SALUTATIONS: Hello everyone, I hope that yall have had a great week so far. This past Sunday, I embarked on a new journey of adopting a vegetarian diet. I've tried a vegan diet a few years ago, for about 6 months, however, I lost a ton of weight and resumed a carnivorous diet to redevelop the curves that had become almost non-existent. This time though, I'd like to implement this diet as a lifestyle change that sticks. The challenge is changing my mindset so that I'm able to focus on my desired result, as opposed to the challenges of skipping out on a delicious, juicy T-bone steak or flavorful bacon - yes, I love the swine, but I desire longevity more. I WILL see this through, please, hold me accountable. On another note, my pastor started a new sermon series this month entitled "
When God fails?" I know, I know, some of you may be confused, probably even thinking or mumbling audibly, "God never fails." True, it is our focus that changes direction and in turn, creates a perception that paints a picture of a God who has "failed" mankind. The fact of the matter is, mankind has failed Him and continues to duplicate said failures repeatedly. This week's lesson will tap into the human-logic theory that God fails. If this is your first-time fellowshipping with us, or, perhaps you're revisiting, WELCOME! YOU ARE NOT ALONE in your spiritual journey. You've found your SAFE space to be open about your past, present, future, and especially your struggles. However, here, you have the freedom to share with your brothers and sisters in Christ as openly or privately as you desire. Together, we will help you in your walk, or, simply be supportive as you make newly revealed God-driven moves. You're encouraged to reply with your questions, comments, and/or concerns and I will respond at my earliest convenience. REMEMBER to take some time to
review the Announcements,
Healthy Living Tips, and other information detailed below following the
Reflections and
Power in Prayer. Your continued support is always appreciated. In an effort to keep spreading God's Gospel, I invite you to share the
Scripture of the Week with the hashtag SOW. Enjoy!
**Disclaimer: Production and distribution days of the SOW are subject to change without warning**PRAISE REPORTS: About 15 years ago, I got into a single-car accident, and survived without injury... I take that back; I suffered a teeny scratch on one of my knuckles. I praise God today for being able to share this testimony with others and advocate the importance of avoiding driving when you're tired. We ALL have reasons, small and large, to SHOUT "HALLELUJAH!" It is time to give God some glory, especially during our struggles; we thank you, Jesus, for our past trials, our current obstacles, and our future triumphs. If you have a specific praise report, please share, because we “
overcame [the adversary] by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of [our] testimony” (
Revelation 12:11).
**NOTE: All praise reports are shared with reference to your name unless anonymity is specified**PRAYER REQUESTS: I'd like us to continue praying for the victims of Hurricane Dorian; may the necessary comfort and relief be extended to the victims and their families, and may those that are still unaccounted for be located. My cousin's husband, their names shall remain anonymous since I haven't received a confirmation to share their names publicly, is currently in the hospital with pneumonia and possible ailments that are more life-threatening; please keep the two of them lifted in prayer as the Spirit leads. My son's aunt, also anonymous, has a heart condition that may lead to open-heart surgery to prevent future heart attacks if a procedure for a stint proves ineffective; also pray as the Spirit leads. Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to solicit prayers for individuals, especially innocent children, who are victims of sexual abuse; last weekend was a tough one for me, as I battled with the baffling question, "
WHY does God allow so much devastation to adversely impact innocent people?" Those of us who have prevailed must be the voice for those who don't have one, and for those who feel as though they no longer have one. I encourage you to keep praying for one another, thanking Yahweh for the victory while refraining from confessing the problem caused by the enemy;
ALWAYS pray for the desired result, NOT the unfavorable outcome (refer to the book
The Tongue – A Creative Force, by
Charles Capps; you can purchase your copy here
https://goo.gl/qf4rxB). If you or someone you know needs prayer, let me know, and your request will be added to the following SOW.
**NOTE: All prayer requests are shared with reference to your name and need unless anonymity is specified**BE ENCOURAGED: NEVER lose sight of God in amidst of adversity… Ponder this: "
By going beyond your own problems and taking care of others, you gain inner strength, self-confidence, courage, and a greater sense of calm" (
Dalai Lama). I'm no theological scholar, and even if I were a pastor or an expert on God's word, I would still advise you NEVER to take someone else's word as solid truth; "
Study to show thyself approved" (
2 Timothy 2:15), and CHALLENGE EVERYTHING by comparing it to the Word of God. If what you see, hear or read does NOT fall in line with the Word of God, then it is NOT true... The rest of this day isn't promised, let alone tomorrow, so
why not strengthen your faith TODAY? Feed your body healthy nutrition, be cautious of what things you allow your eyes, ears, and spirit to be exposed to (e.g. media, books, TV, music, etc.) so that YOU can start anew and become a better you NOW, rather than later. If you need someone to help you get there, or you're looking for an accountability partner, here I am.
FEATURED SONGS OF PRAISE: "
Turning Around for Me" by
Vashawn Mitchell you can listen to it here (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZzbKwcC-Xmo) "
You Are Everything" by
Tye Tribbett, you can listen to it here (
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDAHybdkXEs). I would also like to recommend
Classical for Studying Radio on
Pandora to better facilitate your meditation on the Word as you study, you can listen to that station here
https://shorturl.at/elqz3.
OPENING PRAYER: Yahweh, please clear our minds and open our eyes, ears, and hearts so that we may be removed from self and moved by the Spirit, to see, hear, and receive your intended message from this fellowship. In the name of Yeshua, Amen!PASSAGE(S) – PHILIPPIANS 4:4-7 (NIV): "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
REFLECTIONS: As previously mentioned, last week I struggled as I distanced myself from the Spirit of discernment, attempting to logically understand
why certain people, particularly children and righteous individuals, must endure hardships. More specifically,
why children must suffer from abuse - sexual abuse being the more prevalent thought. Many victims of sexual abuse go throughout adulthood with deep-rooted mental and emotional instability, coping in destructive ways, living recklessly, and suffering from anguish, anxiety, and depression, vexed as they try to determine
why they had to go through such trauma and
why the memories are so difficult to get past. I was angry. Angry at God for the number of children who are members of sexual victimhood, and for the adults who remain stagnant in their mindset as a result of the trauma from their youth. "
WHY?
WHY?
WHY? LORD!" I cried to God, in search of answers that my soul didn't find on what seemed like the quickest 1-hour commute to church ever. Any other time, it seems like my commute from LA to Riverside takes forever, but as I screamed to the Heavens hoping for a spiritual breakthrough, or immediate answers, time flew by. But then it donned on me, if I continued to boldly question the Lord about
His process, my mind would be unwilling to receive whatever message Pastor Kelly was going to deliver that Sabbath. So, I abruptly ended my venting with God, I turned up my Gospel, and I began to cry and praise. I shifted my focus from the negatives to the positives, transitioning from a mood of frustration to one of gratitude. However, I continued throughout service, crying and praising, praising and crying... I'll tell you how the rest of that day went as I conclude this message.
We're discussing our NEED to PRAISE GOD THROUGH THE STORM. Amid trials and tribulation, we're often overwhelmed by our circumstances - the hardships, the heartache, and/or the misfortune. But, there is ALWAYS something to be grateful for; when you encounter undesirable experiences, be it a consequence brought on by poor decisions, or merely an obstacle testing your faith, it would behoove you to FOCUS your mind on the many micro and macro blessings that you've lived through as opposed to that which you haven't, but wish you had.
Hebrews 12:2-4 (
NLT) states that "
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility He endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. 4 After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin." Perhaps you desire to purchase a house, but the way your bank account is set-up, you can only rent an apartment; at least you're not living on the street or in a shelter. Maybe you're single and feel lonely, awaiting a spouse that meets all YOUR criteria.
Have you ever considered that God delivered him/her to you already, but because he/she wasn't packaged the way YOU envisioned, YOU passed up on YOUR good thing? Sometimes the "storm" is one we just so happened to be dealt with, while many other times, it's a direct result of a bad choice we've made that resulted in consequences we failed to consider beforehand.
Praise Him through your storm!
You ever notice how the type of music you listen to affects your mood, particularly when you're driving? For me, even when I'm listening to Gospel "hip-hop," my mind is cussing like a sailor as I standstill on the 405 freeway, which is synonymous with traffic, better yet, parking lot - if only we would consistently STAND STILL for the Lord - but as I select a different Gospel station on
Pandora, forcing my vocals to join-in the song like I'm the lead singer on a praise team, my frustrations tend to melt away. I'm no longer bothered by the stop-and-go process taking place as I inch my way from one place to another. The secret is in the adoration and gratitude - the praise - despite of. "
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation" (
Romans 5:3-4,
NLT). I love how this passage uses the term "
too," in
verse 3; we can be presented an obstacle that delivers bouts of pain, grief, anger, and suffering, YET, we can ALSO experience joy as we turn our eyes away from the problem and focus on the many things that are or have gone right in our lives. We spend too much time in anguish because we're limited by our inability to comprehend the what's and the why's - the purpose of the trials when we're going through them. In fact, our lack of visualization - consideration of the bigger picture - causes us to see our situations as unbearable at times.
Let me ask you this, your last "hard" trial, did you survive it? It is through the endurance of our negatives that fuels a fervor for overcoming.
I relate to the passage
Philippians 4:12-13 (
NIV) (read it here
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=phil+4%3A12-13&version=NIV), because I have been both in need, and have had enough to share. Although I am still working on being content in
every situation, I have been able to recognize the difference in my mindset when I focus my attention on my past and present blessings not allowing the hardships to steal my joy. A few years ago, I lost my car to repossession because I couldn't find gainful employment after I had resigned from my position with the federal prison, and I had to decide to deplete my savings on my car or my home. I chose the latter. Then, when I exhausted my savings and credit cards, I almost lost my home to foreclosure at the most inopportune time - after finding out I was pregnant. While going through the headache of creditors calling my house and cell phone, I tried to remain in good moods, and I prayed for a healthy baby. I was 5 months pregnant when I found out that my sister died in a car accident, my cousin was missing, and family matters were being inappropriately blasted across social media. All the while, I told no one of my emotional state, and although I could've completely given up, I solicited non-specific prayers from everyone willing. GOD DELIVERED me in very specific ways as I prayed silently and didn't allow my circumstances to conquer me. In my head, I was going to lose my home and that was cool, at least I had it for the years I did. I lost my car, but it wasn't like I needed transportation to get around, I was unemployed. By praising Him through the storm, people looking on the outside in, after the truth of my circumstances were finally revealed, were sad for me. I wasn't though. I was content in knowing that things could be worse. I knew that if all else failed, I have a host of supportive family and friends who were willing to take me in. I'm currently employed, and though I'm still not in my desired situation, I am able to save and rebuild in order to set the foundation. I'm not focused on the don't-haves, rather, I am thankful for the do-haves, and have-hads, if that makes sense. There is no disillusion here, my disappointments and elation cohabitate.
Unlike gold that perishes, when faith is genuine, it proves more valuable because it allows you to maintain a happiness and peace that is unexplainable to those looking to their own understanding (refer to
1 Peter 1:6-9 and
Proverbs 3:5,
NIV, here
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+pet+1%3A6-9%3B+prv+3%3A5&version=NIV). Our trials come in many forms, yet, no matter the severity, the person who successfully praises God through the storm, can experience joy regardless. I had a friend, she was a triplet, she was in a boating accident and had fell overboard, and was missing for days, that news made headlines. They found her body in the bottom of the lake. Yet, her mother, clearly grieving praised God anyhow. I mean, I cannot say that I'm that strong in this conviction, but I was inspired by her strength to give honor and glory to the Father in Heaven, undeterred by having just been notified that one of her triplets was now deceased.
"
Sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything" (
2 Corinthians 6:10,
NIV); having joy in spite of adversity, does NOT equate to denial of one's pain, rather, a realization that pain and joy can in fact coexist the same way one can go through the travail of exercising, and still have delight in thinking about the transformation to follow. It's ok to be upset or disappointed, it's ok to cry - crying is healthy, even; crying allows us to release some of the emotional build-up that may develop as we endure a trial. Additionally, crying is a form of acknowledging the presence of discomfort in our hearts. However,
when we BUSY ourselves with PRAISE, GRATITUDE, and THANKFULNESS for EVERYTHING we do have, it gives us little time to dwell on that which we don't. If we lack the right focus, we'll never reach that level where pain and joy are cordial in our lives.
So, as I cried and praised, praised and cried, and prayed for others instead of myself, I was still upset. The entire debate in my head was between my flesh and my spirit. At one point I was perplexed, really trying to understand the
why in global devastation and trauma, yet the Spirit - kept reminding me that Satan is the author of confusion. By the end of service, I had cried enough tears to release some pent-up frustration, however, I still had no relief, no real answers. My son's dad had joined us at church that day and grew concerned when he saw me crying. I didn't want to miss my moment of praise trying to help him understand my tears, so I waved him off and insisted all was ok. After church, he inquired about the reason - the trigger, behind the waterfall flowing down my cheeks. As I tried to determine what triggered it all, I got angry all over again, but this time aloud and my son's dad heard my words and recognized and empathized with my pain. Without hesitation, he gave me a heart-to-heart and helped me realize that without having gone through the tribulation I endured in my youth, I may not have developed the passion I have today to help others in various capacities. It is because of the level of misfortune that I have experienced and overcome, some I'm still working through, that has ignited the flame - the desire - the determination that I must be a positive impact on others, more specifically, our youth. One of my passions is to be the help that I wish I had, the escape route, the right direction, the example and inspiration others need to see as proof that
DESPITE our past, we are NOT defined by it. The painful memories disappear when I am focused on the Lord and His grace that I experience daily - life, health, strength, my 5 senses, motherhood, family, friends, and fellowship. The more I help others, the more I heal because pain and joy coexist allowing me to experience supernatural peace, that the logical mind cannot fathom, and the naysayers refuse to attribute it to God. I was comforted in the realization, rather, the reconfirmation that through our testimonies we overcome (refer to
Revelation 12:11,
NIV, here
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=revelation+12%3A11&version=NIV). Praise HIM through your storm!
HEALTHY LIVING TIPS: Change begins within... Some people would argue that quick workouts are useless, but I beg to differ. Amazingly, when I'm pressed for time, with 10 minutes or less to spare for a workout, I search
YouTube for quick HIIT routines that meet my time constraints. I've found that it's NOT about how much time you spend working out, rather, it's about how much effort you put into your routine, and the effectiveness of said routine. I once completed a 4-minute plank exercise that had me sore days longer than my average 20-minutes workouts. The other day, I had about 8 minutes to spare before I needed to hop in the shower to start getting ready for work, I used 2 minutes to stretch, then I proceeded with this 6-minute Full Body HIIT workout by Bowflex
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0r_XSiNwnkY, and again I felt the burn longer than some of the extended workouts that I've performed. High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) is the way to go to AVOID excuses and get the most out of a workout when you're stretched for time.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
- As yall already ready know, I have launched the publishing of Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019, but I still haven't raised enough funds to payoff the full cost. The fee for my first book is $3,495, which I do have the bulk of, but still need several hundred dollars. Additionally, I'd like to publish a 2nd book, What if tomorrow didn't come? © 2019 What does that have to do with you? Well, as a result of reading my books, youth will gain age-appropriate insight on life lessons, they'll explore early development such as learning letters, numbers, songs, etc., they'll develop life-long lessons of morals and manners, they'll gain knowledge and understanding of love, kindness, acceptance, and spirituality. As a result of reading Color Isn't Who I AM © 2019, youth will embrace who they are, and challenge others to live in harmony. As a result of reading What if tomorrow didn't come? © 2019, youth will learn the importance of obedience, as well as the significance of doing things right away, rather than putting them off for the next day. I'm looking for individuals who'd like to help me train our youth to excel one book at a time, through age-appropriate literature that will lead them in the way they should go. Who do you know? Please donate or share the link https://www.gofundme.com/f/color-isn039t-who-i-am. ALL efforts and contributions matter. Thanks in advance.
- I am on a quest to relaunch Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (FMBS Inc.) and I NEED volunteers and serious board members; Currently, I am in need of people who have a background in business, have some knowledge of operating a non-profit, and/or have resources or connections that can help facilitate our making an impact in surrounding at-risk and underprivileged communities **NOTE: this is a business NOT a hobby** FMBS Inc. has a mission to help supply the homeless as well as needy families with food and hygiene bags. Our recipients are selected by referral, and/or by canvassing the streets for deserving families and individuals throughout Southern California. I encourage you to reach out to me regarding your interest in service or to arrange any monetary donations or item contributions at any time via email at fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, my voicemail or text at (951) 790-2127, or by making a donation using the Donate button on the upper right corner of our Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/fmbsinc.sustenance/.
- Please take a moment to register your Ralph's, Food 4 Less, and/or Kroger Rewards cards to enroll your member number/phone number for the Ralph's/Food 4 Less Community Contribution Program to help Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (aka FMBS Inc., serving communities throughout Southern Cali since 2012) raise funds to give back to the community; for every purchase you make, a small % is given as a donation to our non-profit organization - your rewards points are NOT affected by this enrollment. To enroll, you must go to their website here http://www.friendsindeedpas.org/get-involved/ralphs-community-contribution-program/ and link your rewards cards or telephone numbers (Alt ID) to our organization each year, and we will earn money for every purchase made under your rewards cards. Your continued support is always appreciated.
JOIN OUR CAUSE: Fostering Mind, Body, and Soul Incorporated (
FMBS Inc.) is on a never-ending quest to locate deserving individuals to extend our services to. Therefore, we are always in need of monetary donations and/or contributions of hygiene items, sealed snacks, bottled water, seasonal items (gloves, scarves, blankets, umbrellas, sunglasses, sunscreen, lip balm, etc.), mini bibles, reading books, and so forth.;
our YEAR-ROUND mission is to serve homeless and/or needy individuals and families in underprivileged communities throughout Southern California. We also need DEDICATED volunteers and members –
is this your calling? Eventually, when we have met our need for volunteers and board members, we will extend our services to assist/mentor at-risk youth, and to address some of the needs of veterans and their family members.
We are successful because of YOUR continued support. Please continue to back us up through participation, and/or by encouraging others to join our cause!For more information about our organization contact
fmbsinc_2012@outlook.com, as our website is currently under construction. Feel free to LIKE our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/fmbsinc.sustenance/ and follow us on Twitter
@FMBSInc.
Very Respectfully,
