DON'T LET YOUR PAST STEAL YOUR FUTURE

We all have issues from our past that can haunt us if we let them. The past can be like a prison that can keep us locked up. Living in the past can cloud your present and ruin your future. We have to ask God to heal us from our past so that we can be free from living in bondage. We have to keep the past in the past where it belongs. If not for ourselves, then for those who are counting on us to fulfill our destiny so that we can help fulfill their destiny. Put your past in God's hands. Your future depends on it.

A HOUSE DIVIDED...

The Bible says that a house divided cannot stand. Whatever you stand for in life needs to be backed up with action. I talked about that concept on my radio show today. We can't be these fair-weather people when it comes to major decisions. The Bible says that a double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. Don't just talk the talk, but walk the walk as well. I am definitely one for putting actions to my words. I wanted to go to college, so I took the steps necessary to make that happen. I wanted to be in SAG, so I took the steps necessary to make that happen. On and on and on. The good old saying is true: if you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything. There is too much double-mindedness going on. Stand for something, and mean it.

THE SELF-MADE MAN: A FALLACY

We constantly hear about someone being referred to as a "self-made" whatever. You know where I'm going with this, right? There is NO SUCH THING as being self-made. I don't know about you, but I don't recall "making myself"; sorry, but the details are quite faint. Sometimes, we can get caught up in this "do-it-yourself" spirit because of pride. The Bible talks about how the apostle Paul had a "thorn in the flesh". It is not specific about what that was, but the point is clearly made. God used that to show Paul that, without Him, he could do nothing. There is nothing to be made without God's help. I wouldn't want to be a part of anything that didn't involve God. Something to think about.

THE SIT DOWN MINISTRY: OFFICALLY UNKNOWN, BUT POPULAR

Is there a sit-down ministry at your church? There must be because I see a lot of people come to church and do just that. They're not involved in any special auxiliary or ministry. They just come to church on Sunday morning only; for some people, those Sunday mornings are just Easter and Christmas. As the saying goes, it seems as though 20% of the people in a church are doing 80% of the work. That should not be so.

God doesn't call anyone to sit and do nothing. If you call yourself a member of any church, your presence should be felt. The case should not be your going to a church for years and not one person knows your name. Something is wrong with that picture. This reminds me of the parable of the talents. The servant who hid his ONE talent was branded as a wicked servant. God does not want us to hide in church. We all have gifts and talents to add to the body of Christ. So get busy. Take care and God bless.

THANKSGIVING TRIBUTE TO DR. ROSE RIOS

This is the poem that I just read on the air moments ago on my radio show. This was in honor of Dr. Rose Rios, founder of Cover the Homeless ministry. The link to her ministry website is in my blog list to check out for information. Much love to you, Dr. Rose. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Take care and God bless.

WHAT’S LYING UNDER MY ST. JOHN SUIT

Children listen up as I tell my story
Because all you see now is nothing but the glory

As I wave my hanky and sit on the front row
That’s not telling you the way you ought to go

Because I know where you’ve been, that’s no lie
I had my own seasons where I had to cry

I been through hard times, thick and thin
But with God’s help, I saw them through to the end

You see me in my St. John suit, looking ever so good
But do you know that I was once from the hood

No, you wouldn’t know that because all that you see
Is my Mercedes Benz and not me

What I want to tell you is to please not fret
Because God is not even through with you yet

I know that you been through a lot of heartache and pain
But it is all worth what you will gain

I started out life in the deep dark south
Barely surviving, living hand to mouth

My father always dreamed of a better life
Without all of the trouble and strife

He worked for Boss Man with all his might
Picking cotton every morning, noon and night

When I was a child, education was not cheap
I had to go out into the fields and earn my keep

We didn’t have a say in our way of life
The hurt was deep because it cut like a knife

One day, my father’s dream finally came true
We moved to California and felt like we were born anew

It was a different experience unlike no other
For once, we were not shunned because of color

Despite certain challenges with my education
My parents made me feel like I could face the nation

Then it happened, one fateful afternoon
I became a woman way too soon

The end result was that a life was lost
But that was not even half of the cost

Then he came, the love of my life
I knew that one day, I would become his wife

When we were together, it seemed endless at will
It was as if time just stood still

But then it happened, without any warning at all
Life as I knew it came to a halt

My precious other half lost his life
Leaving behind a unborn baby and a young wife

From then on, life went downhill
Everything that came my way was like a bitter pill

Men in my life that did all they could
To not treat me like the queen that they should

Out of desperation and of fear
I took a job that was beneath everything that was dear

Shaking what God gave me in front of countless men
I was sinking deeper into the lion’s den

The Lord saw that I was down to the wire
He pulled me from the murky mire

I finished my education; it was a brand new day
God moved the obstacles that was blocking my way

I had to lay my parents down for their final rest
They instilled in me nothing but the best

I started my own business because of a willingness to try
It was all thanks to a sweet potato pie

But then came the time for the business to end
For God had my true calling at hand

He reminded me of the lesson that my parents taught
To take care of others and not leave them for naught

I wanted to understand what the homeless went through
I decided the only way was to become one too

With that, I founded a homeless organization
So that I could do my part to save the nation

You see my children, I been where you are
So don’t think my hand only reaches so far

There’s a lot going on under this St. John suit that’s more than a hat and purse to boot

DOES GOD CARE?

I used to think that God didn’t care about health until:
Beloved, I wish above all else that thou mayest prosper and be in health,…
(3 John 2)

I used to think that God didn’t care about finances until:
But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these
things should be added unto you. (Matthew 6:33)

I used to think that God didn’t care about thoughts until:
The thoughts of the righteous are right: but the counsels of the wicked are
deceit. (Proverbs 12:5)

I used to think that God didn’t care about words until:
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his
lips shall have destruction. (Proverbs 13:3)

I used to think that God didn’t care about life outside the church door until:
…,Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (Mark
16:15)

God cares so much about us. How much do we care about Him?