Relationships

Happy Sunday!

Bishop finished his series on “Relationships” today with three points.

1)      Relationships are our “Witness” – The best way for others to see Jesus is for them to see him in us!  Jesus even told his disciples that men would know who there were by the way they loved one another.  Paul later called us “Ambassadors for Christ”.  An ambassador represents one country while living in another.  The way we live and treat others proves our love or lack of love for Christ Jesus.  Even children learn how to live by what they see in their parents.  Good fathers represent God to their children. A child that has had a good father has little trouble relating to God as father.

2)      Relationships take “Work” – Ask any married couple or ask any parent and they will agree that relationships take work!  We don’t always get along, we don’t always agree, and we may never.  But we do have to compromise, cooperate, and submit to each other.  We can’t choose the family we are born into!  Personally, I would have chosen to be born in a very wealthy family.  But then I would have missed out on summers in Mississippi playing in the dirt with my brother James and my uncle Wallace Jr.  I would have missed out on laughing with my Aunt Elizzie, about her gun and the “sina”.  I would have missed out on the good hearty meals like beans and cornbread, rutabaga, fried corn, and pig ears with mustard.   God knew exactly what he was doing!  He put us right where we needed to be to get what we needed to get, to be who we are destined to be.  Relationships take work!  It takes work to love and care for others, especially when they don’t do what we want them to do.  But have you ever done anything that you shouldn’t have?  Wow, and God still loves you?  Think about how hard it must be for God to love us sometimes.

3)      Relationships are “Worth It” – Ask those same people and they will probably say all these relationships are worth it.  Yes we may fall out with Aunt Pookey, and Uncle John Lee get’s on your last nerve, but after all the of that the relationship is worth it!  Most comedians’ would have absolutely no material if it weren’t for relationships.  Think about your own family.  I know you’re smiling right now! Do you need to make a phone call? 

This is just a personal observation.  If you are a believer you know we will be spending eternity together.  That’s a long time, longer than any family reunion, longer than any road trip in the car with small children, longer than any dinner at your mother-in-law’s house.  We might as well get started now!

Have a wonderful relational week!  Love Cynthia

Get Real Before We Get Right

Happy Sunday!

“Get Real before We Get Right!”  Bishop Alexis A. Thomas is winding down his series on “Relationships”.  The message today was more like a rap session or a bible study.  The podium was removed and Bishop sat on a stool and ministered.  The focus today was Homosexuality and Lesbianism.  Maybe that’s why Bishop sat down because it’s a heavy conversation that we don’t have very often, especially in the church.  I encourage you to go to the web site later in the week to listen to the message.  It would be impossible for me to tell it all. (pilgrimway.com)

But a few points I will share.  Bishop talked about how easy it is for us to make fun of issues that we don’t face personally.  He used the example of a preacher preaching.  That imaginary preacher in the old church could have been preaching for 45 minutes and may not have said anything good.  But all he has to do is start preaching about adultery, fornication, and homosexuality and he can get a cheap, “Amen”.  If that same preacher started preaching about gossiping, gluttony, or selfishness the church would be quiet.  People would say he’s meddling.

But the bible says all unrighteousness is sin.  (1 John 5:17)

We have to get it straight in our minds and hearts there are no big sins and little sins!  Sin is sin!  Jesus shed the same blood for the Tiger Woods’, the Chris Browns' and the Boy Georges’.  He’s waiting for us to “Get Real”.  We must grow up.  We must study the WORD so we won’t be ashamed.  We must stop judging and start loving. 

Matthew 7:1-5 - "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

No, we are not saying it’s alright to live in disobedience.  But don’t act like the Pharisees.  Do you remember the story about the Pharisee and the Tax Man?  

Luke 18:9-15 (The Message)

He told his next story to some who were complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people: "Two men went up to the Temple to pray, one a Pharisee, the other a tax man. The Pharisee posed and prayed like this: 'Oh, God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, crooks, adulterers, or, heaven forbid, like this tax man. I fast twice a week and tithe on all my income.' "Meanwhile the tax man, slumped in the shadows, his face in his hands, not daring to look up, said, 'God, give mercy. Forgive me, a sinner.'"
Jesus commented, "This tax man, not the other, went home made right with God. If you walk around with your nose in the air, you're going to end up flat on your face, but if you're content to be simply yourself, you will become more than yourself."


Let's "Get Real, so We can Get Right!"  Have an awesome week!  Love Cynthia

Bringing the Presence of God in Through Prayer

Happy Sunday!

If you’ve spent anytime around the church you may have had a similar experience.  We went to Bishop’s Bible Study Wednesday evening.  We expected to hear from Bishop Thomas.  We enjoyed the prayer and the praise and worship. All the while, we were looking at the entrances, expecting Bishop to walk in at any minute.  Then we were told that Bishop would not be teaching because he was still out of town.  Of course, he selected one of the very capable associate ministers to teach the lesson.  In the past I may have headed for the door quickly! Too many bad experiences.  I didn’t come to hear anyone else, I came to hear my pastor!  I could be at home watching, “Modern Family”, “The Middle” and “Cougar Town”! (All spoken in a cry baby tone with my lip poked out!)  It brings to mind the television show, “Dinosaurs”.  You remember it, don’t you?  The little baby dinosaur would repeatedly say, “Not the Mama!”  In my mind I could hear myself saying, “Not the pastor, not the pastor!”  LOL! I’m much more mature now.  I haven’t arrived just yet, but I am aware that GOD can use anyone to get the Word to us.  He even used a donkey in the Old Testament.  So I decided to stay and see what the minister had to say. 

I’m so glad I stayed!  The minister was Evangelist Elaine Penn.  She says she came to Phoenix from New York, by way of Maryland.   Her topic was, “Bringing the Presence of God in Through Prayer”.  She used Acts 16: 16-26 as her scripture reference.  So you may say, “What does this have to do with me? Well, Paul and Silas managed to stay positive in a very negative situation. Are you staying positive in your negative situation?  All they did was help a poor slave girl by setting her free from demon possession.  They should have been applauded,  but they were treated like criminals. 

Beat Up and Thrown in Jail (Message Translation)

^16-18One day, on our way to the place of prayer, a slave girl ran into us. She was a psychic and, with her fortunetelling, made a lot of money for the people who owned her. She started following Paul around, calling everyone's attention to us by yelling out, "These men are working for the Most High God. They're laying out the road of salvation for you!" She did this for a number of days until Paul, finally fed up with her, turned and commanded the spirit that possessed her, "Out! In the name of Jesus Christ, get out of her!" And it was gone, just like that.

 ^19-22When her owners saw that their lucrative little business was suddenly bankrupt, they went after Paul and Silas, roughed them up and dragged them into the market square. Then the police arrested them and pulled them into a court with the accusation, "These men are disturbing the peace—dangerous Jewish agitators subverting our Roman law and order." By this time the crowd had turned into a restless mob out for blood.

 ^22-24The judges went along with the mob, had Paul and Silas's clothes ripped off and ordered a public beating. After beating them black-and-blue, they threw them into jail, telling the jail keeper to put them under heavy guard so there would be no chance of escape. He did just that—threw them into the maximum security cell in the jail and clamped leg irons on them.

 ^25-26Along about midnight, Paul and Silas were at prayer and singing a robust hymn to God. The other prisoners couldn't believe their ears. Then, without warning, a huge earthquake! The jailhouse tottered, every door flew open, all the prisoners were loose.

I know it’s a long read, but I love the story!  Evangelist Penn gave us three points! You know I love points! 

Bringing the Presence of God in Through Prayer:

·         Atmosphere - is defined as surrounding influence or environment.  Paul and Silas were in a terrible place, but they created the perfect atmosphere for a miracle!  They didn’t waste time complaining about how they were innocent.  They didn’t cry about how bad their wounds hurt, how dark the prison was, or how unfair their situation was!

·         Agreement – Paul and Silas agreed to praise God, and God recognized!  Matthew 18:19-20 (Amplified Bible) Again I tell you, if two of you on earth agree (harmonize together, make a symphony together) about whatever [anything and everything] they may ask, it will come to pass and be done for them by My Father in heaven.   For wherever two or three are gathered (drawn together as My followers) in (into) My name, there I AM in the midst of them. 

·         Approach - Paul and Silas knew how to approach God.  Psalm 100 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.  Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.  Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


Have a wonderful week!  Remember long before the rappers said it, grandmothers, preachers, and parents told us, "What don't kill you makes you stronger!"  Hang on in there!  One day your test will be your testimony, and your pain will be gain!  


Love Cynthia

The Myths and Misconceptions about Marriage

Happy Sunday!  Happy Independence Day!

It's the season for weddings!  If a young man or woman you love is getting married what advice would you give them?  Would you pretend that your marriage is perfect and you never have any problems? Would you tell them the truth?  Would you say that it's the toughest relationship to navigate? Would you admit your mistakes?  I hope you would tell them that marriage is awesome, but sometimes awfull!  I hope that you would give them your well earned wisdom in hope that their marriage would succeed.  I remember a skit from the show, "In Living Color".  The married couple would beat and batter eachother, but in the end they would say in unison, "We're still together!"  It was funny, but it said a lot about how we view marriage.

 Bishop continued his series on “Relationships” today.  The focus was on marriage and Bishop titled the sermon, “The Myths and Misconceptions about Marriage”.  He used Ephesians 5:21-29 as the text. Whether you are anticipating marriage in the future, in a marriage that works or can be improved, entering a marriage with hope and faith, or leaving a marriage that just didn’t survive; we can all learn more about God’s design for marriage.  Marriage is the fundamental relationship.  God designed marriage to affect every other relationship.  

Misconceptions and Myths about Marriage

 ·         Everyone should be married.  The Apostle Paul explained that choosing marriage changes your focus toward ministry.  The husband and wife now must first seek to please each other.  1 Corinthians 7:7 - Sometimes I wish everyone were single like me—a simpler life in many ways! But celibacy is not for everyone any more than marriage is. God gives the gift of the single life to some, the gift of the married life to others.

·         Living together will give you the advantage.  So you want to test drive before you buy!  Or you think why buy the cow if I can get the milk for free! Sorry, shacking does not ensure that marriage will last.  I’m speaking from experience now! Sad and sorrowful experience.  Marriage is a God thing.  When you decide to do it God’s way the enemy does everything in his power to break the relationship.  Sure there are some relationships that started wrong and have turned out fine.  But why take the chance?

·         Marriage completes you.  If you enter the marriage broken, damaged, self-conscious, and schizophrenic you will just be a broken, damaged, self conscious, schizophrenic married person. Only Christ completes you.  It’s an inside job.  Get counseling, closure, and professional help before you marry another person who has their own bag of issues.

·         Marriage is a cure for loneliness.  Al Bundy should be the poster boy for this misconception.  If you are too young to remember the show “Married with Children”, Google it!  Al and Peg Bundy could be in the house together and it didn’t mean a thing.  Al would be positioned on the couch and never noticed Peg until she stood in front of the television.  Marriage will not cure your loneliness.   Get a life!  Find things that you enjoy!  Have activities and friends that you enjoy prior to marrying. 

·         Marriage is 50/50.  If the one you love stood at the altar and proclaimed, “ I promise to love you 50% of the time, with 50% of my heart, and 50% of my faithfulness, and 50% of my money, and 50% of my understanding, care and compassion.”  Would you still marry them?  Would you run? Relationships require more than 100% from each individual.  There will be days when you give more and there will be days when your spouse will give more.  But it will always add up to more than 50%.  Stop counting!  Galatians 6:7-8 (The Message) Don't be misled: No one makes a fool of God. What a person plants, he will harvest. The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others—ignoring God!—harvests a crop of weeds. All he'll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God's Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life.

·         ALL your sexual needs will be met when you marry.  Do I really need to go there?  It is humanly impossible to be everything to anyone.  

Tell someone the truth!  You will be glad you did!  Have a great week!  Love, Cynthia