In God we Trust?

So many people are trying to take "God" out of everything. No nativity scenes, no Ten Commandments, no praying in schools, most recently no praying at inaugurations. But how about the money? I haven't heard about anyone trying to take the "In God We Trust" off the money. Why do you think that is? Well, I have a theory. Perhaps, folks figure that just in case there really is a God they don't really want to piss Him/Her/or It off when it comes to their almighty dollar. The souls and lives of children in the schools are one thing but MONEY, MONEY, MONEY? After all, they have their priorities.

Some of you...more in tuned with the news than myself may say, "Yes, there're after the In God We Trust too." Well, I say this to you. I bet you a dollar and one share of Krispy Kreme donut stock that the dollar bill will be the absolute last thing that these "God-outers" will change. Think about it.

People, places, and things

Included in an email to me was the following, "Out of personal interest, how did you find Chapel Hill (North Carolina) when you lived here? I've been a student at UNC for 4.5 years now and am always curious to know what others think of the area."

My reply? "I thought it was a bit jazzy with a historic Georgtown, DC flavor and trimmed with a twinge of not-so-subtle racism. Kind of like the Old South in drag. Some of the stories in my memoir, I Say A Prayer For Me, take place in and around Chapel Hill."

Gleaning Feast on THE WORD

In Biblical times, Ruth went to the fields daily to glean what crops the harvesters left behind. Thus, food for her and Naomi's table. Ruth even met her Kinsman Redeemer and husband, Boaz, during one of her gleaning outings but I'll leave that story to be told another day. In the meantime, I pray that you meet your Kinsman Redeemer, Jesus, during your gleaning adventure today.

I also pray that the Holy Spirit gives you the nourishment you desire, today, out of what He laid before us during the Feast on THE WORD Gathering held on 12/1/04:

Our bimonthly gatherings continue to be a blessing of searching The Word, sharing testimonies, acts of encouragement and love. “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” Matthew 18:20

Group Discovery: With the indwelling of the Holy Sprit, we are always a gathering of two or more.

Powerful testimonies came forward about sacrifice, surrender, release, deliverance, and discernment. Here are some of the Scripture references that we feasted on for understanding and to help us relate our life experiences so that we can live The Word.

1. DELIVERANCE... Deliverance comes when we are set free of character defects, unhealthy relationships, addictions, and practicing sin.

Psalm 34:17-19 The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all.

2. DISCERNMENT...Self-proclaimed prophets, ministers will come to us, we must be sure that their convictions and pronouncements are based in The Word and not in man’s interpretation. Be aware of those who will maneuver under the cloak of religion, but really are not proclaiming The Word of God. When we don’t study the word we are vulnerable to fallacy.

Matthew 7:15 Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.

Psalm 1:1-3 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

Mark 12:38-40 As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, 39and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. 40They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."

2nd Timothy 2:15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

3. RELEASE...We have tendencies to hold on to relationships, material things, issues because of duty, loyalty, etc., feeling that we can fix it. But God wants us to release all of our cares to him, because he cares for us and he sustains us.

Job 23:10–11 But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside.

2nd Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. (King James Version)

4. SACRIFICE...When we sacrifice in obedience to God (our fleshly desires, jobs, family, etc.) we allow God to do his perfect will in us. When we give a sacrificial offering or a sacrifice of praise, we are planting a seed, which God will give growth, and multiply and perfect.

Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.

1st Peter 2:8-9 They stumble because they disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

5. SURRENDER...When we surrender to God’s will for us, we get out of the way so that God can redirect and/or order our steps toward His divine purpose for our lives.

Psalm 138, 7-8 Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me; your love, O LORD, endures forever—do not abandon the works of your hands.

Ezra 4:1-5 (Opposition to the rebuilding of the Temple) … Then the peoples around them set out to discourage the people of Judah and make them afraid to go on building. They hired counselors to work against them and frustrate their plans during the entire reign of Cyrus king of Persia and down to the reign of Darius king of Persia.

Psalm 109:16 For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.

**Scriptures are New International Version, unless otherwise noted.

A Word for YOU

If you are reading this, right now. It is not a coincidence. I believe that you were led here and now. This is an on-time word for you, specifically--personally.

I am believing that God is about to turn your situation around in an instant. The tide is turning...rest and watch the deliverance of the Lord. It will be so great a move that you will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that it is the Lord who has done this thing! Start praising Him now on the front side of what is about to be yours. I am praising Him with you. My soul shouts, "GLORY!"

I say a Prayer for You

I pray that God grant to you the desires of your heart -- even miracles. I believe 2005 will be a year of miracles, abundance, peace and protection for God's people. For those of us that have held out and stood on His Word, and held onto His promises--GET READY. A Change is gonna come--in an instant! All for HIM A Good Name.

Love and gratitude that God led you to this message,

Stanice
**This message is possible only because God so loved the world that He gave his only Son, Jesus Christ...who I adore, celebrate, and treasure for all eternity.

"Clothes" Disclaimer

When the poem, ”Clothes,” was forward to me by email, reading only the first stanza, I knew that it was not written in Dr. Angelou’s “distinct voice.” So I did a little investigating. I pulled this “disclaimer” off of her official website…at http://www.mayaangelou.com/Contact.html

"Please be aware that Dr. Maya Angelou has absolutely no affiliation with the "poems" entitled Clothes or I Am A Christian that are circulating the Internet."

Probably because I am a writer, I am sensitive about attributing something to a writer that the writer did not write. Especially, Maya Angelou…she’s one of our she-roes. I know that we get excited when we read something that touches us. We want to share it with everyone we know; but I am learning that perhaps we should do a little investigating BEFORE we click “forward.”

As a teenager, I remember being groomed in how to clean the family refrigerator. I’d find something way back up in the corner the bottom shelf. I opened the wax paper. The sausage patty looked like it was “probably” good. It smelled fine. Or did it? I’d smell it again. And then my mother, with the wisdom of generations of mothers before her shouted from behind me, “When in doubt, throw it out.” I’ve brought that adage with me into adulthood. And it works for more than refrigerator cleaning.

(c) 2004, Stanice Anderson

A Winter Sunrise at Virginia Beach

A winter sunrise at virginia beach

a sliver of crimson orange played peek-a-boo with me this morning.
slowly, it caste a pulsating neon orange light on a lane of ocean.
Then, it tossed moments of shimmering gold dust
onto the ocean that beaconed me to follow the yellow gold dust lane
to the sun.

i felt the heat of the sun on my forehead and cheek through the badly-in-need-of-Windex glass balcony door.
my eyes squinted at the brilliance of the sun.

the sun has risen—a day's work begins.

the grunting churns and back-up beeps of the bulldozers crowd out the quiet.
Memorial Day is not far away.
there is sand to move, a boardwalk to build
and stories to edit.
The previous window into God's glory has shut...
another one opens.
i've lived to be a part of both.

© 1999 stanice anderson

Feast in THE WORD Gathering 11/10/04

After awesome testimony dealing with co-workers, the Holy Spirit led us to discuss becoming humble and letting God use us to do His work.

The Holy Spirit led us to feast on THE WORD as follows:

Psalm 131
Luke 14:11 & Matthew 23:12
Obadiah verse 4 (Group Fresh Discovery!! Obadiah is only chapter, thus when referenced it's Obadiah 4)

Throughout our time together it was like The Holy Spirit reiterating to us the need for us to continue to LET GO AND LET GOD.

At end of your tunnel?

There is a light at the end of the tunnel...and His Name is Jesus Christ.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." John 8:12

Counting the Cost

The cost of my writing and publication of my memoir, I Say A Prayer for Me?

I lost what little was left of the volatile relationships with my mother and brother. Both abhor the mention of my name. It is my understanding that most others in my family, whisper, “I’d rather not talk about it. You got to read it for yourself.”

Perhaps the only thing that spared my relationship with my dad was his death before the book’s conception.

If given the opportunity by some freak of the cosmos to slurp back every word in a warp-speed rewind into nothingness, would I?

Emphatically, “No.” I have no doubt that God predestined me to survive and thrive everything that I lived through thus far in order to write every word written and left yet to write. As well as, promised to meet every reader within the pages long before any of the manuscripts are completed.

The lesson in writing and publication of my memoir, I Say A Prayer for Me?

"Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams. (1 Samuel 15:22)