He's Got Me

He's got the whole world in His hands, He's got the whole world in His hands....
As I write this, I can hear children singing that song and I can't help but smile. How comforting it is to know, "in his hand Is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:10

Everyone was headed out to the car. It had been a long day of unpacking, organizing, placing furniture and hanging pictures. God blessed us with a place to live in this new city and we were trying to turn it into a home. I still however had not uncovered the boxes with dishes, cooking utensils, pans. We were all terribly hungry. So we headed out to find sustenance in our new town.

Todd, the boys and baby girl all headed out to the car. I locked the door to our new abode and brought up the rear. Coming down the front steps, watching my new family gathered beside the car, I lost sight of the last step. I stumbled. My big toe catching all my weight, crumpled beneath me.

As I sat on the stairs, trying to think beyond the throb in my toe, I wondered how I managed to slip. I only took my eyes off the steps for one short moment. Unfortunately, that was all it took.

Our spiritual life often mirrors the physical. At least I know mine does. Sometimes we stumble. It's usually when we choose to go it alone and don't use the mighty arm of God to lean on. When we take or eyes off of the One and focus on a myriad of things around us, sometimes we fall.

My toe was sprained. It was sore and swollen over the next few days. Todd was right by my side. He could see when I was hurting and whispered to me, "Hang on baby, I've got you." His strong arms held me and helped steady me.

Beyond his gentle voice in my ear, I could hear the Holy Spirit whisper to my heart, "Hang on Sheilia, I've got you."

This move to a new city has been a test of faith...and it's not over. But thank God for His faithfulness! Through all that we face, God is always there for us to lean on and depend on. When we doubt or fear, His word speaks to us, "do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I Will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

That, my friend, is all the reassurance I need. I can go on in faith because He's got me!

Write the Vision...

"And the Lord answered me, and said, Write the vision and make it plain upon the tables, that he may run that readeth it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come..." Haubakkuk 2:2-3

I attended an empowerment workshop a little over a year ago. While there, we attendees participated in several exercises to help us reconnect with our dreams, identify our talents, clarify our purpose and seek God's will as to how to move forward, without fear.

The exercise I enjoyed most and which still has great impact on me, was the construction of a vision board. We were given a stack of assorted magazines, markers, colored paper, glue sticks, and scissors. The assignment was to use these items to construct a "visual account of our best life."

Fantastic! Not only did this exercise tap into my fondest memories of grade school (I still love to cut and paste!) it also provided us a chance to see life as it could be. Pouring through the glossy pages of those magazines freed us up to dream BIG!

However, I found that the limited space of the 8 1/2 x 11 construction paper, also made me focus in on what things were most important. There was no room on my small canvas for frivolous desires. I found myself searching those magazines for representations of the things that matter to my heart, things that moved my spirit.

At the end of the exercise I was pleased and proud of  my work. My vision board does indeed represent my best life, including family, worship, writing, music, fellowship and celebration of all that God has provided. This simple 8 1/2 x 11 sheet represents those things most important to me now and maps a path for me to follow my dreams and live out my purpose. It hangs on the mirror opposite my bed.

Each morning when I wake, I see my vision board and it reminds me that God had a vision for my life when He created me. Everything He's blessed me with works to fulfill His purpose in me. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made..." Psalm 139:13-14

Sister, brother, friend...can you see your vision? Have you written it out, is it plain to you? If you have not taken the time, I suggest you do. Spend some time before God, searching out those things that matter most, reconnecting with those dreams you may have pushed aside, seeking out the talents God blessed you with. Seek Him in prayer and God will reveal to you His vision for your life. When you can see the vision, write it down so that you will have a reminder of where your life is going. Or better still, get some magazines, markers, scissors and glue and have some fun...Cut and Paste!

Special thanks to my friend Christy Demetrakis, "The Empowered Speaker". Your book, "Faith to Conquer Fear" as well as the "2013 Faith to Conquer Fear" workshop continue to have positive impact on my life. Keep sharing your gift!
http://www.empoweredspeaker.com/
 

Finding My Way Back to Love...

We had the kind of relationship that was on again, off again. It started when I was a teenager and has continued this way for years.

There's no doubt in my mind that we love one another. There's no questioning the fact that life is better when we are together, working as one. Together we are unstoppable, a force to be reckoned with. Together we have scaled mountains, torn down walls, won battles. Yes this love is truly a good thing.

But still the cycle continues, on, off, on, off.

When we're on, everything in life is FANTASTIC! The days seem to flow with their own smooth rhythm, work is easy, play time is fun.

Funny thing is, when we're on, all my other relationships are right as well. I get along better with my kids, family, my friends, co-workers, and when there is a rift somewhere, it is easily straightened out.

Love makes life easier all the way around.

And you know I must admit, when we are off, it's through no fault of His. It's always me.

I'm the one who pulls away, too busy to spend quality time. I'm the one who puts my desires ahead of our joint purpose. It's me who grows impatient and wanders off on my own, searching for a short cut, when there truly is only ONE WAY. I'm the one who wants what I want when I want it, gets angry when I don't get my way and holds grudges.

I'm the one who looses sight of what IS, while focusing on what I WANT to be.

Luckily for me, Love is patient and kind. Love does not envy and is not proud. Love is not self-seeking, nor easily angered. Most of all, Love keeps no record of my wrongs. Where other lovers would doubt my commitment to this relationship, Love rejoices in the truth He knows in my heart. Another lover may fight with me, but Love protects me from harm, even the harm I would do to myself. Where other's may seek to put me away, thinking I have found another, Love trusts in the power of what we have, hopes for my renewed commitment and perseveres in the pursuit of my soul. Though I may stumble and fall, get side tracked and distracted, loose the keys to the car, forget the directions or simply run out of gas during this journey...I am blessed to know that LOVE NEVER FAILS. (1 Corinthians:4-8)

Grace

As a young Christian, the word grace was a puzzle for me. I had heard the word used many times and in many situations. My mother would make me say grace before eating meals. I had heard dukes and duchesses called “your grace.” When I was late for history class Ms. Hotel thanked me for “gracing the class with my presence.”My ballet teacher, Mrs. Benomini constantly admonished us girls for our lack of grace, insisting that we “find your grace ladies, pull it from inside!” It seemed my grandmother would not have been able to do anything were it not “by the grace of God.”Even the pastor seemed sold on the idea of grace and intent on selling us young believers on the idea as well.

So I wondered, what exactly is grace? I set out to find the meaning of this much-used word. The first place I looked was the dictionary. According to Merriam-Webster, grace is a noun meaning “a way of moving that is smooth and attractive; a controlled, polite, and pleasant way of behaving.” In its verb form, grace means “to decorate or add beauty to, to confer dignity or honor on.” Well, that certainly explained Mrs. Benomini’s tirades. Of course she was assuming we girls had something smooth, attractive, and controlled inside of us. I am not so sure that was true at the time. I actually wanted to go back and thank Ms. Hotel because now I knew she considered me a beautiful addition to her class and thought it an honor to have me there.

Still, I felt there had to be more to this word, a deeper meaning which connected it to our faith. My pastor is a stickler for Bible study. When approached with a question from a young believer he tends to give directions to resources instead of an answer. I’d experienced this before and this time was no exception. Pastor often says that to grow your faith you must grow your understanding and to grow your understanding you must do some digging. My favorite digging tools are my Holman Bible dictionary and the Word of God itself. So I gathered my tools and set out to grow some understanding. My work has been greatly rewarded.

According to Holman Bible dictionary, grace is basically undeserved acceptance and love given from one person to another. This in turn translates to the gift of unmerited favor, the salvation we Christians receive through Jesus Christ. Grace as used here is derived from the Greek word charis used in the New Testament to convey the idea of a favor or kindness done. It could also be a gift that brought pleasure to the recipient. When used from the viewpoint of the recipient charis refers to the thankfulness felt for the gift or favor. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word chanan was often translated as charis by the Greeks. The word chanan refers to one person turning to another in an act of kind assistance, such as aid to the poor.

Looking at this definition of grace, my heart flooded with love for our Heavenly Father. How gracious of Him, how kind, to save us from the sickness of sin. I am sure I speak for every Christian when I say that no greater gift or kindness has been bestowed upon us. Grace, the undeserved acceptance and love of God, shown to us by the sacrifice of His son, is the basis of our faith. 

Even though we don’t deserve it, God saw fit to send his son to dwell among us. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14, NIV). God the Father, full of grace, accepts us and loves us so much that he sent his son to die so that we may live. The word of God tells us that we cannot earn such a great gift. No amount of good deeds or following the rules will make us worthy. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24, NIV).

Although salvation is the most divine example we Christians have of grace, it is by no means the only example. God has blessed us with many gifts. His creation is full of beauty and natural wonders which we get to live among and enjoy. From the sun which rises and shines overhead each day, to the beauty of it setting each evening, God’s grace is there. From the many colorful birds which soar through the air, to the countless creatures which swim in the sea, God’s grace is there. God’s grace is there in the crashing waters of Niagara Falls, in the beautiful expanse of the Grand Canyon, and in the tangles of roots of the Moreton Bay fig trees. God’s grace is there in the melody of our favorite song and in the smile on a loved one’s face.God’s gifts surround us, waiting to be acknowledged, accepted and enjoyed. Similarly, the gift of grace awaits each of us who will turn from sin and accept salvation through the One God sent. 

The abundance of God’s grace manifests not only in the sacrifice of Christ and in His many creations. God’s grace is also at work in us, supplying us with the power to do His will, giving the least of us the ability to do great works to His glory. “I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ,” (Eph. 3:7-8).

The word grace appears in the New Testament well over 100 times. The Apostle Paul begins and ends each of his letters wishing grace for those he writes to. Theologian Frederick Buechner states in The Longing for Home, “Grace is the best he can wish them as grace is the best he himself ever received.” 

I am no longer puzzled by grace. I now know that grace, God’s unmerited favor, is the best I have ever received. There is no greater kindness than to be loved and accepted by my Father in Heaven. There is no greater gift than to receive salvation through Jesus Christ. God’s creation is full of grace and is to be cared for and protected by those of us who receive it and take part in enjoying it. I am humbled by grace and I am grateful for it. As a Christian I pledge my life to becoming more like Christ, to mirror his grace. It is my mission to show love and acceptance to all those I meet. I will pass on to others the favor and kindness shown to me. I will work to adorn this world we live in with the beauty of God’s grace.  

Just Say Yes!

As many of you know, I serve and worship at The New Jerusalem Baptist Church of Cincinnati. Coming up at the end of August is our annual Women of Worship Weekend. This is a weekend where we as women come together to share, encourage, praise and worship. There are activities for the ladies both Friday evening and Saturday and the weekend is capped off by Sunday services run completely by the women of the church. These services feature an all women's choir, women's usher board, women greeters and the Word of God delivered by our very own First Lady, Sis. Barbara J. Lynch.

We members of the choir are currently in rehearsals for this wonderful event. The first song we learned is very short and simple, but so extremely powerful!!! The song has ministered to me each and every day since our first rehearsal and I just have to share it with you.

The song simply says:

I'll say yes Lord, I'll say yes
To your will Lord, I'll say yes
Where you lead me, I will go
I'll say yes Lord, I'll say yes

Simple, right? Yet these four lines encompass all that our Lord God wants from us.

The Lord wants us to believe in Him and acknowledge Him as the One True God. Isaiah 43:12, "I have revealed and saved and proclaimed...you are my witnesses" declares the Lord, "that I am God."

He wants us to trust in His love enough to know that His will is what's best for us. Matthew 6:10, "your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

And once we believe and trust in God, oh the places He will lead us!!!

Psalm 5:8 "Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness...make your way straight before me"

Psalm 23:2 "...He leads me beside still waters, He restores my soul."

Psalm 43:3 "Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain."

Psalm 61:2 "...lead me to the rock that is higher than I."

Psalm 139:24 "...lead me in the way of the everlasting."

Psalm 143:10 "...may your good spirit lead me on level ground."

And finally from Song of Songs 2:4, the letters between two lovers, as God is the lover of my soul: "Let him lead me to the banquet hall, and let his banner over me be love."

My brothers and sisters, God has big plans for each of us, plans to prosper and not to harm. He wants to take us places beyond what we can ask or imagine.

And all we have to do is SAY YES!!!

RSNJ - COMING SPRING 2014!!!

Hello Family! I have some AWESOME news. Rythmic Sounds of New J will soon be recording our first project for NATIONAL RELEASE!

As most of you know, I have been singing since I could walk. As a child it was my dream to become the next Diana Ross, complete with fame, fortune and movies co-starring the next generation Billy Dee Williams as my love interest. Can you say Idris Elba? LOL!

Well that dream was for me and reality has a way of kicking our selfish dreams to the curb. But GOD, has a way of taking those selfish dreams and transforming them into something wonderful for His glory!

This project is a chance to take our God-given gifts, and use them to touch people all over. A chance to minister to God's people about his love and grace. What a blessing!!!

NOW, HERE IS HOW YOU CAN HELP!!! 

Contact me (513-324-0319) to purchase your advance copy of our upcoming recording. Pre-Sale cost of the CD is $10, due at time of order, and will help us cover studio and production cost. Be one of the first to receive a copy as soon as the CD drops!

Thank you for supporting our ministry and please keep us in your prayers as we move forward with our service of God's Kingdom!


 

Happy Birthday...Every Day!

Hi all. Today a dear friend and co-worker of mine is celebrating her birthday. There have been many questions about her age and jokes about aging in general. It brings to mind something I've thought about often over the years:

Why is it that so many people have a problem with birthdays and aging???

Many people gripe about getting older, avoid celebrating their birthdays and even lie about their age. For some reason, women are especially guilty. I, on the contrary, have always looked forward to my birthday and claim my age proudly. But for those who are pained at the thought of another birthday rolling around, here is food for thought; 3 reasons why we should look forward to each birthday we see...

 1. Birthdays (as a matter of fact, all days) are a gift from God! "It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23 Therefore, we should greet each new year with excitement and joy, while looking forward to what our God has in store.

2. Birthdays are a chance to be reborn! Each year added to our lives is proof that God has not given up on us. Contrary to popular belief, not one of us is here on this earth by accident. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE - even if you are not currently living out that plan. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord... plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 We do not always obey the Father or make Him proud with the things we do. However, with each birthday God allows us to see, we get another chance to seek Him, study His Word, live right, love others, be reborn in His image.

3. Birthdays are not just about aging! People are like wine; for the most part, we get better with age. This should be especially true for those of us who profess to know Christ. We are not just getting older, we are getting better, sweeter, kinder, more knowledgeable, more graceful, more forgiving, more beautiful (deep down on the inside, where it counts). We are simply becoming more like Christ.

How wonderful is that!?

Happy Birthday again Mother Rhonda. Thank you for being a Christ like example in my life!