A weekly posting of encouraging and challenging thoughts about life from
Rev. Karen W. Curry, a pastor's wife and mother of two who is also --in her "spare time"-- a dynamic preacher, teacher, motivational speaker, facilitator, writer, reviewer, poet, MC, liturgical dance/drama consultant and storyteller.
Contact Rev. Karen at BNcouraged247@msn.com to speak at your next service or retreat.
There are so many people who are hurting and in need around the world that sometimes those of us in ministry and service professions wonder if we ever make a difference. Poverty, violence, oppression and injustice are systemic issues and are definitely difficult cycles to break. But, whenever we have the chance to lift the spirits of someone who is suffering, we should seize the moment. And if the Lord places us in a position to not only lift their spirits but give them the tools that will help lift them out of their situation so they can move forward, we ought to seize that moment, too. Today's First Lady's SHHOW! features my interview with Pastor Alexandra Zanon who is providing much-needed sanctuary to those who live in the shadows beneath the splash and flash of the sunshine state of Florida. She's only one person, but through the power of God, the love of Jesus Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she exemplifies the difference ONE makes....
Pastor Alex's book, "You are Royalty" will be available on Amazon.com in December. You may contact Pastor Alex directly at princesaali1@aol.com or visit her on the web at sanctuarycommunitychurch.com.
Thanks for watching and tell a friend to tune in! Allow the Lord to let you make a difference by sharing this interview with someone who needs to know that they can do all things through Christ, who gives them strength! BNcouraged! Rev. Karen
Too many of us are running on empty because we keep filling ourselves with the wrong things. Like the woman at the well, we still have not figured out that what we're truly thirsting for cannot be quenched by anything we can pour into our cups. The substance of our thirst -- thirst for meaning in life, for satisfaction, for peace, for joy --comes from a deep place within us and thus, can only be satisfied from a source that goes far deeper than us. Today's edition of The First Lady's SHHOW! features an interview with author Dr. Sherry Scott about her book, which has an intriguing title that addresses this challenge head on....
Dr. Scott's book is available at: Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com or you can do a Google search for it. Be sure to watch Dr. Scott's cable television program, "Faith Walk" on Comcast and enjoy her blog at www.Godinmycoffee.com. Also make plans to attend an uplifting one-day event co-sponsored by Dr. Scott:
Saturday November 17TH 2012
You are invited to enjoy an uplifting one-day:
PRAYER- PRAISE-WORSHIP
CONFERENCE
&
CONCERT
Dynamic Guest Speakers for morning and afternoon
Workshop Sessions
Artists in Ministry Items Showcase
Dynamic Evening Concert
Special Guest Artists
Sponsored by:
Inspiring Melodies Inc & SOAR Ministries Inc
You must register to attend
For more information call: 703-341-9391
Thanks for watching! Please spread the word about the SHHOW! Contact me at BNcouraged247@msn.com for information on sponsorship opportunities for the SHHOW or for speaking engagements at your next worship service or retreat.
Welcome to another sneak preview of the First Lady's SHHOW! If you missed last week's blog, read below for a little explanation of what's going on. Those of you who already know the score can simply scroll past this next section: ********************************************************* We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog this week (and for the next few weeks) to bring you a sampling of a new program I am producing entitled, "The First Lady's SHHOW!"
No, there's no typo in the word, SHHOW. It's actually an acronym for:
Spirit-filled Hilarious Hour Of Worship.
The samples you will watch are not an hour, they're only about 2-4 minutes long. Eventually, when the whole program is is in full production, you will be able to enjoy an hour-long show that will minister to the entire family by combining elements reminiscent of the Carol Burnett show, the Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live. There will be improvisational/comedic skits, musical guests, on-the-street interviews, as well as interviews with...you guessed it First Ladies! It's good, clean family fun with a little something for everyone! ********************************************************** Today's SHHOW! segment features my 70-year-old mother, Dorothy Whitney sharing her wisdom in response to the question of the day. After watching Mom's 2-minute interview, be sure to scroll all the way to the bottom to see a commercial spot. I thought it would be great to feature my mom this month because October is recognized as National Breast Cancer Awareness month, and praise God, my mom has overcome breast cancer and many other health challenges. Last year about this time she encountered some serious health emergencies and we are just so thrilled that the Lord saw fit to heal her and allow her to see her 7oth birthday this year. We celebrated her big day on September 10th with a surprise birthday party here in DC--her first birthday party ever--and followed up with a trip to the beach in Duck, North Carolina in the Outer Banks. One of the things I love most about my Mom is her ability to be funny without trying. Her facial expressions, Freudian slips and other subtle actions are endearing and humorous and have brought me much joy over the years--often to her surprise. My interview segment with her is entitled, "Hey Ma'!" and will be a recurring feature of the SHHOW! so that you too can delight in her wisdom and humor. Enjoy!
Interview with Rev. Karen's 70-year-old mother,
Dorothy Whitney, in the beautiful town of Duck, North Carolina.
Special thanks to my camerawoman and cheerleader:
Maritza Lovett
President , Digital Studio Display
Web Services | Photographer | Section 508 Compliance Specialist
Also, since the Presidential election is only weeks away, please enjoy a commercial break featuring yours truly and my son along with another actor in a New Mexico state commercial about voting:
Contact Rev. Karen at BNcouraged247@msn.com to inquire about sponsorship opportunities for the SHHOW! or to arrange for Rev. Karen to speak at your next worship service or retreat. Also ask about personalized poems developed just for you or someone special!
We interrupt your regularly scheduled blog this week (and for the next few weeks) to bring you a sampling of a new program I am producing entitled, "The First Lady's SHHOW!"
No, there's no typo in the word, SHHOW. It's actually an acronym for:
Spirit-filled Hilarious Hour Of Worship.
The samples you will watch are not an hour, they're only about 4 minutes long. Eventually, when the whole program is is in full production, you will be able to enjoy an hour-long show that will minister to the entire family by combining elements reminiscent of the Carol Burnett show, the Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live. There will be improvisational/comedic skits, musical guests, on-the-street interviews, as well as interviews with...you guessed it First Ladies! It's good, clean family fun with a little something for everyone!
Although I have certainly been inspired by all of the television shows I mentioned above, the real inspiration for The First Lady's SHHOW! comes from the Holy Spirit, so as it entertains, it will also minister, touching the hearts of viewers at a deeper level.
I will be interviewing women from churches, universities, political arenas -- prayerfully even the White House!-- who hold the official title of "First Lady," to provide a unique opportunity for us to get to know more about the tremendous women beside the leaders in our country. We will also feature women who are either firsts in their field or are in some way pioneering.
I earnestly enlist your prayers and support as I launch out in faith for this endeavor. There are also sponsorship opportunities for those of you who would like to help bring this God-sent vision into fruition. Contact me at BNcouraged247@msn.com to inquire about sponsorship.
Since October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, my first guest is Michele Jones, author and founder of the Time To Fly Foundation which helps abused women and children regain their God-given worth and move forward from victim to victory. Michele's book, Your Call to Freedom is available in English and Spanish. It's an interactive guidebook with Bible-based tools to heal from an abusive relationship. It's also available as an E-book. Visit Barnes and Nobles at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/michele-ruth-jones?keyword=michele+ruth+jones&store=allproducts
If you or someone you know is suffering in silence, suffer no longer. God has heard your prayers and seen your tears. Help is only a confidential phone call away. Time To Fly offers powerful free sessions and introductory workshops. Call 1-877-570-9488 or visit www.timetofly.org for more information. Also, register now for their 11th Annual Gala and fundraiser on Saturday, October 27 at the Westfields Marriott in Chantilly, Va. An exciting evening is in store, featuring internationally-renowned pianist Dr. Adlan Cruz and guest speaker Bill Paige from Young Life Ministries. Details are on the website.
Without further delay, here's a sneek peak of The First Lady's SHHOW!
BNcouraged!
Well, tonight's the "big night"--Round 1 of the Presidential debates between President Barack Obama and Governor Mitt Romney.
We are certainly in for an interesting, entertaining, and hopefully informative evening as each man explains why we should vote for him. The debate will cover a wide variety of issues from health care, to the economy, to foreign policy. Each man has a different approach to how these issues should be handled, and thus they will debate with one another over which approach is best. I would like to say, "May the best man win!" But, there is no truly objective way to judge who will "win" the debate since their answers and statements can be somewhat subjective.
For the most part, subjectivity is what allows the "winner" to be determined by how each viewer feels about what happens during the debate. Thankfully, when it comes to God's declarations for us, neither our feelings nor the feelings of others have anything to do with what's true and just.
We can try to debate God, especially when bad things happen to "good" people. But, like Job did, we will find our attempts to debate God futile. The title of a great stage play says it best-- our arms are "too short to box with God." Along those same lines, the apostle Paul raised the question that clarifies why there is no debate with God:
"Who are you, a mere human being, to argue with God? Should the thing that was created say to the one who created it, 'Why have you made me like this?' Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use?"(Romans 9:20-21 New International Version)
God's will for our lives is not subject to our whims. It doesn't matter how we feel about His plans, our job is to trust and obey. When we do, we will find that God's way always turns out best anyway. Sometimes, it seems like the very thing (or person) we desire is poised to come right through the door toward us, and then the door suddenly closes. Or, we may be focused on a certain door determined to make it open through our sheer will, but then another door opens that we hadn't focused on or even noticed.
Rest assured that neither scenario is accidental. The testimony that God is building in us is already and open and shut case. As Revelation 3:7 explains,
"What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open."
Let the great minds and great leaders of the world continue debating while those of us who follow the example of Jesus Christ keep our eyes fixed on the one who is "able to keep us from falling...." No, that One will not be appearing on stage with President Obama and Governor Mitt Romney. But He will be appearing in the form of the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all truth regarding how we should cast our vote and how we should live our lives during and in the aftermath of the election.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, it should always be evident that we are Christians because of our love-- for we are commanded to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul and mind, and love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). Unlike the issues that will be discussed tonight, God's command is not up for debate.
