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| Ok...now that I've gotten your attention! LOLLast night, as I was listening to a Talkshoe call that my husband and I hosted earlier this year, we had a guest Bishop join us on the call. We were 1st in a session of awesome worship, then Bishop White started sharing a lot of things with us in regards to the state of the church today. One thing that really stood out to me was when he was speaking on how there are people who are called "church hoppers". As soon as most of us see that phrase the 1st thing that comes to our mind is that these people as those who like to join church after church after church just to be seen. We refer to these people as ones who just like to go from church to church, and they don’t necessarily have a relationship with God. I’ll admit, I’ve even thought this myself. I know several people who have done just that…go from church to church to church, and you don’t really see any change with them, no matter where they have their membership at that moment.Well…one thing that was pointed out during this conference call was that ALL "church hoppers" don’t fit that definition that the church has pretty much established over them. We don’t realize that a good majority of these people are going from church to church just to be seen. Just to be known for their singing. Just to be known for their playing an instrument. Just to be known for the way that they worship and praise God in public. Just to be known for how they shout when the organ hits a certain chord and the drums strike up a fast beat.Then there are those who are actually going from church to church seeking what God has placed in their spirits to connect with. There are those who go from church to church because they are so tired of ritual that is being shown and taught, and they are not experiencing true praise. They are not experiencing true worship. All they are experiencing is the same things that they learned as a "child" in church. However, because of how people talk, they are scared to truly seek out what they require to further their walk, so they feel as if they should stay where they are to avoid being talked about, whether they are happy or not.Now, let me go back to what I mentioned in the previous paragraph. When I say "child", I’m referring to both as a physical child, as well as a spiritual child when you finally made that choice to follow Jesus. I know, as for me, I was 1st baptized when I was 8 or 9 years old, and when I think back to that date, it was on Christmas Day. I remember coming up out of the water, and when my mom and the Deaconess took me back to the room to dry me off and help me change my clothes, they had to leave me alone for a little bit because I was crying. I wasn’t crying because I was sad. I was actually crying because of the spirit that I was feeling, even at that young of an age. I didn’t even know what it was then. I realized what it was later on in my walk. I finally understood why I would always start crying whenever I saw someone get baptized. People would be looking at me all crazy, asking me why I’m crying. I always wanted to ask them if they truly understood what was going on. Did they truly understand the step that was being taken at that moment in their lives? After that moment, I started to move forward in my walk, and for a number of years, I sat under an awesome teaching ministry. My Pastor that I grew up under was, and still is, an awesome teacher, and he broke down several things in the word that I still carry with me to this day. However, as I got older, I started to realize that it was time for me to move forward. It was time for me to experience God on another level. It was time for me to leave my nest and go out on my own. For the next few years, I did experience membership at a couple of different churches, including a short time of being back at my home church. During these years is when I realized my call to ministry. Did it shock me? Yes. However, when that was prophesied to me, it was confirmation of what I had been feeling in my spirit for quite some time. After that prophesy was confirmed, I discovered that it was time to move forward yet again, and yes, that included another move in church membership. Did I ever consider myself a church hopper? Yep. Why? Because, even though I wasn’t going from church to church to church…and as I was considered to learn and grow, God was leading me to learn and grow in different environments of worship. Different environments of praise. Some of these environments included places where I just visited. No membership involved. Places where God would literally speak to me on a Sunday morning as I was getting dressed for service and tell me to go there. Did I care? At first I did. Why? Because I was concerned that others were talking about me. "Hey, did you hear Shannon’s at another church now?" or "I wish Shannon would just choose a church and stay there." Or "I heard Shannon was at XYZ’s church this morning. That’s why she wasn’t here." However, it got to the point where I didn’t care anymore. Those who truly knew me knew that I was doing what God was leading me to do at that moment. Those who didn’t know me where the ones who were talking.Why did I write this? Hmmm…good question! LOL I actually had started out with a whole different topic, and I still may write on that one as well, since that particular topic is still alive in my spirit. As I was writing, I felt that someone who reads this, either by them being subscribed to my blog, or just by coming across it out of the blue, needed to read this. Whether it is because they are currently going through this in their lives. Or they may even be one who needed further clarification on this issue. There are several things that we hear about and come across in church and in life that sometimes, we desire to know more about, but don’t know how to acquire the knowledge that we are seeking.I pray that this has helped in some way, shape or form. Be Blessed. | | |
| Wow. It's been a minute since I've written in my Xanga blog. So much has occured since my last entry. However, I have been doing my best to keep up with reading the ones that I subscribe to on a daily basis. Y'all truly do your best to make me laugh, cry, think over some things, and Praise The Lord!
I'm sitting here watching Ricky Dillard & New G: Unplugged (yep...I'm having somewhat of an Ole Skool moment! LOL) and it struck me to come to my laptop and write. I've been going back and forth lately about getting back into writing again on a more consistent basis. I mean...I've been keeping a written journal for the past 11 years! Almost daily...LOL I admit...I have slacked up on it lately. However, something happened this weekend that has really caused me to sit and think tonight. I pray that as you continue to read this entry, you will sit and think over some things in your life as well....
My husband and I attended 2 funerals this weekend. Yes...2!!!! In the same weekend!!!! The 1st funeral- on Saturday afternoon- was for a highly respected and regarded man who was Pastor of a church here in Beckley for over 40 years, as well as a few other churches during his lifetime. He was 86 years old and had been ill for some time. He only had an 8th grade education. He worked in the coal mines. Had Pneumonia 4 times as a child. Was diagnosed with Cancer of his Gums over 10 years ago. He and his wife had several children. His wife is still living. This funeral was JAM PACKED!!!! All of the sets of pews were packed, folding chairs were set up, and overflow seating was in the basement of the church with a big-screen TV set up down there for viewing of the service. Members of the family, current and former members of the churches he pastored, other pastors of churches here in the area, as well as other people who knew him and knew of him came to pay their respects. You would not have even known that this was a funeral. We had CHURCH up in that camp! The Holy Ghost flowed through there! It was truly a blessed service.
The 2nd funeral was this afternoon. For a 19-year old young man. He was a college student. Very active in his church. How did he pass away? He was in class and couldn't breathe. They got him to the hospital and that is where he passed. This was an extremely sad occasion. The service was beautiful...there were several singing ministries, a drama ministry, and a slide presentation that showed several pictures of him. All you heard was how he was always smiling. How he always cracked a joke. How he truly enjoyed the different things that he was involved in at his church.
When someone is 86...even when they are close to you...you have somewhat of an idea that even though you have no idea when it's going to happen, you know that a homegoing service will occur. That person has lived their live. They have run their race. They have finished their course. They have children and grandchildren who are here on Earth to follow in their footsteps....
But....a 19-year old? They are just starting their lives. They just graduated from High School last year. They are in college working on their degree. Chances are, they have no children as of yet. They may still even be living at home....not yet having had the chance to live out on their own. You hate to even fathom the idea of someone passing away so young. Whether it is by illness, or something totally not expected. You hope and pray that they live some portion of their lives.
When you think about things....even though these 2 services are on the opposite ends of the scale...they have 2 things in common. What are those things? 1) They both met the day that we are all going to meet. Whether we want to think about that or not. Whether it happens in our older years or other times..... 2) If their main desire was to see Jesus in Heaven, they both had to have experienced Salvation. Period.
These are 2 things that really make you go hmmmm....especially when you've experienced something like this so close together. It's rough when you experience the loss of someone close...a family member...a friend. No matter who it was....they have encountered the 2 things that I have stated above. I will have to encounter them. You will have to encounter them.
If you're reading this right now....you have time to get your soul right. You have time for salvation. You have time to accept Jesus as your personal savior.
Amen.
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| My my my! I know...it's been a minute since I've posted a blog. HOWEVER...a Soror shared this with me, and I just felt the need to pass it on!!! Happy reading and be blessed!! FINDING AND KEEPING A LIFE PARTNER
Golden rules for finding your life partner by Dov Heller, M.A
When it comes to making the decision about choosing a life partner, no one wants to make a mistake. Yet, with a divorce rate of close to 50%, it appears that many are making serious mistakes in their approach to finding Mr./Miss. Right! if you ask most couples who are engaged why they're getting married, they'll say: "We're in love". I believe this is the #1 mistake people make when they date. Choosing a life partner should never be based on love though this may sound "not politically correct", there's a profound truth here. Love is not the basis for getting married. Rather, love is the result of a good marriage. When the other ingredients are right, then the love will come. Let me say it again: "You can't build a lifetime relationship
on love alone". You need a lot more!!!
Here are five questions you must ask yourself if you're serious about
finding and keeping a life partner.
QUESTION ..1: Do we share a common life purpose?
Why is this so important? Let me put it this way: If you're married for 20 or 30 years, that's a long time to live with someone. What do you plan to do with each other all that time? Travel, eat and jog together? You need to share something deeper and more meaningful. You need a common life purpose.
Two things can happen in a marriage:
(1) You can grow together, or
(2) you can grow apart.
50% of the people out there are growing apart. To make a marriage work,you need to know what you want out of life! Bottom line. . .marry someone who wants the same thing.
QUESTION ..2: Do I feel safe expressing my feelings and thoughts with this person? This question goes to the core of the quality of your relationship. Feeling safe means you can communicate openly with this person. The basis of having good communication is trust - i.e. trust that I won't get "punished" or hurt for expressing my honest thoughts and feelings. A colleague of mine defines an abusive person as someone with whom you feel afraid to express your thoughts and feelings. Be honest with yourself on this one. Make sure you feel emotionally safe with the person you plan to marry.
QUESTION ..3: Is he/she a mensch?
A mensch is someone who is a refined and sensitive person. How can you test? Here are some suggestions:
Do they work on personal growth on a regular basis?
Are they serious about improving themselves?
A teacher of mine defines a good person as "someone who is always striving to be good and do the right thing".
So ask about your Significant Other:
What do they do with their time? Is this person materialistic? Usually a materialistic person is not someone whose top priority is character refinement.
There are essentially two types of people in the world:
(1) People who are dedicated to personal growth and
(2) people who are dedicated to seeking comfort.
Someone whose goal in life is to be comfortable will put personal comfort ahead of doing the right thing. You need to know that before walking down the aisle.
QUESTION ..4: How does he/she treat other people?
The one most important thing that makes any relationship work is the ability to give. By giving, we mean the ability to give another person pleasure. Ask: Is this someone who enjoys giving pleasure to others or are they wrapped up in themselves and self-absorbed? To measure this, think about the following: How do they treat people whom they do not have to be nice to, such as waiters, bus boys, taxi drivers, etc. How do they treat their parents and siblings? Do they have gratitude and appreciation? If they don't have gratitude for the people who have given them everything; can you do nearly as much for them? You can be sure that someone who treats others poorly, will eventually treat you poorly as well.
QUESTION ..5: Is there anything I'm hoping to change about this person after we're married?
Too many people make the mistake of marrying someone with the intention of trying to "improve" them after they're married. As a colleague of mine puts it: "You can probably expect someone to change after marriage for the worse" If you cannot fully accept this person the way they are now, then you are not ready to marry them.
In conclusion, dating doesn't have to be difficult and treacherous. The key is to try leading a little more with your head and less with your heart. It pays to be as objective as possible when you are dating; to be sure to ask questions that will help you get to the key issues. Falling in love is a great feeling, but when you wake up with a ring on your finger, you don't want to find yourself in trouble because you didn't do your homework.
Another perspective....
There are some people in your life that need to be loved from a distance....It's amazing what you can accomplish when you let go of or at least minimize your time with draining, negative, incompatible, not-going anywhere relationships. Observe the relationships around you. Pay attention.... Which ones lift and which ones lean? Which ones encourage and which ones discourage? Which ones are on a path of growth uphill and which ones are going downhill? When you leave certain people do you feel better or feel worse? Which ones always have drama or don't really understand, know, or appreciate you? The more you seek quality, respect, growth, peace of mind, love and truth around you...the easier it will become for you to decide who gets to sit in the front row and who should be moved to the balcony of your life.
An African proverb states, "Before you get married, keep both eyes open, and after you marry, close one eye". Before you get involved and make a commitment to someone, don't let lust, pity, desperation, immaturity, ignorance, pressure from others or a low self-esteem make you blind to warning signs. Keep your eyes open, and don't fool yourself that you can change someone or that what you see as faults aren't really that important.
Do you bring out the best in each other?
Do you compliment and compromise with each other, or do you compete, compare and control?
What do you bring to the relationship?
Do you bring past relationships, past hurt, past mistrust, past pain?
You can't take someone to the altar to alter them.
You can't make someone love you or make someone stay.
If you develop self-esteem, spiritual discernment, and "a life", you won't find yourself making someone else responsible for your happiness or responsible for your pain. Seeking status, sex, and security are the wrong reasons to be in a relationship.
WHAT KEEPS A RELATIONSHIP STRONG ARE:
1. TRUST
2. COMMUNICATION
3. INTIMACY
4. A SENSE OF HUMOR
5. SHARING TASKS
6. SOME GETAWAY TIME WITHOUT BUSINESS OR CHILDREN
7. DAILY EXCHANGES (meal, shared activity, hug, call, touch, notes,
8. SHARING COMMON GOALS AND INTERESTS
9. GIVING EACH OTHER SPACE TO GROW WITHOUT FEELING INSECURE
10. GIVING EACH OTHER A SENSE OF BELONGING AND ASSURANCES OF COMMITMENT
If these qualities are missing, the relationship will erode as resentment, withdrawal, abuse, neglect, dishonesty, and pain replace it
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| I know...I know. It's been months since I have posted. However, I couldn't pass this up. It's 3am, and I'm up watching TBN. They just showed a clip of Yolanda Adams singing, "Only If God Says Yes." This was my 1st time hearing this song, and it truly ministered to me. I pray these lyrics minister to you as well. Be blessed... Artist: Yolanda Adams
Album: Believe
Title: Only If God Says Yes
Choices that we make in life
May take us far
Chances that we take tonight
May lead us into darken places
But at the end of Godly choices
Are higher dreams
But in the game of chance
Theres only a guilty wave or stream
Sometimes I don't know which road I should take
Sometimes I don't know which move I should make
But it's only if God says yes
I'll make my move
And it's only if God says yes
Then I will choose
For it's only if God would just
Bow his head
Then I will do it
Thats what I will do
I started down the right road
Only to end up wrong
The endless journey carried me so far away
From my home and family
But I'm learning I was never meant to go alone
Neither was it meant for me to go on my own no
Sometimes I don't know which road I should take
Sometimes I don't know which move I should make
I'll never go on my own
I'll never go all alone
Sometimes I don't know which road I should take
Sometimes I don't know which move I should make
But it's only if God says yes
I'll make my move
For it's only if God says yes
Then I will choose
For it's only if God would just answer me
And it's only if God would just hear my plead
And it's only if God would just bow his head
Then I will do it
That's what I will do
That's what I will do
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| This entry is gonna be short and sweet... Today is my birthday and I truly thank and praise God for allowing me to see another year! YAYYYYYY!!!!!  I can't even begin to tell y'all how this past year has been, however, it's in the past. I'm still working out some things. However, in the midst of it all, I know that what's to come is better than what's been! | | |
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