December 2, 2008

The Transition….Pt 3 continued

After sharing the word and sharing our testimony. The Lord led our Pastor to take up an offering to raise 1500 dollars so that we could get another van or suv. We danced and prayed and the people gave. When it was all over and the offering was counted, with 30 people in the congregation, the Pastor looked at the paper with the count and then looked at the congregation and said, we have good news. We don’t even need this money. A couple in the congregation gave us their SUV. We cried and praised God for His awesome provision!!! Hallelujah!! And they said to the Pastor that we could keep the 750 dollars that was raised!! God has proven Himself mightily to us!

So when you’re ready to give up and throw in the towel, beloved, just remember these words written by the greatest theologian ever; the Apostle Paul in his Epistle to the church at Philippi, “Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6, 7 and 19.  He’s the giver of every good and perfect gift and in Him there is no variableness or shadow of turning. He won’t flip the script on you.

Thank you Lord for what you continue to do for us….

Rev. C

The Transition….Pt 3

December 2, 2008

The Transition….Pt 3

God is Awesome! The Transition has a rough beginning. It’s almost like going through growing pains. The lesson from the Lord has been and continues to be, “Trust Me.”

We’ve been going through the growing process for about 4 months. We’ve known days when we were wondering what we were going to eat. We struggle with not being able to do those extra things that we were used to doing. God has used this time to show us how much we were running from each other. We used the thing of running errands on a daily basis to escape. God is bringing all of us together during this time and is using this time to get us to really focus on family.

Our car ran into transmission problems on top of the other problems that it has and I had no means to get to work. My Pastor and my friend allowed me to use one of his cars to ge back and forth to work. We knew that this could not last long because the car that I was driving was for his youngest daughter who was just starting college. He and another good brother scooped me up last Saturday to take me to go look for a car that they were going to pay for because I have no money to get mine fixed, let alone to buy a new one. Well, we didn’t find anything but we believed God would make a way.

We preached a message on Sunday titled “Now is not the time to give up!” based upon Galatians 6:9 “and let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.”

Rev. C

(This is post was written by my husband on December 2, 2008. Thanks honey for sharing!)

The Transition….Pt2

Thursday, November 06, 2008 

The Transition….Pt2 The second part of the transition has been completed. Moving forward can be a scary thing. The good thing is that God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love, and of a sound mind. When obedience comes, God begins to open doors and He blesses us. Obedieince isn’t always easy but it is necessary when we are seeking God’s favor. God has been teaching me and training me to unlearn a lot of things that were detrimental and destructive. I praise God for his mercy! It’s because His mercies are new every morning that I’m not consumed! The lesson continues…… Rev. C. Written by my husband ~ Thanks for sharing, honey!

In Memory of…A Not So Average Joe

October 20, 2008

Joseph C.  – A loving husband, a devoted hard-working father of six sons and caring grandfather. Joseph lost his parents when he was 13 years old. He had two older brothers and four younger sisters. Joe’s parents instilled love for family, character and work ethics in him. Joe quit school to find work so that he could take care of his sisters.

Can you imagine being a 13 year old boy having to explain to his sister what happens to her body on a monthly basis? Or having to figure out why she’s crying when she probably doesn’t know herself? When Joe turned 16 he enlisted in the Merchant Marines and was out to sea about 6 months out of each year. He sent every penny to his sisters, made sure they went to school and spent all his available time caring for them.

Joe was a wise and quiet man, who didn’t waste his time, money or energy on things that he could NOT change. He chose his words wisely, although they were few. He spoke with authority and gentleness at the same time. He meant what he said and said only what he meant. A teacher of life’s ups and downs, he believed that men should work hard to provide for their families no matter what the costs. He taught that you should pay your bills on time, purchase only what was necessary and save like there would be no tomorrow!

His favorite holiday was Christmas. If ever there was a ‘real’ Santa Claus…it would have been him. Christmas to Joe meant toys spilled from under the tree to cover the entire floor surface of the room it occupied. Near the end of his life, Joe finally accepted the gift above all gifts…Jesus Christ!

Joseph died with expectation. He expected his seed to continue his legacy of continual learning and overcoming hardships through perseverance and hard work. He expected his grandsons to listen to wisdom, NEVER QUIT when times get rough and to do better than he did.

Wow, what an example of a godly father!! A TRUE self-sacrificing man of honor and awesome provider!

blessed

Transition…Part 1

Transition. A word that doesn’t become interesting until you actually go through one or a series of them. Transitions may or may not go smoothly, but anytime you go through one it’s because it becomes necessary for growth. When the transition is smooth, we will always talk about how God has blessed us and how much we are in His favor. But what if the transition does go smooth? Has God still blessed us? Are we still in His favor or in His will? Of course we are! Sometimes a transition doesn’t always go smoothly and it’s during these times that God uses the transition to teach us. God will use this time to teach us about prior mistakes and He will also use the time to teach us about the things that He expects from us in life and in ministry. So if you are going through a transition right now, don’t give up or get discouraged if things don’t go as smoothly as you thought they would. Don’t allow the enemy to get you in such a state that you allow yourself to get angry with God, or become doubting and fearful. Remember, the rain in our life is there to make us grow. Trials come to make us strong. So if we remember that God is still God and that He’s still able to do what He says He can and will do, then God will bless us because of our faith in Him. Hebrews reminds us that Faith is the substance of things hoped for. The evidence of things not seen. The writer tells us that when we have faith we believe and hope that those things that we can’t see will come to pass. We know that God will do the impossible for us because He specializes in it! 

I’m looking forward to continue growth in life and in ministry. Thank you Jesus for the transition!

~Rev. C

Current mood: grateful

 
(This is post was written by my husband on Saturday, October 18, 2008. Thanks honey for sharing!)

REAL RAP 2 MY GUYS…

Apologize

July 11, 2008

First, let me apologize for the lack of authentic godly examples in your life. I apologize for the parent who thinks it’s okay to live a questionable lifestyle in front of you. I apologize for the parent who initiates your first smoke or drink! I apologize for the parent who believes it’s godly to preach outside the home, but live like a devil in the home. I apologize for the parent who buys you an X-Box, iPod or iPhone, yet has not invested one dime in your education! I apologize for the parent who encourages you to rap about stealing, bustin’ caps, getting a wifey and some ‘bling…forgive them for they know not what they do! I apologize for the parent who does not ask you ‘where have you been’, ‘where are you going’, ‘who are your friends’ and ‘what’s in the bag’! I apologize for the pastor in your life who thinks he/she isn’t obligated to invest in you!  I apologize for the “Christian” adults in your life who frown when they see you come through the doors of the church or rather yet, prefer you to come back when you’re thirtyish. I apologize for those who have nothing else better to do than to berate you, strip you of your confidence and talk negatively about you. I apologize for the parents and grandparents who break their promises time after time, therefore causing you to doubt God’s promises. I apologize for the father who spends too much time ministering to others, while you sit waiting for him to respond to your hurts, disappointments and fears. I apologize for the teacher who thinks that because of your skin color you will never amount to anything. I apologize for the church leader who tries to downplay your gifts and talents because of their own cultural fears! I apologize for the mother who forgets to model the godly wife you should be looking for. I apologize for the mother who is so caught up in her own mess, that she just leaves you to fend for yourself…the Bible says “shame on her”! I apologize for the parent who does not set high standards for you to reach because of their own failures and mistakes. I apologize for the father who is so self-absorbed that his only response to you is limited to grunts and screams. I apologize for those who make you second guess the ‘great man’ living inside you!

I apologize for not saying this sooner! I love you, please forgive us!

 

This is dedicated to Donovan and Leglency, Jr. for encouraging the writer in me! Thanks for the love!

Punk Warrior

June 27, 2008

I’ve been in a battle with the enemy for a few months, now. It’s been a process filled with many parental challenges, distractions, disappointments,  selfishness and even some fear. Initially, I kept saying, I can’t win this battle…I hate fighting! I know, I know…nothing sounds funnier than a Christian punk!

But, I fell on my knees all “punkified” before the LORD and said ‘Father, help me, please! I want to fight, but I’m scared’! He reminded me that fear isn’t of Him!  I was reminded that He has given me power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt me (or mines).  He told me that my victory is not in my authority over the enemy, but my triumph comes through God’s authority and His presence over me.( Luke 10:19-20)

Well, what more needs to be said after that? I got up on my feet, started thanking God for my victory over fear, and submitted to the call to ‘fight for my family’!  Satan, let’s get ready to rumble!

I suffered some knockdowns in the last two weeks, but ‘it ain’t over’! I’m back up and a little stronger, too, cause the battle is the Lord’s. Yessuh! I’m standing on the promises of God for each of those situations and I forgive everybody that hurt me in some way or shape…cause you really didn’t know that God would turn it into something good for me!

As I enter this next battle, I want to remind you, too. It ain’t over and it ain’t about you or me! God’s will is going to be done the easy way or the hard way…it don’t even matter!

So stop tripping with your “nobody loves me” and “people are praying against me”…cause honey, it really ‘AIN’T ABOUT YOU’!

We ask Him to mold us, shape us and conform us! We ask to be virtuous women! We ask to be filled to capacity with nothing but His love! We ask Him to perfect those things that concern us and we ask Him to complete some things in our lives. Girlfriend, this is how He does it!

One test after the other! Pass the test the first time and you won’t have to take make-ups! Truth be told, sometimes, there are no make-ups…so you better be ready! Stay in His face and stay in His word for in both you will find great strength for the battle.

God’s Leading Lady,

Cassie

LIARS

I love this poem…just wanted to share the truth of it with you. 

We are many and you are few,
we listen to the crap you spew.
Don’t think we aren’t up to speed,
on truth and lies as you deceive.

You spout out lines of twisted tales,
like politicians or car sales.
You change what we would like to hear,
while your treachery has no fear.

You are what’s wrong in every way,
no longer care ‘bout what you say.
You paint your picture so distorted,
you change the story not reported.

The words come out but do not say,
the truth behind what you portray.
You bend the facts for your own gain
How is it that you feel no pain?
LIAR!!! 

written by Michael Charles Messineo  

Thunder Ruler…Warm Heart

September 18, 2007

“Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants
You have ordained strength,
Because of Your enemies,
That You may silence the enemy and the avenger. ” Psalm 8:2

As I pondered these words, I wondered to myself, how often do we as parents miss what our little ones are trying to say? And how many times do they have to repeat the gurgles, coos and sounds before we respond correctly?

I started by thinking about my second son, Donovan, who at birth scowled as the photographer snapped pictures of him and who, while in the nursery, as the nurse picked him up to afford his grandparents the opportunity to know who he was….yelled to the top of his lungs (in baby language) ”leave me alone!”

What’s wrong with this child, I thought to myself? Afterall, my first son, had such a calmness about him at birth and even smiled for the photographer.  Weren’t all babies suppose to be like CJ?  Much to my surprise, something was definitely different about this one. Maybe, it was the fact that my darling hubby named him after a boxer. Or could it have been that meal I ate for lunch causing him to be both gassy and bit cranky?

Needless, to say this child was one filled with many words. He was that child who threw tantrums when he didn’t get his way. He was that child who yelled at the top of his lungs as his body went limp because he didn’t want to leave the store until his request had been filled. He was that child, who while on punishment (time-out) would keep coming back out of the room until he wore you down.

Persistence and determination had already taken residence in this two year-old.  Strong-will and courage were just beginning to attach themselves to the character of this little lion cub of ours, too.  Lord, I can clearly see that Proverbs 13:24 will definitely be in affect alot sooner than I hoped. Lol!!!

And yet, he was that child who had a heart of compassion.  No matter the situation or time of day, I could always count on Don to come wrap his little arms around my neck as he uttered those wonderful four little words…”I love you, Mommy!”

One evening, my husband and I were headed home, so we decided to walk until the bus arrived. Donovan, was enjoying his ride in the stroller at this time. Approaching us, however, was a homeless man who had his hand out and asked if we could give him a dollar. Like most times, I was skeptical as to whether this beggar was sincere or not. I shared this uncomfortable feeling with my husband and we told the man that we didn’t have it. Either we were delirously tired or feeling an enormous amount of guilt because from underneath the stoller canopy we heard “give him food stamps, mommy.”  My husband and I looked at each other in horror.  Who said that? How did this child know that I had food stamps in my pocket? Even more so what in the world does a toddler know about sharing?   From that day on, I knew there was something special about this little mouthy tike!

Don has since grown up and is still conitnuing to use the words that the LORD gives him as a tool of encouragement to others. See for yourself at www.myspace.com/dapreacha16

Peace and blessings!

Take No Thought

September 11, 2007

“Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?  Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?  (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” Matthew 6:30-32

Oftentimes, I tell myself “I’m taking my burdens to the Lord and leaving them right there”. Truthfully, it’s only at that brief moment, when I am on my knees, that I present Him with my full plate of intertwined noodle-baked trials and tribulations. Then the ‘what if’ syndrome became overwhelming, the situations replayed themselves over and over like a broken record. Then I, with my head bowed, lips quietly moving in prayer, keep one hand on the plate… instead of letting go!

Am I afraid that my plate is too full for Almighty God? Do I think He needs my help sorting it all out? Why must I know how things are gonna turn out ahead of time? What does God have to say about my lack of trust in Him? When did my faith turn to fear?

I went to sleep with several concerns on my heart that night, including a friend who was hurting deeply.  So I asked God how could I be a source of encouragement to her the next time we talked. He showed me how oftentimes when she’d began to share her troubles/trials with me, I’d begin to talk about my own plate of troubles. After pondering my motive for doing that, this was my answer: I wanted her to see that her situation could be a lot worse than it actually had been.

Instead of being a single parent with one child that needed support, she could be married with 5 children needing support. Instead of having a small home that was paid for, she could be living month to month (wondering when the Sheriff would be putting the foreclosure notice on the front door for all the world to see). Instead of having a shortage of finances, she could have no finances or have to depend on welfare (and the stigma that comes along with it). I thought to myself, “Lord, do I respond to my circumstances the same way?”  Truth be told, excess heartaches, trials and tribulations could be added to our plates on a daily basis, but God gives us only what we can bear.

The next morning my bank account balance was $37.50. I looked in the freezer there was one whole chicken, a pack of chicken legs and a turkey from the previous Christmas (that will probably take 3 days to thaw properly and if I take it out now it can be dinner for Thursday). Thank God my 6 children will get a free hot dog meal on Friday at a church fellowship. Since I didn’t have the privilege of sending my children to nearby relatives for a meal, I had to trust the Lord to provide for the remainder of the week. I could go on about my cupboards, but based on Matthew 6:25-26,  I know without a shadow of doubt that God will provide for my family just like He does the birds.

God wants our full plate because He knows best how to handle it. Don’t pray and worry, it’s offensive to our God. Let’s take both hands off the plate and raise them in the air with thankful lips of praise, knowing that the outcome is working together for our good!

–
Father your wisdom and foresight go well beyond my human comprehension. Help me not to be mislead by what my eyes can see. Help me to trust that you have all the means to provide exceedingly abundantly above all I can ever imagine. In Jesus’ name- Amen