End of Year Clearance--Everything Must Go!

Well, 2011 is drawing to a close, 2012 is drawing nigh, and retailers are frantically and relentlessly drawing our attention to their end-of-year sales.

"EVERYTHING MUST GO!" they bellow.  "DON'T MISS THIS END-OF-YEAR BLOWOUT! they plead.  The deals might be great, but the only thing they can really guarantee to blow out is our wallets as they attempt to blow up their year-end sales records.

All year long, God's Holy Spirit has been nudging us to let go of people, places and things that have distracted or delayed us from reaching our goals.  In some cases, God has even told us to give up the goal, itself, if it is not in line with His will.  Setting your sights on someone else's spouse, for instance, is a goal that most certainly has to go.

The end of the year is a great time to assess what's excess or what's a necessity.  Sometimes, however, it's hard for us to tell the difference, so we delay making a decision.  Eventually, though, our piles of indecision catch up with us and demand our attention.

I encourage you to do whatever it takes to make time to declutter your physical, mental and spiritual space. Start small with the things you clearly know have to go, and then move on to the more questionable items.

Sometimes, the thought of letting go is harder than actually letting go.  So, don't think too long, just pray and release whomever or whatever is keeping you from moving forward.

Inertia and indecision impair our insight and immobilize our initiative.  But, once we simply get in motion, the forward momentum makes it easier to see what has to go and what we should not forego if we want to go far.  So, go for it!

Allow God's Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you through your clearance process.  Keep in mind, some of us are holding on tight to old things, but God wants us to prepare us for a new thing.

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert.  Isaiah 43:19

What a blessing!  God will "even make a way in the wilderness." That tells me that even the cluttered and wild conditions that some of us have found ourselves in are not too much for God to show us the way out!

Maybe physical, spiritual or emotional clutter is not your issue.  Maybe you've been in a dry season and you're glad to see 2011 come to a close, but still find it hard to be hopeful about 2012. 

Don't worry!  God "will even make...rivers in the desert." That's right, your dry season must go! It is simply no match for God's living water.  Good-bye irritation, Hello irrigation!

Don't dread your end of year clearance.  Thank God for what He brought you through in 2011 and get excited about what's in store for 2012.  Always remember that God can do exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or imagine!

Have a Happy New Year and...

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Christmas presence vs. Christmas presents

Sometimes, I think we forget what Christmas is really about. 

At the most basic level, it is the time when we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.  Scholars and historians may continue to debate about the exact date of Christ's birth, but the fact that the majority of the world has agreed to all celebrate together on the same day is a blessing in and of itself-- so December 25 is fine with me!

If we continue to explore the meaning of Christmas, we would find that Christmas is about God's love for us--"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son...." 

If we continue going deeper, we would find that Christmas is about deliverance, for Jesus was born to model a sin-free life before us and to make a way for us to be delivered from sin.

If we go even deeper, we will find that there is so much depth to what Christmas is all about, and one of the most special things about Christmas is that it's about presence, not presents. 

God desired and chose to be present with us--hence Jesus is known as Emmanuel, which means God with us.  God was manifest to us through the person of Jesus Christ so that He could be physically present with us--to meet us where we were.

God sent us His Son. But if we understand that God is one being who exists in three "persons" (Father, Son and Holy Spirit), then we will realize that God didn't send someone else to see about us, He, himself, actually came to walk, talk and BE with us!

Since God took that first step to reach out to us and relate to us, the least we could do is respond accordingly.  Instead, we use Christmas as a time to focus on what we can get--and that can range from presents, to food, to drugs, to alcohol and even sex.

Yes, some of us use the Christmas holiday as an excuse for excess and revelry.  We party hearty, long and strong, and totally forget whose birthday we are supposed to be celebrating.

Some of us are probably even irritated that Christmas had the "nerve" to fall on a Sunday!  What a way to mess up our holiday plans!

Hello?!  What better day for Christmas to fall on!  How appropriate that we would spend Christmas morning in the house of the One whom we are celebrating!  That should make this Christmas one of the most special ones ever, because God is showing and reminding us that the holiday is not about presents, but about His loving presence.

Perhaps the fact that Christmas is on a Sunday this year means God is issuing a personal invitation to all of us to truly celebrate Him this December 25.  We have all certainly seen more than enough worldwide and personal calamities this past year to bring us to our knees in worship and repentance.  Maybe this is a more gentle way of getting us to the altar.

I encourage you to make sure you find your way to the Lord's house this Sunday for THE birthday party of the year.  The presents under the tree can just wait a little longer on Christmas day, for the presence of the one who hung, bled and died on a tree is beckoning us all. 

Answer the call and enjoy your Christmas presence!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

What's HIS story?

The one who writes history is the one who shapes history, for the pen is often mightier than the sword.

Too often, those who have written history have written out key people, places, and events.  Sometimes certain elements have been left out inadvertently, but other times it has been quite deliberate.

Today, during a presentation at my church entitled, "A White Man's Journey into Biblical Black History," Joel Freeman, PhD shared about his journey into a key part of Biblical and world history that has been overlooked, and in some cases, deliberately covered over.

The audience appreciated his research and desire to push the dialogue regarding the minimilization of Black history and Black contributions. One participant, however, expressed concern about society's double standard that has created an environment whereby a White man might find more success sharing about Black history than a Black man would.  Also, the participant addressed the underlying awkwardness some Blacks might feel in having to learn their own history from a White person.

Still, another participant openly shared about his pre-judgment of a couple of White persons he saw on the bus, whom he had no idea were on their way to Joel Freeman's seminar just as he was!

It was refreshing to be in a safe environment--the house of the Lord--where all of God's children could come together and share openly about a major blemish in our collective history. 

Slavery, racism and prejudice have left lingering affects on all of God's children, and until we collectively lift those wounds to the light of Christ, we will never experience the unity God expects from us.

Those of us who are of African-American heritage must be committed to teaching our children about their entire history--as Judeo-Christian African-American people.  To gloss over any part of that description is to deny the divine design that God chose for us.

We certainly should not rely on jaded history books or constrained educators to teach our children about their heritage.  We have no right to be angry about what's missing from the history books when we understand that the title tells us exactly what we're going to get--his story.

We are responsible for telling our story--to future generations, and to the world.  If we get busy telling our story, perhaps our young men would find less to be angry about and more to be proud about.  Perhaps they would spend less time trying to kill the man in the mirror and allow the Great I AM to show them who truly they are.

If we would take our children on a very basic geography journey, perhaps they would learn that the people who came from Jesus' part of the world did not have blonde hair and blue eyes like those persons from in the Greco-Roman regions.  With a little history lesson, our children might just be able to see Jesus as not Black or White, but as--Jesus.

As we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus, let's take time to truly reflect on all of what He was, all of what He became, and all of what He is to us.  Let's open our hearts, minds, spirits and eyes beyond what we think we know His history to be and ask Him to reveal to us HIS story.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Who Knew?

"Mary did you know
that your baby boy
would one day walk on water?

Mary did you know
that your baby boy
would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know
that your baby boy
was Heaven's perfect lamb?
And the sleeping child you're holding
is the Great I AM?"
                          Mark Lowry and Buddy Green

I loved that song from the first moment I heard it.  The melody and words are so rich, and the ultimate question it raises is so profound that it is much more than a Christmas song.  It is a soul-searching anthem that should challenge each of us to take inventory of those around us and look beyond their outward appearance and peer into the divine possibilities that lie within.

God is always up to something and that something is ALWAYS good.  Does that "something" always feel good?  No. Does it always look good. Not from what I can see.  Does it even always sound good? A resounding "No!" But if we truly trust God, then we will hold on to the fact that all things work together for good for those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose.

If we would take time to reflect on our own lives, who knew that we would be in some of the leadership positions we are in today?  Who knew some of us would willingly be in church every Sunday and all throughout the week to learn, grow and serve?  Who knew that some of us would even be in church, period!

Who knew that some of the things and people we swore we could not live without are now no more than distant memories?  Who knew that we would be so transformed by God's Holy Spirit that the things that used to make us fly off the handle now just roll off our backs?

This Christmas, as we think of God's awesome gift to us in the form of Jesus Christ, let's also ask God to give us eyes and hearts to see the gift of those persons close to us that we may take for granted.

Let's ask God to help us be more patient with our children when they ask or do the same thing again, again and AGAIN....Perhaps we might see in them a researcher who will discover the cure for cancer because they refuse to stop at one or two research trials and keep searching again, again and again.

Let's ask God to help us be more understanding of our loved ones' peculiarities, recognizing that all of our days are numbered, and one day we will actually miss those little quirks.

Let's ask God to help us slow down long enough to hear His voice clearly as He tells us about His incredible plans for us and our loved ones. 

Mary may not have been able to fully grasp the depth of what was in store for her baby boy, but she had been told enough to recognize that God was up to something big.

And, if we let God have His way in our lives, we will strive to help one another accomplish great things for the kingdom--things so incredible, so unexpected, so unbelieveable that people will stand in awe and say, "Who Knew?!"

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Let's Give Them Something to Talk About

There's an old country music song entitled, "Let's Give Them Something to Talk About."  From the looks of some of the antics and accusations swirling around the Presidential candidates, this particular oldie but goodie just might be an appropriate theme song.

No one's perfect, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. But, as I mentioned last week, we all could use someone close to us to help keep us accountable and save us from ourselves when necessary.  Sometimes our biggest enemy is not Satan or another person, but the enemy that's in...uh...me!

Perhaps all of the accusations against Herman Cain are false and slanderous and perfectly timed to derail his campaign. But I remember an old saying that if someone calls you a horse once, you can ignore it.  The second time, you might want to at least check yourself out in the mirror.  The third time, get a saddle! I don't know what happens when it's said the fourth time, but it might be time to move into a stable!

Who knows which of us will be thrust into the public limelight some day by choice or by popular demand, so we never know when all of our shortcomings might be put on display for all the world to see.  As Christians, however, we are always in the spotlight because we are ambassadors for Christ and there are, accordingly, certain expectations of us.

We know that people love to talk about leaders and people in positions of influence, so let's give them something to talk about.  Let's commit random acts of kindness to others instead of random acts of selfish indulgence.

Let's boldly proclaim the name of Jesus and let the world know that it is He who has made us and not we ourselves. Let's not get caught up in political rhetoric or put blind faith into any political party.  Let's go on record as being willing to freely share with others, even if it means an increase in taxes for those who can afford it.  Let's not fight to hold on to "our" riches as if this life's rewards were greater than our heavenly reward.

Let's live, love and give in such a radical fashion that people begin to mockingly ask if we think we're Mother Theresa, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, or some other renowned Christian who generously poured out all they had to give on this side of glory.

If we must be accused of something, let it be of studying the Bible too much; let it be of praying too much; let it be of checking in with God before every decision, even what to wear; let it be of readily owning up to our mistakes and asking for forgiveness; let it be of teaching our children scripture and the Ten Commandments; let it be of telling our testimony too many times; let it be of praising God too loud; let it be of singing hymns and spiritual songs all the time....

Let's vow to help one another live our lives in such a way that God gets the glory, even out of our mistakes.  That way, whenever anyone talks about us, they will end up talking about the Lord--and that's really giving them something worth talking about!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

A Peer Into Peer Review

In the United States' justice system, if you ever have to undergo a trial you will be judged by a jury of your peers.  In court, your peers-- people who are in the same broad category as you--will be called upon review the available evidence and render a verdict.

In the academic world, scholars and researchers who prepare articles and papers for publication have those items "peer reviewed" prior to publishing to ensure that the information presented meets industry standards and demonstrates basic integrity.

These are specific areas where the peer review process is standard practice.  But, we could all use a little peer review in our daily lives.

For example, as Christians, do we fellowship with like-minded believers and welcome their feedback or critique of how consistent we are in our walk?  Or, do we hide out and hang out with carnal Christians, or borderline fence-sitting Christians because we fear that others who are more consistent in their walk will judge us or not accept us as we are?

I don't espouse holier-than-thou or self-righteous judgement of others, but it's actually our right and responsibility as Christians to humbly judge one another, just as it is our civic duty and right to sit in a courtroom and judge the actions of our peers:

For the time [has come] for judgment to begin at the house of God....          (1 Peter 4:17)

Why do we readily accept the role and process of judgement in the world's judicial system but not in God's system?  Why do we cry out, "no justice, no peace" begging our judicial system to weigh in on injustices, yet stubbornly declare, "only God can judge me" when it comes to our Christian peers reviewing our walk to see if it matches our talk?

Ultimately, the peer review process is all about "accountability"-- which is what some of us avoid at all costs, using our Christian freedom as a false cover.

If we declare that we are citizens of the United States, then we are governed by the laws of the land and are held accountable for our behavior. We are also rightfully subject to the consequences when we stray from the laws and expectations of our country.  It's no different when we declare our allegiance to Christ.

When we truly desire to be all the God destined us to be, then we will allow God's Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all truth and surround us with people who will help keep us accountable.

Some of us don't want to answer to anyone because we are "grown."  What we fail to realize is that being "grown" or "grown up" doesn't mean not having to answer to anyone.  It's actually just the opposite. A truly mature person welcomes the safety and support of the peer review process, recognizing that,
Where [there is] no counsel, the people fall; But in the multitude of counselors [there is] safety. (Proverbs 11:14)

When a fellow Christian raises a concern about our behavior, instead of taking offense, let's take inventory, let's take a look.  If people we consider trustworthy and sincere take the time to point out things that we need to change, let's not get bitter, let's get busy and let's get better!

Everyone who challenges our way of thinking and behaving is not necessarily a "hater."  They might actually be demonstrating more true love for us than people who "kiss up" to us and tell us what we want to hear instead of what we need to hear.

This Thanksgiving, if you have someone in your life that can offer you an honest peer review, give God thanks for that person and demonstrate your thankfulness by listening to them!

If you don't have anyone like that around you, keep looking and keep listening.  They might actually already be in your life, it just might be that you are finally ready to accept their peer review as a preview of God's pure review of what we need to do to live our lives anew!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Do Unto Others....

Do to others as you would have them do to you. Luke 6:31

Many of us are familiar with the scriptural principle that admonishes us to "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

These days, however, there are a few variations of that theme.  There's "Do unto others BEFORE they do unto you," and "Do unto others BECAUSE they did unto you,"and "Do unto others IF they do unto you."

These and other variations distort the original intent of the principle which is essentially, that we should always do the right thing in our interaction with others. 

Our treatment of others is not supposed to be based on what the person does or does not do to or for us.  It should be based on the fact that we are to reflect upon how we would like to be treated and extend that same quality of treatment to others--up front.

It's a call for us to demonstrate what we would like to see, even if others don't demonstrate it back to us.  It means remaining consistent in who we are, even when others are inconsistent and unreliable.

It doesn't give us the right to repay evil for evil, although many like to employ it in that manner.  It challenges us to rise above relating to others on a conditional basis--"I'll do this IF you do that."

It doesn't mean that we allow others to run over us, but we cannot allow the bad manners, insensitivity or evil intentions of others to ruin us. 

For example, I routinely say hello to people I know.  Whenever I have encountered someone who has mistreated me, without thinking about it, I find myself saying hello to them.  It often startles them because they don't expect me to acknowledge their presence. 

I really can't take any credit for speaking to them out of any real noble character on my part.  It's simply happens as a matter of habit, because speaking to others is ingrained in me.

When it comes to the "do unto others" principle, if we have enough of the fruit of the Spirit ingrained in us, we will sometimes find ourselves automatically doing the right thing, even when it's not intentional.  (Thank God!)

We won't wait and see how the other person is going to treat us before we decide how we are going to treat them.  We will just do what we do because of who WE are, not who THEY are.

When we really get the true essence of this principle, we will realize that it is a real identity check.  We need to check our own identity and make sure we understand that we are created in the image of God, and are inherently God's ambassadors.

Once we are clear on who and whose we are, we then need the desire, strength and courage to stay true to our identity regardless of what happens around us or to us.  It's not easy, but it's also not impossible.

Part of our identity in God is that we are a people who are to "pray for those who despitefully use" us.  That means we are to pray for those who hurt us and those who hurt others. 

For example, how many of us are sincerely praying for Dr. Conrad Murray, the doctor convicted in the Michael Jackson murder trial?  Can we see past the criticisms about what he should or should not have done to see a man on the verge of suicide and in need of intercession?

Not only that, but perhaps had enough of us interceded on Michael Jackson's behalf, he might not have lost his identity through the surgeon's knife and innumerable skin alterations, actions that set off a long chain reaction that I believe are the ultimate cause of his death.   In my view, Michael Jackson "died" long before Dr. Murray came into the picture, and we watched him erode before our very eyes.

If we truly do unto others AS WE WOULD HAVE them do unto us, then we would pray for Dr. Murray, for we know God can do a mighty work through a broken spirit and a contrite heart.

Let's not be so quick to judge, and let's not be so quick to mimic and reflect the negative attitudes we encounter from others.  For, if we keep justifying our "right" to judge, fly off the handle, curse or seek revenge on others, the principle of reaping and sowing will be in full effect and we will be repaid by what we Do Unto Others....

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

I Hear the Sound of Victory....

Maurette Brown-Clark sings a wonderful song entitled, "I Hear the Sound of Victory."  For many years Maurette has combined her incredible gift of singing and songwriting with her gift of encouragement to uplift and inspire God's people worldwide.

A few days ago, I awoke with the chorus of "I Hear the Sound of Victory" ringing in my head.  It sounded as clear as if it were coming from the radio, yet it was resonating from within me.

As I got up from bed and began moving around, I really began to focus in on the lyrics of the song:

I hear the sound of victory. 
I know that things are gonna change for me....
And because of His blood (I overcome)
I don't have to fight (it's already won!)

Those lyrics reminded me that sometimes, we forget that we are more than conquerors, we are overcomers through Christ Jesus!  We waste energy and time fighting battles that, first of all are not ours, and secondly, have already been won!

If we could just still our hearts, minds and bodies long enough we would be able to hear the sound of victory.  When we listen, we would hear the sound of victory in the laughter of children who run and play without a care in the world and squeal with delight over the simplest things in life.  We would realize that we are those children in God's sight and that we are to cast our cares on Him, for He cares for us.

If we could just stop allowing the negative comments from others to replay over and over in our minds we could hear the sound of victory.  We would understand that we are to ignore negative reports and instead believe the report of the Lord which says we are filled, healed, free and walking in victory.

If we could just quiet our own negative voices ringing in our heads and substitute them for God's voice expressed through scripture or through the melodies of modern-day psalmists like Maurette, we would hear the sound of victory.

As that song rang through my head, a smile came upon my lips as I began to realize how much God has really blessed me.  Sure, I have my share of challenges-- we all have our own load to bear in this life.  But I realized that I don't have to dwell on them and let the cares of this world dominate every moment of my day. 

Life is too short to spend it stressing over things that are just temporary hurdles on this side of glory.  For, "when we all get to Heaven, what a day of rejoicing that will be.  When we all see Jesus, we'll sing and shout the victory."

The victory that is in store for us in glory is music to my ears.  And, I'm not going to wait until I get to Heaven to believe God for the victory.  I believe it now, so I need to live like I believe it now, regardless of my circumstances.  I hear the sound of victory, even when life's challenges get louder, more intense and much harder than I expected...

And the louder it gets (the louder I praise)
The more intense (the more I praise)
And the harder it gets (the harder I praise)
My victory is on the way...and it's in my praise!

Do you hear what I hear?  I hear the sound of VICTORY!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Hocus Pocus! Where's Your Focus?

"Things that matter most must never be at the mercy of things that matter least."  Goethe

"Hocus Pocus!" is a phrase magicians use to introduce or prepare the audience for a magic trick.  When we hear that familiar phrase, we know that something is likely to disappear--or at least appear to disappear--right before our very eyes. Just when we think we have our eyes keenly focused on what's in front of us, it's gone!


We understand that magicians don't really have the power to make things disappear, but we are entertained and sometimes amazed by their skill in deflection, distraction and slight of hand.  There are, however, some street hustlers who really can make things disappear--like your money if you fall for their enticing shell game and fail to keep your eye on the ball!

When it comes to our ability to keep our eyes focused on what's most important in life, sometimes it seems as if someone has yelled to us, "Hocus Pocus!" and then "poof!" our focus has disappeared.

There are so many competing priorities in life that sometimes it's hard to maintain our focus.  The enemy loves to keep us in a fog about where we should focus our energy and attention, because as long as we stay in a fog, we're less likely to get on course or help others stay on course.

Some of us have found ourselves habitually putting our energy into temper tantrums, criticizing others, circular arguments that benefit no one, "get rich quick" schemes, pity parties, or trying to force everyone around us to accept our shortcomings instead of allowing God to transform us and renew our minds.

This inability to focus our attention and energy in more productive directions could be the result of the lingering presence of childhood wounds in which people inflicted anger, criticism or insensitivity on us or modeled those behaviors around us.
 
Our brains are like super absorbent sponges with video recorders attached to them.  We soak up things involuntarily and then it only takes a touch of our buttons to replay the trauma over and over again.  Some of what we are so intently focused on today would change completely if we would allow God's healing hand to free us from yesterday's trauma and drama that left us with wounded hearts, tainted minds and clouded eyesight.
 
God's Holy Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth.  An important truth that should be a focal point for our lives is that we are fearfully and wonderfully made.  We are God's workmanship, vessels designed to showcase the best in life, not the worst.
 
On October 31, I saw a number of houses decorated to look like the worst nightmare.  People actually but their best into making their homes the worst. Do we focus that kind of energy into adorning our houses (our bodies) and living our lives in such a way that we display the glory of God to everyone who sees us?
 
People showed no shame and spared no expense to display death and promote darkness on October 31, what is actually All Hallows Eve, the evening before All Saints Day.  How many of us are willing to boldly promote that real joy doesn't come from revelry but is a fruit of the Spirit and comes with no shame?
 
Life is too short for us to keep running in circles chasing our own tails or following the tail or trail of anyone else who's running in circles.  God has promised to keep us in perfect peace if we keep our mind stayed--focused-- on Him.  So let's keep the main thing the main thing, leave the "Hocus Pocus" to the magicians, and keep our focus on the Master. 
 
BNcouraged!
 
Rev. Karen

Holy? Wholly? Holey? Lord God Almighty!

Holy, Holy, Holy. 
Lord God Almighty. 
Early in the morning our song shall rise to Thee. 
Holy, Holy, Holy.
Merciful and mighty. 
God in three persons, Blessed Trinity.

That song is one of my favorite hymns.  But, sometimes I wonder if some of us have the words a little mixed up or if we simply fail to grasp the full breadth of what the song is declaring.

I think we are all pretty clear about the fact that it refers to the holiness of God.  But, perhaps we haven't realized that not only does it declare that God is holy, but that God is "wholly" or entirely holy.  And, what does that "wholly" cover? The blessed Trinity. 

God is holy and God is wholly holy.  God is one being who exists in three persons--God the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit--and ALL of God is holy.  Yet, some of us want to take God piecemeal or treat our relationship with God as if we are offered multiple choices. We sell ourselves and God short when we fail to see or embrace the fullness of the Godhead or hold one of the Trinity in lower regard than another.

Starting with Genesis, we see evidence of the Spirit or the Rhua of God present in creation:

And the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. (Genesis 1:2)

So, from the outset, in the opening verses of scripture, God has given us a glimpse of His fullness or wholeness.

God is wholly, holy.  But, Lord God almighty, some of us are just the opposite--we are wholly holey!

Some of us have allowed the challenges of this life to leave deep wholes all throughout our being.  Our minds, our hearts and our spirits are filled with gaping, aching holes that we often try to fill with everything else except the Blessed Trinity.

No one and nothing but God--in His entirety--will ever fill the holes in our lives.  Not even church work or attendance will do the job.  Some of us move in and out and all about the church and appear as if we are striving to get closer to God.  But, all the while we are actually dancing around and away from God.  We are only touching God at the surface and are too afraid to go deep.

Come on!  Take the plunge!  If you're already in deep with God, great!  Go deeper!  Take a deeper and closer examination of yourself and explore the holes in your heart and mind. Don't keep covering those holes with scar tissue.  Open those wounds to the Great Physician and let the healing begin!

God says, "be holy, for I am holy."  Not only is God wholly holy, God desires for us to also be wholly, holy.  We will never achieve that on our own.  That's why we must wholly receive the gift of Jesus Christ -- "What can wash away my sin, nothing but the blood of Jesus!"

Let us learn to truly love the Lord our God with all of our heart, mind, and strength.  For, once we stop half-stepping and serve God with our whole heart, we won't be burdened with the guilt and confusion of our hearts, minds and bodies being in disagreement about what we truly desire in life.

When we FULLY (i.e. wholly) yield to God, we will find the peace that passess understanding, and every fabric of our being will readily and lovingly declare in unison,

Holy, Holy, Holy....
There is none beside Thee. 
Perfect in power and love and purity.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

It's Time for a Serious Glass Kicking!

You may be familiar with the notion of a "glass ceiling" -- that invisible, solid barrier which allows one to see upward, but never actually move upward.

Although the next level is clearly visible through the glass ceiling, it might as well be invisible because it cannot be attained.  The glass ceiling prevents access to anything above it, frustrating all those who are trapped below it. 

The notion of the glass ceiling has traditionally applied to the barriers women face in the workplace, however it can actually apply to anyone anytime there is a barrier between someone and his or her goals and dreams.

God's Word declares that we are "more than conquerors through Christ Jesus" and that we "can do all things through Christ who strengthens us."  Therefore, if what we see beyond the glass barrier is something God has promised and prepared for us to have, we've got to do more than just press our noses against the window and stare at what belongs to us.  We've got to go and claim what is rightfully ours.

"Greater is He that is in us than He that is in the world." 

There is no barrier that Satan, people, or life's circumstances could create that would ever be strong enough to withstand the presence, power, and promises of God.

The good thing is, we don't even have to rely on our own strength to break down those barriers to reach what God has for us--we just have to decide that we really want them destroyed once and for all. 

When we sincerely call on the one who is "able to keep us from falling" below the standard that has been set for us before we were even formed in the womb, God will answer.  And when God answers, we need to take all of our excuses, fears and doubts and get out of the way and let God get busy with some serious glass kicking!  Put on your hard hats and look out below, we're movin' on up!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

The Ultimate Identity Thief

Identity theft is a major problem worldwide.  Advances in technology have helped us to reach out and touch one another -- but not always in a positive way.

People go to great lengths to protect their identity from crafty thieves who, in turn, go to great lengths to circumvent the systems designed to thwart them.

It's a never-ending battle of wits and will.  But, no matter what dastardly tricks the identity thieves have up their slippery sleeves, nothing they can do compares to the ultimate identity theft--the theft of our true identity in Jesus Christ.

"The enemy comes to steal, kill and destroy..." (John 10:10a)  One of the most crafty ways he does this is by confusing us about who and whose we are.  Satan is famous for rewriting our life's story into something contrary to God's divine design.  He will tell us that we were born with a short temper, a bad attitude or wayward desires.  Even worse, he will tell us that these things are inescapable, unavoidable and represent the final word on who we are and what we are to become.

The enemy will even go so far as to have some of us believing that God made a mistake in designing our bodies or in designating our gender.  Based on half truths and whole lies, some of us submit to the surgeon's scalpel to "correct" God's "mistake." 

What happened? As the apostle Paul asked in Galatians 3:1, "who bewitched [us] that [we] should not obey the truth?" With our mouths we exclaim that Jesus is Lord of our lives--our Saviour and Lord.  But, with our actions we actually declare allegiance to the world.

Have we forgotten?  We were bought with a price--Jesus' shed blood on Calvary.  And, even though we were all born in sin and shaped in iniquity, we should not believe Satan's lies that claim we cannot be transformed by the renewing of our minds.  Furthermore, the rest of the scripture from John 10:10 says that Jesus has come that we "might have life, and that [we] may have it more abundantly."

Even if we have had challenging or tragic situations that detoured or deterred us away from God's loving and perfect will, we can always--yes, always--turn around.  We don't have to accept the false, distorted identity that either forces us to live a lie or call God a liar with regard to who we truly are.

Sooner or later we will come to realize that the feelings and voices inside us tormenting us about who we really are may not be coming from our "true" selves but from a cunning identity thief tempting us to echo the serpent's question to Eve in the garden of Eden, "did God say....?"

Remember, from the beginning the serpent was "more crafty" and knew how to get Adam and Eve to rebel against God, question God's directives, and forfeit their God-given identities. 

Our emotional and spiritual immaturity, pain, and loneliness are perfect tools for Satan to use in crafting the pseudo identities that we naively exchange for the ones God had in mind before the foundation of the world.

"...and they exchanged the truth of God for a lie...." (Romans 1:25)

If you realize that you have fallen for Satan's lie about who you "really" are, acknowledge it to God, repent and ask God to reveal to you the true and truly awesome plan He has for your life.  I have a pretty good feeling that God's plan does not involve any of us being angry, addicted, bitter, controlling, promiscuous, confused, misused or abused.

We will know when God's plan is in operation in our lives when our lives line up with God's Word--not against it.  We must remember that our lives have been crafted to be beautiful masterpieces that give God glory, something God would proudly out His signature on. 

Take a moment to check the authorization signature on your spiritual ID card.  If God's name and seal are not clearly all over it, you just might be an unsuspecting victim of the ultimate identity thief....

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

A.N.D......

Our church distributes the daily devotional, "The Word for You Today."  It is full of Godly wisdom and insight for everyday living and always features witty quotes or poems that really help illustrate scriptural truths.

The reading from September 15 of this year included the following poem:

There was a very cautious man who never laughed or played; he never risked, he never tried, he never sang or prayed.  AND when one day he passed away, his insurance was denied; for since he never really lived, they claimed he never died!

What this poor man thought was being cautious and safe actually reflected either fear or a lack of trust in God--which go hand in hand.  But, God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. (2 Timothy 1:7)

God has placed us each here for a reason and a season, not to just fearfully wait on the sidelines of life until we get to Heaven.  God has deposited songs, poems, dances, speeches, sermons, designs, innovations and scientific calculations in various individuals who are destined to be world-changers and ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

Our gifts and destinies are not given on an "either/or" basis -- either we use them now, or just wait until we are in glory.  We are to give God glory through the creativity He has placed in each one of us now AND when we are with God for eternity.

Julian Jackson, a young adult at my church really exemplifies this concept.  In fact, his Gospel rap group is called A.N.D. which stands for "Alive Not Dead."

Unlike the gentleman in the poem mentioned earlier, no insurance salesman will ever be able to accuse Julian of not living, because he is continually and boldly submitting himself AND his gifts to God in appreciation for the sacrificial gift of our risen Savior, Jesus Christ-- who is most certainly alive, not dead!

Julian has (at times narrowly) escaped becoming a statistic.  That is, he did not die a violent death at a young age, a statistic that still rings true for far too many young African-American males in America.

He is proud and thankful that he is Alive Not Dead and has Jesus Christ to thank for every day he has on this side of glory.

At 6pm Friday, October 28, A.N.D. will release their first CD at a special concert at our church, The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church. 

If you have been dragging or slacking with regard to giving your all for Christ, come see A.N.D. in action and catch some of their energy!  Your presence will send a strong message of support to young men like Julian and his band members, AND, you will be blessed exceedingly, abundantly above all you could ask or imagine!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Are You Cultivating a Field of Dreams or A Little Crop of Horrors?

Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God. But land that produces thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed. In the end it will be burned. (Hebrews 6:7-8)

What are you cultivating?  One definition for cultivating is: to promote or improve the growth of (a plant, crop, etc.) by labor and attention.  So what are you working hard at?  Who or what commands your attention? Our habits are often good indicators of things that we have been cultivating. 

The act of cultivating is not limited to good things.  Whatever we nurture--positive or negative--will eventually crop up in our lives.

Prayerfully, we are cultivating useful things--things that are a blessing to us and others.  However, if we are promoting or giving attention to things based on a play now and pay later system, "later" just might come a little sooner than we expected.

God makes it clear that a crop of "thorns and thistles is worthless and is in danger of being cursed.  In the end it will be burned."  This is a serious warning.  We do not have the luxury of feigning ignorance or pretending like God doesn't see what we are sowing in our secret fields.

Whatever or whomever is the priority in our lives needs to be examined for thorns and thistles.  If we pride ourselves on being tough, rough and quick to pierce anyone who rubs us the wrong way, that just might be an indication that we are cultivating thorns.

If we are rigid and set in our ways, prickly and unapproachable, proudly sticking out like a sore thumb--and unapologetically causing "sore thumbs" for others by what we say and do--perhaps it's time to explore what it is we really expect to gain from impersonating a cactus.

Come on in from the desert and allow God's presence to rain on you and reign over you. Soak it up. Soften up.  Lighten up. Fill up those dry, prickly places with the loving and empowering presence of God's Holy Spirit and watch what begins to grow.

God's plan for us includes a wonderful future and a hope. We must be determined to find out exactly what that means for each of us.  I don't know what God has in store for you, but I'm pretty sure that running in circles, ranting and raving, or holding on to things and people we should have outgrown or let go of long ago is not God's idea of a future and a hope.

We must not allow the troubles of this world to cause us to forfeit our abundant field of dreams in exchange for a little crop of horrors. Let's seize the day and cease investing in worthless works.  For, as Jesus says, we "must work the works of Him who sent [us] while it is day; [the] night is coming when no one can work." (John 9:4)

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

A Permanent Fix for a Temporary Itch

This summer, the mosquitos must have placed me on the top of their "best bites" list because they dined on my legs and arms as if they were eating at a scrumptious buffet!  As soon as one bite stopped itching, another would flare up.

Thankfully, no matter how uncomfortable the itching has been, it is only temporary.  An itch, by its very nature is a temporary thing.  Even persons living with chronic skin conditions like eczema get relief sometime, especially if they use the necessary creams and medications.

Even in the most severe cases of itching, the solution would never be to completely remove all of the skin on the entire body just to relieve the itch.  That would be an extreme and permanent fix for a temporary problem.

We must be careful not to employ permanent fixes for the temporary itches that flare up in our lives.

Some of us may be itching for affection.  We must be mindful that we don't latch on to just any old back scratcher that is eager to scratch us just where we think we need scratching.  If we're not careful, we could trade a minor itch for a major, more contagious one-- something more difficult to reach than the one we started with.

Whether we are itching for affection, acceptance, fame or fortune, as long as we live on this side of glory we are going to be itching for one thing or another.  We must always remember that Jesus understands our struggle, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all [points] tempted as [we are, yet] without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

Whatever our desires are, we must submit them to God, for those that are in line with God's divine will and those that emanate from our delight in Him, we will receive:

"Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:14-15); "Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4).

Any itch or desire that we satisfy by leaning on our own understanding puts us at risk of moving away from God and away from our divine purpose and destiny. In fact, some of the so-called fixes for our itches can leave us permanently scarred, marred, labeled or disabled--and THEN we decide to run to God for help!

Let's not panic every time we have a flare up that it seems we just can't satisfy.  Some of what we're itching for will never be satisfied in this life.  That's fine with me, because I am finally beginning to accept that all of what we experience in life is ultimately temporary anyway.  The only thing truly permanent is our eternal home in glory, and that is where we will find the ultimate, permanent fix for our temporary itch: 

"Even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body." (Romans 8:23)

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

I Heard It Through the Great Vine

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" is a classic song from the 1950s that also became popular in the 1980s and 90s through the California Raisins commercials.

As I was taking a morning walk recently, I noticed a group of vines stretching up and out over a fence.  There was nothing nearby for them to cling to beyond the fence, so each vine just suspended itself firmly and straight out into the open air.  They were slightly curved at the end as if they had fingertips grasping upward.

It was truly an interesting site, especially because I had recently noticed a vine clinging to the railing on my front steps and I began wondering about what vines do when there's nothing for them to cling to. 

There was my answer, live and in 4-D, right in front of me.  When there is nothing to hold on to, vines will just keep reaching onward and upward--because that's what they are designed to do.

If those vines could talk, it seemed as if they were saying to themselves, "I know there is SOMEthing out there for us to hold on to.  Let's just keep strrretching and reaching until we find it!"

The Apostle Paul said, "Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."  (Philippians 4:13-14)

Paul's words are inspiring, but some of us complain that we can't see the prize anywhere in sight--reach for it anyway!  Some of us have come a long way but are tempted to turn back to the comforts of what we have actually outgrown--stretch forth into new territory anyway! 

Others of us don't think we have the strength to stretch out and stand on our own--stand firm anyway through Christ who gives you strength! Some of us are stuck on the fence, entangled with things that have been clinging to us and making us believe we have to use our bodies as sex objects, art canvases, or pin cushions to feel accepted--get off the fence and reach for a higher love!

We are designed to bear much fruit, and fruit that remains.  Some of our lives haven't been fruitful, because we have been disconnected from the true vine, which is Jesus Christ.  How do I know this, well, let's just say, I heard it through the Great Vine, Jesus Christ:

"I am the vine, ye [are] the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Stay true to your diVINE design!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

What Are You Expecting?

"Seek and ye shall find...."

Sometimes, the things we "find" in life stem from what we set out to find, or expect to find.  It's the basic principle of reaping and sowing, and it holds true whether we find ourselves in troublesome situations or in triumphant ones. 

If we sow apple seeds, we expect to find an apple tree growing in that spot, not a fig tree or any other tree.  Why is it then, that we act so surprised when certain things turn out the way they do?  If we sow bitterness, anger, rage, jealousy, impatience, etc., why are we surprised when we reap trouble and confusion?  What are we expecting?

When a woman is pregnant, she is said to be "expecting."  Everyone already knows that what she is expecting will be a baby, because that's what comes to life as a result of the union of sperm and egg.  The only questions about what the mother is expecting concern the gender of the baby, the estimated delivery date, and the number of babies growing inside.

So, the question is, what are you pregnant with?  What is growing inside of you and preparing to be birthed in due season?  What are you expecting?  Whatever you are expecting will be determined by what you have allowed to enter into your life. 

If we lay down with someone who clearly wanted to be with us "only for one night" as Luther Vandross would say, why would we expect them to stay around and parent a child they were never interested in having?  In fact, why are we ever really surprised when a child is conceived as the result of sexual intercourse--isn't that what God designed it to do?  Hello? What are we expecting?

When we allow God's Holy Spirit to enter into union with our spirit, we can expect the fruit of the Spirit to begin growing inside of us--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness and self control. We may not know exactly which fruit we are preparing to birth and how much fruit is growing, but we know that we will have a live, fruitful birth.

On the contrary, when we lust after the things in the world that are contrary to the fruit of the Spirit, we are preparing to give life to death.  It's as if we have birthed a stillborn baby.  James explains it this way "...after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death" (James 1:15).

When a woman delivers a stillborn baby, it is immediately evident that the child is dead.  Sin, however, is deceptive.  When we allow sin to be birthed through us, it appears as though we have delivered a live, healthy baby.  But, that which appears to have life is nothing more than a dastardly double agent that will ruthlessly turn on its host and deliver a slow, torturous death.  So, why do we keep playing around with sin and getting disappointed when we end up burned instead of blessed?

We know that God continually does exceedingly, abundantly above all we could ask or imagine.  We also know that Jesus came to give life-- and life more abundantly-- and, that the Holy Spirit leads us and guides us into all truth.  So, when we truly desire God, in all of His trinitarian splendor, He enters into our lives and fills us with joy unspeakable--in spite of life's trials and tribulations. 

When we allow the Father, Son and Holy Ghost to fully indwell our mind, body and spirit, we give life to life--a powerful, productive and purposeful life-- that eventually leads to eternal life.

Life or death.  It's our choice and we will have whatsoever we choose.  If we look closely at who and what we have embraced and welcomed into our lives, our expectations will become evident. 

Look around you....  Look inside of you.... What are you expecting?

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Lord, Have Mercy!

Many of us have either said or heard the phrase, "Lord, have mercy!" We may even recognize it as part of one of the simplest prayers we can utter, "Lord, have mercy on me, a sinner!"

The phrase "Lord, have mercy!" is also used to express great shock, awe or fear, especially in response to something unexpected.

When the weather forecasters predicted a string of 100+ degree days earlier this summer, many of us cried, "Lord, have mercy!" as we sweated our way through the unseasonable onslaught of heat.

When Washington, DC and surrounding areas experienced an unusual earthquake, some of us thought, "Lord, have mercy! An earthquake? Here?"

When Hurricane/Tropical Storm Irene threatened to devastate almost the entire east coast of the US and Canada, we looked at the size, power and scope of the storm and exclaimed, "Lord, have mercy!"

Well, considering the low death toll of all of three of these natural threats combined, it appears that the Lord, indeed, had mercy on us.  But, do we really understand and appreciate His mercy?

Untold numbers of people earnestly prayed and sought the Lord's intervention in each of these crises, so why is it that when He stretched forth His mighty hand to answer our cries, we instead began to "cry foul" because we were expecting more devastation than we received?

Did we really want the east coast quake to rough us up?  Did we really want Irene to devastate more lives and property?  Remember, the earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof.  Also, God controls the winds and the waves. So when, as one newscaster stated, "something seemed to hold the storm back," why aren't we shouting praises and glory as loud as we would have been wailing and shouting, "why me?" if we had fully experienced all that Irene was clearly capable of doing?

"Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water."  Revelation 14:7

The dry summer heatwave and Hurricane Irene eerily parallel parts of Amos 4:7-8 which reads, "I also withheld rain from you, when [there were] still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city...Yet you have not returned to Me, says the LORD."

Instead of "humbling ourselves and turning from our wicked ways" some of us saw the hurricane as an opportunity to get drunk and engage in other behaviors that continually deny the fact that we've been "bought with a price" and are to "present our bodies as a living sacrifice...."

O LORD, [are] not Your eyes on the truth? You have stricken them, But they have not grieved; You have consumed them, But they have refused to receive correction. They have made their faces harder than rock; They have refused to return.  Jeremiah 5:3

Let's not have such hardened hearts and hard heads that it takes severe devastation before we stop mocking God for holding back His fury and finally start giving Him the glory due His name.

In the same hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. In the earthquake seven thousand people were killed, and the rest were afraid and gave glory to the God of heaven.  Revelation 11:13

I don't know about you, but I would much rather give God the glory now by how I use my body, mind and time than to be brought to my knees trembling because I didn't take God's Word seriously and heed the gentle reminders. 

I don't know the day or the hour, but one day God will stop issuing warning tickets, and unleash the real sting of the real thing.  The good thing is, when we accept God's gracious gift of salvation, made available through the blood of Jesus Christ, we won't have to experience the real sting, which is eternal separation from God. 

If we think life here on earth is hell sometimes, try trading the temporary pleasures of this life for being separated from God for eternity.  THAT'S enough to make you say, "Lord, have mercy!"

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Shaken, Not Stirred!

Well, well, well...  Many of us have been desiring to see some things get shaken up in Washington, DC, but who knew God would step in and do the job personally--and literally!

Earthquakes occur along fault lines, so why on earth would any of us be surprised that Washington, DC would have enough "faults" in and around it to experience a measurable quake?  We've been on shaky ground for a long time--due to the physical faults in the ground and the figurative faults in the people--so we were long overdue for a shake up!

Thankfully there have been little to no serious injuries reported as a result of the quake. I have heard, however, that some people were emotionally shaken up or fearful that the end of the world was taking place.

Frankly, it never crossed my mind that the world might be coming to an end.  And, even if yesterday was "the end" (oh, wait, that date has been moved to October 21 per doomsday prophet Harold Camping) I am ready to meet the Lord, so fear would not have been a factor.

If we are truly followers of Jesus Christ we know that we belong to God, we were created in God's image, we were all given a plan and a purpose from God, and will one day leave this earth and go to be with God.  That gives us the blessed assurance that no matter what happens around us, we remain in the palm of God's hand.

That blessed assurance also makes us mindful that God's Holy Spirit will lead us and guide us into all truth--truth about how we should treat one another, truth about how we should use the gifts and the time God has given us, truth about how in our everyday lives we ought to give God glory. 

We shouldn't get all stirred up and run to God only in time of fear or need, and give thanks only when things go our way.  If we have been treating God like a part-time lover, perhaps it's time to get serious and really commit ourselves to a full-fledged relationship. 

If we could just let go of all the fussing, cussing, flexing, sexing, sexting and  excessive texting we'd stop wasting time and live life like it's a blessing.

That way, when things start going haywire all around us, we will not be moved.  We might be a little shaken, but definitely not stirred!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Something's Phishy!

Some people refer to technology as evil or a source of evil.  However, I believe that technology is no more than a tool that can be used for evil or for good, depending on the intent of the person utilizing it.

The Lord has enabled me to utilize technology to encourage and challenge people across the globe to "choose this day whom they will serve" and to "keep on keeping on" once they have made a decision to serve the Lord.

There are those in cyberspace, however, who are either influenced by the prince of the air or merely enticed by their own wayward desires to use technology as a tool to hurt people.

One example that has struck close to home is a tactic known as "phishing."  This involves an individual contacting someone under false pretenses, mainly to trick them into giving out personal information that can be used to access bank accounts, send spam, or carry out other nefarious notions. 

Some of my friends and family members' accounts have recently been hacked or "phished." Thankfully these attacks have only resulted in the nuisance of having been used as spam portals, and no sensitive information was compromised.

I spoke with one of my friends who had been "phished" and we were intrigued by the fact that something Jesus instructed his disciples to do--become "fishers" of men--has in essence been mockingly morphed from its friendly faith-filled focus, and connivingly co-opted by corrupt con artists who find it funny to be phony and therefore "phish" for men to fall instead of "fishing" for them to be fulfilled.

But, oh, if we in the faith community had the diligence of the phony "phishers."

The scripture is so true when it says the wicked never rest.  The scammers never tire of using technology to reach out and pull others into their wicked web.  Meanwhile, some of us Christians avoid technology like the plague and miss out on fishing for those who can only be reached by casting the internet, not the fishing net.

We must be wise as serpents but harmless as doves.  We must be determined to have a voice in the marketplace of ideas and spread love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control--the fruit of the Spirit--by any means necessary. 

Imagine the fruit of the Spirit spreading like a virus and "infecting" untold numbers of people, the way computer viruses run rampant through cyberspace! 

Our prayers,  persistence, and presence in the technological community helps to adjust the "ph" balance, foiling the forgery of the phony phishers who promulgate promiscuity and other problematic practices as panaceas to life's problems.

We must be present so we can prophetically proclaim that "who the Son sets free is free indeed" to a world so easily entangled by empty promises. May we never give up spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ through word, deed and example, for in due season, we shall reap if we faint not!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

    

The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength!

God’s ways are SO beyond our ways.  For example, when we think of the word, “strength,” we might consider images of body builders, mean-looking “tough guys,” or strong material like steel.  But, our standards or measures of strength are completely opposite of what God calls strength. 

We might think a hard, stern expression on the outside is an indication of great strength on the inside.  And, sometimes, that's just what we want others to believe when they look at our faces. Actually just the opposite is often true.   Often, the harder we appear on the outside, the softer we really are on the inside.

In God’s system, joy on the outside is an indicator of strength on the inside.  When we display joy, it says that we recognize that God is in control of everything and that truly all things work together for good. 

This recognition allows us to rest in the truth that all of our external circumstances are ultimately temporary. It frees us from the anxiety of not knowing (and not even needing to know) exactly how things will turn out.  When we trust completely in God, we can rest assured that however things turn out, we will have the victory because we are more than conquerors through Jesus Christ.

We must not ever forget that joy is a fruit of the Spirit.  We often perceive joy as a light, trivial thing reserved only for children. However, the presence of joy is actually an indicator of the presence and power of God’s Holy Spirit at work in our lives.  Through the presence and power of the Spirit, we are able to bend, not break during tough times.  Through the presence and power of the Spirit we are able to smile and laugh even in the midst of sorrow—for we know that “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”

The presence and power of the joy God gives us through His Holy Spirit (remember it is the Joy of the Lord) point to the seemingly paradoxical combination of child-like wonder and mature faith that enable us to hold on a little while longer when the storms of life are raging and to fully expect God to make a way out of no way.

The absence of joy may be an indicator that, instead of child-like wonder, we are filled with grownup cynicsm.  And, instead of mature faith, some of us are so immature in the faith that we readily throw in the towel the minute our faith is tested.

Some of us really need to let go of the negative attitude and sour faces that we have been mistaking as signs of our strength.  We think a hard facial expression shows everyone that we are not to be messed with.  Actually, a hard expression might be an indicator that the world has already messed with us, to the extent that it’s written all over our faces!

When life is unfair and overwhelming, don’t dwell on it and rehearse negative things over and over in your mind.  Pray, ask God for wisdom in responding to the situation, follow those instructions, breathe, and smile.  Kirk Franklin says it best, “you look so much better when you smile!” 

Life can be challenging, but we simply cannot afford to let a root of bitterness spring up in us and defile the whole person. Instead of letting fear, doubt, anger or bitterness flood your soul, open your heart to the joy of the Lord, and let His joy flood your soul.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

ANSWER: This Two-Timer is the Talk of the Town!

QUESTION:  What is the tongue?

I know, I know.  You were expecting the question to refer to one of our assorted (or is it "a sordid") married state and Federal leaders from California to the New York islands whose two-timing antics have been chronicled all over the news lately. 

No, the two-timer that I'm referring to is our own tongue.  James 3:9-10 says, "My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses.  We praise our Lord and Father and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn't right." (Contemporary English Version--CEV)

Those of you who are fans of the game show Jeopardy no doubt recognize the answer and question format reflected in today's title and opening line.   Hopefully, all of us will also come to realize that when we use our tongues, or voices, to praise God and then turn right around and use the same tool for cursing and profanity, without question we put ourselves in jeopardy and will answer to God for our actions --and that's no game.

If you picked up the use of profanity or foul language during your teen or rebellious years, maybe it's time to put it down.  Psalm 109:17-18 admonishes us that "as he loved cursing, so let it come unto him: as he delighted not in blessing, so let it be far from him. As he clothed himself with cursing like as with his garment, so let it come into his bowels like water, and like oil into his bones." (King James Version--KJV)

That passage is probably not one often memorized or recited, but it's one we simply cannot afford to be ignorant of.  Just think about it.  Proverbs 18:20 explains, "Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof." (KJV)

Those who are into New Age, Metaphysical concepts like "The Secret" view this as a reciprocal principle of the universe--whatever you put into the universe is what comes back to you.

As Christians, we understand that those teachings are nothing more than repackaged versions of what the Bible describes as reaping and sowing, "Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." (Job 4:8 CEV)

In light of the principle of reaping and sowing, is it possible that some people have so much to curse about because they curse about so much?  I have heard conversations where profanity served as the subject, adjective and verb in the sentence.  It's getting so out of hand that women are actually accepting and proudly referring to one another with the word for female dogs.  Sorry, but our four-legged friends were not created in the image of God, we were.

Maybe a fast from cursing (or as some of us refer to it, "cussing") is necessary to begin to reset our tongues.  If you are wrestling with a cursing habit, try substituting words of praise for profanity.  Not in the way that some have turned the name of Jesus Christ into a swear word, but sincerely calling on the power inherent in the name of the Lord in a time of pain or crisis. 

The Bible tells us that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow; that demons tremble at the name of Jesus; that healing takes place at the calling of Jesus' name.  So, it seems reasonable to expect "Oh Jesus!" to be far more helpful to us than "Oh, s#*t!"  And, if we have whatever we say, just think about which one you'd want to have shower down on you in a time of need!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Warning! Do NOT try this at home!

I never listened to any of Amy Winehouse's music.  But, I understand that she was quite talented.  Her family, friends and fans are still reeling from her sudden death and my prayers go out to all of them.

I also pray that all of us--whether we listened to her music or not--heed the warning that was clearly evident in her self-destructive lifestyle, the same warning bell that sounded off through the lives of Jimi Hendrix, Jim Morrison, Anna Nicole Smith, Michael Jackson, and an exhaustive list of other celebrities.

Most news stories about Winehouse's death center on her age, which eerily matches that of other musicians who lived and died from similar excessive, reckless lifestyles.  However, in focusing on her age at death, we risk missing the wider and more broad-reaching warning that has been ringing throughout the ages.

That warning is against making fame, fortune or free will our gods.  It is only when we remain anchored and centered in the true and living God that we have the proper perspective on fame, fortune, and free will.  These are not inherently bad things, but without God, they will have us believing we are invincible and answer to no one.

Without God's Holy Spirit leading and guiding us into all truth, we will believe the lie that we can abuse our minds, bodies and spirits with intoxicating substances, unlimited sexual partners, and do whatever else we crave to excess.

The celebrities whom we watch succumb to that lie actually mirror what some of us or our children are either already doing or secretly craving to do at home.

Sure, we love the Lord, but some of us have never outgrown the desire to "party like a rock star." Sadly, we don't even realize that the hand sign that is displayed for "rock" is essentially the silhouette of the goat-like figure associated with the devil.

We stubbornly refuse to deal with the reality that things like illicit sex and drugs create emotional and spiritual strongholds on us, sometimes long before they take their toll on our physical bodies. 

In 1 Corinthians 10 the Bible explains how our ancestors worshipped idols, did shameful sexual things and grumbled against the Lord.  These actions all lead to their deaths. In verse 11, we find that "These things happened to them as a warning to us.  All this was written in the Scriptures to teach us who live in these last days" (Contemporary English Version).

Just because the media often promotes celebrity excesses, or even though we may have members in our own family who live recklessly and appear to get away with it, we must heed the warning and NOT follow in their footsteps. 
To put it more plainly, "Warning!  Do NOT try this at home!"

We have to be careful about what we allow into our home--into our personal space.  When we are out "partying like a rock star" with our tongues hanging out and hand signs thrust in the air, who are we pledging allegiance to?  Who are we welcoming into our hearts, minds and homes?  It just might be an idol.

Some of us think we can handle a little of this or a little of that.  However, 1 Corinthians 10:12 warns us, "Even if you think you can stand up to temptation, be careful not to fall."  Think about it. How many times have we or someone else said, "one thing just led to another and...the next thing you know...." when we are trying to figure out how things got so out of control.

We are not to be envious of or overly enamored by celebrities or people we know who appear to live the secular definition of  the "good life" while we sometimes suffer for doing good.  Read Psalm 73 for inspiration to hold on when it seems that others are prospering for the wrong reasons.

Verse 27 of Psalm 73 provides a powerful reminder of why it pays to stand firm:  "Powerful God, all who stay far from you will be lost, and you will destroy those who are unfaithful.  It is good for me to be near you.  I choose you as my protector, and I will tell about your wonderful deeds."

Please.  Let's heed the repeated warnings.  And, let's love our friends and family enough to tell them about God's wonderful deeds--especially sending Jesus Christ as our provision for eternal life--and tell them that when it comes to some of the things society tries to tempt them with, they should NOT try them at home.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

No Doubt About It

Why is it that some of us who call ourselves believers seem to have the hardest time actually believing the promises of God?

We believe that God is real and that He sent His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.  Yet, when life gets rough and when God seems quiet, our actions speak much louder than words.

Too often we panic, or become angry, impatient, frustrated or doubtful about things that don't appear to be working out as we planned.  This is often evidenced by our use of negative words such as "never", "can't", "won't", "shouldn't", "don't" or "why" in reference to the timing or direction of the circumstances in our lives.

Things only get worse when we begin second-guessing God instead of seeking the wisdom required to wait in faith.  In the book of James 1:5–7 we find these words—"But if any of you lacketh wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all liberally and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing doubting: for he that doubteth is like the surge of the sea driven by the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord."

Sometimes God is silent because He has already told us what we need to know.  We just have to learn to hold on during the time between the promise and the manifestation of the promise.  Time is not our enemy when we are waiting on the Lord.  Time, in fact, is often a very good friend to us, giving us time to be not only eager to receive the promises of God, but actually ready to receive them.

God does not operate in chronos time, but in kairos time.  That means, God does not watch the clock with regard to the circumstances in our lives, but moves only when the time is right. 

We must understand that we are simply too close to our own situations to be able to see the big picture like God can.  That's why it's so easy for  us to forget that a divine delay is not a denial.

Either we believe God has the best in store for us--or not.  Either we believe that God knows what He is doing--or not.  Either we believe God is a deliverer--or not. The only reasonable reason for doubting someone is if their track record showed signs of inconsistency, lack of ability, or lack of experience. 

When we look back over our lives and the lives of those around us--including our cloud of biblical witnesses--do we see God as faithful and well able to do what He said He would do?  No doubt about it!  So... regardless of what things look or feel like right now, know that it's not over until it's over and God has the best in store for you--No Doubt About It!

Father Knows Best

Some of you may remember the old sitcom, "Father Knows Best."  It was just a basic story about a basic family--or at least what was considered "basic" back then--and their everyday lives.

The show debuted in 1954 and you can watch episodes of it on the internet via Hulu.  As Hulu describes it, "in episode after episode, Jim and Margaret treated their children’s youthful transgressions with authority, empathy and wisdom. By the end of each half hour, we’d all learned our lesson."

There definitely were many lessons to be learned from that series.  Two of the most important ones that I recall are that children fare best with the constant presence of their mother and father, and the entire family fares best with a strong, loving, actively involved, Godly father at the helm of it.

Our church distributes a devotional entitled, "The Word for You Today."  One of the entries detailed a story in Genesis 35 where just before Rachel died in childbirth she named her son Ben-Oni, which means "son of my sorrow." His father Jacob, however declared "He shall not be called Ben-Oni, the son of my sorrow; he shall be called Benjamin, the son of the right hand" (which means son of power).

Here was a situation where a mother placed the weight of her sorrow on the shoulders of her newborn child, who never asked to be brought into this world.  Her baby was not the source of her sorrow, it was her own choices and other circumstances that contributed to her sorrow. 

Yet, Rachel's anger, disappointment and frustration--perhaps due to what could have been an unexpected pregnancy, perhaps due to the possibility of unresolved issues with the father of the child, perhaps due to resentment of the sacrifices required of a wife and mother, in this case her very life--all manifested in the very name she chose for her child.

If Rachel had her way, her son would have been forced to live his entire life with a daily reminder that he was considered the source of his mother's sorrow.
Thank God that in this case, his father knew best.

Jacob was a Godly man who knew the importance of a name.  His name, which meant trickster, had actually been changed by God--his heavenly Father-- to Israel.  Instead of a trickster, he became known as one who wrestled with God and became the father of many nations.

Human fathers are subject to the same frailties as the rest of us, so I understand that they do not always literally know what is best.  However, our heavenly Father always knows what's best.  And, when earthly fathers stay intimately connected with their heavenly Father, they will always be able to discern what is best.

Also, when we follow God's original plan for the family unit and honor the important roles that God has given to every member in the family, we find unequivocally that Father knows best. 

Some of us want to believe that as long as a child has love coming from at least one parent that they will be alright.  Those who work with children on a regular basis--teachers, youth ministers, police officers, medical professionals, etc., will tell you otherwise.  We see and hear what some parents don't ever see at home--or don't want to see.  Even among those who are academically bright, we see far too many angry, depressed, confused children who perfect those traits when they become adults, even if outwardly they appear to have achieved success. 

This is in no way a denigration of single parents or those of us who grew up without our biological fathers.  It is simply an acknowledgement that God made THE recipe for human growth and development. When we deviate from the original recipe, we inevitably end up with less than what was originally intended. 

We can easily follow that logic when thinking of something like Colonel Sanders' recipe for Kentucky Fried Chicken.  If we don't follow his recipe exactly (from the list of ingredients to every piece of required equipment), we cannot call what we have produced Kentucky Fried Chicken or KFC.  We couldn't even legally put up a KFC sign outside our establishment without being accused of fraud.

Family, we have got to stop accepting the fraud with regard to what is required for a family.  That means we got to stop accepting the fraud of the "free love" movement and all other movements that moved us away from God's plan and toward a self-centered plan that says, "if it feels good do it."

It felt good for Rachel to project her pain onto her baby, but at what price to her son and the generations to come forth from him?  Some of us not only base our decisions on what feels good, but what makes us feel "bad."

Some of us reject the notion of God as "Father," but have we ever explored the source of our feelings about the matter?  What makes the image of God as a father negative? Certainly God is not limited to the image of a father, for God has many attributes.  So, why can't "Father" be one of them?

Regardless of how we feel about the matter, no mother would ever be able to give birth without the help of a father--even if he is nothing more than an anonymous sperm donor. 

When we embrace God as the ultimate, infinitely loving, omniscient, omnipotent, omnipresent Father whose plans for us are good and not evil, perhaps the eyes of our hearts and minds will truly be open to see that Father Knows Best.

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Now Hear This!

"You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."  John 8:32

Unfortunately, some of us never want to see, hear or face the truth, which essentially means we would rather embrace the bondage of a lie.  Think about it.  If knowing the truth equals freedom, then denying the truth equals the opposite of freedom--bondage.

Why do we prefer to live and believe a lie? Perhaps it's because sometimes, the truth isn't pretty.  When we look at the state of our families today, I hate to say it, but it isn't so pretty. 

We pay more for kiddie pedicures and fly haircuts than we pay attention to the hearts and minds of our children.  And, what happens to the children when they grow up without sitting at the knee of their parents and family elders to learn about living lives that are Godly and meaningful? They take their lessons from the music videos, movies and TV shows and embrace the glamorization of "thug life" and "video ho's."

Families, we're quick to get loud over trivial, temporary matters and fight for our right to cuss and cut up. But we are eerily silent when it comes to speaking up about generational curses and other issues that plague generations of families.

Now Hear This!  Enough is enough! 

If you live in the DC area and are willing to join my husband and me in countering the downward spiral of our families, please come out this Saturday, July 9 to our Annual Family Summit.

When we look at the state of today's families, it's not enough just to shake our heads and say, "What a shame!"  We've got to put our heads, hearts, resources and energies together to help us move forward, in Jesus' name!

This year's Summit is entitled, "MOVING FORWARD!  Hearing the Heart of a Man."  Men, women and teens will meet separately to openly address the impact of absentee parenting, child abuse, neglect and other dysfunctions that many adults faced while growing up.  We will focus especially on how these things have affected our men, the ones whom God has called to be the head of the family.

Just like a tragedy can change a life for the worst in just one minute, we believe that God can heal, set free and answer the prayers of his sons in daughters in this one special moment in time. 

We ask your prayers because what God has called us at The Pennsylvania Avenue Baptist Church to do is not to start an event, but a movement.  Now Hear This!

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen

Who Let the Dogs Out?

Some women believe the notion that "all men are dogs."  Those who believe the statement is true either believe it because they accept what they have been taught to believe about men, or have come to that conclusion based on their own bad experiences.

Although I have had my share of bad experiences, I am glad to say that I know that all men are not dogs.  However, there certainly are those who are guilty of treating others like dogs.  In such cases, the question that comes to my mind is, how did these individuals come to behave that way?  Or, in other words, "Who let the dogs out?"

My contention is that we are not born treating others as less than human, but somewhere along the way, some of us receive the wrong training, sometimes from the very people that wind up being mistreated.

Women, some of us fall right into the trap of raising our daughters and spoiling our sons, sending the wrong message to both of them.  As a result, some girls grow up thinking that women are supposed to shoulder all of the responsibility for caring for the family and the boys grow up thinking it's alright for a man to be passive or detached. 

Many of our sons are hurt by not having a father around, but also when they don't have a solid example from their mothers about how a real man is expected to treat a woman.  If they see a string of men in and out of their mothers' lives, it's no surprise that they end up in and out of other women's lives.  How will they ever build the stamina to stay true to anyone if they've never seen it demonstrated or specifically taught?

God tells us that "He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord."  We need to be teaching our children that truth -- our sons as well as our daughters. Some of the drama that people experience in relationships comes from the fact that too many boys grow up thinking only about being boyfriends, not husbands, and girls grow up not preparing to be a wife, but preparing to settle for boyfriends instead of holding out for husbands. 

A boy-friend is not necessarily looking for a wife, but is often seeking a play-mate--because that's what boys do, they play. Only a man that knows he is a husband will search for a wife, and when he seeks he will find his "good thing."  When women allow themselves to be play-mates, men are taught to believe that it's alright to be play-ers.

When we dress deliberately provacatively and send the message that our best assets are...well...our "assets," we should not be offended when the men come looking for the advertised special and show no interest or respect for our heart or mind.  Ladies, if we really want to help control the pet population, we just need to put away the dog whistles and they'll stop coming our way!

A Godly man that is searching for a Godly help-mate will look for her in certain places.  That means that a Godly woman needs to be in the right place to be found.  If we don't want the dogs pawing at our "kibbles and bits", we would do best to stay away from the dog food aisle.  If we don't want to be played, we should stay as far away as possible from the aisles filled with toys and games.

We also need to hold out for a man to seek our hand from our heavenly Father. That can only happen if the man has his own relationship with God, which is a must if he is to serve as the covering God expects him to be.

Six years ago on June 25, I was blessed of the Lord to be united in holy matrimony to Kendrick E. Curry, a man of God who knew I was his "good thing" not based on what he saw with his physical eyes, but because of what God revealed to his spiritual eyes. 

I am so thankful that we decided to stop leaning on our own understanding and instead trusted God to bring us together, for truly "His ways are not our ways."  Without the power and presence of the Lord in our lives, we could have easily gotten all turned around and let the dogs out instead of letting God in. 

If you are single and desiring a mate, don't be discouraged by the dog days of summer.  God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.  So, keep your eyes on Jesus, continue to wait on the Lord and...

BNcouraged!

Rev. Karen