IF A MAN WANTS YOU...

If a man wants you, nothing can keep him away. If he doesn't want you, nothing can make him stay. Stop making excuses for a man and his behavior. Allow your intuition (or spirit) to save you from heartache. Stop trying to change yourselves for a relationship that's not meant to be. Slower is better. Never live your life for a man before you find what makes you truly happy. If a relationship ends because the man was not treating you as you deserve then heck no, you can't "be friends." A friend wouldn't mistreat a friend. Don't settle. If you feel like he is stringing you along, then he probably is. Don't stay because you think "it will get better." You'll be mad at yourself in a year later for staying when things are not better. The only person you can control in a relationship is you. Avoid men who've got a bunch of children by a bunch of different women. He didn't marry them when he got them pregnant, why would he treat you any differently? Always have your own set of friends separate from his. Maintain boundaries in how a guy treats you. If something bothers you, speak up. Never let a man know everything. He will use it against you later. You cannot change a man's behavior. Change comes from within. Don't EVER make him feel he is more important than you are...even if he has more education or in a better job. Do not make him into a quasi-god. He is a man, nothing more nothing less. Never let a man define who you are. Never borrow someone else's man. Oh Lord! If he cheated with you, he'll cheat on you. A man will only treat you the way you ALLOW him to treat you. All men are NOT dogs. You should not be the one doing all the bending...compromise is a two-way street. You need time to heal between relationships...there is nothing cute about baggage... deal with your issues before pursuing a new relationship You should never look for someone to COMPLETE you...a relationship consists of two WHOLE individuals...look for someone complimentary...not supplementary. Dating is fun...even if he doesn't turn out to be Mr. Right. Make him miss you sometimes...when a man always know where you are, and your always readily available to him- he takes it for granted. Don't fully commit to a man who doesn't give you everything that you need. Keep him in your radar but get to know others. Share this with other ladies..... You'll make someone SMILE, another RETHINK her choices and another woman PREPARE. They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them and an entire lifetime to forget them.

My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, the author of this very moving letter is yet to be found. It is considered to be penned by Oprah Winfrey. In attempting to get to the bottom of this mystery, many have read through three life histories of Oprah’s. None contained any of the supposed quotes, but those biographies could have been published before she made these remarks, so not finding them proves nothing. Some have e-mailed The Oprah Winfrey Show to ask about the list. While some did immediately receive a standard auto-reply thanking them for writing (which at least confirms it went to the right place), many have heard nothing since.

I am Abundantly Blessed

DEAR GOD,

I want to thank You for what You have already done.

I am not going to wait until I see results or receive rewards;

I am thanking You right now.

I am not going to wait until I feel better or things look better;

I am thanking You right now.

I am not going to wait until people say they are sorry or until they stop talking about me;

I am thanking You right now.

I am not going to wait until the pain in my body disappears;

I am thanking You right now.

I am not going to wait until my financial situation improves;

I am going to thank You right now.

I am not going to wait until my son is safe and asleep and the house is quiet;

I am going to thank You right now.

I am not going to wait until I get promoted in this life or until I get the job;

I am going to thank You right now.

I am not going to wait until I understand every experience in my life that has caused me pain or grief;

I am thanking You right now.

I am not going to wait until the journey gets easier or the challenges are removed;

I am thanking You right now.

I am thanking You because I am alive.

I am thanking You because I made it through the day's difficulties.

I am thanking You because I have walked around the obstacles..

I am thanking You because I have the ability and the opportunity to do more and do better.

I'm thanking you because, Father, You haven't given up on me. Even during this season in my life has pierced my heart with pain. I will forever have faith in You. Abba, we've been here before and I trusted You in the past as I will do so no matter come what may. Lord, I love you dearly and more than anything in the world and that is why I will in anything and everything continue give You praise and glory. For this is Your will in Christ Jesus concerning me!

SIX REASONS WHY MEN LEAVE

I’m a true believer in that any relationship without God will not work. A right relationship with God leads to right relationships with fellow believers. Although we will not always feel loving toward all other believers, we must pursue peace as we become more Christ-like. The Bible says in 1 John 4:20, “If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen?” My dear brothers and sisters in Christ, this single verse tells it all. Broken relationships can hinder our relationship with God. If we have a problem or grievance with a friend, we should resolve the problem as soon as possible. We are hypocrites if we claim to love God while we hate others. Our attitudes toward others reflect our relationship with God.

After a relationship ends, whether it's a 20 year marriage or a promising romance, women ask themselves over and over, what went wrong? They ask themselves, their girlfriends and their therapists. Sometimes they even spend weeks and months blaming themselves and become afraid to try again. Once they know what really happened, it's always easier to move on.

Below are some top reasons men leave and some guidelines on how to handle this.

1. THEY'RE WAITING FOR THE PERFECT PARTNER:

Some men have a secret fantasy which whispers that a perfect partner is somewhere, around the corner, waiting for him. This perfect partner will not only accept him as he is fully, but he'll finally be able to express the parts of himself that are hidden. She'll bring out the best in him. Rather than criticize and make demands, the perfect partner will give unconditionally and fulfill his every need. This fantasy should not be discounted, as it fuels much of this man's inner life. When a woman understands this fantasy fully, she has a secret for helping the man really thrive.

2. THEY HEAR A CALL TO ADVENTURE

As soon as some men see a relationship as stifling his basic need for adventure, he can feel himself to be trapped in a prison without bars. Many men then blame the relationship for the dilemma he is in. They do not realize that their true need is to find adventure in the relationship. A woman who does best in this kind of relationship is one who provides challenge.

3. THEY SUFFER FROM A FEAR OF COMMITMENT.

The fear of commitment is widely misunderstood. Commitment is inevitable when a man is living from the truth of who he is. When a man, however, is in a relationship out of obligation, guilt, on or to fulfill a false sense of self-esteem, no real commitment is possible. If he's not committing, it's because he doesn't feel things are right for him.

4. THEY FEAR THAT THEY CAN'T SATISFY THE WOMAN

There are some women who can never be satisfied no matter how much a man gives or tries to please. Some men become tied up in knots in these relationships and start to feel terrible about themselves. No matter how hard they try, they can't get the approval they are hungry for. Some just live for those rare moments when they are acknowledged and thanked.

5. HE’S ACTING OUT THE REPETITION COMPULSION

The Repetition Compulsion is the unconscious compulsion to repeat a painful situation or relationship over and over, in the hopes it will turn out differently this time. Usually each time is worse, brings more pain and disappointment. Even in the rare instances when the person gets what he wants, the original hunger does not subside. The only solution to this compulsion is to go back to the original trauma, face it fully and work it out.

6. HE'S INVOLVED WITH THE GHOST OF A PAST RELATIONSHIP

These Ghosts are memories, dreams and longings that linger from past relationships, which have been finished but are not over. A man can hold onto the memory of a former wife or lover and idealize her to such an extent, it prevents him from being available to anyone in the present. These memories can also become projected on the current relationship. These men must learn to say forgive the past, say good-bye, and develop the courage to love again. Here are some guidelines for all my dear sisters and brothers in Christ to help understand relationships better and behave in a way that is helpful for all.

FOR MY DEAR SISTERS IN CHRIST

A. Realize the turbulence a man goes through often has nothing to do with you - and cannot be avoided.

B. Give him space to discover himself, without guilt. His changes do not mean he does not love you. Allow him to be all that he is. Acceptance is love.

C. Get busy becoming all the person you can be too. There is nothing worse for a relationship than a man feeling you are clinging to him for your life.

FOR MY DEAR BROTHERS IN CHRIST
A. Restlessness and painful feelings come so you can understand yourself better. Don't blame them on the relationship. This is not a time to run away, but stay put and understands what is going on inside.

B. While you are unsettled and confused is not the best time to act. Choices made during this time are often ruled by feelings and needs from the past.

C. Make sure you help the woman realize what you are going through. Do not blame her for it. Be patient with her and yourself. - Understand that craving other women can become an addiction and escape from intimacy, bringing only more pain and repetition in its wake.

Beloved brothers and sisters, all this reminds me of a story of a young lady in Bible College who began dating a fellow. During their first month of dating, they decided to study the Bible together. With her plot well set, one night the young lady opened her Bible to Proverbs 18:22 and read, “He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the Lord.” She then looked up, winked, and said to the young man, “Couldn’t you use a little favor from the Lord?” The young man, a Bible scholar, was quick with his reply from Proverbs 10:10—“He who winks the eye causes trouble.”

All jokes aside, I agree with you wholeheartedly but prophetically speaking, we must realize that dating doesn't train young people for marriage; it prepares them for divorce. Dating typically involves a series of short-term relationships. Even those who end up with a solid marriage often have to deal with a lot of painful emotional baggage from previous dating relationships.

A lot is said these days of abstaining from sex before marriage, but there is a great need for emotional abstinence as well. Courtship in the context of the family enables young people to get to know each other and yet still maintain their physical and emotional integrity.

ADD GOD TO IT
I beseech you my dear brothers and sisters in Christ simply and wholeheartedly add God to you relationships and He will bless it or guide you through it. And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken. There are advantages to cooperating with others when you add God to it. Life is designed for companionship, not isolation, for intimacy, not loneliness. Some people prefer isolation, thinking they cannot trust anyone. We are not here on earth to serve ourselves, however, but to serve God and others. Don’t isolate yourself and try to go it alone, add God to it. Seek companions; be a team member and add God to it.

We are wrapped up in Jesus by the threefold cord of the trinity that abides in us and us in them! Keep a piece cord in your Bible to remind you of the strength you have if you just God to it!

PS. Oh by the way, did I say, add God to it? Oh, yes I did. Amen!

THE MIND OF A MAVERICK

Have you ever wondered why you are unsettled in your spirit about a variety of people, places, things and/or ideologies?

You are probably a maverick and just don't realize your true identity! Webster defines a maverick as someone who is a pioneer or an individual who does not go along with the group. History records many men and women who pioneered new areas and colored outside the lines of tradition and conformity.

Lee Iacocca was a maverick who came from the outside to reinvent Chrysler from the top down.

Mavericks meet opposition in their quest for the new and untried ways of doing things. When offering ideas or suggestions, you may have received some of the following responses.

* That's not the way we do things around here.

* Are you suggesting that what we are doing is wrong?

* We have always done it this way.* That can't be done.

* When you have been here as long as we have, you will understand that what you are suggesting is impossible.

Why are you meeting such opposition? It is because you are a maverick! Don't allow the pressure of a calcified routine to kill the maverick spirit inside you. Don't allow the opposition to cause you to be limited to coloring inside someone else's lines.The world is waiting for you to bring it out of a fading glory and into its finest hour. Be who you are! Be the maverick that the world is waiting for!

Don't think I've come to make life cozy. I've come to cut Make a sharp knife-cut between
Son and father, Daughter and mother, Bride and mother-in-law, cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God. Well-meaning family members can be your worst enemies.

If you prefer father or mother over me,
You don't deserve me.

If you prefer son or daughter over me,
You don't deserve me.

"If you don't go all the way with me, through thick and thin,

you don't deserve me.

If your first concern is to look after yourself,
You’ll never find yourself.

But if you forget about yourself and look to me,
You’ll find both yourself and me.

"We are intimately linked in this harvest work.

Anyone who accepts what you do,
Accepts me, the One who sent you...

Anyone who accepts what I do,
Accepts my Father, who sent me.

Matthew 10:34-40 (The Message Translation)

My dear sister in Christ, Minister Tracy Curtis, Thank you so much for allowing me to share the word of encouragement your Bishop sent you.

Though I've always considered myself as a maverick, I will never quarrel about issues that are matters of opinion. Differences should not be feared or avoided, but accepted and handled with love. Don’t expect everyone, even in the best possible church, to agree on every subject. Through sharing ideas we can come to a fuller understanding of what the Bible teaches. Accept, listen to, and respect others. Differences of opinion need not cause division. They can be a source of learning and richness in our relationships.

All Christians are part of God’s family. Believers share a unity that runs even deeper than that of blood brothers and sisters. To "agree with one another," allow for "no divisions" and "be perfectly united in mind and thought" does not require everyone to believe exactly the same.

There is a difference between having opposing viewpoints and being divisive. A group of people will not completely agree on every issue, but they can work together harmoniously if they agree on what truly matters, Jesus Christ is Lord of all. In your church, speak and behave in a way that will reduce arguments and increase harmony. Petty differences should never divide Christians.

Words from Mrs. Vicenta Ventura Vazquez' only baby boy, now a wise young man but forever the middle child, the one she called, Andy.

Elder J. Andres Vazquez.

A Prayer for O.N.E. (One Nation Empowered)

Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people He has chosen as His own inheritance. Psalm 33:12

Almighty Father, God, You merely spoke and the heavens were created. You breathed the Word, and all the stars were born. You assigned the sea its boundaries and locked the oceans in vast reservoirs. We praise Your name forever and ever, for You possess all wisdom and power. Father, thank You for blessing the United States of America with abundance and prosperity. Thank You for surrounding our nation with Your favor, grace, and mercy. Jesus, thank You for shedding Your blood for our redemption. Holy Spirit, thank You for Your guidance and power. You are an awesome God!

Heavenly Father, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done in our nation. Your Word states that we are to pray for kings and all people who are in authority, so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives that are marked by godliness and dignity. We know that this is good and acceptable in Your sight. Today, we pray for our new President, Barack Obama, and his presidential administration. We declare that as they prepare to lead our nation, they will trust in You with all of their hearts. They will not depend on their own understanding, but they will seek Your will in all they do and we expect that You, Lord, will show them which path to take when making decisions for the American people.

We decree that our local, state, and national leaders will not walk in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stand in the path of sinners, nor sit in the seat of the scornful; but their delight will be in the law of the Lord and in His law they will meditate day and night. They will be like trees planted by the rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf will not wither and whatever they do will prosper. Gracious Father, some nations boast of their chariots and horses; but we boast in the Name of the Lord, our God.

We submit to Your care, President Barack Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Hillary Clinton, Timothy Geithner, Robert Gates, Eric Holder, Ken Salazar, Thomas Vilsack, Hilda Solis, Tom Daschle, Shaun Donovan, Ray LaHood, Steven Chu, Arne Duncan, Eric Shinseki, Janet Napolitano, Leon Panetta, Dennis Blair, Lisa Jackson, Robert Mueller, Lawrence Summers, James Jones, Susan Rice, Peter Orszag, Ron Kirk, Robert Gibbs, Rahm Emanuel, the U.S. Congress and all governmental officials.

Holy Spirit, unite this new administration and remind all of our leaders that they are working for the good of the nation and not for the advancement of self. Please help our leaders to put aside “politics” and operate in the best interest of the American people. Heal the wounds that negative politics, fear and ignorance have created within our nation. Empower us, the Body of Christ, to lead the effort in the healing process. Eternal God, Lord of Heaven’s Armies, we ask You to bless and protect our leaders’ families. Please continue to protect our troops and our borders. Increase the courage and strength of our servicemen and women as they fight courageously for our country.

Merciful Father, we repent on behalf of our nation for our many sins. We acknowledge that our actions have created problems that only You can solve. Forgive us for all sin, including greed, arrogance, selfish ambition, disobedience, rebellion, hypocrisy, injustice, jealousy, hatred, violence, ageism, sexism, racism, and dissension. Father, forgive us for shedding innocent blood and denying Your power. We confess that we have not loved the world as You love the world. We ask You to heal our land and make us one, even as You and Jesus are One. Please have mercy upon all of us and help us! As a nation, show us those we need to forgive and help us to forgive.

Lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from the evil one.

Now, unto You, the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Scripture References for the Written Text: Psalm 33:6-7, Daniel 2:20, Matthew 6:10, I Timothy 2:1-3, Proverbs 3:5-6, Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 4:6, Proverbs 22:4, Psalm 1:1-3 (NKJV), Psalm 20:7, Philippians 4:19, Matthew 6:13, I Timothy 1:17

On this historic day Barack H. Obama, who campaigned for the presidency with a sweeping promise of "change we can believe in, is now officially the the first black president of the United States and this country's 44th president.

My Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the following prayer was created by created by S. Caldwell of Windsor Village and has become a national prayer for our leaders. Please join in the prayer for the leaders of our country on this day that we celebrate the birth and accomplishments of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. If you choose to share this prayer, please be sure to include that the source is Caldwell Ministries.

~Elder J. Andres Vazquez~

I Have A Dream

Let us never forget the summer of August 28, 1963; Martin Luther King electrified America with his momentous ‘I Have A Dream’ speech, dramatically delivered the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Since that day, Dr. King's speech has become the most famous public address of the 20th century, and had a profound impact on American history. In celebration of his birthday, it is privileged and honored to post his speech on this historic day Barack H. Obama, who campaigned for the presidency with a sweeping promise of "change we can believe in, is officially the 44th Commander in Chief of the United States of America.

I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.

Five score years ago, a great American, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, signed the Emancipation Proclamation. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to millions of Negro slaves who had been seared in the flames of withering injustice. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the long night of their captivity.

But one hundred years later, the Negro still is not free. One hundred years later, the life of the Negro is still sadly crippled by the manacles of segregation and the chains of discrimination. One hundred years later, the Negro lives on a lonely island of poverty in the midst of a vast ocean of material prosperity. One hundred years later, the Negro is still languishing in the corners of American society and finds himself an exile in his own land. So we have come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.


In a sense we have come to our nation's capital to cash a check. When the architects of our republic wrote the magnificent words of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence, they were signing a promissory note to which every American was to fall heir. This note was a promise that all men, yes, black men as well as white men, would be guaranteed the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

It is obvious today that America has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as her citizens of color are concerned. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, America has given the Negro people a bad check, a check which has come back marked "insufficient funds." But we refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt. We refuse to believe that there are insufficient funds in the great vaults of opportunity of this nation. So we have come to cash this check — a check that will give us upon demand the riches of freedom and the security of justice. We have also come to this hallowed spot to remind America of the fierce urgency of now. This is no time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of gradualism. Now is the time to make real the promises of democracy. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation to the sunlit path of racial justice. Now is the time to lift our nation from the quick sands of racial injustice to the solid rock of brotherhood. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all of God's children.

It would be fatal for the nation to overlook the urgency of the moment. This sweltering summer of the Negro's legitimate discontent will not pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and equality. Nineteen sixty-three is not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Negro needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if the nation returns to business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in America until the Negro is granted his citizenship rights. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the bright day of justice emerges.

But there is something that I must say to my people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of justice. In the process of gaining our rightful place we must not be guilty of wrongful deeds. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest to degenerate into physical violence. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with soul force. The marvelous new militancy which has engulfed the Negro community must not lead us to a distrust of all white people, for many of our white brothers, as evidenced by their presence here today, have come to realize that their destiny is tied up with our destiny. They have come to realize that their freedom is inextricably bound to our freedom. We cannot walk alone.

As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. There are those who are asking the devotees of civil rights, "When will you be satisfied?" We can never be satisfied as long as the Negro is the victim of the unspeakable horrors of police brutality. We can never be satisfied, as long as our bodies, heavy with the fatigue of travel, cannot gain lodging in the motels of the highways and the hotels of the cities. We cannot be satisfied as long as the Negro's basic mobility is from a smaller ghetto to a larger one. We can never be satisfied as long as our children are stripped of their selfhood and robbed of their dignity by signs stating "For Whites Only". We cannot be satisfied as long as a Negro in Mississippi cannot vote and a Negro in New York believes he has nothing for which to vote. No, no, we are not satisfied, and we will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.

I am not unmindful that some of you have come here out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from narrow jail cells. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of police brutality. You have been the veterans of creative suffering. Continue to work with the faith that unearned suffering is redemptive.

Go back to Mississippi, go back to Alabama, go back to South Carolina, go back to Georgia, go back to Louisiana, go back to the slums and ghettos of our northern cities, knowing that somehow this situation can and will be changed. Let us not wallow in the valley of despair.

I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.

I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.

I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.

I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day, down in Alabama, with its vicious racists, with its governor having his lips dripping with the words of interposition and nullification; one day right there in Alabama, little black boys and black girls will be able to join hands with little white boys and white girls as sisters and brothers.

I have a dream today.

I have a dream that one day every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

This is our hope. This is the faith that I go back to the South with. With this faith we will be able to hew out of the mountain of despair a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to go to jail together, to stand up for freedom together, knowing that we will be free one day.

This will be the day when all of God's children will be able to sing with a new meaning, "My country, 'tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing. Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrim's pride, from every mountainside, let freedom ring."

And if America is to be a great nation this must become true. So let freedom ring from the prodigious hilltops of New Hampshire. Let freedom ring from the mighty mountains of New York. Let freedom ring from the heightening Alleghenies of Pennsylvania!

Let freedom ring from the snowcapped Rockies of Colorado!

Let freedom ring from the curvaceous slopes of California!

But not only that; let freedom ring from Stone Mountain of Georgia!

Let freedom ring from Lookout Mountain of Tennessee!

Let freedom ring from every hill and molehill of Mississippi. From every mountainside, let freedom ring.

And when this happens, when we allow freedom to ring, when we let it ring from every village and every hamlet, from every state and every city, we will be able to speed up that day when all of God's children, black men and white men, Jews and Gentiles, Protestants and Catholics, will be able to join hands and sing in the words of the old Negro spiritual, "Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last!"

My dear brothers and Sisters in Christ, Martin Luther King had a dream for all of us. What is your dream? What are you doing to realize your dream? Sieze opportunities and your dreams will come true.

Elder J. Andres Vazquez

BECAUSE YOU ARE WOMEN

Because you are women
You keep deep inside
The hopes and the dreams
You think you must hide.

You strive to be best
Make the top of the heap
Because you are women
The climb is so steep.

The ceiling of glass
A must to be broken
It only exists
Because you are women.

From morning to night
Multi-tasks you perform
Because you are women
It’s often ‘til morn

Because you are women
To nurture is norm
But when it’s your turn
You are left in the storm.

So wet are the tears
You shed late in the night
Because you are women
You don’t share your plight.

With anxiety high
Self esteem at a low
Because you are women
You don’t let it show.

Because you are women
There is power within
To believe in yourselves
You always will win.

United you stand
With strength and with force
Because you are women
Together on course.

The lesson you learn
Is the matter of trust
Because you are women
In each other a must.

Because you are women
You open your hearts
To the caring and love
That today you have sparked

Possibility abounds
Opportunity awaits
Because you are women
It’s all yours to take.

First and formost, I give honor to God. Now, I thank you my dear friend M.J. Waldock, for inspiring me to personalize this poem to the four women in my life, (Vicenta, Leticia, Alicia and Olga) who raised me from my youth to adulthood to become what the world has proven throughout history as rare. A man with great sensitivity, honor, love and respect for all women. All too frequently today, people are starved for a little praise. Whether we are willing to acknowledge it to others, or even admit it to ourselves, we all need a little praise in our life. Marlene, thank you for your poem entitled, "BECAUSE WE ARE WOMEN". All credit for my version belongs to you.

Andres

NOTORIOUS

Though multi-unit semi-detached row houses were typical where I grew up, my family lived in the Fiorentino Plaza Projects, a predominantly African American, low-income, residential neighborhood located in a part of eastern Brooklyn, a borough and commuter town of New York City, known as East New York.

Like most New Yorkers, I will never claim being from any other city. Brooklyn runs through my heart and I will never deny my Brooklynight roots. Though I can candidly say that East New York, Brooklyn was an exciting place to grow up, I wouldn’t recommend it as a tourist attraction because to this day it is still one of New York's most dangerous neighborhoods. Though crime has declined in recent years you are very unlikely to do anything in this neighborhood except traverse it on the way from Kennedy Airport (JFK) to points west.

My beloved ENY was surrounded by other neighborhoods such as Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn Heights, Brownsville, Bushwick, Coney Island, Crown Heights, Cypress Hills, Flatbush, Flatlands, Fort Greene, Fort Hamilton, Park Slope, Red Hook, Sheepshead Bay, and Starrett City, which is now known as Spring Creek Towers, the only city in the entire world located in the borough of another city. Starrett City is considered by many to be one of the safest communities in the United States because it maintains its own Special Police Force. Excluding Starrett City, Brooklyn was infested with countless of deadly congregations known by some as thugs, hoodlums, criminals or gangsters but to most, they were recognized as gangs.

Yes, I wholeheartedly dare call them congregations because congregations are those who gather for worship on a particular occasion, or those who habitually attend a place of worship. But unlike the congregations we know in churches or synagogues, this one gathered for worship on deadly, bloody occasions and their habitually attended place of worship was in the streets. Such congregations then known as The Crazy Homicides, The Sex Boys, The Hardy Boys, The Savage Skulls, The Dukes, The Majestic’s, The Latin Kings, The Jolly Stompers, The Lords, The Eagles, The Tomahawks, The Satan Souls, The Black Spades, The Ghetto Brothers, The Universal Zulu Nation, The Young Lords, The Chaplains, The Horsemen, The Bishops, The Phantom Lords, The Outlaws, The Nomads, The Henchmen, The Bachelors and many, many more but I’m surprised I remembered the ones I’ve already mentioned.

Back in those days I had a wide reputation as a decent fighter due to the outcome of fights I was involved in. Thank God for the instructions I received from a man who actually caught me shop lifting fruits from a Chinese fruit stand in the Chinatown section of Manhattan. He was impressed with the way I defended myself as he attempted and succeeded to detain me with ease. He then told me that he was slightly impressed and asked me where I did learned the moves I displayed. I told him that I use what I've learned from boxing taught to me by both the Saint Johns Recreation Center in Flatbush and Bronxville Boxing Team then combined them with the Kung Fu taught to me by the East New York Police Athletic League. He then promised me he would not turn me over to the owners of the fruit stand nor the police if I promised to apologize to them, help clean their fruit stand for a week and commit to learning lessons from an art he called Hung Ga Kung fu. In less then a year of those lessons combined with the ones I’ve learn from my mother and the Word of God, I learn so much about high moral character, commitment, respect and dedication than I have in my entire life at that time. And yes, the bag of fruits after each and every lesson wasn’t too bad either.

My mother used to say, “Andy, tell me who you’re walking with and I’ll tell you who you are”. In other words, if you hang out with thugs, hoodlums, criminals and gangsters, you became a mirror image of those notorious, disgraceful, dishonorable, thugs, hoodlums, criminals and gangsters.

Was I actually notorious? To some, not likely, then again, to others, I was every bit a notorious Brooklynight and more. I wasn’t such a terrible youngster, I was a church boy. Or so I thought I was simply because the only people I enjoyed beating down were the ones I thought needed a good old fashion beat down. The ones we called bullies. I know that sounds like a great thing to do but the closer I got to God over the years the more I regret handling bullies the way I did. In reality, I thought it was the noble thing to do, that’s until the moment the news of my actions got to my mothers ears.

I can remember how disappointed she was because she’d always remind me that two wrongs don’t make a right. She yelled at me in Spanish, “MATÓN NOTORIO”, translated in English “NOTORIOUS BULLY”. She made me realize that my actions towards bullies transformed me into the mirror image not just a bully but of a notorious one at that. So if a bully is known as an individual who tends to intimidate and harass others, always imposing their approach by force and I intimidated and harass bullies, always imposing my approach by force, then in Gods eyes, I was no different then they were… oppressors.

"Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways." Proverbs 3:31

We must never choose the way of the oppressor. Bullies as children are not to be looked up to. We must not even fellowship with those who choose to oppress others. The worldly wealth that some acquire with their oppression of others should never be envied or desired. Evil and good are like oil and water. They cannot mix.

Bullies and the devil have three things in common. A bully is a boisterous person who walks around the neighborhood seeking those he can demean and the devil constantly walks about earth, like a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour. The only difference is the bully does it in the physical or carnal realm and the devil does it in the spiritual but in the long run, both are accountable to the LORD for all that they do.

Now there’s a difference in which we must handle our battles against bullies and the devil.

When dealing with any human being, whether their bullies or not, God wants us to love them as we love ourselves. We would not figure up evil against ourselves, so we must not against anyone else as well.

"Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm."Proverbs 3:29, 30“

We should not live in strife and fussing, but should learn to live peaceably with all men. If we live for the Lord, we are promised that even our enemies will be at peace with us. This does not say that there is never a time for strife. If your enemy attacks you, you may defend yourself; but you must not start strife nor keep it going. God said be meek, He didn’t say be weak.

Now as for our battles with the devil, we as children of the Lord are soldiers in the army of the Lord, therefore go get your bayonets, knives, swords, handguns, shotguns, submachine guns, Rifles, assault weapon, grenades, lasers, detonators, Iron Bar, rough stick, wooden club, Billy-club, lead pipe, axe handle, or even if you’re a black belt in martial arts and can think of many more weapons made by the hands of man and throw them away because they are not going to work at all.

First of all we must,

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you." James 4:7

It is within our willpower to resist the devil and the temptations that he puts before us. We have been given the power of attorney to use the wonderful, mighty and matchless name of Jesus to defeat the devil. The temptations that the devil brings our way are really temptations of the flesh. These temptations will leave, if we say no to it. God will not over-rule our will. He gives us the power to choose. We must decide right, or wrong, for ourselves. The minute you emphatically say no to the devil and his temptations, he will go on to someone else and leave you alone. Flee means leave in a hurry. A heart and will controlled by God will have no difficulty in saying no to the devil and his temptations.

Secondly, we must,

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high [places]." Ephesians 6:11, 12

To fight against our enemy we must learn who he is and what he’s all about. The enemy that you cannot see with your physical eye is the most dangerous, because you do not know when he is on the attack, or just which way he is coming from. Realize that this is a spiritual battle. The devil, old Lucifer himself, and his angels who are actually demons, or devil spirits, are the enemy. His tactics are to tempt the flesh of man. The flesh of man is earthy. These battles are more real as real can be.

I was never involved with the gangs, but because of my ability to easily win fights against other teens and men older and bigger than me, I was constantly scouted, asked, and threatened to join various gangs. Yet, each and every time I turn them down. Their actions against me, due to their displeasure with my decisions, are another story, for another time. At one point, rival gangs united together to do me in. I will never forget the countless hours I spent hiding inside a dumpster to avoid the bloodthirsty gang bangers who were looking for me. I came to the realization that I had to flee from my beloved Brooklyn immediately.

Throughout my teen years I was feared as a fighter, but God got a hold of me and took away the fear I had by reminding me that He did not give me the spirit of fear; but of power, love and a sound mind.

"Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken." Proverbs 3:25, 26

Yes I left Brooklyn and the only weapon I took with me was my Sword, which is the Word of God, which is my Bible. And since the Lord changed the way I saw my world, and since then He's used me to fight, not against flesh, but against spiritual evil through the power of the Holy Spirit. No matter how notorious I may have been I learned that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. Without God on my side, I was no match for spiritual battles. Therefore I cast down my imaginations and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and I bring into captivity every thought I have to the obedience of Christ.

I serve the Lord with humility of my mind. I put on therefore, as the elect of God, meekness, loving-kindness, and longsuffering. God keeps me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed on Him. I trust in Him with all my heart and I do not lean to my own understanding or reasoning. I acknowledge Him in all my ways and He keeps all my paths straight. I am careful for nothing, but in everything by prayers and supplications I let my requests be known to Him. Now I can say that I more powerful than I could ever have been at any stage in my entire life because I have the mind of CHRIST. For God has not given me the spirit of fear, but of love, power and a sound mind; and he that searches the hearts knows what is the mind of the spirit, because He makes intercession for the saints according to His will.

No longer known as a notorious or a great conqueror in the flesh in my own efforts,

But more than a conqueror in the spirit through Christ Jesus,

I am now forever free.

Amen!

The Strength Of A Man

The strength of a man isn't seen in the width of his shoulders.
It's seen in the width of his arms that circle you.

The strength of a man isn't in the deep tone of his voice.
It is in the gentle words he whispers.

The strength of a man isn't how many buddies he has.
It's how good a buddy he is with his or "your" children.

The strength of a man isn't in how respected he is at work.
It's in how he is respected at home.

The strength of a man isn't in how hard he hits.
It's in how tender he touches.

The strength of a man isn't in the hair on his chest.
It's in his heart... that lies within his chest.

The strength of a man isn't in how many women he's loved.
It's in how true he can be to the ONE woman he's trying to love.

The strength of a man isn't in the weight he can lift.
It's in the burdens he can carry.

The strength of a man isn't in how much food he eats from your table.
It's in the effort he puts forth when you are unable.

The strength of a man isn't in how he makes love.
It's in the understanding that there is more to making love......

than making love.

Use Me Lord

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Don't you know that God can and will use you right where you are Today.

You don't need to do anything else for God to begin to use you now. You don't have to read another book, listen to another cassette tape, memorize another passage, plant another seed gift, or repeat another creed or confession. You don't even need to attend another church service before God can use you.

God uses willing vessels, not brimming or overflowing vessels. Throughout the Bible, in order to fulfill His plans for the earth, God used all kinds of people from all walks of life:

He used Matthew, a government employee who became an apostle

He used Gideon, a common laborer who became a valiant leader of men

He used Jacob, a deceiver and refugee whose' name became Israel and who became the father of the twelve tribes of Israel

He used Deborah, a housewife who became a judge

He used Moses, a stutterer who became a deliverer

He used Jeremiah, a child who fearlessly spoke the Word 0 Lord

He used Aaron, a servant who became God's spokesman

He used Nicodemus, a Pharisee who became a defender 0 faith-

He used David, a shepherd boy who became a king

He used Hosea, a marital failure who prophesied to save Israel

He used Joseph, a prisoner who became prime minister

He used Esther, an orphan who became a queen

He used Elijah, a homely man who became a mighty prophet

He used Joshua, an assistant who became a conqueror

He used James and John, fishermen who became close disciples of Christ and were known as the "sons of thunder -

He used Abraham, a nomad who became the father of I112: nations

He used John the Baptist, a vagabond who became the forerunner of Jesus

He used Mary, an unknown virgin who gave birth to the Son of God

He used Nehemiah, a cupbearer who built the wall of Jerusalem.

He used Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Hebrew exiles, became great leaders in the Babylonian Empire

He used Hezekiah, an idolatrous father's son, who became a king renowned for doing right in the sight of the Lord -

He used Isaiah, a man of unclean lips who prophesied the birth of God's Messiah

He used Paul, a self-righteous persecutor who became the greatest missionary in history and the author of two thirds of the books of the New Testament.

Thank you so much brother John L Mason for help in inspiring me to write and for blessing me with your wonderful book, "Enemy Called Average". Thank you for reminding me that this same God who use our brothers and sisters in the past is still using willing vessels today, therefore, He can also use me. I will never forget you.

Elder J Andres Vazquez

IN MY PREACHER'S MIND

In my preacher's mind I see a meeting going on. Only problem is, I can't tell you when this meeting took place. (Somewhere on the other side of the purple curtains of eternity) Why? Because it took place before "when" ever was. I can't tell you where this meeting was being held. Why? Because this meeting took place before "where" was given a place to be. This meeting took place before "when" was ever given time to keep, or before "where" was ever assigned an identifiable location from which to exist. I don't know when the meeting took place, and I can't even tell you where this meeting happened. Oh, but I do know Who was at the meeting. God was there. He was there in His tri-unity. What you talking about preacher? He was there in the person of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. God was having a meeting with Himself. If you don't believe me you ought to turn your Bible to Genesis 1:26 where He said, "Let us make man I our image, after our likeness."

In my preacher's mind this is how I hear the meeting going. God the Father, Who is the supreme architect and creator of the universe says, "Let us make man." God the Holy Spirit, Who knows all and sees all says, "If you make man, he's gonna sin." But Jesus, Who is the Savoir of us, all steps forward and says, "If man sins, I will go down and redeem man from his sins."

And so it was agreed that as a part of bringing man into the world he would need to be redeemed and saved from his sins. So as the Son prepared to go down through 40 and 2 generations in order to redeem sinful man the Holy Spirit told Him when you get there you better show man some signs if you expect him to believe on your wonderful and holy name. The Holy Spirit said: "When you get there you better perform some signs, so they can know just Who you are.

When you turn water into wine, show them your mastery over quality and that salvation is by your Word.

When you heal the nobleman's son, show them your mastery over time and distance and that salvation is by grace.

When you heal the paralytic, show them your mastery over long- term infirmity and that salvation is available to all.

When you feed the 5000, show them your mastery over quantity and that salvation brings satisfaction.

When you still the raging storm, show them your power over nature and that salvation brings peace.

When you heal the blind man, show them your power over darkness and that salvation brings light.

When you raise Lazarus from the grave, show them your power over death and that salvation brings life.

Use all of these signs to reveal your deity, that you truly are the Son of God. Use these signs so that they might believe and have eternal life through your name."

My brothers and my sisters, the Good News of Miracles is that they have significance for us even today.

You don't have talk about the miracles that Jesus performed 2000 years ago; tell unbelievers about the miracles that the Lord has performed in your life. Tell unbelievers, “Jesus________”. (You Fill In The Blank!)

Time Will Separate

Not everyone who enters the House of Worship enters to worship God. Some come because church going has become habitual to them, others, because church going carries along with it a measure of respectability in the community. There are those who faithfully share in the activities of the community of faith because it is an excellent opportunity to make or secure business deals. Some come to see if they can get something started. Some come because they do not want to miss out just in case something does get started.

However, Time Will Separate . . .

The real from the unreal,
The walkers from the talkers,
The workers from the shirkers,
The promise keepers from the promise breakers,
The genuine from the counterfeit,
The saints from the sinners,
The faithful from the faithless,
The lawful from the lawless,
The sacred from the profane,
The credible from the corrupt,
The dutiful from the devious,
The virtuous from the vindictive

Time has a way of revealing the hidden and the unknown. As time passes, heated situations will arise. And the mask that so many believers attempt to hide behind can only take so much heat, and then it begins to melt.

Do More...

Today I will...

Do more than exist-live.
Do more than hear-listen.
Do more than agree-cooperate.

Do more than talk-communicate.
Do more than grow-bloom.
Do more than spend-invest.

Do more than think-create.
Do more than work-excel.
Do more than share-give.

Do more than decide-discern.
Do more than consider-commit.
Do more than forgive-forget.

Do more than help-serve.
Do more than coexist-reconcile.
Do more than sing-worship.

Do more than think-plan.
Do more than dream-do.
Do more than see-perceive.

Do more than read-apply.
Do more than receive-reciprocate.
Do more than choose-focus.

Do more than wish--':believe.
Do more than advise-help.
Do more than speak-impart.

Do more than encourage-inspire.
Do more than add-multiply.
Do more than change-improve.

Do more than reach-stretch.
Do more than ponder-pray.
Do more than just live-live for Jesus.

WORDS

It has always been my amazement at the significance of words. Think of it:

The Son of God is called the Word (John 1:1)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

The universe was created with a word (Heb. 11:3)

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.

All things are held in existence by the word (Heb. 1:3)

Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

God reveals himself to us through the word (1 Sam. 3:21)

And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

Jesus healed and cast out demons with a word (Matt. 8:16)

When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick

Faith is sustained by words (Heb 3:13)

But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

We fellowship with God by the words of prayer;
We worship him through the words of song and confession and preaching;
Our relationships are all sustained and nurtured by words;
We speak our love to each other by words;
kings rise and fall by their words;
Politics, news, entertainment, business, education, international relations, even families and friendships are all possible because of words.

Language is God’s idea.
It belongs very close to who and what he is.
It has huge potential for good and catastrophic potential for evil.

The tongue, James says, is seemingly untamable.

“With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God” (James 3:9-10).

All issues today, be it political, religious, educational, theological, etc
They all relate to the way we use words. We think them in our heads and we speak them with our mouths.

What would the world be like…?
Our homes,
Our churches,
Our schools,
Our communities…

If words were used the way Jesus used them?

That is not an easy question.

What say you?

I Hate You So Much Right Now

No, I didn't like what you told me last night.

Nor do I appreciate the fact that you made me look at myself in a flawed light. That's not what I have you here for. I hate you sooo much right now. Mirroring my own reflections. Angling it so I never miss a side of myself, even those sides long tucked away.

I hate you soooo much right now.

Making me re-live my past. The pain, the ridicule, the humiliation. You don't know what I had to go through to finally learn to disassociate myself from all that pain. And here you come, unyielding in presence, undaunted in mission. How dare you! Who are you to tell me that it’s OK to believe in things and people again? How dare you take me out of my safe hideaway and force me out in the open? Suddenly my sunshine turned to rain. Drowning rain or cleansing rain?
It’s not supposed to work like this. It wasn't supposed to be this way.

You took away my control of the relationship. You took the reigns right from my hands. Give me back my clothes. I am not used to be naked. Being this vulnerable. Out there. Out there in the folds of life.

I hate you soooo much right now.

What gives you the right to make me understand that I don't have to champion life alone? That I can ask for help and receive it. What gives you the right to give me the vehicle for appreciating love and understanding that to live love and lose is OK and that better days will come. That I can have hope. Don't you know that pain gives me a shield, that pain allows me the liberty to close myself, and the contempt that opening up that pain brings?

I hate you sooo much right now.

Damned Florence Nightingale, freaking goody two shoes.

I am a man, damnit. I was not raised to be concerned with intimate feelings. You can't simply show me how wrong I was to believe in a historical practice of assuming and not asking, critiquing and not supporting, of taking and not giving. Don't you dare tell me that what I learned from my father was wrong, what I learned from grand-father was wrong, what I learned from my uncles and brothers was wrong. You can't show me how to treat a woman; I have been doing it for years. Who the hell do you think you are? Do you think just because you are my mate that I should treat you uniquely? Do you think that I should treat you the way you want to be treated and not the way I want to be treated? You said that when you treat someone the way you want to be treated, it’s wrong because the way you want to be treated is different than the way I want to be treated. What a crock! You know you want to assume.

So, NO! I did not like what you told me last night.

And I truly hate you!

Damn you for draining my moat, for breaking down my walls of fortification, for stripping me of my armor and leaving me defenseless. I am in a relationship, damnit. I need my defenses. I need to protect my heart. I have to insulate myself from the hovering pain of failure, the uncompromising hurt of rejection. I NEED MY PROTECTION!

I hate you soo much right now!

Most people spend hours each week maintaining their outward appearance; they should do even more to develop their inner character. While everyone can see your face, only you and God know what your heart really looks like. There comes a time in everyone’s life when we must stop being judgmental of others and look into the mirror and be honest with ourselves and realize that we all have issues needing rectification. How we long for fair treatment from others, but do we give it? We hate those who base their judgments on appearance, false evidence, or hearsay, but are we quick to judge others using those standards? Fortunately, God judges by faith and character, not appearances. And because only God can see on the inside, only he can accurately judge people.

ONE

Left - Right
Up - Down
Top – Bottom
Old - New
Rich - Poor
Little - Big
Happy - Sad
Good - Bad
Hard - Soft
Rough - Smooth
Bitter - Sweet
Love - Hate
True - False
Tall - Short
Hot - Cold
East - West
Husband - Wife
Man - Woman
God - ?

And the scribe said unto Him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but He: Mark 12:32

Racism Is Around Me Everywhere

Of human ignorance I am almost in despair
For racism is around me everywhere
But like they say sheer ignorance is bliss
Just like Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.
Some people carry their honor in a flag
And of their Nationality they brag
They feel superior and they differentiate
And against those who are different they discriminate.

So many people still judged by their race
For such there never ought to be a place
'A fair go' those untruthful words I do recall
There is no such a thing as a 'fair go for all'.
Though we live in a so called democracy
Of racism we never will be free
They judge you by where you come from and the color of your skin
For many equality and respect seems impossible to win.
It's been awhile since the days of Martin Luther King
His name to it has a familiar ring
If against racism he did not choose to strive
Today the great man he would be alive.
So many holding the reins of power not spiritually aware
And racism is around me everywhere
And racism only leads to division and war
Just goes to show how ignorant some are.

This beautiful poem was written by a gifted poet from Wonthaggi, Victoria, Australia and this gifted poet goes by the name Francis Duggan. I thank you for blessing us all with such a wonderful gift!

TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

Stress is a word every adult, most teens and some children know and can relate to. It is a negative word. Stress leads to depression, interferes with productivity, takes away joy, slows down reflexes and boggles the thought process. No one enjoys stress, but few find a release from the tentacles it binds one with. However it is not necessary to allow stress to rule and ruin any part of your life. Below is, what I want to call a poem, which gives numerous reasons to not be stressed. I am sure everyone will find themselves in there somewhere. If not, just claim all of them.

Too Blessed to be Stressed

I am a problem solver
I am intelligent
I am loving
I am capable, worthy, and qualified
I am creative
I am an overcomer.
I can do it
I can make IT
I can ENDURE it
I am a child of GOD
I am rich with ideas, FRIENDS AND POSSIBILITIES
I am FOCUSED on my PRIORITIES
I am FORGIVEN
I am valuable and appreciated
I MAKE A DIFFERENCE
People are seeking m service
I am abundant
I am healed
I am always in the right place at the right time
I am a MAGNET for ABUNDANCE, PROSPERITY AND LOVE
I CAN BEGIN AGAIN
My pain can CHANGE
I am enough whether I am in a relationship or not
I have great ideas and follow through
I am IMPROVING EVERY DAY
I am getting stronger in my discipline and desire to let go of anything or anyone that is not for my highest GOOD.
I complete what I start
I am full of PEACE AND LOVE
I am led and fed by the HOLY SPIRIT

I AM TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

"FOR THE GARDEN OF YOUR DAILY LIVING"

PLANT THREE ROWS OF PEAS:
Peace of mind
Peace of heart
Peace of soul

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF SQUASH:
Squash gossip
Squash indifference
Squash grumbling
Squash selfishness

PLANT FOUR ROWS OF LETTUCE:
Lettuce be faithful
Lettuce be kind
Lettuce be patient
Lettuce really love one another

NO GARDEN WITHOUT TURNIPS:
Turnip for meetings
Turnip for service
Turnip to help one another

TO CONCLUDE OUR GARDEN WE MUST HAVE THYME:
Thyme for each other
Thyme for family
Thyme for friends

WATER FREELY WITH PATIENCE AND CULTIVATE WITH LOVETHERE IS MUCH FRUIT IN YOUR GARDEN BECAUSE YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW.

WOMEN AS MINISTERS

"Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the law" (1 Corinthians 14:34).

"Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence" (1 Timothy 2:11-12).

In these verses, Paul cannot be addressing women who were in the ministry, but rather those in the congregation who were out of order. How do we know this? We have many such proofs, many from Paul himself. Here is a partial list of women who were all in influential positions of leadership in the early church.

Pheobe (Romans 16:1-2): This woman was a deaconess of the church in Cenchrea, who was beloved of Paul and many other Christians for the help she gave to them. She filled an important position of leadership. It would be a difficult stretch of the imagination to say that this woman fulfilled her duties without ever speaking in the church!

Priscilla (Acts 18:26): Priscilla and her husband Aquila are often mentioned with great respect by Paul. Together they were pastors of a church in Ephesus, and were responsible for teaching the full gospel to Apollos. We are informed that they both taught Apollos, and pastored the church together. In fact, Priscilla is sometimes listed ahead of Aquila when their names come up. This has led some to speculate that of the two, she was the primary teacher and her husband oversaw the ministry. At any rate, we see here a woman in a very prominent position of teaching and pastoring. (Other references to Priscilla and Aquila are Acts 18:2, 18; Romans 16:3, and I Corinthians 16:19).

Euodia and Syntyche (Philippians 4:2-3): Here we see reference to two women who were "true yokefellow" and who labored with Paul in the advancement of the gospel.

Junia (Romans 16:7): In this verse we see Paul sending greetings to Andronicus and Junia, his "fellow-prisoners" who are of note among the apostles. Junia is a woman's name. In some modern translations, an "s" has been added (Junias) because the translators were so sure a woman could not be an apostle, that they assumed a copyist has accidentally dropped the "s." However the proper male ending would have been "ius," not "ias." No church commentator earlier than the Middle Ages questioned that Junia was both a woman and an apostle.

Though there were other women throughout the Bible in positions of leadership, such as prophetesses, evangelists, judges, leaders, etc., the above references should be enough to establish that women were indeed a vital and normal part of church leadership. Paul expected women to speak in the church, or else why would he have given the following directive? It would have been useless to give directions for women who were speaking in the church, if they were never allowed to do so.

1 Corinthians 11:5, "But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven."

Furthermore, if Paul believed that all women should never teach or speak in church, why does he commend many women who did just that?

With all this in mind, what then do we make of the troubling verses that command women to be silent in the churches?

First of all, we must interpret those verses in light of what we have just established--that there were women in leadership positions of the church. Obviously, Paul is not writing to them. He is must be addressing another issue entirely--the women who were loud and unruly during the service, causing disorder and confusion.

When he wrote the Corinthians, he was dealing with a church that was very disorderly in their services. Much of the letter was spent correcting excesses and abuses. Some of these pertained to women in particular and some were to the entire church. Paul is not being prejudiced against women when he instructs the Corinthian women to keep silence. In the early church the seating arrangement was quite different from our modern day churches. Men were seated on one side of the church while the women and children were seated on the opposite side. This is still practiced in many cultures today.

The women of Christ's day were generally uneducated and usually only the men were privileged with an education. Due to this situation, when the church met the women were tempted to shout across the room and ask their husbands the meaning of whatever was being taught. This disturbed the service. Paul was simply saying during the service, "Women, keep your children quiet and you be quiet, and if you have anything to ask your husbands, wait until you get home." Because of the new equality that Christianity brought to women, it could be that some of them were taking their freedom too far, to the point of being obnoxious.

When Paul wrote to Timothy, he gave him a similar directive. Again, it is important to understand the context in which the letter was written. In I Timothy, a careful reader becomes aware that many severe heresies and false teachings that were being dealt with. We can draw a conclusion here that many of the proponents and victims of the false teachings were women. Timothy pastored in Ephesus, and it has been suggested that goddess worship might have played a large part in Paul dealing so severely with the women. Ephesus was a primary center of the worship of Diana or Artemis. The heresies being taught might have suggested that women were authoritative over men and had higher access to spiritual knowledge than men did.

Regardless of the particulars, in both cases we can see that Paul is dealing with specific incidents in specific churches for very particular reasons.

We must understand that many of Paul's epistles dealt with local problems and his commandments are not meant to be taken as "commandments" across the board for all situations. Rather, we are to seek the Lord for the basic principal that needs to be incorporated in our churches. Because of Old Testament precedents that had already been set, apparently it never occurred to Paul to re-establish the case for women in ministry.

Why would he need to?

The early church took it as a matter of course that Jesus would call and ordain anyone He chose--and that settled it! As a matter of fact, the Bible mentions a prophetess who was in the Temple when Jesus was brought there as a baby. Her name was Anna (Luke 2:25-35), and she was one of two people who recognized Jesus as the Messiah because of her sensitivity to the Holy Spirit.

Paul's writings are sometimes misunderstood today because we do not know all the details that led him to write as he did. We must rely on the Holy Spirit, and the rest of the testimony of Scripture to interpret how we are to apply these things to our everyday lives. Scripture should always be compared with other Scripture and the context taken into consideration. Even in Paul's day, there were those who tried to twist the meaning his words.

"...His (Paul's) letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do other Scriptures, to their own destruction" (2 Peter 3:16).

It is a fair conclusion that the testimony of the bulk of Scripture, church history and God's anointing upon them, all speak plainly for women being able to fulfill all positions of the five-fold offices of apostle, prophet, pastor, evangelist and teacher.

IF MY PEOPLE

II Chronicles 7:14 "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land."

America today is in trouble. Our country has shifted to a vile immoral country. America today has lost touch with the God of their forefathers and continues to spiral downwardly as a nation. I am doing this out of love and compassion for God's people and the country we live in. This is not to anybody or any group specifically, but a warning to your heart and mine. This verse is a promise God gave us, that he will keep, but there are conditions we must meet in this promise.

If my people.

You know the trouble with America today is not the unsaved. Its the Christians. The Bible tells us the lost people's jobs are to be wicked, and indeed they are wicked. Its the Christians who've allowed things to be this way.

That's who God's speaking to in this verse, is God's people. We have given up our role and many things in the worlds and sat down and flat out compromised with the world, allowing our testimonies and position on this earth to be watered down.

If my people.

We are the ones who didn't stand up for ourselves and allowed prayer and God to be taken out of the schools. We are the ones who have allowed this theory of evolution to be brought into our schools. This is where they teach the kids to doubt the Bible before they are even taught it. They are being taught that they started out as the slime of the earth, but are getting better. hat man developed his own rules and they have deemed it right in their eye's to do as they wish, and they are doing just that.

We have given over the government. You know all those who signed the Declaration of Independence, all but two people who signed it was active in their churches. Now a days we can't even get any of our government officials to get to church, much less listen to a church leader. This idea of separation of church and state, was indeed so there would be no church states, nor state churches. Not that anyone who's a Christian can't serve in government. We just turned over the government to the world, and watch as they usher in evolution in our schools, and support abortion, the killing of innocent babies.

We have turned over our court rooms to the world as well. You know before the civil war, you could not be a lawyer without studying the Bible. The reasoning was who could defend the law, without knowing the law giver? Now look at them. We have allowed them to continue to believe that man makes the laws, and man will defend the laws, and they will determine what is right and what is wrong, not God Almighty.

Psalms 144:15 Happy is that people, that is in such case: yea, happy is that people, whose God is the Lord.

We are part of the problem, but we are also part of the solution, as part of the promise God made to us. We must decide that we are God's people and we will not allow nor tolerate our country's downfall to Satan.

If my people, Which are called by My Name

Many people have forgotten that God called us out. He was searching for us before we was looking for Him. Christians, or so called Christians forget that we are representing Christ and God. When people see us, they are to see ambassadors for Christ. The word Christian means Christ-like.

But as a whole, when the world see's the word Christian, what do they see. Enough for them to scoff at us. You don't know how many times, that I've stated I was a Christian, that people would immediately start questioning me on things that other denominations do.

This comes about because people are not taught correctly in the Bible and properly discipled in it. They don't learn to read the Bible for them selves and hide it in their hearts so they will not go astray. The false teachings come from those who have not read the entire word of God, or have decided to pick and chose what they will or will not believe and this is part of our countries problem today.

Believe the Bible is the totally inspired word of God, and God has preserved it as he promises and that is has remained unchanged, as God has wanted it. But there are so called Christians out their who has declared it was their right to change the word of God, as they see fit. They have changed the meaning and came up with their own empty traditions. And they cling to their traditions and false religion like never before. They refuse to let go of those.

If my people, who are called by my name.

It breaks my heart constantly, that there are so many people who are willing to serve God, but they limit themselves by not reading and learning from the Bible what God wants them to do. There are many people who have the right intentions, but are not prepared, and go out in God's name and bring a bad name to Him, and dishonor them because they don't do it with the Father's help, but instead in their own flesh.

If my people, which are called by my name Shall Humble themselves

America today is a land of self pride, and we have forgotten to praise God. God has given this land, and expected this place we live in to give Him continual praise. We are a land of plenty and abundance, but we never given Him the thanks he so richly deserves. You look beyond our boarders and see the poverty and strive, and listen to us complain because we don't have enough.

We have plenty here, yet we are unsatisfied. Because we have put our treasures in the material things, and not put our treasure in heaven, where they will account to something. The problem with America, is we consider our not a needy people, thus we don't need God. And God hates pride, and until we do away with our pride, God will not heal our land. And that's not the world, who its commanded to humble ourselves in this verse. Its us Christians. We need to humble ourselves, and give God the praise he deserves for this great nation He has provided for us.

Now I know this may come as a surprise to some of you, but yes, Texans do sometimes have a pride problem. One Texas farmer was talking with another farmer from Oklahoma, "How big is your farm?" asked the Texan. "oh its big, "claimed the Sooner, "better then a thousand acres." Not to be outdone, the Texan replied, "Let me tell you what. I can get into my pickup at sunup, head west, and by sundown I'm still on my land." The Oklahoman thought for a moment and smiled. "you know, I had a pickup like that once!" WE all need to be humbled. Boastful pride and a self-sufficient attitude that ignores God will undermine our faith in His Word and thwart His blessing.

Everyone who is a Christian needs to humble themselves and do things God's way, not our way. America as a country, have come to the point of belief that we know more then God, and we can get it done without God. We look at ourselves and out past, and boat, what a good job we did. We didn't need God, we did it ourselves without realizing that God did all of it, and we was just allowed to be present when it did happen.

Reminds me of a story on pride. A frog was wondering how he could get away from the cold winter clime. Some wild geese suggested that he migrate with them. The problem, though, was that the frog couldn't fly. "Just leave it to me, " said the frog, "I've got a splendid brain." He thought about it and then asked two geese to help him by picking up a strong reed, each holding one end. The frog planned to hold on to the reed with his mouth. In due time the geese and the frog started on their journey. Soon they were passing over a small town, and the villagers came out to see the unusual sight. Someone cried out, "who could have come up with such a clever idea?" This made the frog so puffed up with a sense of importance that he exclaimed, "I did it." His pride was his undoing, for the moment he opened his mouth, he lost his hold and fell to his death.

Proverbs 16:18 "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall."

Before God will heal our land, we must remember our place in this world, and who's in charge. And it ain't us.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, And pray

Prayer is our biggest tool, God gave us. Its our direct line of communication to God. But we don't us it enough. The Bible says we have not, because we ask not. Pray without a doubt is something everyone can do and it does make a difference. But all of our prayer lives are something to be desired.

But you might be surprised how many people don't know how to pray. What is this prayer. Prayer is talking to God. As Shaun described it, "prayer is us getting our minds and hearts in line with the Will of God, so when it comes to pass, we receive the blessing of it, saying I prayed for that." To often people pray amist, and not for the glory of God.

One morning at the breakfast table a father asked God's blessing on the food as usual. In pious and exalting language he thanked the Lord for all His bountiful provisions. But when he started eating, grumbling about the poor quality of the food and complained about the way it was cooked. His teenager interrupted him. "Dad," she began, "Do you think God heard your prayer?" "Certainly," he replied confidently "And did He also hear you when you complained about the coffee and bacon just now?" she asked. "Why, of course!" he bellowed. "Then which of your statements did God believe?"

When we pray, do we just say some words, or do we actually ask and wait for an answer? In public prayer, are we just trying to impress someone else, or are we trying to talk to God? Do we pray like we believe God can and will answer our request?

Jeremiah 33:3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

Our country fails around us, but we don't use our biggest tool we have. If we are really concerned for our country, we would be willing to pray for it. I think everyone in here would claim to love America. But As much as we love America, are you concerned to spend one night in prayer for America? Are you saying that you don't love America enough to take that time to humble ourselves and pray to God to heal this land?

When God was going to destroy Sodom Abraham had enough concern for those people to beg God not to.

Genesis 18:27 And Abraham answered and said Behold now, I have taken upon me to speak unto the Lord, which I am nothing but dust and ashes.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face

Out of all these things God had asked us to do, if we wanted Him to heal our land, this is the one, that Americans are most unwilling to do. Seek God's face? Why? It like a dog chasing a car, what happened when the dog catches the car?

Usually its going to require us doing something for God. My heart is to encourage people to do more for God, but I have learned something. You can not encourage them to do anything, they are not willing to do. Most people are unwilling to do anything for God. And when you seek God, and He answers, its usually go and do something. Because of this, most Americans are unwilling to seek God.

It puzzles me how our country, which boast of its great work ethic, and workaholics reigns supreme, how they are willing to work for themselves and refuse to do anything for God. We'll I would like to and its a noble idea, but I'm too busy. Can't fit God on my schedule. But yet we still want to ask God for things and expect him to do something.

Parents, you might understand this analogy. What would you do and feel like if you told your kids to say, oh, clean up their room. Simple request and not too much to ask. But they soon come up to you and ask for some money. You ask why, and its to go to the mall or the movies. Well is your room clean? I don't have time now, but I'll get to it as soon as I can fit it in my schedule. How do you feel then about giving them money to go out? How far off am I to what we do to God?

This is also the main cause of our country becoming what it is. People not doing what God wants us too. If more people seeked God, when our country was getting rid of prayer in school, would we have gotten rid of it? If more people had sought God how bad would our country be?

John 14:21 "He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me, and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him."

God said He will heal our land, IF we seek his face. And then he'll let us know what we can do, to help our country. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not asking everyone to become preachers and missionaries. God will call those people out. But God does have something for everyone to do. Everyone can learn how to witness to people. Everyone can find something to do for their church. Everyone can find something to do to life the pastors hands and his burden. Everyone can dive into their Bibles and leaner something. God will direct you in what place He wants you out and He will use you from there. If we love our country, we will seek out God's face, and see what He has for us to do. But that's up to you. If you would rather wait to work, I'm sure persecution will be coming to America soon enough. Would you rather work for God then, under those conditions, or try to prevent that from coming and work now. Seek God's face.

If my people, which are called bu my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways

America as we know it has always been proud of her freedom. And we are discovering a new freedom as of late. And that's the freedom to flaunt ones sins openly. Oh many talk shows do we have now. "What happens when two women love the same man, and that man is ugly, on the Next..." All kinds of filth on our TV and our lives. I know that in my young years, I'm seeing things I thought I would never see. I can't imagine the thoughts of the elder saints here tonight. I'm sure ya'll have definitely seen things in here you never thought we would come to.

And it goes full circle.

People have decided they have the right to determine what is right and what is wrong. So we have people choosing to kill their babies. We have people who are openly coming our with their lifestyles, and flaunting their evil ways. We had a president who was suppose to be the leader in who to run a home in our country, commit adultery and our country didn't do anything about it but make a joke. You think he turned away from his actions...no.

But as I said earlier, the wicked are doing what they are supposed to be doing. And that's being wicked. But also as I stated earlier, its the Christians who are to blame. WE have successful blended in with the world. That's not supposed to be the case. WE are suppose to be the light of the world and stand out. When people stand next to us, they are to see our lives as white as snow, and God should be able to convict them.

But when the world looks at the average professing Christian out there, they only see them going to church, then back in the world immediately as soon as they hit those doors. We have allowed ourselves to be so tolerant of the sin around us, we don't even notice it any more. We even have gone so far, as to harass those who are living a good live and telling them to make it they got to dip closer to the world. Heaven forbid! We are commanded, that God hates sin and we are to hate sin too, and have compassion on the sinner. How is America going to realize its doing something wrong, if God's people aren't saying or living like there is something wrong?

II Corinthians 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

We need to turn away from our sins. We need to make sure that when people see us, they an image of Christ. I know we are not perfect, but we are to hate sin and try to get away from it. We need to let go of the sins that's holding us as slaves, and let America take notice that there is something different about the Children of God. Especially if we want America healed.

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land

This promise was a simple, if you, then I will, statement. If we love America and truly want it to become better once again, then we must follow these conditions for God's promise to fall. If my people, which are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and, forgive theirs sins, and heal their land.

That's cut and dry. God said he will here us in Heaven, forgive America and heal our land. But we must meet our end of the bargain. Otherwise the result might be like it was in Jeremiahs day.

Lets look at the possible result: Jeremiah 6: 15-16 (15) "Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time I visit them they shall be cast down, saith the Lord. (16) Thus saith the Lord, Stand in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein."

That looks like a close picture of America today. They have no shame in anything they do today. But the Lord has told us to walk in the old ways, walk the old paths and stay within them, then we shall find rest. But that's up to us, weather we walk according to the Bible, or if we can give up in America and continue the path of distruction America is heading for, and taking us with her.

Preacher's note: This message was delivered in several different places and one of my favorite messages, God has allowed me to preach. Unfortunately this message is not as powerful in written form as preached. This is one to look forward to in real audio or some sort media soon.