Changing the world, One Person and One Project at a time.
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I am so grateful to have been raised in a southern Black baptist church. I am anxious to enter the sanctuary every Sunday morning--nattily dressed, family in tow and ready to get my praise on.
Whether I am at my Houston church, which has a metropolitan vibe (and four “standing room only” Sunday services), or if I am visiting my parents in Waco, (where the congregation is often comprised of less than 50 worshipers, including the choir), I am able to find nurturing for my soul.
The church pew is equivalent to the therapist’s couch for me. If I have had a good week at home and at work, my gratitude flows in the form of tears. If my week has been trying or too hectic, those same tears signify relief, as I lay my burdens at the altar and leave them there. When I miss (or skip) Sunday services, I feel out of whack…there’s no glide in my stride, no pep in my step. A weekly dose of good ol’fashioned Black church does my body and soul good. I probably won’t need Xanax, Valium or whatever happy pills are in vogue, as long as I can find my way to the sanctuary and lift my hands in worship.
Sharon is a community college administrator, former special education teacher, wife of 17 years and mother of two school-age children in northwest Houston. Her primary interests are family-inclusive culture and arts, travel, politics, historical literature, Texas Longhorns and all things Disney.She writes for the Houston Examiner as a featured columnist.We have been friends since ‘the crib days.’
THE TRUMPET by Bill Burns -- 12/6/2010: It is written My beloved and it cannot be broken, that I am coming for a glorious church. And, if you can believe it and if you can receive it that is the work I am doing in you, even in these days, says the Lord. For the very good work that I have begun with you, in you and through you, I am bringing to completion. You must look unto Me for I am indeed the author and the finisher of your faith.
There are those of you who believe your faith is small and that your faith is insignificant and you've even prayed, 'Lord, increase my faith.' But, I say unto you, the faith of the Lord that is manifest in you in these days will become a greater faith than ever you have known.
For you will be able to say that you no longer live by the measure or the lack of your own faith, but you live now by the faith of the Son of God, the faith that enables you to see beyond the veil and enables you to walk through the valley of vision.
So I say, beloved, encourage yourself today for the work I am doing in you is ongoing.
It is not a small work. It is not an insignificant work. It is a mighty work that you may even be unaware of. But in these last days the glory of the work I am doing in you will begin to shine forth as a light, a beacon to those who have no hope--a radiant light to those that shall come. That is why I have spoken that you are the light of the world, so let your light shine.
When the manifestation of it comes then I say do not hide it and do not put a basket over it, but allow the glory of My presence in you to shine forth to a lost and a dying generation. Be encouraged, says the Lord.
SMALL STRAWS IN A SOFT WIND by Marsha Burns -- 12/6/2010: I had a vision of a chess game between God and Satan. I didn't see their bodies; I only saw their hands playing chess. I know that the chess board is the body of Christ and that, like Job, we are caught in a battle between good and evil. He had a choice and so do we about how to react to our circumstances, but if Job had known that he was caught in a battle he would have sought God right away.
We know we are caught in a battle so we need to seek the Lord right away. I heard the Lord say that He is moving on hearts in a deep and profound way to draw us to Himself to choose Him and Him alone. And it is a deep and abiding work. But as long as we keep focused on our own issues, the issues of life, He can't do the work.
As soon as we let God have His way in this war, He wins, and we win. But we have to get our focus back on the Lord. He is wooing us to Himself. He's calling us back to a position of faith and hope and strength in Him.
************ Thank you, Sage, for sharing this post! I pray that it Blesses Many! * Pastor Jimmy D. Hunter spoke just yesterday about the the same thing! "The Best Thing to do is Surrender (to the obedience of God's Will) --- Quickly!" That's the best advice ever! Big Blessings to You!
Scriptures highlighted in my own personal study (from the Children’s Living Bible) are bold and follow. The entire chapter is now listed here as well. You are more than welcome (and encouraged) to add yours to the comment section - as always!
These are the proverbs of Solomon:
V1 Happy is the man with a level-headed son; sad the mother of a rebel.
V2 Ill gotten gain brings no lasting happiness; right living does.
V3 The LORD will not let a good man starve to death, nor will he let the wicked man's riches continue forever.
V4 Lazy men are soon poor; hard workers get rich.
V5 A wise youth makes hay while the sun shines, but what a shame to see a lad who sleeps away his hour of opportunity.
V6 The good man is covered with blessings from head to foot, but an evil man inwardly curses his luck.
V7 We all have good memories of good men gone to their reward, but the names of wicked men stink after them.
V8 The wise man is glad to be instructed, but a self sufficient fool falls flat on his face.
V9 A good man has firm footing, but a crook will slip and fall.
V10 Winking at sin leads to sorrow; bold reproof leads to peace.
V11 There is living truth in what a good man says, but the mouth of the evil man is filled with curses.
V12 Hatred stirs old quarrels, but love overlooks insults.
V13 Men with common sense are admired as counselors, those without it are beaten as servants.
V14 A wise man holds his tongue. Only a fool blurts out everything he knows; that only leads to sorrow and trouble.
V15 The rich man's wealth is his only strength. The poor man's poverty is his only curse.
V16 The good man’s earnings advance the cause of righteousness. The evil man squanders his on sin.
V17 Anyone willing to be corrected is on the pathway to life. Anyone refusing has lost his chance.
V18 To hate is to be a liar; to slander is to be a fool.
V19 Don’t talk so much. You keep putting your foot in your mouth. Be sensible and turn off the flow!
V20 When a good man speaks, he is worth listening to, but the words of fools are a dime a dozen.
V21 A godly man gives good advice, but a rebel is destroyed by lack of common sense.
V22 The Lord’s blessing is our greatest wealth. All our work adds nothing to it.
V23 A fool's fun is being bad; a wise man's fun is being wise!
V24 The wicked man’s fears will all come true, and so will the good man’s hopes.
V25 Disaster strikes like a cyclone and the wicked are whirled away. But the good man has a strong anchor.
V26 A lazy fellow is a pain to his employers – like smoke in their eyes or vinegar that sets the teeth on edge.
V27 Reverence for God adds hours to each day, so how can the wicked expect a long, good life?
V28 The hope of good men is eternal happiness; the hopes of evil men are all in vain.
V29 God protects the upright but destroys the wicked.
V30 The good shall never lose God’s blessings, but the wicked shall lose everything.
V31 The good man gives wise advice, but the liar’s counsel is shunned.
V32 The upright speak what is helpful; the wicked speak rebellion.
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Hope enjoy this classic gospel jam from my childhood, "Call Him Up!"
*Answer to today's question is: L O V E...do it all in Love! Love your way through your day!*
Big Blessings to Each of You!!!
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V13 A prostitute is loud and brash, and never has enough of lust and shame.
V14 She sits at the door of her house or stands at the street corners of the city,
V15 whispering to men going by, and to those minding their own business.
V16 “Come home with me,” she urges simpletons.
V17 “Stolen melons are the sweetest; stolen apples taste the best!”
V18 But they don’t realize that her former guests are now citizens of hell.
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Once again, I opened by sharing some scripture quoted directly from The Children’s Living Bible copyrighted in 1971.
The verses highlighted in my personal study follow are bold. The entire chapter is listed for you as well.
Proverbs 9
V1 Wisdom has built a palace supported on seven pillars,
V2 and has prepared a great banquet, and mixed the wines,
V3 and sent out her maidens inviting all to come. She calls from the busiest intersections in the city,
V4 “Come, you simple ones without good judgment;
V5 come to wisdom’s banquet and drink the wines that I have mixed.
V6 Leave behind your foolishness and begin to live; learn how to be wise.”
V7,8 If you rebuke a mocker, you will only get a smart retort; yes, he will snarl at you. So don’t bother with him; he will only hate you for trying to help him. But a wise man, when rebuked, will love you all the more.
V9 Teach a wise man, and he will be wiser; teach a good man and he will learn more.
V10 For the reverence and fear of God are basic to all wisdom. Knowing God results in every other kind of understanding.
V11 “I, Wisdom, will make the hours of your day more profitable and the years of your life more fruitful.”
V12 Wisdom is its own reward, and if you scorn her, you hurt only yourself.
~~~~~~~~~~~~ Enjoy this tune by Kirk Franklin! Look at Me Now!
