I will give them a crown to replace their ashes, and the oil of gladness to replace their sorrow, and clothes of praise to replace their spirit of sadness. Then they will be called Trees of Goodness, trees planted by the Lord to show His greatness. (Click to hear the message.)
Category Archives: Blog
Thoughts On Faith and Prayer: ALL AND NOTHING
The Thoughts on Faith and Prayer messages are short sermons (15-20 min) given during my congregation’s corporate prayer service on Tuesday nights. I’m really excited to learn that they are being recorded and can be shared. This is a great message about the totality of what we are called to be in Christ Jesus.
Be blessed. Be a blessing. (Click to listen.)
Thank You, Father God
THANK YOU, FATHER GOD …I thank You, Abba, for the woman You are cultivating me to be. I thank You for the ears that hear You, the eyes that see You, the heart that loves You and Yours, the mind that thinks beyond what it’s exposed to and the spirit that’s diving deeper and deeperContinueContinue reading “Thank You, Father God”
Sermon: TURN AND BELIEVE THE GOOD NEWS
Psalm 51:1-3 : Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
v. 10-12 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. {Click here to read the full post.}
To everything there is a season. | For Heaven’s Sake, Hurry Up and Die.
To my surprise the desire to return isn’t enough. Even with the best intentions to get up and go, I’ve been getting distracted. There’s always something to do. Or more rest to take. However, suddenly, over the last three weeks, there’s been and urgency to get to the church building. To be present during the songs and the sermons. To open myself up again. To return. To remember. To be enveloped by the healing songs of praise reverberating off the walls and ceiling of the sanctuary. To sing my hallelujahs and participate earnestly in corporate prayer. {Click link to read full post.}
Reaching for the Real by Gwen Smith
When I need soul-strength, nourishment, that will get me through the next few minutes, hours and days, it is vital that I go to the living source. To the unending power, perspective, and portion of Jesus.
2015 Emmys: A Trifecta of Strong Black Women
2015 EMMYS: A TRIFECTA OF STRONG BLACK WOMEN The intention of this post is to bask in the glory of black womanhood – in all her collective complexity, grace, humility, gratitude, strength, perseverance, life-giving, life-building forthrightness and beauty. {Click to read the post.}
ACAD – Blessings: Jeremiah 17
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise. Behold, they say to me, “Where is the word of the Lord? Let it come!” I have not run away from being your shepherd, nor have I desired the day of sickness. You know what came out of my lips; it was before your face. Be not a terror to me; you are my refuge in the day of disaster. Let those be put to shame who persecute me, but let me not be put to shame; let them be dismayed, but let me not be dismayed; bring upon them the day of disaster; destroy them with double destruction!
ACAD – Injustice: Job 5
God saves the needy from their lies and from the harm done by powerful people. So the poor have hope, while those who are unfair are silenced.
God hurts, but he also bandages up; he injures, but his hands also heal. He will save you from six troubles; even seven troubles will not harm you. God will buy you back from death in times of hunger, and in battle he will save you from the sword. You will be protected from the tongue that strikes like a whip, and you will not be afraid when destruction comes. You will laugh at destruction and hunger, and you will not fear the wild animals, because you will have an agreement with the stones in the field, and the wild animals will be at peace with you.
To God be the Glory
I didn’t think I had any appreciation for the darkness until I began to explore the illusion of my own invisibility. I could sit back and watch life happen to others. I could give myself time to sulk over my wounds. I could plan and fantasize about a more perfect tomorrow… thereby minimizing the triumphs and worries of today.
When did I begin to believe the lies about me? When did I first believe, like a memory, the false image of what my life would be? When did I stop appreciating my own power? When did I stop recognizing my own beauty? Wonder of wonders, I am here! Of all the impossibilities in the world, I have developed a voice that has cowed and destroyed demons attached to my life and banned them from my present and my future. Of all the unthinkable happenings in the world, a neglected and forgotten girl-child grew into a fiercely independent and productive woman who seeks to love and nurture those in her care. {Click to read the full post.}
Harvest Life 