all of the pundits (psychologist and ministers) have always told us that the romance would’t last anyway, we just assume that this is as good as it gets.

How many times have you heard, “Romance doesn’t last in marriage. So, you have to establish a good, strong friendship with each other”? Think about this. When a celebrity couple gets divorced, what’s the first thing they always say? “We’re getting a divorce BUT WE ARE STILL FRIENDS.” What happened? They left their friend at home and ran off with their lover. Friendship is not enough to take a marriage out of the depths of mediocrity. If you think it is, try this experiment. Husbands go sit on the couch. Wives sit next to your husbands and lay your head on his shoulder. Husbands, put your arm around your wife and pull her close to you. Now just relax and enjoy each other’s closeness. Feels good doesn’t it? Now, ask yourself, which one of your friends would you want to be doing this with? Friendship is not enough.

There are a few scriptures on friendship in the Bible, but, not a whole book. There are a few scriptures on being a good father, mother and good provider…But, not a whole book. God devoted a whole book in the Bible on romance in marriage: The Song Of Solomon. Plus many other passages. He doesn’t spend a lot of time trying to get us to understand friendship in marriage. He does spend a lot of time trying to get us to understand romance in marriage. If God thinks romance is that important, why don’t we? It’s time we refocus our energies. Friendship is automatically included in Biblical romance so you don’t have to strive for it. Put the energy into building up the romance.

Romance is a mindset. It’s about more than candy, cards, flowers and sex. It’s about how we think of each other. It’s not about what you can get from each other, but rather, what you can give to each other. Part of the fruit of the Spirit is self-control. Self-control also means that you can control how you think. That means that you can think of your spouse as sensual, as sexy, as desirable as you want to. It’s your choice. Again, it’s not about how you feel.

That’s Hollywood romance: “We’ve lost that loving feeling” so we must not love each other anymore. We must have grown apart since we don’t feel the thrill anymore. Biblical love and romance are not based on how you feel. You are not always going to feel loving and romantic. That’s not a problem. The problem comes when you allow your feelings to dictate your actions. You don’t feel like doing the acts of love, so you don’t do them. Hollywood: Follow your feelings. Bible: Follow your head. Feelings can fool you if you allow them to lead your head.

Following your feelings make you self-centered. Self-centeredness destroys a relationship. The feelings say, “She made me mad. I’m not going to massage her feet.” The head says, ” She got on my nerves and I just don’t feel like massaging her feet. But, she’s had a very difficult day and I know she’s really tired. I’ll get the massage oil.” You know it’s the right thing to do. And if you do the acts of love, God will then bless you with the feelings of love. You start rubbing her feet and before you know it, you are feeling so much more love for her because your concern was for her and not for yourself. Jesus died for us while we were yet sinners because of His love for us. That was a sacrifice of love. Real romance will sometimes require a sacrifice of love.

Romance is a mindset. It’s the intimacy that you build with each other. It’s how you choose to think of each other. As he thinks in his heart… If you think of yourself as a romantic spouse, you will do what it takes to be a romantic spouse. Spend time during the day thinking about each other, fantasizing about each other, loving each other. Create an atmosphere of intimacy with each other. Be glad to see each other when you get home.

There is so much to be said in this area. But, if you just remember, romance is a mindset. It’s about how you think of each other, you will be off to a good start in building a strong, loving, sensual, sexual, romantic relationship that will last as long as you want it to last. If you do the acts of love, God will always bless you with the feelings of love. So, by doing it His way, we can never “grow apart”. God will always bring us together. He knows romance and He’s trying to teach it to us.

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Pondering

Filed Under: Sharnell Blevins' Journal by Sharnell Blevins — Leave a comment
August 24, 2010

Deep in the depths I sit and wonder

Where when why how, I sit and ponder

Me really the one to see all of this

Me really the one on the King’s list

Wondering, thinking, thanking, and praising

Remembering my God is truly amazing!

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Path

Filed Under: Sharnell Blevins' Journal by Sharnell Blevins — Leave a comment
August 23, 2010

Never gonna believe all that has past

Look for it, search, but it didn’t last

Under a rock, on top of a mountain

Disappeared like a drop in a massive fountain

But now is new as a baby first born

Never once looked back and became forlorn

A fresh day arisen, an unique path to take

Miracles happening look at the wake

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Ants and Prayer

Filed Under: Sharnell Blevins' Journal by Sharnell Blevins — 2 Comments
August 22, 2010

I don’t like ants.

Ants like my house.

I prayed for no mo’ ants.

Seemed like prayer never gonna be answered.

I wrestled with ants and God.

Many moons and sun rises later.

Ants no mo’.

God answered prayer!

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Purpose to be Purposeful

Filed Under: Dianne Shorte's Journal by Dianne Shorte — Leave a comment
August 22, 2010

During a recent conversation with my best friend since the second grade, she reminded me of how organized and goal oriented I was at a very young age.

Over the years, my friend has struggled with drugs and has even been homeless during the “purposeless” period of her life.

She wanted to know what drove me to be so organized and to be so focused that I could set a goal and never stop until I achieved the goal.  The answer was quite simple for me.  God has gifted me with the spirit to recognize when he speaks to me about me.  I can hear his voice during those times when I move outside of my purpose, and I can hear God reminding me of who he has purposed me to be.  As I matter of fact, he has given me the gift to help others find their purpose when they cannot hear God.

Webster’s thesaurus defines purpose (v) – aim, plan, propose or intend.  Interestingly, the definition of purposeful (a) is obstinate, stubborn, and persistent.

Just imagine what your life would look like if you decided to live it purposefully!

Would your friendships be different?  What about the way you treat your love ones or pursue the dream that you keep putting on the back burner?

When God leads you to what he has purposed for your life you will experience a joy which is unexplainable and an energy that propels you to achieve more than you ever imagined.

Thank God I remained purposeful in my life because it helped my friend.  She says, “Girl, watching you stay on purpose all these years and achieve your goals has helped me to know that it is possible to live my dreams.”

By the way, my friend is 15 years sober, and is a published author of Gumbo for the Soul, and working on her second book.  I, on the other hand have been trying to complete my first book for three years – it is almost complete.  But the point of this story is that my purpose has been achieved.  Our Goals should be secondary to our Purpose.

Colossians 1:9-12 states “For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have stopped praying for you and asked God to fill you with his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way; bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience and, joyfully giving thanks to the Father who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.”

Stay the course!

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