Celebrate!

Day 42: Celebrate!

I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.

Psalm 9:1

I realized that I was waiting for some future great moment to celebrate. I wanted to achieve something great and then celebrate. But I realized that we must choose to celebrate regularly. Imagine if you were waiting till your 25th wedding anniversary to celebrate but your spouse became sick and passed away before anniversary 20. While you may choose to do special things when you can afford them you shouldn’t put off celebrating in ways you can afford.

Today I am grateful for the 88 years of life my mother has lived. She has loved so much and impacted so many that it would be a shame not to celebrate her 88th because I’m waiting for her 90th. Celebrate that you made it through today! Celebrate that God answered the prayer you prayed two days ago. Be grateful for the blessings that you have at this moment. Honey Pig Birthday (1 of 1)-9

I’ve found that what you focus on grows. Just like when you all of a sudden start to see so many cars of the same model as yours once you have purchased it you will see many reasons to celebrate once you start looking for them. And you will be happier and healthier as a result.

Today I choose to count my blessings and celebrate them!

Thank you for reading. Please share and subscribe. It is good to share Goodnews!

October 26, 2019

Day 41: I Need You

joshua-oluwagbemiga-05Oe0Z8Ls3k-unsplash — Photo by Joshua Oluwagbemiga on Unsplash

Day 41: I Need You

32And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets, 33who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, 34quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. 35Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection. 36Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. 37They were put to death by stoning; ^e they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— 38the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.

39These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised, 40since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Hebrews 11:32-40

Do you realize that one day you will say something that will completely change someone else’s life? You therefore also have the potential not to as well. It’s up to you. You are needed! In Hebrews chapter 11 we read about some amazing heroes of the faith. They performed miracles. They endured the worst torture for the sake of the Gospel. But God’s plan means that only together with us would they be made perfect. In other words, there’s some stuff that we’ve got to do.

There are some heroes of the faith yet today. There are miracles still to come. There are lives that need changing. You are important!!! You have a purpose. I need you! Many people need what you have to offer. Let this reality renew your sense of purpose.

It’s easy to become discouraged. I was there this week. And God blessed me to find an encourager to help me finish making it through the day. I am not alone. Maybe you have needed emergency encouragement. There are lives to save. There are hearts that need healing. I need you and they need you.

God loves when his children care for one another.

⁷Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God.

⁸He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.

I John 4:7-8

One evidence that we are born of God is that we love one another.

So today, I will give what I know I need–unconditional love. I’ll do it because of my daddy–He is love and loving is what we do! I’ll look for opportunities to share love. I need you. We need you. Give your love today and watch it spread like a wild fire.

October 25, 2019

Health To Your Bones

annie-spratt-BpjFP2BJYTc-unsplash — Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Day 40: Health To Your Bones

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Proverbs 3:7-8

Sometimes it can be sickening to see people doing wrong and getting away with it. In our world today more and more is made of results. We look for evidence based practices in education and business. But often we ignore moral failings if our bottom line is increased.

The Bible seems, however, to suggest that in the ultimate sense fearing the Lord will bless you with health. So one might be clever in strategy and create vast sums of money but there is a side effect to evil in the long run. We will not find the complete sense of health if we don’t respect the Lord and turn from evil doing.

While all have sinned we should not become comfortable putting aside morality so we can make a buck.

In Matthew 6 we read:

¹⁹“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Each day I feel more and more a longing for heaven. So today, I am going to look for ways to store up treasure for heaven. And this pursuit will bring healing to my bones.

Thanks for reading. Please share and subscribe.

October 25, 2019October 25, 2019

No Magic

Day 39: No Magic

Have you ever wanted to believe in magic? Me too. But God is not magic!!! I have hurt myself listening to and buying into those that sell a “magical” religious experience. We are blessed to be loved by Our Heavenly Father. He has created us and given us this moment of life. He has given us the bible to help us learn about Him. We are able to study the bible and pray, asking for wisdom and the gift of His Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth. God invites us to come boldly to His Throne Of Grace. We are invited to pray. When we pray God can answer the prayer as He chooses. He isn’t forced to do what we want. We trust that based upon His character and His love for us that He will give us the best answer for our prayer.

I don’t want to read any more stories about people becoming wealthy by convincing the sincere to send them a substantial seed that ends up making those people rich. I am impressed by those who provide a valuable service or great innovation who then are rewarded with financial gain. But I am saddened by those who learn our emotional responses and then manipulate them to make themselves wealthy. Worse yet when it’s done in the name of God it makes me sick.
Today I refuse to be deceived. I will seek God for myself. I will pray. I will read His word. I will trust Him. I won’t run after magic!

October 23, 2019

The Little Things

ben-white-qDY9ahp0Mto-unsplash — Photo by Ben White on Unsplash

Day 37: The Little Things

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 18:21

Something so small as the tongue can make a huge impact. A little rudder can guide the big ship. And the little things we do daily and largely affect the big outcomes of our life. And if we want to be healthy we have to pay attention to them.

I like to have a peaceful life. I don’t like a lot of drama. But I realize that I have to pay attention to details that will affect the quality of singing I do and the quality of teaching I give. There’s nothing like having someone sign a song you’ve written to bring out the importance of details.

I have many gifted friends who play piano better than me. But when I have asked them to play a song I’ve written I realize that there are a lot of nuances–details that they may hear but not include in their performance or they may not notice. The little counter theme or the voicing in the left hand that I’ve chosen were because they made me feel a certain way and added to the message of the song.

Our health, both physical and spiritual depend on many little things. I would encourage you to become vigilant about the details of your health.

Today, I will pay attention to my daily habits and see how I can change them to improve my health.

Thank you for joining me on this 100 day journey to healing. Please subscribe and share.

I love you all.

October 22, 2019October 22, 2019

Mom

Day 38: Mom

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Proverbs 31:30

I love my mom! She is phenomenal!!! And as I continue on this 100 days of sharing on healing it is most appropriate today, on her 88th birthday, to acknowledge all that she has meant to me and all the love and healing she has brought my way.

She has been an encourager. Whether it was music or ministry or whatever dream or vision I was pursuing she always has been there to encourage me. She never gives up. And she deserves unlimited praise for all the times others would have lost hope and yet she continued to love and support. Thank you mom!

She has been an example of relentless service as she took care of my stepfather over the last two years of his battle with dementia. I was worried that she would wear out but she didn’t. AMAZING!!!

Always there helping with her grandchildren. Baking banana bread for friends and family. Cooking soup for those who might stop by. Making sure I had whatever I needed to survive what ever I might be going through. Truly, God has loved me so much through my mother that I should be ashamed to complain about life’s challenges.

Today, on her 88th birthday I want to say how much I love her, admire her, and hope to yet make her proud in the days God has given me to live upon this earth. Love you, mom!

October 20, 2019

Fighting Depression

Day 36: Fighting Depression

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

Philippians 4:8

Depression comes to visit me more often than I’d like. When it comes I can’t seem to find satisfaction in anything. I can exercise and feel a bit better. I can take supplements and feel a bit better. But I admit that I’m not able to get rid of it right away when it comes.

So what is the remedy. The bible encourages us to thing about uplifting things. I’m sure part of my feelings of depression are from what I’ve heard and read over the past few days. There is so much corruption. And then there is so much deception. It becomes difficult to even know who is telling the truth. This makes my heart so sad.

And I suppose at the core of my feeling is wanting to know that what I’m doing counts. I want to know that my presence matters. I want to know that I’m making a difference in the world, in someone else’s life.

So I’m sharing a word of encouragement to you that encourages me as well. Try this. Think of someone who needs your help. Then help them. Don’t you feel better? I do. I’m writing every day for 100 days because I want to encourage those in my sphere of influence. We can heal. We can feel better. We can do better. God will help us. We will help each other. And knowing that makes me feel better.

Today, I will help someone and I will feel better as I bless them.

Thank you for reading.

I love you all.

October 19, 2019October 19, 2019

The True Church

Day 35: The True Church

Many beautiful structures around the world have housed services paying homage to the Creator of the Universe. But it seems that the meaning of church was transferred from the “Called Out” ones to a physical structure. As much as I enjoy stained glass windows and gothic pillars I know I am called out of the darkness of this world to be part of a group of people who make up the body of Christ.

We find our purpose as we work together as the body of Christ.

You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house^[a] to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

I Peter 2:5

4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.

Romans 12:4-5

We find completeness as the body of Christ. We help each other. We work together. We are the church.

Today I will focus on the living, breathing church!

October 18, 2019October 18, 2019

Try Kindness

Day 34: Try Kindness

My son and I were talking in the car yesterday afternoon. He said that one of the adults at school had told him that I was kind. The funny thing is I don’t remember what they are talking about.

They referred to a time almost thirty years ago when we were both working for the same company. I don’t remember it but that’s because it is my intention and habit to be kind. And the truth is you never know when or where that kindness may return to you.

My mother returned two days ago from a trip to Jamaica. As she was in the airport a young man greeted her and struck up conversation. He then surprised her by saying her last name. She was so surprised! She asked how it was that he knew her.

He said, “You are the mother of the only baritone who sings a high C.” While I am sure that there are several gifted baritones with a wide range it was nice of him to compliment her through me in that way. I could hear her repeating the story several times on the phone.

Kindness can mend a broken heart. Life and death and certainly healing are in the power of the tongue. Use it wisely.

Today, I will be generous with kindness.

October 17, 2019

Seasons Change

Elijah (1 of 1) — I took this picture when Congressman Elijah Cummings came to speak at 19th Street Baptist Church in Washington DC where I was serving in music ministry

Day 33: Seasons Change

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens:

²a time to be born and a time to die,

a time to plant and a time to uproot,
³a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,
⁴a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,
⁵a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
⁶a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,
⁷a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,
⁸a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I learned of the passing of Congressman Elijah Cummings this morning. Yesterday I learned of the passing of a great singer from 19th Street Baptist, Deacon Emeritus Walter Jackson. In our lives death comes. Solomon said that there was a season for every activity under the son.

Sometimes we hurt ourselves when we resist the seasons. Sometimes it will be time to move to a new job or house. Sometimes your assignment will have a different location. Relationships may change. God is still good, but seasons change.

We must learn to be content as we progress through the seasons.

¹¹I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. ¹²I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. ¹³I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Phillipians 4:11-13

The secret is knowing we can do all through the strength of our Savior.

Today I accept what I cannot change-that seasons change.