Memorial

Happy Sunday and Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I was thinking about Memorial Day and decided to research it.  I found out that it was originally called Decoration Day and was established to commemorate U.S. men and women who died while in military service to our country.  And all these years I thought it was a chance to eat some good bar-b-que and get a new outfit!  LOL!

The word memorial means, something, such as a monument or holiday, intended to celebrate or honor the memory of a person or an event.  Seems like we've  moved away from the meaning of the day.  We do that sometimes.  I believe that's why GOD was so adamant about telling the Israelites to remember.  Remember where they came from, remember the Lord who brought them out of Egypt, remember the Creator while they were young.  We have a problem remembering.

In Joshua chapter 4, God opened to Jordan like he'd opened the Red Sea. He commanded Joshua to have a representative from each tribe go down and get a stone from the river bed.  He took those stones and made a memorial.   Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”

We forget so many important things. Let's take time today to remember! Remember we are so blessed.  I know there are still things we desire and perhaps even need.  But we  are blessed, men and woman have given there very lives for the freedoms we enjoy.  We can go where we want, live where we want, be what we want.  We can sleep at night we have food to eat.  We have friends and family.  We have issues and we have problems, but we have so much to be thankful for.  This Memorial Day, please take a moment to remember, I will.

Love and prayers, Cynthia

Let's Make a Shift

Happy Sunday!

The theme for this year at Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church is "Maximum Impact".  Every message that Bishop has preached is following that theme.  Today's Message was entitled, "Let's Make a Shift".  He used 1 Peter 2:9 and 1 Corinthians 12:18

1 Peter 2:9-10 (The Message)

But you are the ones chosen by God, chosen for the high calling of priestly work, chosen to be a holy people, God's instruments to do his work and speak out for him, to tell others of the night-and-day difference he made for you—from nothing to something, from rejected to accepted.

In order for us to maximize the life we have been given, we must be honest with ourselves.  We have to admit that we have come a long way but we have much, much farther to go.   Years ago I loved the artist Eric Benet, before the Halle incident.  LOL.  Anyway, he sang a song called "True to Myself".  You can google the lyrics, but the stanza that applies to us today says, "Some people live their whole life,  And they'll never see, The only way to find true happiness, Is to thine own self be true".   We can see ourselves like no one else.  We know.  We can't compare ourselves to others, we must look at ourselves through the mirror of the Word.  Bishop talked about how tough it can be as a pastor if you spend your time comparing your church to other churches.  The same applies to everyone of us in our respective places.  The passage from 1 Corinthians reminds us that no matter what we are called to do it is important in the Body of Christ. 

1 Corinthians 12:14-18 (The Message)

I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning together.  If Foot said, "I'm not elegant like Hand, embellished with rings; I guess I don't belong to this body," would that make it so? If Ear said, "I'm not beautiful like Eye, limpid and expressive; I don't deserve a place on the head," would you want to remove it from the body? If the body was all eye, how could it hear? If all ear, how could it smell? As it is, we see that God has carefully placed each part of the body right where he wanted it. 

You are special and unique!  We need you, just the way God created you.  Your strength and personality are just right for what he has called you to do.  You were born in the right place at the right time, no matter what they said!  You can still do it!  You can make it!  You will make it!

Within You Is The Strength 
To Meet Life's Challenges!
You are stronger than you think,
remember to stand tall.
Every challenge in your life
helps you to grow.
Every problem you encounter
strengthens your mind and your soul.
Every trouble you overcome
increases your understanding of life.
When all your troubles weigh
heavily on your shoulders,
remember that beneath the burden
you can stand tall,
because you are never given
more than you can handle...
and you are stronger than you think.
~ Lisa Wroble ~ 

Have an awesome week! Love Cynthia

It Ain’t the Dirt, It’s the Tree!

Happy Sunday!

Today we celebrated the 88^th  Church Anniversary of Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church.  The guest speaker was Dr. James R. Woodson, II from Greensboro, North Carolina.  He used Luke 13:6-9 as a text.  His topic was, “It Ain’t the Dirt, It’s the Tree!”

Luke 13:6-9 (New Living Translation)

 ⁶ Then Jesus told this story: “A man planted a fig tree in his garden and came again and again to see if there was any fruit on it, but he was always disappointed. ⁷ Finally, he said to his gardener, ‘I’ve waited three years, and there hasn’t been a single fig! Cut it down. It’s just taking up space in the garden.’

 ⁸ “The gardener answered, ‘Sir, give it one more chance. Leave it another year, and I’ll give it special attention and plenty of fertilizer. ⁹ If we get figs next year, fine. If not, then you can cut it down."

The tree was,
Guilty – of useless occupation of useful space.  The tree wasn’t producing and the owner wanted to use the space for a tree that would produce.  
Guilty – of not fulfilling its GOD given destiny.  It was a fig tree. It was designed to produce figs.  
Guilty – of being a spiritual parasite.  A parasite always takes and never gives.  The tree was using sunshine, rain, air and space and not giving anything back.

I sure hope we aren’t like that tree.  What would cause a fruit tree not to produce?  Well, I didn’t have time to ask my cousins Maurice and Donna Dowell of DOWCO Enterprises, Inc. of Chesterfield, Mo.   I'm confident they could teach me a lot about horticulture, gardening, and growth.  But Dr. Woodson, Googled it.  He said there are various reasons why a fruit tree may not produce.  One reason a fruit tree may not produce is immaturity.  An fruit tree may not produce for 3-4 years.  Another reason a fruit tree may not produce is if its roots aren’t deep enough.  It won’t produce if it is shallow.  Are we immature? (not mature, ripe, developed, perfected, emotionally undeveloped, juvenile, childish) Are we shallow?(lacking depth; superficial)  Are we playing the blame game?  Are we making excuses?

Every day we live is another opportunity to bear fruit.  You got another chance today just like that fig tree.  What are you going to do about it?

Have a great week, I have work to do!  Love, Cynthia

Shift

Happy Mother’s Day, to all the awesome women in our lives.

Bishop’s sermon topic was, “Let’s Make a Shift!”   He used 1 Peter 2:9 as a text.

It’s Mother’s Day and just like our earthly mothers, God never intended for us to remain in the same state or condition we were created in.  If a human or any creature doesn’t grow we know that there must be something wrong.  It’s one of the first fears facing new parents.  Is the baby normal?  Does he/she have ten fingers and toes?  Does the baby roll over on his/her own after a few months?  Does the baby crawl, then walk?  Does the child learn to read, and speak?  Does the child grow? Is the baby cute?  Does he/she have good hair? LOL! 

Well imagine how GOD must feel.  He’s looking down on us every day.  What does he see when he looks at you?  Have you grown?  Have you matured?  No I didn’t ask if your hair was turning grey! GOD created Miss Clairol for that!  Are you growing?  Does the same mess upset you today just like it did years ago?  Do you respond to hurt, pain, and loneliness the same way?  Are you still sitting on the premises or are you acting on the promises?  Are you still procrastinating? 

We all need to stop and get a grasp on our own reality!  Yes, life is hard!  Things don’t go the way we want them to go!  Yes, he married her and not you!  Yes, that’s your child on the evening news!  But what are you going to do about it?  Well it helps to know what GOD thinks about you.  In 1 Peter 2:9 he described you!  He said, “

There are two definitions of time – Kronos and Kiros

Revelation is an invitation to live above your situation!

Love and prayers for a beautiful week, Cynthia

The Tide

"THE TIDE"

The tide recedes, but leaves behind
bright seashells on the sand.
The sun goes down, but gentle warmth
still lingers on the land.
The music stops, yet echoes on
in sweet, soulful refrains.
For every joy that passes,
something beautiful remains."

Author: Unknown

We lovingly remember Mr. Grover Aaron Henson, and asked for your continued prayers for the immediate and extended family.

I love the movie "Stranger Than Fiction".  If you haven't seen it, you should.  I was watching the DVD again last night and noticed something I never noticed before.  The movie is about an IRS auditor (Will Ferrell) who suddenly finds himself the subject of narration only he can hear: narration that begins to affect his entire life, from his work, to his love-interest, to his death(Summer Movie Guide).  In one scene the main character, Harold Crick is having a discussion with Professor Jules Hilbert, played by Dustin Hoffman.  Professor Hilbert is explaining that if Harold is in a tragedy, he will ultimately die.  He says, " The hero always dies, and the story lives on."  It was almost prophetic!  Yes, it's tragic, but the hero dies so that we can live.

Yes, maybe your hero died.  But you still live!  You get the chance to do what they never did.  You can go to places they only dreamed of.  You can become a lawyer, doctor, entrepreneur!  Maybe it was a family hero like Grover Aaron Henson.  A father, husband, brother, friend, who was once recognized as one of the top engineers in the United States by Black Enterprise Magazine.  Maybe it was your mother or father, who sacrificed so you could attend college.  Maybe it was a babysitter or a neighbor who had enough time for you. Maybe it was your grandmother or grandfather that always thought of you and let you know it.  Maybe it was a great man like Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, who gave his life so that people of all races can stand tall and live life to the fullest.  Maybe it was Jesus Christ of Nazareth, who gave his life so you could live eternally.

Whoever your hero was or is, they gave, sacrificed, and died so you can live!  Don't waste your time or your life!  As the Army used to say, "BE ALL YOU CAN BE!"

Tearfully, Cynthia

Passing God

Happy Sunday!

We are enjoying a beautiful sunny day!  Hope you are too!

We had a wonderful worship service today, but I’d like to share a little excerpt from Bishop’s Bible Study on Wednesday evening.

Bishop mentioned the new hit television show, “Undercover Boss”. If you haven’t seen it, you should Google it.  During each episode the CEO or COO of a major corporation goes undercover within their own business.  They learn what their employees deal with on a daily basis. They see their business from a different vantage point.  They meet excellent employees and a few have been surprised to meet employees and managers that don’t represent the company very well.

JESUS was the greatest undercover boss!  Philippians 2:5 says…

He was GOD in the flesh.  But he didn’t come to make a name for himself.  He didn’t require a huge entourage.  He had twelve random guys from the hood.  He didn’t have the latest SUV to travel in, he walked.  On one occasion he did borrow a colt to ride on.  He didn’t even introduce himself to the masses.  John the Baptist had to call him out of the crowd.  He was humble enough to wash the feet of his disciples.  He was the undercover boss.  And he still is!  What will he find when he comes to your workplace, your home, your church?  Will he find you working during work hours?  Will he find you coming back late from lunch?  Will he find you treating others kindly? What will he find you doing?

Bishop said, “We often pass by GOD on our way to GOD”.  We can get so busy we don’t even notice the people around us.  Jesus once told a story about helping others.  They disciples asked, when did we see you hungry, naked, in prison…Jesus answered when you do it to the least of these you have done it to me.

Have a wonderful week! Love Cynthia

Show Me Your Scars

Happy Resurrection Sunday!

We celebrated Resurrection Sunday at the Dodge Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.  It was an awesome and encouraging worship experience!  I’m sure if you attended a worship service today in your area, it was just as exciting!

Bishop Alexis A. Thomas preached, “Show Me Your Scars”.  He used John 20:24-27.  In a nutshell, Jesus arose.  All of the disciples except Thomas had seen him and believed that the resurrection really occurred.  Thomas however proclaimed that he would not believe it unless he had proof.  Thomas must have been from Missouri, the “Show Me State”. LOL.  He’d witnessed the crucifixion; he’d seen how Jesus was brutally beaten and pierced.  He saw the nails that were driven in his hands and feet.  He knew that without Divine Intervention it was impossible for Jesus to be alive.  He would have to see Jesus alive for himself.  When they came together again, Jesus appeared.  Jesus knew exactly what it would take to convince Thomas.  Jesus didn’t criticize Thomas for asking, “Why?”   And he won’t criticize you for asking, “Why?”

What does this have to do with you and me?  Well, so many times we cover our scars.  We have been delivered from addiction, poverty, depression, loneliness, and despair.  But we cover it up.  We don’t share our testimony with others.  Jesus didn’t save us just to look pretty at church on Easter.  He saved us because there are other people experiencing the same hardships that we’ve been delivered from.  There are other married couples struggling through issues that you and your spouse have mastered.  There are single mothers who struggled to pay the rent and bills and still get little Johnny and Susie an Easter Basket.  There are professionals that are climbing the same ladder you already climbed, and banging their head against that glass ceiling.  They could use a word from you.  There are college students that could use some encouragement.  You can tell them that it does get better and they will graduate.  There are senior citizens who would love to hear from you.  Jesus needs you to show those scars.  He’ll put the right people in your path.  You just have to be willing to uncover those scars.  You have to show others that Jesus is real!  He has blessed you and he can bless them.

Love and prayers for a beautiful week.  Cynthia