New Season – Israel Houghton!

The New Normal!!!

What is acceptable to one group of people can be unacceptable to another. Does this make them abnormal? If I thought on a different level about God and you thought on another level about Him, are we normal or abnormal? But if we had a revelation along the way that took us out of our old comfort zone and found peace in a new one, then we could agree that our different methods could yield the same results. We could both say that we reached a “New Normal.” A place now where we can learn to slow down and take life one day at time, enjoying each moment and appreciating the people around us and the time that we have with them. When you forgive, you lay the burden at God’s feet. Anger and bitterness are intangible but still heavy enough that you can feel. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Unforgiveness is baggage that affects all areas of our lives except the person you will not forgive. That person will go on while you stagnant and ignore the blessings that pass you by. I got the expression “New Normal” from a friend who experienced her share of rejections and hurts. But her spiritual relationship with God propelled her to a higher dimension that she learned to be patient and tolerant of others. Don’t misunderstand me, she will not put up with mess, yet she won’t be judgmental. One other thing, she will not be labeled, categorized, defined or stuck in anybody’s box. She knows what she wants and what it will take. Her goal is doing what is right in the sight of God. The “New Normal” is becoming a better person that will submit to the Will of God. The “New Normal” is treating all people with patience, respect and seeing that flicker of light (hope) that is in all of us. The “New Normal” is standing strong in the face of adversity and knowing that you are the conqueror. The “New Normal” will have many descriptions for each of us who are willing to step forward out of “what was” towards “what is.” That is being better men and women. I, for one, will stand beside her in this “New Normal.” “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” (1 Peter 5:6).

He Heals Me (Live) - India Arie & Idan Raichel

India is using her blessings wisely by sharing her God-given talents with the world. The comment below says it all. Real Love can make you feel that good. 
"I love this song.. When you find someone who you are willing to spend your life with & give all your love too, Keeping no walls up @ all, Someone you can trust with your heart & feelings, Someone who makes your heart beat even when your not around @ that moment but you can still feel the love from them more & more blowing over your heart... We have such a wonderful time when we're together... All he does is HEALS me... Thats Love & I am so thankful for him :~}"

News Flash!

This is an imitation of a news flash from Edgar R. Murrow, a famous newscaster from the 30s and 40's. Try to imagine it anyway. “This is South Carolina! My sources just gave me the rundown on a certain young couple that seems to be marinating over their future together. Their names will remain anonymous since I don't have all the facts.  Seems like the young man is already head over heals for her constant energy, sincere positive attitude and consistent spiritual development. Considering my sources that haven’t been reliable in the past, this information deserves a more critical view. I've heard that the young couple’s mantra is, ‘Take it one day at a time’. Not much to go on that, folks. Further details to follow in months to come. This is Edgar R. Murrow signing off.  Good night and good luck.”

Republican Voter Registration Fraud?

Allegedly.  Say it isn’t so?  Especially, not in Florida!  The same place some said that the 2000 Presidential Election was stolen because of the Chad counts.  Remember the controversial acts of the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN) in 2008?  Obama was running for President.   The Republicans demanded that all federal funding be withdrawn due to ACORN's widespread voter registration fraud.  Of course they tried to connect Obama to it but that didn’t work.  Negative publicity was brought in by James O’Keefe and Hannah Giles, two conservative activists, playing pimp and prostitute secretly recorded and videotaped conversations with some ACORN employees that was portrayed as criminal activity.  The Government Accounting Office cleared the employees and the federal funding was managed appropriated, but it was too late.  The deception and selective editing of the tapes was so damaging that ACORN had shut down by 2010.  Hence, the beginning of the Voter ID movement. Now the Republicans are doing the same thing and they weren’t set up!  Nathan Sproul, who runs the GOP consulting firm in Florida, said, "No matter what quality controls you have there are always going to be bad actors in any large scale operation."   A few bad apples?    ACORN was not any different, wait a minute, yes they were.  You know the answer.

How Well Are You Sowing Your Garden?

The Apostle Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:12,” For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”  It’s hard to remember this when you’re in the middle of a heated argument trying to prove your point.  We get overwhelmed such that we become blind to the person in front of us.  The person I see in front of me is the flesh I’m arguing with but it is also the same person I fell in love with.  Doubt and fear allowed negativity to enter into our love.  Evil divided what we had.  I believe strife can be avoided if you really try. The question is commitment.  Who are we committed to?  To ourselves or to our relationships?  Paul also said in Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.“  Relationships are what we make of them.  I compare them to gardening.  Some people are able to cultivate theirs into healthy gardens.  They sow their seeds in the right location with the right lighting, patiently nurturing them, spending time with them, and guiding them as they grow.  They keep them watered and clip away weeds that will choke them.  An apple tree by name is just a tree until it produces apples.  There are some people that are jealous of how well your garden is but they could have taken the time to take care of their own.  Not many opportunities come along that we can get a second chance.  And if an opportunity does come around, take it, and consider it a blessing.  Take time for the one you love, sow your seeds with divine grace, water it with the Holy Spirit, and keep your love in the light of God’s Precious Love.

I'm Gonna Be Ready - Yolanda Adams

A fresh Spring Breeze started my day off with this song! Thank God for April in the Fall!  Prepare my mind and prepare my heart for your blessing, O Lord!  You know what's best for me!!!