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!!!
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Tuesday, May 28, 2013
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!
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
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!
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!
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Walking in the Light of His Amazing Love
"This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another..." 1 John 1:5-7
Sounds like a hefty task doesn't it? Certainly it is, one that we as humans would never be able to accomplish on our own. That is why, especially at this time of the year, we must be grateful to God for the salvation he afforded each of us through the sacrifice of his son, Jesus. "...and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin." (v.7)
When I was a child, Easter meant a new dress, pretty new shoes and a basket filled with chocolate eggs, jelly beans and other treats. It was the one day of the year I knew for sure were going to church and that all my family would be there as well. After church service we would all gather at my grandmother or great aunt's house for Ham, mac & cheese, greens and homemade corn bread, baked in grandma's cast iron skillet.
Those are wonderful memories, but they do not begin to touch on the real wonder of why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday. To think that God thought so much of us that he would send his son to die in our place, for our sins, blows me away. That is truly an amazing love. I don't know about you, but I feel so unworthy. Yet, God made us worthy, just by creating us and loving us that much. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." Psalm 8:4-6 Wow!!!!
If you wonder what you have done to deserve such love, the answer is nothing! If you are wondering what you can do to repay such love, the answer again is nothing!
However we do have a small part to play in this drama. 1 John 1:9 tells us "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Also, in the book of Acts when Paul and Silas were asked "what must I do to be saved?" they answered, "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:30-31
Now that I am a mother, I want to be sure that my children have wonderful memories of Easter to carry with them into the future. But before we go shopping for the Easter outfits and baskets of candy, we sit and review the story of Good Friday, when Christ bled and died for our sins. And we rejoice in the story of Resurrection Sunday, when God conquered death and rose from the grave, so that we too could have everlasting life.
Before you get all dressed up and go to the party, it's important to know the who and why of what your celebrating. Confess your sins to God. Believe in the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ. Then you can get dressed up, go out and let your light SHINE!!!
When I was a child, Easter meant a new dress, pretty new shoes and a basket filled with chocolate eggs, jelly beans and other treats. It was the one day of the year I knew for sure were going to church and that all my family would be there as well. After church service we would all gather at my grandmother or great aunt's house for Ham, mac & cheese, greens and homemade corn bread, baked in grandma's cast iron skillet.
Those are wonderful memories, but they do not begin to touch on the real wonder of why we celebrate Resurrection Sunday. To think that God thought so much of us that he would send his son to die in our place, for our sins, blows me away. That is truly an amazing love. I don't know about you, but I feel so unworthy. Yet, God made us worthy, just by creating us and loving us that much. "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honour." Psalm 8:4-6 Wow!!!!
If you wonder what you have done to deserve such love, the answer is nothing! If you are wondering what you can do to repay such love, the answer again is nothing!
However we do have a small part to play in this drama. 1 John 1:9 tells us "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Also, in the book of Acts when Paul and Silas were asked "what must I do to be saved?" they answered, "...believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." Acts 16:30-31
Now that I am a mother, I want to be sure that my children have wonderful memories of Easter to carry with them into the future. But before we go shopping for the Easter outfits and baskets of candy, we sit and review the story of Good Friday, when Christ bled and died for our sins. And we rejoice in the story of Resurrection Sunday, when God conquered death and rose from the grave, so that we too could have everlasting life.
Before you get all dressed up and go to the party, it's important to know the who and why of what your celebrating. Confess your sins to God. Believe in the resurrecting power of Jesus Christ. Then you can get dressed up, go out and let your light SHINE!!!
Monday, March 18, 2013
Building Blocks
"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind,forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins." (2 Peter 1:5-9)
Remember the building blocks we had as kids? Mine were solid wood, painted in bright primary colors and stored in a round container with a plastic lid and tin bottom. I LOVED those blocks.
I spent hours coming up with architectural creations. The taller and more elaborate the better. One Christmas I even requested a second set so I could expand my vision and create an entire town, all centered around one "skyscraper" at the center.
The verse I came across in my reading today, reminded me of those blocks.
Our growth in Christ is just like building with those blocks. It's a gradual process which takes time and patience. As we study our Lord and His word and become more familiar with His will for our lives, we stack one building block upon the other, moving higher and higher, closer and closer to God.
So I remember once when I got my little town built, with my skyscraper at the center, I was so proud! But before I could drag my mom in to see my masterpiece, my cousin Embry, who had been hiding behind the door, walked through and knock it all down!!! He destroyed everything I worked so hard to build, in just a matter of seconds. I was devastated!
That is exactly what sin does to us. We can be moving along through life, doing all the right things, then WHAM!!! Sin creeps in when we least expect it and destroys all our hard work, leaving us devastated. We are left in the midst of a mess wondering why this happened and how can we ever start all over again.
But as Christians we have hope. Sin is a sickness we all suffer from. But as with Lazarus upon his deathbed, Jesus says "This sickness is not unto death, but to the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)
That is why when sin knocks us down, we must get up. With Gods help we can right ourselves, dust ourselves off and begin again. We stand on faith, add goodness, knowledge, self control. We persevere, striving in godliness, mutual affection and love and through it all To God Be The Glory!!!
Remember the building blocks we had as kids? Mine were solid wood, painted in bright primary colors and stored in a round container with a plastic lid and tin bottom. I LOVED those blocks.
I spent hours coming up with architectural creations. The taller and more elaborate the better. One Christmas I even requested a second set so I could expand my vision and create an entire town, all centered around one "skyscraper" at the center.
The verse I came across in my reading today, reminded me of those blocks.
Our growth in Christ is just like building with those blocks. It's a gradual process which takes time and patience. As we study our Lord and His word and become more familiar with His will for our lives, we stack one building block upon the other, moving higher and higher, closer and closer to God.
So I remember once when I got my little town built, with my skyscraper at the center, I was so proud! But before I could drag my mom in to see my masterpiece, my cousin Embry, who had been hiding behind the door, walked through and knock it all down!!! He destroyed everything I worked so hard to build, in just a matter of seconds. I was devastated!
That is exactly what sin does to us. We can be moving along through life, doing all the right things, then WHAM!!! Sin creeps in when we least expect it and destroys all our hard work, leaving us devastated. We are left in the midst of a mess wondering why this happened and how can we ever start all over again.
But as Christians we have hope. Sin is a sickness we all suffer from. But as with Lazarus upon his deathbed, Jesus says "This sickness is not unto death, but to the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it." (John 11:4)
That is why when sin knocks us down, we must get up. With Gods help we can right ourselves, dust ourselves off and begin again. We stand on faith, add goodness, knowledge, self control. We persevere, striving in godliness, mutual affection and love and through it all To God Be The Glory!!!
Friday, February 22, 2013
Dance Like David Did
Hey gang, I'll need you all to respond to me on this one.
I was speaking with a beloved cousin recently. She was telling me about a blessing which she received. She shared the story with me she said, because she knew I would "get it".
There was an issue she had been dealing with and had been in prayer over for a period of a couple years. Now that may seem like a long time to some of us, to be going through, but we must remember, God exists outside of time. My cousin is a soldier and she knows that God is faithful, so she never lost heart. She is familiar with Isaiah 40:31, "But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles..."
Well, in His time, God answered my cousins prayers and resolved her issue, better than she could have ever imagined! She received a call with the good news while at work in her office one day. She told me she had to place her call on hold, close her office door and do a praise dance, right then and there!!!
I had to smile and praise God with her as she shared her story, remembering the many times I have had to give it all up to God, right where I was.
Unlike my cousin, I work in a cubicle - no full walls and no door. Over the years, most of my co-workers have become accustomed to my occasional outbursts of praise and worship. Sometimes the goodness of the Lord is overwhelming and you just have to let it out. Or at least I do.
Now I know some of you may be thinking, "tsk, tsk, how unprofessional." And you are correct, but in my world professionalism takes a backseat to praise!
I have always been intrigued by the picture painted in 2 Samuel 6. The israelites, led by David, were returning to the City of David with The Ark of God. (v.2, 12) David's excitement is described in 2 Samuel 6:14, "Then David danced before the Lord with all his might and David was wearing a linen ephod." An ephod was a priestly garment. Being made of linen it would have been thin and generally worn along with other garments, but this was all David wore as he jumped and twirled before God (and everyone else). Thus leading to the common saying that David "danced right out of his clothes." Now that is praising God!
But just as some people would frown on my public display of worship, Michal frowned upon her husband David as well. "Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart." (2 Samuel 6:16)
The best part of this passage though is David's response, "...It was before the Lord who chose me instead of your father and all his house...Therefore, I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this..." (2 Samuel 6:21 & 22)
My sentiments exactly!!!
So my friends, tell me, have you ever indulged in PDW - public displays of worship. Have you ever had to close your office door, pull over your car, place a call on hold, rush to the restroom, empty conference room or office supply closet, and give God a "right now praise"? Or maybe you just do what I do and get your dance on right at your desk for all to see? If so, good for you! Take a moment to comment on this post and let me know of a time you danced like David did.
And for those of you who have been stifling your urge to praise publicly, consider this... What if you are the only Jesus they have a chance to see?
Blessings!!!
Now I know some of you may be thinking, "tsk, tsk, how unprofessional." And you are correct, but in my world professionalism takes a backseat to praise!
I have always been intrigued by the picture painted in 2 Samuel 6. The israelites, led by David, were returning to the City of David with The Ark of God. (v.2, 12) David's excitement is described in 2 Samuel 6:14, "Then David danced before the Lord with all his might and David was wearing a linen ephod." An ephod was a priestly garment. Being made of linen it would have been thin and generally worn along with other garments, but this was all David wore as he jumped and twirled before God (and everyone else). Thus leading to the common saying that David "danced right out of his clothes." Now that is praising God!
But just as some people would frown on my public display of worship, Michal frowned upon her husband David as well. "Now as the ark of the Lord came into the City of David, Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and whirling before the Lord; and she despised him in her heart." (2 Samuel 6:16)
The best part of this passage though is David's response, "...It was before the Lord who chose me instead of your father and all his house...Therefore, I will play music before the Lord. And I will be even more undignified than this..." (2 Samuel 6:21 & 22)
My sentiments exactly!!!
So my friends, tell me, have you ever indulged in PDW - public displays of worship. Have you ever had to close your office door, pull over your car, place a call on hold, rush to the restroom, empty conference room or office supply closet, and give God a "right now praise"? Or maybe you just do what I do and get your dance on right at your desk for all to see? If so, good for you! Take a moment to comment on this post and let me know of a time you danced like David did.
And for those of you who have been stifling your urge to praise publicly, consider this... What if you are the only Jesus they have a chance to see?
Blessings!!!
Monday, February 11, 2013
Obedience...A Show of Faith
God woke me up before waking the sun last Sunday. I had a horrible dream, which was out of the norm. I usually don't dream. When I do, it's almost always the Holy Spirit moving on me. That or the devil haunting me. I know that may sound strange to some of you, but I have found that the closer I draw to God and He to me, the more interest the devil has in me as well. I take it to mean he (the devil) sees me as a threat. I'm cool with that.
Anyway, I awoke from my dream and asked God "what the hell was that?" I'm not always at my best when awakened unpleasantly, I pray my Father forgives me. After a quick trip to the restroom, I settled to my knees at the side of the bed. I prayed for clarity, some sort of explanation for the disturbing dream and then I sat and waited. After a few moments of quietly going over the dream in my mind I was in tears. Then the Holy Spirit whispered to me "I know the plans I have for you."
I understood immediately. It was the Sunday after my birthday and I had signed up to do the scripture reading at morning service. It was first Sunday and I had chosen a scripture from a devotional I read earlier in the week. I figured it would tie in well with a communion message. Now the Holy Spirit was urging me to scrap that plan and follow Gods plan. Humph!
I wish I could say that I responded with immediate compliance, but that was not the case. The more the Holy Spirit revealed to me what God had planned, the more my urge to resist grew. Not only did God have a different scripture in mind, He wanted me to speak to the congregation. There was a message in the dream I'd had. Something that touched deep inside me to the heart of who I am as a woman, as a mother. God was showing me that it was from my mothers heart that I was to speak to the sisters, mothers and daughters of New J that morning. I had only one problem...public speaking is not my thing. I imagined what Moses must have felt when God told him to go before Pharaoh. I did not feel up to the task.
I crawled into bed and tried to go back to sleep. I shut my eyes but couldn't close out the memory of the dream I'd had. I wanted to hide under the covers and sleep away the assignment I'd been given. The Holy Spirit was having none of that. It's impossible to run from God when he lives in you.
So I climbed out of bed, grabbed my notebook and wrote down what God had for me to say.
All morning I wavered back and forth. I prayed for God to give me the courage to do what He intended. Then the Holy Spirit whispered to me, "have faith."
Soon the time came and I took the podium. I breathed deep and hoped that my New J family was prepared to receive what I had come to say. I hoped they would believe not only in me, but my father who sent me. I gave them what I came to give, just as it was given to me. Then I took my seat, feeling full and knowing that my Father was smiling down at me.
Not only was my obedience rewarded with the warmth of the Spirit in my heart. God gave me confirmation that it was His plan all along. I was sure of it when a later announcement as well as Pastor's sermon tied in perfectly with the scripture I read and the message I was given to deliver. I smiled and thought, "Ok God, now you're just showing off."
Anyway, I awoke from my dream and asked God "what the hell was that?" I'm not always at my best when awakened unpleasantly, I pray my Father forgives me. After a quick trip to the restroom, I settled to my knees at the side of the bed. I prayed for clarity, some sort of explanation for the disturbing dream and then I sat and waited. After a few moments of quietly going over the dream in my mind I was in tears. Then the Holy Spirit whispered to me "I know the plans I have for you."
I understood immediately. It was the Sunday after my birthday and I had signed up to do the scripture reading at morning service. It was first Sunday and I had chosen a scripture from a devotional I read earlier in the week. I figured it would tie in well with a communion message. Now the Holy Spirit was urging me to scrap that plan and follow Gods plan. Humph!
I wish I could say that I responded with immediate compliance, but that was not the case. The more the Holy Spirit revealed to me what God had planned, the more my urge to resist grew. Not only did God have a different scripture in mind, He wanted me to speak to the congregation. There was a message in the dream I'd had. Something that touched deep inside me to the heart of who I am as a woman, as a mother. God was showing me that it was from my mothers heart that I was to speak to the sisters, mothers and daughters of New J that morning. I had only one problem...public speaking is not my thing. I imagined what Moses must have felt when God told him to go before Pharaoh. I did not feel up to the task.
I crawled into bed and tried to go back to sleep. I shut my eyes but couldn't close out the memory of the dream I'd had. I wanted to hide under the covers and sleep away the assignment I'd been given. The Holy Spirit was having none of that. It's impossible to run from God when he lives in you.
So I climbed out of bed, grabbed my notebook and wrote down what God had for me to say.
All morning I wavered back and forth. I prayed for God to give me the courage to do what He intended. Then the Holy Spirit whispered to me, "have faith."
Soon the time came and I took the podium. I breathed deep and hoped that my New J family was prepared to receive what I had come to say. I hoped they would believe not only in me, but my father who sent me. I gave them what I came to give, just as it was given to me. Then I took my seat, feeling full and knowing that my Father was smiling down at me.
Not only was my obedience rewarded with the warmth of the Spirit in my heart. God gave me confirmation that it was His plan all along. I was sure of it when a later announcement as well as Pastor's sermon tied in perfectly with the scripture I read and the message I was given to deliver. I smiled and thought, "Ok God, now you're just showing off."
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