Simply Encourage

Having our two beautiful children has to be the most incredible thing I believe I have ever experienced. The sense of joy and excitement is a feeling I could live on for the rest of my life. There is something about the experience that brings a feeling that cannot be substituted by any other experience or substance.
My wife, while going through the pregnancy experience participated on a Forum where expectant mothers can post their comments and questions to other expectant mothers in an effort to get answers to whatever they might be going through or experiencing. It is interesting to read what others are experiencing along their journey at the same time you are and comparing those experiences. I believe this forum is designed to help ease concerns that one might have when they are not sure if what they are going through is normal or not. There is something about an informal setting like this that allows you to feel comfortable and ask just about anything. It is pretty incredible to read some of the replies to what people are asking: one woman reported gaining a certain amount of weight which seemed to be a high amount and the responses were unbelievable. Instead of showing sympathy, the replies were along the lines of “Oh, I have only gained 5 pounds, or I am not gaining much weigh, etc. The insensitivity of people amazes me.

This morning my wife told me that she had just read where a mother who had earlier been asking questions about different things had committed suicide. She was diagnosed with Postpartum Psychosis.

     Postpartum Psychosis is the most extreme form of postpartum mood disorders and one of the rarest. It is described as a period when the woman loses touch with reality, the disorder occurs in women who have recently given birth. Most who realize something is wrong neglect to speak to their Doctor about this or this disorder is misdiagnosed as postpartum depression and this prevents them from receiving the proper medical attention they need.

Looking back at her forum post, not one person responded to her questions. I cannot even come close to imagining the pain and confusion this woman must have been going through. Now her husband is left to try and understand and he is also going to have to raise his child alone and someday explain to his child what happened to its mother.

When my wife told me about this woman, my heart immediately broke and I began to weep for this woman, her Husband and child. Maybe if only someone had responded or reached out to this woman this situation would have had a different outcome. What a tragedy this is that could have been prevented if she had just reached out or someone had picked up on her despair.

This is just one example of how important it is for us as Christians to be so aware of what is actually going on around us. Even more now with the internet and exposure we have to so many more people. Instead of being afraid to comment or say something to people in need, a simple word of encouragement could go a long way in helping someone on their way to recovery. We see it all the time, When you ask someone how they are doing and they usually respond “ I’m Great “ or “Doing Good “ but we find online people saying truthfully what is on their mind. Especially on Facebook where people express what is on their minds during the day. Every once in a while you will see someone reaching out and truthfully telling the world they are not happy or they are going through something. Whether they are having a great day or a bad day, we can help by just encouraging them. What more do we need to step in and offer help? When people are stating they are having a Bad day, they are usually looking for support or at minimum just want to know people care. The majority of the time we are not dealing with people who are on the brink but you never know. You never know what a person is dealing with or what they are facing. The Next time you read or hear a person commenting on the bad day they are having or that things just are not going well for them, SPEAK UP and encourage them. That is an opportunity to share with them the Truth of the Gospel and how God has made a difference in your lives. Life is precious.

Your words have an impact.

The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21).

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life (Proverbs 10:11).

 Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers (Acts 15:32).


We sent Timothy, who is our brother and God's fellow worker in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith (1 Thessalonians 3:2).

Therefore encourage each other with these words (1 Thessalonians 4:18).

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching (Hebrews 10:25).

Follow God’s Example. Be an Encourager!

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry (Psalm 10:17).

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope (Romans 15:4).

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus (Romans 15:5).

Can I Get A Witness?

K

Promise

It is amazing how your perspective changes when you have a child. Just over 4 years ago we had our first and it definitely changed how we did everything. You change your eating habits, sleep habits and even your social habits. It seems easier to say no to those opportunities to go out and do something that would take you away from spending time with your newborn and family. We were 13 years into our marriage when our daughter came along and as you can imagine there were a lot of habits that had to change. Our entire way of thinking changed about how we handled just about everything. You are now responsible for nurturing that child: Feeding, teaching and loving. The time that is spent in the first stages is the most critical. That is where your child learns the majority of the things they will need to grow even more as they get older. What this experience does for us is it gives us Clarity, Focus and Perspective. We think about things before we act and we consider not only ourselves but the well being of our child in just about every decision we make. This is your blood we are talking about here, and you do everything in your power to protect and make sure that child is safe.

Here we are just a little more than 4 years later and once again, we have been blessed with another child and that entire process while still going on with our first has begun again like it is the first time all over again. Schedules are changing, sleep patterns and the decisions we make down to the simplest are all based on our newborn. Having children has brought me closer to God and has made me realize just how much He really loves me. I could have never imagined I could love one being as much as I do much less two. There is a love like no other for a child and that in itself is a Gift from God. If we just take a moment to really realize the impact and importance of this role we play, we will just begin to see how God loves us and desires us to prosper.

The Word tells us in Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) that if you “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” The Message translation says it as simple as it can be said: “Point your kids in the right direction- when they are old they won’t be lost.” There are two wonderful things that happen when you follow this proverb. Not only are you teaching your kids the right way to live, but you are living the way you are teaching. One thing to point out in this scripture…. It does not “ask”, it “Instructs “us to do this simple task. If you want your children to live a life of promise, then we must teach them the Word of God and as they grow in their relationship with God, they will be able to face situations and make the right decisions. This is a Win/Win for us and them. If we are doing what Proverbs 22:6 instructs us to do then we along with our children are walking as we should according to the Word of God. That delights the Lord! Psalms 147:11(KJV) says “the Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love. The Message version puts it like this: “Those who fear God get God’s attention; they can depend on his strength.” Fear of the Lord is having a feeling of reverence (respect) towards God, combined with awe (admiration) and fear of the punishment of disobedience. When I was young, I feared my father. I knew my father loved me and I loved my father, but I also feared my father because I knew if I disobeyed him, he would punish me. Having fear towards our Heavenly Father is similar.

I have accepted the challenge and will do my part to teach and train my children in the Word of God so that they may grow into the Children of God they are designed to be. It is never too late to start.

Can I Get A Witness?

K

IT IS OUR TIME !!

While I appreciate the event that took place on Saturday, August 28, 2010 at the Lincoln Memorial, I wish it had been an event the Church has put on instead of a Radio Talk show Host. This event was amazing to say the least. It is unfortunate that the Media refuses to acknowledge how powerful of an event this actually was and are refusing to give any fair accounting of the number of people that attended this Event. While I watched on TV I noticed a common theme throughout the entire Day. People were Smiling, happy and getting along. I felt like I was at a Christian event. Not a religious event but a Christian event. People put aside their “Religious “views and doctrines along with their political views. No one was there to campaign for any politician or promote a particular Church. It was simply people from all creeds, religions and race coming together for one purpose. That purpose was to focus on God and remind the country of the Intent of our Founding Fathers and their desire to have a country built on religious freedom. I did not hear anyone complaining about our Country or its leadership. I did hear in the closing prayer, thanks given to God for our President and the leadership of our country regardless of personal feelings. This was a day and an event that focused on restoring our Country’s Honor. Getting back to the foundation that our country was built on. A lot of people want to argue the fact that our country was built on Godly principles and both sides have plenty of ammunition. There are many letters written between our founding Fathers that leave no doubt that they believed in God and would draw from the Bible for direction and strength. We will always have the argument between those who believe the Country was built on Christian Values and those who do not. That is not the point. The point is People Need Jesus. PERIOD.

What I saw on Saturday was people from all different faith’s and backgrounds coming together for a common purpose and that purpose was to promote unity in an effort to bringing our country's focus back towards God. Why do we continually allow the secular world to continue to do what WE as Christians should be doing? Why are people turning to Oprah , or Tony Robbins or even Jillian Michaels for answers? They may be able to make them feel good, give them a car or make them lose weight, but they cannot offer salvation. That can only come from Jesus Christ, who was sent to this world as a sacrifice for our sins. He paid the ultimate price that we might have eternal life. We need a revolution in the Church. Stop sitting on your hands while the world goes to Hell. If your not ready , Get Ready, Spend time in prayer, in reading the Bible and as you build up your spirit you will find that sharing Jesus will be natural. What is in your Spirit will be what is coming out. It is no longer acceptable for us to just go to Church and talk about it. It is time We Walk the Walk. People are hungrier than ever and are looking for answers. Over 500,000 people showed up for a Non Christian event about Turning to God. WAKE UP CHURCH !!!!!!!!!!
Can I Get a Witness?

The GOD Experience part 3

Finding that quiet place to communicate with God is not as easy as a lot of people make it out to be. With all the demands on our time these days it can feel like it is just another thing on our list. Having a list is not a bad thing, but time with God is not something you put on a list. What usually happens with your lists? They get lost, forgotten or too enormous and you just eventually forget about them. Take God off your list and make Him part of your regular day. Easier said than done, right? Getting this part is the critical piece to experiencing what God has for you and wants to do in your life.

Once you have come to that quiet place, our tendency is to start asking God for things and He does want us to come to him with our needs, but what He desires most is that we come to Him with worship and praise. You don’t have to be at church with a Full Worship Band and Worship leader to experience true Praise and Worship with God. Does not matter if you can sing, that is not what God is interested in. He desires your full attention and whatever sound you make is beautiful to Him. When we give our All to God and just worship Him, His presence will begin to fill the place you are in. You will begin to see Him clear and hear his voice. In Isaiah 6:1, Isaiah describes what he sees when he sees the Lord. “I saw the LORD sitting on the throne, high and lifted up, and His train filled the temple.” The purpose of our worship is to glorify, honor, praise, exalt and please God. When we worship we must show our adoration and loyalty to God for His grace in providing us with the way to escape the bondage of sin, so we can have salvation He so much wants to give each and every one of us. When we worship we come to Him humble and contrite, submitting fully to Him.


( from the interactive Bible http://www.bible.ca )

Jesus says in John 4:23-24, "But the hour is coming, and now is, when true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is a spirit and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth." It doesn’t say we can worship God anyway we want, but we "must worship Him in spirit and in truth". The word "must" makes it absolute. There is no other way we can worship God and be acceptable to Him. The word "must", according to Webster, expresses "an obligation, a requirement, a necessity, a certainty, and something that must be done". When "must" is used it means that it is not optional. Here the word "must" is expressing that in spirit and in truth is the only way to acceptably worship God. God seeks true worshippers, and He identifies them as those who "worship Him in spirit and in truth". Worshipping God in spirit and in truth is a serious matter which must not be taken lightly. If we have any regard for our own souls, we will want to make sure we are worshipping God in spirit and in truth.

Worship is a time when we pay deep, sincere, awesome respect, love, and fear to the one who created us. Acts 17:24-25 says, "God who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives life, breath, and all things."

Worship should cause us to reflect on the majesty and graciousness of God and Christ, contrasted to our own unworthiness. God does not have to have our worship, but we must worship Him to please Him. Our singing, praying, studying His word, giving, and communion are designed by God to bring us closer to Him and to cause us to think more like He thinks, thus becoming more like Him. James 4:8 tells us to, "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."

Our worship not only honors and magnifies God, but it is also for our own edification and strength. Worship helps us develop a God-like and Christ-like character. We become like unto those we admire and worship. When we worship God we tend to value what God values and gradually take on the characteristics and qualities of God, but never to His level. As Philippians 2:5 says, "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ." How do we take on the mind of Christ? In Romans 12:2 we read, "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." We renew our mind as we study and meditate on God’s word and worship Him.

When we worship God we develop such traits as forgiveness, tenderness, justice, righteousness, purity, kindness, and love. All of this is preparing us for eternal life in heaven with God and Christ. As we are told in Colossians 3:2 to, "Set your mind on things above, and not on things on the earth."


Do you want to live “The God Experience”? It all begins with you and how you approach the time you spend with Him. Give God your first and watch how your life will be blessed. If you just Dwell with God and let him work in your life, not only do you benefit but those around you will benefit. Allow God to be ever present in your Life and enjoy the Experience.

Can I Get A Witness?

K

The GOD Experience part 2

In the first part of this 3 part discussion, I talked about finding that quite place to find God and experience what he has for you. How do you find that quite place? How do you Hear God’s voice and then know it is Him that is speaking to you? Hopefully by the time I have written the final words in this piece, we will have a better understanding and be that much closer to Experiencing God.

You always hear people say, “ I want to know Jesus more “ or “ I need to have a better walk with God “ and then that is all they do, just talk about it. Starting out, talking about what you want or need is the right first step, but dwelling there will only bring you frustration and then before you know it, you have stopped thinking about all together. That is exactly what the Enemy wants to happen. The Devil is a thief (John 10:10) and he only wants to distract you and steal the time you have set aside for God. He will find those things that distract you and will even have you believing that what you are doing is justified because it is a good thing you are doing. Just because something is good, does not make it right. In 1 Corinthians 10:23 Paul acknowledges that even though some things are ok, they are not good for him. “ All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” In the Amplified version it says, “All things are legitimate [permissible--and we are free to do anything we please], but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome). All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].” Paul realized that he had to eliminate some things in his life if he wanted to have the kind of relationship with Christ that was required. That is the first step in growing in your walk with the Lord. Recognize those things that alter your thinking and turn your back on them. It may be difficult at the time but once you are free of that obstacle, you will realize how much easier it is to hear the voice of God. Psalm 46:10 says “Be still and know that I am God”. It is in that time of quietness where you will begin to hear the voice of God and you will get clarity.

My In-Laws have a Cottage North of us and we try to get up there as much as we can during the summer. It has this beautiful lake and it can be very relaxing. There is the incredible peace about the place at the earliest part of the mornings, where the water looks like glass and you can barely even hear the birds. That is the kind of quiet place I am talking about. Where you have nothing to distract you and you can hear yourself breathe. That is a quite place. It does not take long before people start getting out on the lake and then before you know it, it is not so quiet and peaceful. Finding that quiet time and sticking to it will go a long way in developing your relationship and walk with the Lord and those distractions will become less powerful.

I’m reminded of a song by Delirious, “I Want to Know You More “.

In the secret
in the quiet place
in the stillness You are there
in the secret
in the quiet hour i wait
only for You
'cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more

i am reaching for the highest goal
that i might receive the prize
pressing onward
pushing every hindrance aside
out of my way
cuz i want to know you more

i want to know you
i want to hear your voice
i want to know you more
i want to touch you
i want to see your face
i want to know you more


Let’s find that Secret place and begin t know Him more.

( stay tuned for part 3 )


Can I Get A Witness?
k

The GOD Experience part 1

Just recently I have been reminded on multiple occasions about the past and the many different times that God really spoke to me. As a Christian we always or at least I know I have and still do desire a “burning bush “moment. That moment where you know the voice you are hearing is God’s and what He is telling you is THE divine truth and for once have the clarity you have been searching for.

I remember one Sunday morning service in 1988 at the “Rock” in Minnesota, Bro Spencer Nordyke was in town and guest speaking to the youth group. He was talking about really hearing God’s voice and said if you really want to SEE Jesus just ask Him. He continued on to say.. “ just sit down on your bed and call out to God and ask him to show himself to you….” I can only imagine how many young people went home after that service and did just what I did. I went straight to my room, sat on my bed and cried out… “God, please show yourself to me!!!!” I waited and waited and waited until I figured God just wasn’t listening. Why wouldn’t He show up? Was I not worthy of His presence? Did I do it right? All of these questions were going through my head at the time and I wanted to figure out what I had to do to make it right so I could SEE God. I won’t sit here and tell you that I eventually saw God and we talked and all my questions were answered. But I can tell you that through the years God has Shown Himself to me in so many wonderful ways.

Have you ever heard the term “Camp Experience”? I attend Church kid’s and youth camps growing up. When you go to Church Camp you get away from your regular daily routines and for a week it’s just you, God and a 100 of your church friends. Typically there is a Guest Speaker and you are excited about what is going to happen that week. See, what happens is you go expecting to have an Experience with God and you don’t have the distractions of Home, TV, the internet or your non church friends. If any time was prime for God showing himself to us this definitely has to be it. I received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, received healing of my eyesight and had many upon many incredible experiences that I will never forget at camp. Those were critical building blocks in my life. Not only did we experience God in ways we never expected but we also developed relationships with people that have lasted a lifetime. There is a bond you develop when you are “in the trenches “with your friends during times of prayer or at the altar. You discover things about yourself and your peers that are eye opening. When it is all over and you say your good byes and you take that bus ride back home, you are still riding the High of the experience. Then you get home; see all the things you left behind for a week and you very quickly settle back into your regular way of doing things. It does not take very long for you to start feeling this sense of longing for your friends and the “Camp “experience. Now you are back home and bored and trying to adjust back to having all those things that you had avoided during that week of camp. You don’t have to go to Camp to have this type of Experience.

Find that quite place where you can shut out all those things that easily distract you. Give God that time and call out to Him. Luke 11:9 says, (Amplified Bible) So I say to you, Ask and keep on asking and it shall be given you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.

God desires to commune with you; to have your full attention. Find that quite place and seek Him. Psalm 40:1 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.” (stay tuned for part 2 )
Can I Get A Witness?

k

Don't Hide Your Gift.

Growing up, my family was all musically inclined. My Mom and my sister played the piano and sang, my brother played the drums and sings a little and my Dad, well… he is really talented at listening to the radio. Very early I had an interest in singing and so I started singing with the church kids choirs and before I knew it I was doing solos and being used a lot in our Musicals. I can remember just like it was yesterday, our church had an Event downtown Shreveport, La and I had the big solo… “I Am a Promise“. The program was televised and the audience was packed. Of course as a child, it looked like a million people were in the audience. I really enjoyed that and seemed to have no problem singing in front of people. As I grew up there came more opportunities and I made a promise to myself…. I would only sing music that glorified God. There may have been a few exceptions here and there for a wedding or Musical but I have stayed true to what I promised God. I had the opportunity to Sing in Competitions, Bands, and Musical Groups and ultimately as Worship Minister at various churches.

There did come a point when I no longer had that “platform “ and over a period of time it seemed I would never sing in that capacity again. I felt like I was being punished somehow and I stopped singing publically and just attended church, not being involved at all. If I could not sing for God, I was not going to sing at all. That was pretty selfish of me at the time, because there were plenty opportunities for me to sing for God, but I refused to see them. I had opportunities at the church I attend and I performed in a few church plays and as a member of the choir and worship team. But something was missing. Even though I had the opportunities, I did not feel like I deserved to be there for whatever reason. It was like I had given up on the call that God placed on my life. That led to me not being in church at all for a period of time. Just because things don’t go the way we planned them, does not mean God has forsaken you or given up on your gift. ( Proverbs 18:16 (Amplified) “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men “) God had not given up on me or my gift; He was just waiting for me to stop hiding it. I was using excuses like work and family and other things that were there for me conveniently to have an excuse. I had to come to a place where I realized that what I had was a gift just that, something God had given to me, not something I had to earn or pay for but a gift. I realized that gift could no longer be placed in a box and placed on a shelf. So I asked once again to be considered as a member of our church worship team. Just in the very short few months I have been back singing have been some of the most incredible experiences in worship I have had even as a Leader of Worship.

God knows your heart and He knows your desires. He is the one that gives you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37:4 “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He will give you the desires and secret petitions of your heart.” ) There is a renewed excitement about the gift that God has given me and this time, I am sharing that gift with Joy and Purpose.

David is a great example for us. Yes he did sin and some of the things he did where awful, but he always came back to God with a Heart of desire. Wherever you are, God is ready for you to come back with open arms. Just take that simple step forward and watch how God can use this experience in your life to bring Glory to God.


Can I Get A Witness?
k