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When Your Heart Needs a Little More Healing Than You Thought

By
Alecia M. White
-
heart matters

My house is an older house and all of my outlets were two-prong instead of three. We recently had an electrician come to switch them all over. From the information he was given, he only needed to change the outlets. He’d be out on Tuesday and the job would take about 4 hours.

The guy gets to my house on that Tuesday at about 9:00 am and gets right to work. He goes to the basement to cut the power and notices that my breaker box would need to be replaced. This was important because it’s where all my electricity runs through and if this thing were to go out, I’d have a huge problem. He decided to fix that at the end and go ahead with the initial plan.

Real Heart Matters Run Deep

tired burned outAs he began removing outlets, he noticed that the wiring was old as well. Once he began removing stuff, wires started crumbling right in his hands. It was so bad that he asked me if I was sure I hadn’t had any power outages and said it was a wonder that I hadn’t had any fires (imagine my horror).

What started out being a 4-hour job, quickly became two days. By the time he was finished, it’d taken him five workdays (6-8 hours each day). Whoa… I know. This meant that not only was he and his coworker at my house for five days, but I also had to be there. It gave me a bit of anxiety. You know, not only having to be in my space but someone I didn’t know being there as well. I spent most of the time in my bedroom and I was exhausted, bothered, and ready for them to be done.

So, I did what any mature adult would do, I called my mom. She listened then calmed me down (because I threw a tantrum). She helped me to rationalize that this was a good thing, a necessary thing. My home was being improved, upgraded, and taken care of. The time would be worth it. The isolation would be worth it. I’d be safer and I would have something to show for it.

Y’all know I needed all of that because, well, I wasn’t mentally prepared to devote an entire week to sitting in my bedroom while strangers pulled my house apart.

Healing is Coming for Your Heart Matters

heartMany times, we’ll find that our lives are much like my house. No, not the old part, but the part where we need some maintenance done.

There will be times when we decide to do some self-improving and find that our issues are much deeper and severe than we were prepared for. You know, like the old wiring in my house. We may even notice that our breaker box (our heart) needs some healing.

See, we may ignore or neglect our own heart matters for so long that they worsen over time. Frustration with that one person may become resentment. Feelings of offense can lead to unforgiveness. All that shutting people out can easily lead to feelings of loneliness. Yep, that’s bad wiring, and you may not even notice it until you set out to fix a surface-level problem. And, just like that, you’ll be caught off guard and led down a road that you were unprepared to travel.

You may experience some isolation, the way I did, sitting in my room. But, there are some things that God cannot rid us of until there are no outside distractions.

So, What’s the Play Call?

I know it’s tough to see yourself this way, but it’s necessary. Here are some things to recall when you need a little more work than you thought you did:

  1. Ask God to search your heart. Just as I had no idea of the condition of the wiring in my house, you won’t know the actual condition of your heart until you ask the Expert to search you. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:” Psalms 139:23
  2. Let God clean your heart. Many of the things that plague us lead to heart matters. This is why we must willingly allow God to cleanse us. “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10
  3. Ask God to help you cope. Listen, there were a billion times in that 5-day period that I had to ask God to help me deal with what was going on. Anxiety started to set in, I was upset and tired. We experience these same emotions when there is construction going on inside of us. “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10
  4. Don’t let anxious thoughts get the better of you. Thoughts are something else, aren’t they? I mean, all it takes is one and we’re headed off the deep end. Let God give you peace. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV)

Please note that you are being improved, upgraded, and taken care of. The time will be worth it. The isolation will be worth it. You will be safer, and you’ll have something better to show for it.

The Work of the Church: Serving the King and the Least of These

By
Andrea Matthews
-
service
Photo credit: Matthew Woitunski

Church Work vs. Service to Others

serviceAre you in a rut? The Christian kind — when you serve all day or all week at church, but don’t really feel like you’re touching the heart of your King? Does your true service to others feel non-existent?

I found 5 areas where we are called to serve that directly blesses Him. But, don’t take my word for it, read it from Christ Himself:

“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me…Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” Matthew 25: 35-36, 40

Often times, we underestimate the power of kindness shown in secret. Work done outside the four walls of the church, unnoticed and without immediate reward, seems worthless or worth less than holding down the position of usher, deacon, greeter or Sunday school teacher.

But, Christ gives us simple examples of how to serve Him. He values our actions towards those whom the world views as less than valuable. I encourage you to read through this section of scripture and ask God to show you literal ways to serve Him by serving those around you.

Christian Church Work: How Can We Be Your Hands and Feet, Lord?

When I asked Him this question, here’s what He shared with me. As you go about your day, search for:

Those who are hungry and thirsty

I live in a decent-sized city, so it’s not difficult for me to find people carrying cardboard signs exclaiming their hunger. There is an incredible physical need in this world to combat poverty. Our bodies can’t function to the fullest without proper nutrition, but what often goes unnoticed is nourishment for our malnourished souls.

Did you know that you can eat and still be hungry? You can drink and still be thirsty? Jesus met a woman at a well and introduced her to Himself, a well that would never run dry (John 4:14). It might seem easier to buy a sandwich for someone to satisfy their growling belly, but let’s not forget to stay focused on giving the gift of Jesus Christ that will satisfy their soul.

Those who are left out

We all desire community. It’s a basic necessity, according to Psychologist Abraham Maslow’s renowned pyramid of needs. People want to belong and feel as if someone cares about them. Perhaps the term stranger didn’t necessarily refer to someone outside the body of Christ, but rather inside.

Is there someone in your congregation who always sits alone? Let’s always be willing to expand the boundaries of the circles we keep by welcoming and serving others.

Those without a covering

Practically, there is immense value in clothing someone. My daughter and I were taking a walk to the store and we passed by a man who appeared to be homeless. His clothes were dirty and full of holes. My heart hurt because I didn’t have the money to buy him a new shirt or pair of pants.

The Lord heard my cry and reminded me of another way I could cover this man, in prayer. What a beautiful reflection of Christ — to cover someone especially when you’ve seen their shame.

Those who are sick

God is the same yesterday, today and forever. The same power that raised Jesus Christ from the dead lives in us, and we have the privilege of declaring healing over every sickness and disease. This is the absolute truth, but in the verse above, Jesus described service to the sick as “looking after Me” not “healing Me”. Let’s ultimately believe God for healing, but remain compassionate caregivers to those in need during the process.

Those who are bound

I’ve always admired those who worked in prison ministries. They cast out judgment and fear to speak life to those whose lives are lived behind bars. I have never had the opportunity to actually go to a prison, but I have had the experience of being bound myself.

When I see that someone is bound by the enemy, I don’t stand tall in my new place of freedom and look down upon them. I visit them, the same way Jesus visited me in my own pit. It’s entirely humbling and uncomfortable at times, but it brings honor and glory to our King and freedom to our brothers and sisters.

So, What’s the Play Call?

I pray that we would always be mindful of Christ’s definition of service. As we grow in our walk with the Lord, let us not ever forget to honor the least of these by serving others, because in doing so, we honor our great and mighty King.

Holding Water: Our Role as Love Covers a Multitude of Sins

By
Kim Brightness
-
love covers a multitude of sins

I’ve Got a Testimony – About You!

love covers a multitude of sinsWhen presented with the opportunity to tell your “testimony” or experience, can you recognize the opportunity to show love through silence to those who’ve offended you?

Yes, you’ve been through some terrible trials and tribulations. We’ve got blow-by-blow accounts of what “they” did and said, and some of us have the scars and scabs to show just how deeply we were hurt. And, “they” were wrong. Dead wrong.

But, thanks be to God – it’s a new day! You’ve done the work and reached the benediction of forgiveness, and you’re growing in grace and peace. Awesome.

One day, you’re asked about the experience or this person, directly. You know that in order to tell the “whole” truth, it would require casting the one who hurt you in a negative, disparaging light. It will drastically shift opinions about that person, or perhaps cause them to take a hit financially or in their relationships with others.

What do you do? Do you run and tell it, or do you hold water?

A Time to Tell It, A Time to Hold It

To EVERYTHING there is a time and a season – including silence and speaking (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

There are times when we are to definitely “cry loud, and spare not (Isaiah 58:1).” There are times when only the most extreme honesty and transparency will allow the healing process and needed change to begin. There are times when one-on-one confrontation in black and white is necessary to bring resolution to real problems (Matthew 18:15).

And, there are also times when everything we know and feel doesn’t need to be said.

This is why listening to a loving Holy Spirit who lives within (Romans 8:10-11) is so important. With discernment and a submitted tongue, we will all know if and when it’s time to spill the beans, or when it’s time to join OUR love with God, who is Love, to cover a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Co-labor with God Under Someone’s Cover

love covers a multitude of sinsThis is what we’re talking about today, Team. Did you know that we can prematurely un-cover our brothers and sisters while God is doing surgery on them under the covers of love? Who would ever break into an operating room and yank the covers off the patient – or worse yet, pull them down from the operating table while surgery’s in progress?

Team, we must respect God’s individual plans for our lives and understand that we are all in process at different times, in different ways.

Therefore, even when what we have to say is true, we cannot sacrifice the character of others because we are right. And, God will always let us know when we’re about to do so. You’ll feel that hesitation in your spirit that checks you – “Don’t say that, here’s wisdom on how to glorify Me without exposing them.”

The key is dying to self-righteousness under the shadow of an all-righteous God.

But, I Can’t Hold Water

Oh yes, you can! Be aware of how the enemy fights against these moments to mirror God’s covering love. The sign lies in crucifying our flesh as it fights for the right…

  1. To be right.
  2. To show how right we are.
  3. To prove them wrong.
  4. To prove how wrong they are or were.

Though all four are problematic, can you see the difference between 1 and 3, and 2 and 4? Numbers 2 and 4 expose extreme cases of self-righteousness where we’re not just satisfied with being right or them being wrong. There’s a stronghold churning within, laced with insecurities, where the level of our rightness has become an idol to our identity. When God wants us to cover someone’s faults, our right to be right must be humbled under the will of God. He is giving us a beautiful chance to work with Him; He’s not working against us.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Maximize your moments to exercise love one to another by honoring your opportunities to cover one another’s faults – just as God’s love covers yours. Remember, when you sow covering, you reap covering (Galatians 6:7).

When God’s will calls for us to “hold water”, we must keep matters confidential – even when the matter is a part of our own experiences. Give every hurtful, sad, angry event, and experience over to God – it belongs to you now, Lord!

Count it all a greater joy to collaborate with God and His will for others, than to “be right” by wrongfully exposing your brother or sister.

Play nice with your sister or brother’s cover – you never know when you will need to borrow it.

In Jesus’ name, God bless!

 

Little Things Can Lead to Big Success or Big Headaches

By
Keiston France
-
little things

I am always amazed at how disciplined wrestlers are. They say no to the goodies brought to class for birthdays and only eat a small portion of huge holiday meals. Wrestlers watch every item that goes into their mouth and weigh the pros and cons of each bite when cutting weight to qualify for their weight class. Then, after the season ends, they go back to a less regimented lifestyle.

As Christians, do we guard our hearts with such care or do we only do it for a short period? Do we watch every item that enters our ears, eyes, and minds? There are so many things in this world that we could live without. Not everything seems bad, but the bigger question is, “Is it good?” If it is not bringing us closer in our relationship with Jesus, then it is taking us away from Him (James 4:4,8).

Little Things Need Big Attention

pornographyIs this a movie I would be comfortable watching with Him (God) sitting next to me, or music I would listen to with Him, or a book that I would read with Him? If not, then it is probably not something I need to do.

Life is full of choices every day. Someone once told me that I didn’t need to pray about every little thing, but that’s not true. God wants us to pray about everything, even the little things. It is those little things that we ignore that can slowly take us farther away from the person He wants us to be.

What if those wrestlers ate everything that wasn’t high in calories? It would still eventually add up to a lot of calories. The same is true for our small choices. They can be our success or downfall.

Today, I challenge you to really pay attention to everything around you that influences your life, your thoughts, and your relationship with Jesus. Then, fill your mind with things that honor God. In the end, you will be blessed and He will be glorified. Think about it.

So, What’s The Play Call?

  1. Is there something in your life that is keeping you from drawing closer to God?
  2. What can you do to make it easier to make good choices?
  3. In your life, do you have people who can be good sounding boards or can help you down the right path?

 

Church IS Essential: SCOTUS Gets It Right on Religious Liberty

By
Christianity Today
-
evangelicals

supreme courtRecently, the Supreme Court issued injunctive relief to houses of worship challenging New York City’s COVID-19 restrictions on in-person gatherings, the first time it has granted such relief during the pandemic. I have mixed views about the decision and early reactions to it.

First, I don’t think this decision is as momentous as commentators are suggesting. It is fairly fact-specific injunctive relief, and the nature and scope of pandemic orders vary greatly around the country. It’s hard to generalize much from this decision, and I’m concerned that public messaging about it will fuel a broader culture wars narrative from religious leaders like John MacArthur who insist “there is no pandemic” and continue to hold services for 7,000 unmasked people. An injunction against a 25-person cap is not a green light to return to regular worship. Given the current state of the pandemic, it’s not even a yellow light.

The dire rates of transmission we’re seeing all around the country, the Thanksgiving holiday travel, and our growing awareness that indoor, in-person gatherings are a major cause of transmission all increase the likelihood that even more restrictions may be becoming. That’s another reason it’s best to view this order as limited and fact-specific.

That said, I think the Court’s decision is correct and offers some important observations. One of the most important is that these shutdown orders cause irreparable harm because they restrict First Amendment freedoms—and that virtual worship is not a constitutionally sufficient alternative. In other words, worship is absolutely an “essential activity” and to say otherwise is constitutionally incorrect …

Continue reading…

5 Tips to Overcome Holiday Blues and Walk in Peace & Joy

By
Jeannette Tyson
-
leftovers
Photo CountryLiving

It’s that time of year again, Team – the holidays. Typically, people either love or hate the holiday season because it has a way of making us examine our lives. It might have something to do with it being the end of the year, maybe we’re faced with the reality of what we did or didn’t accomplish and why. Or, it could be that the cold and darker days slow us down long enough to take stock of what and who really matter.

If you have a great family and a cool job, it means so much more, and if not, it seems to hurt so much worse. Let’s touch and agree that we will beat any holiday blues this year and walk in the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7).

Don’t Let Holiday Blues Steal Your Joy

holiday bluesPut the holiday blues in its rightful place this season – far away from your heart and mind – and find peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13):

1. Redefine the holidays and what they mean to you.

There are no rules; create your own traditions no matter what the holiday season looks like. Maybe on Christmas, instead of opening gifts and loading up on carbs, you take a hike or go to the spa. Maybe you and your friends and family could have a game night or binge watch old movies. We don’t have to be pressured into the commercialized version of the holidays or try and relive or upstage our childhood memories. Even if you have kids, you can do what is best for your mental health and budget.

2. Volunteer and give back.

I know there are a lot of restrictions right now with COVID-19. The shelters and soup kitchens may not allow volunteers to serve as they have in the past. Still, there are many other ways to give back. You can start a coat or toy drive for families in need. You could send cards to the elderly in senior homes. There are so many ways to be a blessing to others. Do some research to see where you might be able to help. When we give to those in need, we give to God (Matthew 25:40). Giving does something for your soul, it truly makes you feel good. Acts 20:35 says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”

3. Get outside.

I know it’s getting cold, Team, but if you can, you should get outside. The winter months tend to turn us into little hermit crabs, but being inside too much can have an effect on you. If you like the lights, there are a lot of drive-through light shows during this time, so take a cup of hot cocoa and enjoy. Of course, there are plenty of non-holiday themed activities, but the point is to stay active. If you don’t have anyone to go with you then maybe go to your favorite café and do a Zoom coffee date. Go to a drive-in movie theatre or create a playlist and take a drive. I know it gets dark early – but live a little!

4. Don’t feel like you’re a bother, stay connected.

For some reason, we try not to reach out to our friends as much during the holiday season because we feel like they’re too busy or we don’t want to seem needy. This is ridiculous! Your friends love you, let them be there for you. As someone who doesn’t live near family, I struggled with this for a while, but I realized that God blessed me with these connections for a reason. It’s okay to lean on them.

5. Consider everything you do have and be grateful.

Maybe you don’t have your dream job, but you have a wonderful family or spouse. Maybe you’re single this year, but you have a great job and a lot of awesome friends. Maybe you’re not able to see your friends and family because of COVID-19, but you have your health and sanity – plus you can video chat with them. Refuse to focus on the things you wished were different and appreciate all that is a blessing in your world.

Negative thoughts sometimes get triggered by random things, and it’s usually subtle, but be mindful to redirect the negativity. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think on things which are lovely, of a good report and praiseworthy. This doesn’t always come easy. It happens when we intentionally disrupt and redirect bad thoughts.

We have to train our minds to stay positive; we can choose joy! Meditation is a powerful tool that works in you to transform your thinking.

So, What’s the Play Call?

Victory over holiday blues is ours for the taking. When you’re finding it difficult to stay positive, happy, or joyful, meditate on Romans 15:13:

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Be Blessed!

 

Delays on the Road to Destiny and How to Stay Encouraged

By
Alecia M. White
-
destiny

It was pretty nice here one evening, so my sister, niece, and I decided to walk to get food and milkshakes at this really cool milkshake place instead of driving. It was an amazing 74 degrees – perfect weather for a walk and good food, right? We picked up our shakes and grabbed our food and started the journey back home.

Now, the original walk was maybe 15 minutes from the house so no big deal getting back, right? Wrong! On the way home, a train that frequents that side of town was stopped on the tracks. Typically, it moves after about ten minutes or so, so we just decided to wait.

Well, after about 15 minutes we sat down, and after 25 minutes, we got discouraged. We ended up waiting about 40 minutes and that train never moved. As we sat, though, we saw folks climbing between the train cars to get by and even saw a couple of dudes crawl under the train. Of course, we were mortified because that was dangerous and not very smart. I mean, what if the train started moving again when they began their shortcut?

Needless to say, we decided against it. Anyhoo, after our 40-minute wait, the train still hadn’t moved so we took the long way home. This meant going back toward the way we’d just come from and then an extra 3 blocks out of the way. So, our 15-minute walk back home became about an hour and a half. We were tired and hungry again because remember, we’d just picked up our food. By the time we finally got back to the house, we’d gotten in way more steps than we intended to, but we were safe.

Your Destiny May be Delayed, but Not Denied

destinyAlright, let’s get to it. In life, there will be many roads to travel, many plans made, and routes mapped out to make it along those roads. So often, though, we don’t think to take into account the “trains” that may stop in our way.

There are times that we even decide to wait it out, convincing ourselves that it won’t be long before that obstacle moves. We watch as others take short cuts and move around and under the trains that we feel should move at any time. When they don’t, we get discouraged.

There have been times when I felt I had to take the longer route to my destiny. I felt that the route that I’d taken caused me to go beyond where I should actually be and by the time I arrived, I was tired and unmotivated. What made me even more discouraged was seeing others who seemed to have passed me on my route. I have had to learn (still learning) that the longer the route and the harder I work to get where I’m going, the more commitment I should have after making it. See, the fact remains that, no matter how long it takes you to get there, you will make it. You even get some free “exercise” along the way.

So, What’s the Play Call?

I know it gets discouraging as you watch road-blocks park themselves in front of you. Don’t give up. Here are a few things to keep in mind as you travel those extra blocks to get where you’re going: 

  1. Let your faith lead you. Often, when we are discouraged, we fail to see the “big picture” that got us started in the first place. This is why we are called to “walk by faith”. “For we walk by faith, not by sight;” 2 Corinthians 5:7
  2. Do not let the paths or progression of others throw you off. Again, discouragement causes us to be blinded by everything but the end result. Seeing all those folks climb over and under the train was frustrating (mainly because it was stupid) because they were getting where they were going the wrong way while we waited to do it right. Know that if you follow Christ, you will not be led in the wrong direction. “In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6
  3. Take the freebies. You know, the things you learn and gain accidentally, on purpose, as you travel your path. All those life lessons that God has been trying to get us to learn for years that only made sense once you “went through it”. “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes.” Psalms 119:71

No matter what train you are facing right now, know that God always has a way. Just because it has not moved, does not mean your destiny stops here.

 

There’s No Pandemic Pause in Religious Persecution, Says Poland Ministerial

By
Christianity Today
-
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs Republic of Poland

The cause of international religious freedom has gone more international.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the third Ministerial to Advance Freedom of Religion or Belief was hosted this week outside the United States for the first time—in Poland.

Next year it will take place in Brazil.

Launched in 2018 by the US State Department, the ministerial brings together the world’s top diplomats to ensure religious freedom remains an integral focus of international foreign policy.

The focus is necessary: 80 percent of the world’s population lives in nations that restrict religious freedom, according to the Pew Research Center.

And the pandemic has only increased persecution.

“Malign actors have tried to use COVID-19 to restrict religious freedom,” said Sam Brownback, US ambassador-at-large for international religious freedom.

“The need to expand religious freedoms and protect religious minorities has become a global priority.”

The novel coronavirus took center stage at the two-day conference, hosted virtually by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Gayle Manchin, chair of the US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF), said restrictions on religion began as early as March.

She cited several examples:

  • In Sri Lanka, authorities ignored Muslim objections to cremation, despite health assurances there could be no transmission from a cadaver.
  • In South Korea, the government moved against the Shincheonji Church of Jesus sect after it became the center of the nation’s initial outbreak.
  • In Iran, despite a widespread release of prisoners that included some Christians, officials transferred Sufi Muslim prisoners into wards with known cases of COVID-19.
  • Saudi Arabia restricted movement in its Shiite-majority eastern Qatif region, wary of early widespread infection in Iran.

Continue reading…

How to Trust God with Your Future

By
Tamsyn Cornelius
-
trust god

The Giver of Hope and a Future

trust godWhen we first come into a relationship with Jesus, there is nothing sweeter than feeling His presence and knowing that we have been granted access to the Father 24/7. It’s such an amazing discovery – as if everything else we believed before that moment was a lie, keeping us at a distance from the overwhelming reality of who God is.

I remember the day like it was yesterday. At just 10 years old, I first encountered the irresistible love of God. I knew instantly that I wanted to spend my life pursuing an intimate walk with Him.

My journey with Jesus has spanned over two decades and has had many highs and lows. It has been far from perfect and I often lose my way. Sometimes I ignored the still small voice beckoning me to draw close and spend time with the Father. But even in the midst of my stubbornness and lack of direction, I know that God patiently waits for me.

Do Life With God

trust godDaily He tugs at my heart, reminding me of the promises He has for me… That life is so much better when He is the Captain of my ship.

You see, God wants to do this life with us. As a Father, He longs to see us living to our full potential and operating from a place of trust in His plan for our lives. As we learn to let go and safely surrender our plans to God, we find that our future becomes more secure and we discover the hidden mystery of holding on to the promises of God – through all seasons of life.

In times of difficulty and strife, I am reminded that God is always there leading me; He’s always guiding me towards righteousness and nudging me into the direction He has for me. “It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed,” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

So, What’s The Play Call?

In the changing seasons of life, how do we stay committed and trust God with our families, our careers, our decisions, our future?

  1. There is power in remembrance. When we are concerned about our future endeavors, we need to remember the times that God has come through for us previously. Rest assured that He is still faithful and that He will do it again.
  2. Push through the chaos. Sometimes God’s voice may seem muffled by the noise of everyday life. We may get busy and forget to spend time with Him. We get distracted, we doubt, we fear. Push through the noise and find the peace that only God has to offer. When we are worried about our future, we need to rest in the peace of God and that He knows best. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 4:7).
  3. Prioritize time with Him. How can we trust Him if we do not get to know Him? We need to pray and spend time with God in order to understand His heart and plans for us. Schedule alone time with God today. Spend time praying, journaling or reading the Word of God – that which holds the secrets and mysteries of eternal life and the hope that will secure our future. Press in and find out what God has in store for you today…tomorrow…and for eternity.

Take heart, dear soul. We may not know what the future holds, but we can certainly rest assured that we know the One who holds the future.

 

Review: New Netflix Series “Voices of Fire” Sparks a Joyful Noise Unto the Lord

By
Kim Brightness
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Voices of Fire Set to Bring the Praise to Netflix

VOICES OF FIRE
VOICES OF FIRE. Cr. ANTONY PLATT/NETFLIX © 2020

It all started with a dream. Build the world’s most inspiring, multi-cultural, multi-ethnic, multi-background choir, and share the beauty of gospel music around the world.

That’s the vision of Bishop Ezekiel Williams, Pharrell Williams’ uncle, that burns throughout the Netflix documentary, Voices of Fire. After 3,000 submissions and 300 invited auditionees, it’s time to see if this diverse, 75-voice gospel choir will come to fruition.

Debuting November 20th, Voices of Fire takes viewers on a journey with Bishop Williams and his team of gospel music leaders and opens up the lives of everyday people from Hampton Roads Virginia, who are finally getting or seizing their opportunity to sing.

Dream Team Choir Leaders

The making of any real gospel choir requires key ingredients from its choir leadership staff.

You must have a lead musician (Larry George) who knows his way around a Hammond organ, and who can assemble a “churchy” band to bring the rich music, breaks, and style that supports a gospel choir.

A gospel music god-mother (or diva), who can “shonuff” sing and has lived to experience the evolution of gospel music groups and choirs, will always bring out the best in a new choir. Virginia’s Queen of Gospel, Peggy Britt, represents that element of wisdom to seal the authenticity of the gospel choir sound.

And how great can a real gospel choir be with a boring, unanimated choir director? Is a gospel choir really a gospel choir if the choir director doesn’t make you want to get up and make some Holy Ghost noise for Jesus? But better yet, Patrick Riddick, transforms gospel choir first-timers and veterans alike into praise machines who know how to follow direction, usher in the presence of God and leave everything on the table for each song.

Leaders Love

One thing that’s important to the body of Christ if you’re going to promote diversity and inclusion is love. The love and kindness that draw and unite people together must be front and center above any other mission or goal.

Bishop Williams and his team accomplish just that by treating everyone with respect and fairness, showing that you can have a “singing competition” without the drama and pettiness seen in many competition shows.

As you watch, take note of and put into practice how people who may not look and sound like the Bishop and his team, how people who weren’t raised in the black church, were treated. Love has a special impact

When Opportunity Knocks, Answer.

One of the most relatable aspects of Voices of Fire is the life stories of the regular, everyday people who come together in pursuit of joining the choir.

From receptionists, postal workers, to real estate agents and teachers, this microcosm of the world in Hampton Roads Virginia will speak to every viewer.

Voices of Fire pulls you into each choir member’s story and creates a special connection between their humanity and yours. As you follow their stories of pain, defeat, second chances, and triumph, you will see yourself and identify with their struggles and the pursuit of not letting another opportunity pass them by.

All of the diverse backstories give their collective voice greater meaning and inspiration.

As you watch Voices of Fire, put yourself on the screen, and ask:

  • What dream have I given up on because I thought it was too late?
  • What gift has God put inside of me that I thought I’d never have the right opportunity to use and bring others hope?
  • What’s been holding me back from living in my God-ordained purpose?

—

The new Netflix series is produced by:

  • A. Smith & Co. and i am OTHER
  • Executive Producer: Pharrell Williams and Mimi Valdés for i am OTHER
  • Executive Producer: Arthur Smith and Frank Sinton for A. Smith & Co.
  • Executive Producer: Bianca Barnes-Williams

Be sure to tune in to the global premiere on November 20, 2020, only on Netflix.

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