There is no doubt about it!  Living with COVID-19 for the past 9 months has caused all of us to live life at a new level.  For one thing, it has deepened our reasoning and understanding of the word survival.  Once upon a time, you may have defined this word as ‘out living’ someone.  Or perhaps you internalized a definition that embraced the thought of ‘escaping’ from a dire situation and rebounding while standing on both feet.

Well, during this world-wide pandemic, that has invaded the United States for soon to be 256 days(*), ‘survival’ has taken on a whole new meaning.  We have been forced to carry-on in spite of hardships, traumas, financial stresses, the loss of family members and friends, just to name a few.  Our resilience has been remarkable for many of us.  But for others, ‘Life for them ain’t been no crystal stair’(**).

The key to being able to ‘thrive‘ while going through the pains of survival is to deal with confidence those things that contribute to the situation. You cannot bury your head in the sand, or pretend that the conditions are a hoax or that no preventative measures need to be instituted. According to Google, a new statistical Pew study tells us that nearly 30% of the USA population are in this frame of mind.

For believers in Jesus Christ, scripture reveals that in most cases, man’s ability to thrive in the Lord is not an external enemy (in this case Covid-19). Nor is it a struggle against our fellowman, or against world leaders, or among domestic rulers, or in the spiritual atmosphere! God has divinely suggested that in order to ward off our enemy we must put on his full armor, so that we may be able to stand our ground (both feet) against life’s threatening temptations from within that lead to (spiritual) death. God does not want us to physically be ‘just barely surviving‘. He wants us to be ‘conquering soldiers‘ with the shield of faith…peaceably thriving against the flaming arrows of destruction. In other words, check out your own character traits! What are you striving for? For whom are you striving to honor and please? YOU, ALONE, MAY BE YOUR WORST ENEMY!!

Poetically…My Own Personal Reckoning in Character building

Mr. Character, your life is an open book. It’s an interesting book extended to all those who care to read it. There is no discrimination; from the smallest child to the oldest human being alive you have a message. Thus, Mr. Character, I salute you for those unselfish efforts you have attempted to perform in the lives of others. You know, you are really like a mirror…that is, you reflect in every mood. Every experience you encounter is automatically revealed. For those who can’t read, there are pictures or shall I say reflections that one can pattern after as he or she molds their way of life in this trying world.  For the more advanced reader there is a plot to follow which oftentimes may have you bickering with yourself and causing you to put it aside as if it was philosophy. Thus, in everyone’s library this book is essential. It is a must to take an interest in Character.  It is a compelling obligation that we must encounter if we are to advance and know truth and enjoy the better things of life. Conversely, the characteristics one displays depend upon oneself.  The expressions one wears will disclose their disposition.  The moods they dress in will uncover their personality.  The words they send out will reflect their intelligence indicate their knowledge of divine reasoning. Come unto me, Mr. Character is calling, and I will mold for you the sweetest disposition known.  Come unto me, He beseeches you, and I will shine for you the brightest star of personality.  Come unto me, He is beckoning, and I will give you an understanding and peace of mind.  I will give you advice…such as pick your friends, but not to death.  Remember to laugh with others, but not at them.  Work with initiative, but not against it. Never put off until tomorrow those things you can do today. This remarkable Book can be yours for only a glance.  Mr. Character is a reflection in your nearest mirror.  Look it over.  The character you see just might be YOU! (Written by Sonja F.) Scripture reference: 2 Cor. 3:18  “But we all, with unveiled face [not looking through a glass darkly], beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed [into servant managers] into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, [Who also gives us] the Spirit.”

Scripture Lesson: Ephesians 6:10-18 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Notes:  (*)  March 1 thru November 12, 2020   (**) A line borrowed from Langston Hughes’ poem, “Mother To Son”

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The moment the Holy Spirit gave me my title for this week’s blog, He also put a song in my heart.  Little did I know that the song, entitled “Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus”, was also known as The Heavenly Vision.  The hymn, which was inspired by Isabella Lilias Trotter, a missionary, was actually written by Helen Howarth Lemmel in 1918.  The chorus is widely known today and is based on Isaiah 45:22.  This is an old hymn which has been reprinted in a number of church hymnals (…and caused many a tear to flow).  For your information, I have included the first verse and chorus below:

1. O soul, are you weary and troubled? No light in the darkness you see? There’s light for a look at the Savior, And life more abundant and free! Course Refrain: Turn your eyes upon Jesus, Look full in His wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of His glory and grace.

The reason why this song means so much to me is because of the first line in the chorus.  I discovered many years ago that whenever I was tempted to veer off into mischief, the first thing that I should do was to turn my eyes upon Jesus.  Naturally, it took a lot of head bumps to accomplish this, but I finally did.  Isaiah 45:22 says, “Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth, for I am God and there is no other.” 

Prior to turning my thought to God, I was turning my thoughts on just how to resist the temptation.  In other words, all I was doing was stroking the misdeeds, implanting them deeper into my psyche.

When we yield to Truth (Jesus Christ) and His teachings, we win!

Did you know that the more you think about not yielding to temptation (the bad things), the more you do think about temptation?  In other words, it becomes an all-consuming fire inside of you.  The thing that is tempting becomes subliminal in your mind.  (“Subliminal” is a marketing technique used to influence a person to act upon something.)  So, you see, you are not helping yourself at all when you think about how to avoid temptation.  All you are doing is reinforcing its strength.

One way to yield to Truth and not to temptation is to practice humility.  The best example to do that is to cultivate a close relationship with a trusted friend.  Someone you can confide in.  Someone you can share your inner most thoughts with.  Someone who will hold you accountable.  Let me be completely frank with you.  It’s okay to show weakness!  For 1 Peter 5:5b says:  “God sets himself against the proud, but he shows favor to the humble.”  Therefore, resist the Evil One and he will flee from you.

If this blog has helped you, I invite you to pick up a copy of Reverend Rick Warren’s book entitled, The Purpose Driven Life.  Read it and weep and allow your tears to wash away all darkness, fears and doubts.  Every word in this book was a blessing and confirmation to me that God truly wants to converse and reveal his Truths to us all. Especially when we have to deal with temptations and emotions that shackle us to this world.

Scripture Lesson: “You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs for the spirit he has caused to dwell in us? But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripture says: ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.’ Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.'” James 4:4-8a

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Did you know that our Sovereign God not only has dominion in Heaven, but also in Hell and the Here and Now?  I believe this simply because God made me and He has allowed me to exist in Heaven, Hell and the Here and Now.  And since that is the truth, it follows that God must have absolute power over all three of those dwelling places which can certainly come to pass in my lifetime.

I embraced this truth based upon my own personal experiences and conversations with God while under the influence of the Holy Spirit.  For I have been guilty of earnestly and sometimes defiantly questioning my Lord when I lacked an understanding about certain situations in life.  I have even raised my voice, lifted a quenched fist towards heaven, placed my hands on my hips and strutted my goose neck at the Almighty!  It was only by God’s grace and mercy and sense of humor that he smiled down on a mere mortal instead of smiting and scourging me to kingdom come.  I have since repented and prayerfully echoed the title of that 1949 TV sitcom starring Robert Young and Jane Wyatt called, “Father Knows Best”.

What about you?  Have you ever lost sight of God’s sovereignty?  Or maybe like me, you too have been on the verge of losing your cool over situations that you had no control over?  Mr. Spurgeon also had this to say about that:

Let’s give God the Glory, folks…

During this season of thanksgiving, dearly beloveds, let us give God all the praise and all the honor and all the glory by digging a little deeper in our acknowledgement of Him. Since God is Sovereign and Lord and the Creator over all, let’s remember Psalm 91:1-2 (NIV): “Whoever dwells (and that’s me and you) in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.'”.

My personal misgivings…

Some years ago, after finishing up a mission trip in Lusaka, Zambia, my team headed out to a little town called Kafue. Along the road trip, two very important incidents happened to me. Our native bus driver stopped at a very small village to get gas, but he advised my team not to exit the bus because this village was very poor and might become too excited if they saw Americans. So we all stayed on the bus. Never the less, small children surrounded the bus and began to beg for bibles and shouted Jesus’ Jesus!

I remember thinking, Lord we need our bibles and there are so many little ones. Immediately, I heard a whisper of wind say…tear pages out of your bibles and hand them out the window to each child. Oh, No! I exclaimed. I will never tear out pages of Your Word, My Lord. That would be akin to blasphemy!

As the bus preceded down the road, the Holy Spirit explained to me that the Lord had a ram in the bush at that village and he could have taken the leaves of my bible from each child and glued them back together, whereby His word would have become divine instructions for all! You refused and denied God to be God.

TO THIS DAY, I HAVE REGRETTED MY DECISION OF BEING DISOBEDIENT AND NOT ALLOWING GOD TO BE SOVEREIGN!

The second incident happened after we arrived at Kafue. As I stood at the front of the small class room where I was to teach, I watched the stream of smiling native men and women crowd into their segregated seats (the men on one side of the room and the women on the other). I said to myself, Lord how am I to relate to all of these people in a personal way. The Lord spoke in my ear and said, ‘As they enter the room, have them write their names on the black board before taking their seats.’ This time I was obedient and the people complied.

During the question and answer time of my presentation, the attendees would raise their hand to speak and (guess what) I would quickly look at the black board and somehow I was able to locate the right name of the responder and addressed him or her by it. This ability to recall and match names with attendees completely surprised me and also the people in the room. The chiefs and witch doctors in the rear of the room that had been sending out signals of doubt and misgivings begin to melt and lean forward in their seats.

All doubts and fears begin to flee the room and a sweet aroma entered in. God was in complete control. My prayer was the following…”Open my heart, Lord, to choose peace in the midst of small inconveniences and major concerns.” Amen!

Scripture Lesson: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (TNIV)

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On Sunday, October 18, 2020, at 10:00 a.m., my church did a new thing on Matlock Road in Arlington, Texas.  In order to sow seeds of brotherly love, compassion, inclusiveness, conquerors, celebration and hope, the pastor and his creative staff organized an innovative way to continue congregational worship services on the church’s parking lot.  And our Special Guest was God Himself! Our ROCK in a weary land!

Our pastor followed all the safety measures ascribed by city, county and state rules regarding Covid-19, including social distancing.  As you can see by the picture below, the instructions to church goers were to leave one parking space between each car.  We could either remain in our cars (masked) for the entire service or bring lawn chairs and setup in the empty parking space to the right of each car.

This form of worship on a Sunday morning was a first time experience, and I must confess it was certainly a highly blessed and sorely appreciated experience of fellowshipping in the Lord.   Although instructions to participants also included not to engage in hugging, giving elbow-bumps, high-fives, removing your mask to shout out, or anything like that, everyone in attendance was allowed to see God’s glorious smile every time the sun made its appearance from behind a fluffy white cumulus cloud.

Yes, God smiled on a “Rock” concert of Praise!

Several times I could hear car horns beeping in adulation as the ‘drive-by’ automobile occupants interrupted the worship singers or the pastor or MC announcers as they brought forth songs, preaching and invitations of welcome and thanksgiving.  I should also note that we celebrated the 37th Anniversary of our church at the same time of this regular hour of worship. And I believe the surrounding households and businesses were also blessed from the overflow of praising.

Worthwhile benefits ascribed to experimenting outside the box:

This 1950s drive-in ‘throw-back’ — and maybe the future of religious practices — method of worship service allows car occupants to privately comment and or briefly explain any biblical passages that might aide novice passengers. I read in a newspaper article where a young dating couple in Arkansas who attended a drive-in church service are now heaven-bound thanks to the mother of the young man who invited them to accompany her to church. Perhaps by accelerating this form of ministry, there is a possibility that it could bring hundreds of new believers into the fold of discipleship for the Lord.

There is no doubt that the Coronavirus has caused many businesses, schools and places of worship to alter their normal way of doing business.  But I believe that in addition to the Lord trying to get our attention and to tell us something, He also wants us to be more thoughtful of our responsibility to care for our fellowman.  Have you noticed that it is not just here in America that there is civil unrest?  Several other nations world-wide are experiencing it, too.  Social media, commerce, employment, politics and technology are just a few societal areas that are going through drastic changes. Change is good…but in all thy getting, get an understanding (Prov. 4:7b).

In our quiet time, let us converse and consult the Holy Spirit through prayer concerning our actions in responding to our obligation of discipling others. It is obvious that all houses of worship need to revamp their outreach programs. (What’s good for the goose might be good for the gander.) Let’s continue to bombard heaven through holy conversation and be vigilant to respond accordingly.

My personal experience derived from this religious practice:

I invited nine residents from my apartment complex where I live to accompany me to my church’s first parking lot church service. Three accepted my invitation. I prepared a lite lunch and furnished lawn chairs. What a hallelujah good time they all had in the Lord. They all expressed their desire to have an opportunity to join me again. When my guests returned home and shared their experience with others, one person who did not attend approached me and gave me an offering to forward to my church. That encounter also gave me an opportunity to witness to her.

Scripture Reference: And a MAN shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land. And the eyes of them that see shall not be dim, and the ears of them that hear shall hearken. Isaiah 32:2-3 KJV

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A few days ago, I read a very interesting blog post on WordPress entitled “Growth”.  It was written by a young writer named Yanna Kami who lives in Engh, Nigeria.  The theme is about the struggling growth of a little wildflower just outside of Kami’s front door.  Kami skillfully develops the moral of the story by equating it to humankind’s life…highlighting the determination of that little flower’s will to survive, in spite of nature’s dilemmas.  And it is that ‘determination’ aspect that I want to present in my blog for this week.

When Kami first spotted that little beautiful yellow sprig of a flower, she was ecstatic.  It was a mystery to her as to how that seed had survived just outside of her front door in the first place.  For that area was highly trafficked.  Nevertheless, she was anxiously awaiting for that single sprout to mature into its full beautiful specimen.  But a few days later, Kami’s hopes were dashed.  A torrential down pour beat out and drowned that little flower.  The struggling plant was on the road to the ‘splendid garden in the sky’.  (Please click the website below to read the moral of Kami’s blog.)*

My personal reflection on Kami’s storyline:

The biblical comparison of that struggling little flower with humanities’ life struggles caused me to pray and inquire of the Lord, to reveal to me a deeper meaning of the comparison.  And in a few words, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes and caused my understanding and conscientiousness to become enlightened.

A person’s spiritual growth is not automatic.  Various storms and turbulences in life can cause a person to shut down…to actually quit the race called spiritual development/growth.  Yes, we all start out at the gate looking fit and in perfect shape, but the least little interventions can cause you to throw in the towel and to surrender.  Therefore, you never cross the finish line of spiritual maturity and therefore remain a babe on milk and graham crackers.  While at the same time, leaving Jesus Christ at the finish line holding your crown which He has to put back into His sack of blessings. Without your determination to succeed, (your skin in the game), you will never transform into an all-star athlete.

My personal example of spiritual growth:

When I decided to become a serious bible study student as a young adult, I can remember attending a class on how to memorize scripture offered at a church conference.  The attendees were handed a perforated cardboard sheet with various scripture verses written on it.  We were told to take our scissors and cut along the perforated lines and to separate the cards and put them in a neat stack.  Next we were instructed on how to use the verses each day until all scriptures had been memorized.  The instructor said, if you faithfully follow my instructions, you will be able to memorize and recite all the scriptures at the end of this exercise.  Here are the instructions (the seeds for the planter…you) of how to grow your garden in the Lord. The exercise below was to be repeated each day with a new scripture.  How foolish I thought.  But guess what!   IT WORKED!!!

1. On Day One read out loud the first scripture and several additional times each day. Perform the essence of each scripture several times during the day on behalf of others. 2. Early on Day Two recite from memory Day One’s scripture. Next visualize a Mercedes Bens parked in your driveway.  Place Day One’s scripture in the driver’s seat. Continue on Day Two by selecting a new scripture and repeat the exercise of Day One. 3. Early on Day Three recite from memory the scripture you memorized for Day two. Check the front driver’s seat to see if the scripture for Day One is still in the driver’s seat. Recite from memory Day One’s scripture.  Place Day Two’s scripture in the front passenger’s seat, next to Day One. Recite out loud both scriptures for Day One and Day Two. Select a new scripture for Day Three.  Begin the routine for Day Three as you have done for Days One and Two. 4. Continue this routine until all scriptures have been read aloud, performed in action to others; placed in seats next to each other in the Mercedes Bens and recited out loud as you shut the car door.  5. When the inside of the car is full, start placing the scriptures on the hood, roof, fenders, tires, etc., until the car is loaded down with God’s holy word. And guess what?  You will discover that from memory, and from the position of each scripture, you can miraculously recite ALL the Mercedes Bens’ inhabitants. Your acumen in memory will have grown in Christ by making a decision to plant His word (seed) in your heart.

I discovered that the instructor’s methods were not foolish…but my doubting and lack of innovative thinking and determination were what was foolishness.  “Father forgive me, for I knew not what I had spoken.”  Obviously, at that time in my life, I really didn’t want to grow.  I had not decided to grow.  Nor did I want to make a concerted effort to grow.  I did not understand that discipleship, which is the process of becoming like Christ, always begins with a decision.

(*) NOTE: To review Yanna Kami’s Blog, click here: Growth

Scripture Lesson: “I have hidden your word in my heart
    that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11

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Several of my friends and acquaintances have asked me what inspired me to compile a book of my relationship (via conversations) with God and his Son, Jesus Christ.  As I pondered the question, all I could say about those encounters were the words of Jeremiah 20:9

“Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.“

Yes, every time I re-lived a personal experience of God’s goodness in my life, I felt like shouting and dancing as though my feet were on fire.  Many friends and acquaintances do not understand this exuberance and surmise that I am boasting or showing off or trying to draw attention to myself.  There could be nothing further from the gospel truth.  For once again I turn to the words of Jeremiah 9:23-24

“Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight, declares the Lord.”

There are numerous books out there on the subject of conversations with God.  Most of them are nonfiction literature based on data collected from persons who have experienced some sort of an encounter with the Master.  Some refer to these people as seekers of divine revelations.  While many receive a heavenly response, others sought an explanation to their query from a friend or an acquaintance.

I titled this weekly blog “Conversations With God Using Scriptures” because it usually peeks the readers curiosity.  Rarely do you find a book with the title embracing conversations with God that actually use God’s word to speak for him.  Generally, it is the authors’ interpretation rather than scripture references. I do not lean on my own understanding, but in all of my ways try to acknowledge God.

What information and confessions I reveal in my conversational blogs with God, it is my intent to be truthful and encouraging to others.  In other words, what God has done for me, he can also do for you.  The comments I receive express sentiments that it is obvious that exhaustive research of the scriptures was necessary in order for me to compile the dialog exchanged within the blogs. 

And I must confess that not only reading God’s word, but also researching the commentary notes at the bottom of the pages of my bible and studying the maps and charts included therein are also a source of enlightenment for me.  I love to do research and pour over the Begots (heritage/lineage) in the Old Testaments .

Often, when I re-read through my blogs, I am lifted to heights resembling the third heaven that Paul viewed on his heavenly journey. I find it humbling that God takes the time to correct me, to empower me, to humble me, to comfort me, to unite me with others, to whisper sweet oracles in my ears, to forgive me and to know my name. Which, by the way is ‘Sought Out’. I had a conversation with God and I asked him if he had changed my name. God revealed it to me one day as I was reading Isaiah 62:12: “And they shall call them, The holy people, The redeemed of the LORD: and thou shalt be called, Sought out, A city not forsaken.”

So, through the above explanation, I trust I have dissuaded you from thinking that my writings are to be construed as a boastful or privileged relationship with the Lord.  I sincerely apology if I have offended anyone.  For God is available to us all.  Please pray for my persona and expressions of faith that they might be pleasing and acceptable in the Name of the Lord. Amen!

Scripture Reference: Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
 bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. Proverbs 3:3

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The one thing that is a certainty that this pandemic, labeled Covid-19, has done to our society is to alienate us one from another.   The Webster dictionary defines alienate as:  To estrange (to keep at a distance) as the affections one towards another. 

When humans are kept from socializing with one another, especially from our relatives and loved ones, our total lives generally reflect the strain and our fleshly hearts can eventually become harden.  But there is a scripture found in the Gospel of John 10:10, that we must hold onto: 

“Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly.”

Have you ever stopped to think that perhaps this period of isolation from each other was designed by God specifically to draw us closer to him and his plans for our lives?  Have you looked at this absentee time from others as an opportunity to renew a right relationship with his Son Jesus Christ and to sit quietly and commune with Him?

I can only imagine that some of you are surely catching up on your reading of Christian periodicals and tuning in to more Christian programming on Zoom, TV and radio.  And no doubt all of this newly acquired influx of information has helped you to realize just what is missing in your Christian walk.  But would you agree with me that perhaps now is the time to sit quietly at your table or desk with pen and paper and to write down just how effectively your personal daily actions truly align with God’s heart and his unconditional love for all humanity.

OUCH!!!

In other words, do you have an intimate relationship with our Lord and Savior?

There was a time in my life when I did not have this intimacy. I confess that sinful ways, a lack of trust and unbelief, and just down-right stubbornness had kept me from surrendering totally to the virtues of Jesus Christ. May I suggest that before you start writing down your own list, concentrate on those things that may have so easily beset you and kept you from becoming ‘souled-out’ for the Lord. Was it disappointment in your receiving from God a favor or something more transparent like I just listed? Be honest! You can tear up the piece of paper after you are finished.

My Own Personal Confession of Disobedience:

Many years ago, my church in Maryland asked me to speak at a family retreat. This meeting was to be held at a camp where family units could be housed together at a very low rate. I felt honored to have been awarded this opportunity to contribute godly instructions to the men, women and children of our flock, all at the same time. The Holy Spirit had endowed me with biblical perceptions everyone in attendance could relate to.

My allotted time to speak was after dinner during the evening session. All during dinner, I specifically remember experiencing a slight tap on my shoulder and hearing an invisible whisper inviting me to return to my room to retrieve a message. I looked over my shoulder a couple of times to see who was trying to get my attention, but no one was there.

After dinner, a few single ladies invited me to join them for ‘girl talk’ and to relax before the evening session began. And although my inner most thoughts reminded me of the mystery invitation I had experienced during dinner, I brushed them off and went with the girls. Needless to say, our ‘girl talk’ got a little ridiculous and I excused myself and went to my room to dress for the evening.

To make a long story short, that evening, as I was delivering my talk to the attendees on the topic of the importance of developing a right relationship with God…I forgot my words. I stumbled over my presentation. All I could hear in my spirit was a still small voice whispering ‘how can you teach others on right relationships with me when you don’t even recognize my voice?’ Some how, by the grace of God, I got through my message, but after the meeting I went straight to my room and sequestered myself from all others. I spent the night repenting, crying and asking God for forgiveness.

I will end this blog with a prayer taken from page 65 of Live Loved, a devotional book by Max Lucado:  “Gracious Father, we know that we don’t always please you.  We fall short of your standards again and again.  When we are discouraged and feel we are failing you, remind us of your perfect love and your grace.  Thank you for reminding us that your perfect love casts out every wrong and keeps no lists of our failures.  Every time we fall, help us to reach for your grace, amen.

Scripture Lesson: “For he has rescued us out of the darkness and gloom of Satan’s kingdom and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who bought our freedom with his blood and forgave us all our sins.” Colossians 1:13 Living Bible

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As promised, herein is the Part 2 segment from my soon to be published book (hopefully) entitled “Conversations With God Using Scripture”. You will recall in Part One, I catalogued my experience while attending a church retreat for women up in the hills of Massanetta Springs, Virginia, approximately 37 years ago. There I met the Lord early Saturday morning as the women gathered around an old rugged cross for prayer. It was there in a supernatural moment, I received a divine directive from My Master. (You are cordially invited to revisit Part One (from last week’s blog) to receive a full account of this encounter.)

Although I had attended this retreat by happenstance, much later I realized it was the Holy Spirit’s way of getting me alone with Him so that I could hear His voice only. The revelations I received that weekend so penetrated my heart that when I returned home, I began to search the Holy Bible for confirmation and clarity. I found the answer in the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 6. Following is an adaptation of how the Holy Spirit spoke to me as I read the prophet Isaiah’s account of his divine calling from the Lord:

An Adaptation of Isaiah 6

1. In the year that the Mount Calvary Baptist Church Women held their 4th annual retreat, I saw also the Lord sitting upon a hill, high atop Massanetta Springs, and an ole rugged cross depicted his glory.   2. Around the cross stood the female saints of Mount Calvary, each one holding two hands of two others; and each one having a multitude of prayers on her lips.   3. And one cried out unto each of us and said, Pray, pray, pray to the Lord of Hosts.  He has a job out there for you to do in the world; and he is waiting on you to fulfill his will.   4. And a hazy light began to appear above the cross as God opened the door called morning and the atmosphere became full with his glorious dew.   5. Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone; because I am a women who has been playing church.  I have not completely aligned myself with the Saints of God; for this morning my ears have heard and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.   6. Then went I unto one of the Saints whose total being was on fire for the Lord, and as I took hold of her hands in mine, they felt like live coals:   7. And the Holy Spirit laid it upon my heart and said, Lo, ask your sister to pray for thee; and thy iniquity will be taken away and thy sin purged.   8. Also, I heard the voice of the Lord saying, Eat the word least I chew you up and spit you out.  Then fell I upon my knees and said, Lord, I will eat the word.   9. And he said, Get up, go, return to Mount Calvary and remember your promise to me; for if you do, I will surely reveal the scriptures to you and you shall have wisdom and understanding and you shall see me at work in your life.   10. You shall have power in teaching my children and they, too, will yearn for the word; and I will open up their ears so they can understand.  I will close their eyes to the distractions around them and they shall look beyond the trash and tinfoil of this world and see only me.  And their parents will see the changes in them and bring them forth to be baptized.   11. Then said I, Lord, how long must I eat the word and how long must I teach the gospel?  And he answered, until the cities become more humanized and god-fearing, and the inhabitants learn the power of prayer and the households are without strife and the land is filled with love.   12. So that no matter where the children relocate to, if they should stray, there will always be someone there to show them the way.  Thus, many shall return, even a tenth, and shall be stronger and more faithful in their service than before.   13. And that tenth shall be like the mighty terebinth and oak trees with their leaves shaped like the hearts of men, bearing wing-like fruit in all seasons.  And when the inevitable comes and the leaves shall fall and the physical seed shall be planted for the last time; thanks be to God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  With the glorious forgiveness of every sin, our spiritual seed shall live on and continue to bear fruit for the Lord until he comes again.  Amen.

Scripture Lesson: He has shown you, O mortal what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with our God. Micah 6:8 NIV

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As the title denotes, this blog is just the beginning of a two part segment from my soon to be published book (hopefully) entitled “Conversations With God Using Scripture.” Next Friday in this blog space, I will publish Part 2 of “God Singles Out The Sinner And Offers Grace“. It will be written as an adaptation of Isaiah 6, reflecting my personal experiences as a younger woman, while on a church retreat seeking a closer walk with the Lord. Like Isaiah’s divine godly encounter, I, too, after God’s penetrating and convicting examination of my life, also declared later; ‘Here am I, My Lord, send me!’

A True Story – Part 1...

In the Old Testament, Isaiah begins his autobiography in Chapter 6 by recording the death of his king.

“In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne; high and lifted up, and the train of his robe filled the temple.”          Isaiah 6:1

If you are a student of the biblical “Begots”, without reading any further into the Scriptures, you know of one possible reason for King Uzziah’s demise.  The Begots reflect a procreation list of family generations sired by the forefathers in the Bible.  Usually, when a name (or its derivative) is first mentioned in Scripture, its definition is also given.  King Uzziah’s name denotes that he egregiously breached one of God’s sacred laws. (*)  In another place, the Bible gives this definition of the name:

“Then the anger of the Lord was aroused against Uzza, and He struck him because he put his hand to the ark; and he died there before God.”    1 Chronicles 13:10

Another biblical concept gleaned from the Isaiah 6:1 verse is that something had to die before a rebirth could take place.  Other events in the Holy Bible that embraces this dual concept is: famine and plenteousness; darkness and light; death and resurrection; good and evil, etc.

I experienced this phenomenon, of something having to die, in 1983 while participating at a church sponsored Women’s Retreat at Massanetta Springs, Virginia.  At the time, I was seeking a closer relationship with the Lord, but realized I was only doing so at my own convenience.  To be honest, I was preoccupied with self.  I was obsessed with starting my own business (a laundromat).  I was still climbing the corporate ladder at my official job as a building manager for a large automotive corporation, trying to crack that glass ceiling.  And I was also enrolled in college taking several business courses.  No wonder I felt like a guinea pig on a treadmill.  So when the retreat opportunity presented itself, I reluctantly decided to attend.

My encounter with God came about 6:00 a.m. Saturday morning at our sunrise service which was held high upon a dew-drenched hill.  I remember standing around the wooden cross at the top of the hill encircled with about 30 other female saints.  It was still very dark and a chilly breeze was blowing.  You could smell bacon and fresh baked bread aromas floating up from the kitchen dorm below as camp custodians prepared our breakfast.

Seemingly, the worship leader who was standing at the base of the cross, was reading my mind as she shouted for all of us to get our minds off breakfast and on prayer.  Next, I remember silently thinking why are we praying one at a time.  God can hear a multitude of prayers all at once.  Just then, the worship leader shouted out those very same words to the women.  I opened my eyes to see if there was a spy in the camp and the Lord spoke to me and said, “It is I, my child!”

When I returned home, after that astonishing weekend, one evening I sat down and attempted to recapture on paper what had happened to me at the cross.  I knew with assurance that all the trash and tinfoil of this world that had weighted me down was now lifted.  In other words, my “King Uzziah” had died.  In my study time, I was led to Isaiah 6, and the composition entitled “God Singles Out The Sinner And Offers Grace” was born.

(*) NOTE: King Uzziah’s sin was that he disobeyed God and was struck with leprosy. (2 Kings 15:5 and 2 Chron. 26:19-21)

Scripture Lesson: So I, (put your name here), pastured [God’s] flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I pastured the flock. In one month (a short time) I got rid of the three shepherds (the evil enemies of God). Zechariah 11:7-8 [Paraphrased)]

(Tune in next Friday for Part 2 of “God Singles Out The Sinner And Offers Grace”)

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!

I can only imagine that during this Covid-19 life-threatening and deadly pandemic; the California wild fires causing loss of life and property; and the nations’ political unrest which is arousing citizens to feel disenfranchised, betrayed and demoralized; that these situations are empowering skeptics, god-fearing people and agnostics to call out, ‘God, where are you?’!

No doubt, in times past, God has been your anchor-father, and you were able to communicate with him with ‘no problem’. But lately, you are experiencing a deafening sound of silence. Just when you thought you were dancing with the star-angels, you became a wallflower. (Did I forget to gargle this morning?)

Did God not say we should come as we are? Did he not invite us to enter his gates (presence) with thanksgiving and his courts with praise? (Psalms 100:5) Ask yourself…have I not demonstrated a faith that is steadfast, unmovable and always abounding in the work of the Lord? (1 Corinthians 15:58)

Did not the Lord promise that He would never leave us nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) And did He not profess that with man, certain things were impossible, but not so with God. For all things are possible with God. (Mark 10:27)

All I can say to you morally depleted people, is welcome to the wilderness of life’s journey!

Did you not know that God often places his people smack dab in the middle of the wilderness to allow them to grow and be refreshed? That’s right! God wants us to become equipped and fortified to do his bidding here on earth. He also wants to give us experiences so that we are able to recognize the enemy (Satan) and to navigate his territory successfully with the aide of the Holy Spirit.

So, as you can see, getting through these dry seasons is not just a matter of waiting on God, ringing your hands and shouting out loud, but you should use this time to search the Scriptures, pray fervently, and encourage and lead others to join you in becoming a partner with God; to hold fast to his unchanging hand and to know that he is up to something good and beneficial for all of his children.

My personal testimony…

Hopefully, we will all learn how to pray with conviction, fortitude, trust and confidence that our Lord and Savior has the whole world and all of its situations in His hands. In October 2013 while on a Buckner International Mission Trip, I attempted to pay for some souvenir books I had purchased. But when I put my hand on my waist to retrieve my money belt it wasn’t there. At that moment, all my strength left my legs and I slumped to the ground. My colleagues were at a loss as to what had caused me to almost faint. As I sat there on the floor trying to compose myself, my first thoughts were that I had somehow been robbed of my money belt. But a holy peace came over me and I experienced reassurance that my lucre could be replaced by simply making a phone call to my son back in the United States. So I picked myself up and brushed myself off and continued on my mission assignment for the Lord.

Needless to say, when I returned to my hotel room that evening after visiting the children’s orphan homes, there on the floor and partially hidden under my bed was my fanny purse. Evidently, that morning, I did not tightly secure the fasteners on the purse to my waist. Yes, because I had turned that whole situation over to the Lord, plus I did not harbor ill feelings against the citizenry of Russia, nor did I fret over lost spending money, I was able to operate in peace all that day and performed as a positive witness for the Lord, bringing joy, peace and hope to the little children.

Let us observe today’s dilemmas with the same frame of mind.

Scripture Lesson: Proverbs 3:5-6

Click http://www.tgifmasterminds.com every Friday for a new post from the Master’s servant manager…ME!