I Will Not Be Silent

This year is going to be a year full of excitement and promises as we walk with Father and allow Him to order our footsteps.  I spoke earlier with one of my college students from Shaw University and she was filling me in on the events which had taken place since I had last seen them on Sunday.  The opportunity came for she and some other students to speak out about a situation of confusion and violence that had taken place in the cafeteria.

They chose to speak out and confront the forces of evil head on.  After a while they were asked to leave the cafeteria because they were causing a disturbance and the other students were not eating. People began to call them crazy, and ridicule them  They said things like it don't take all that.  I'm a Christian myself and it don't take all that was the comment made by one of the resident advisors.

As I was thinking over everything that she shared with me and the bold stand for righteousness that these 7 young women made I asked myself when was the last time I stood on top of a cafeteria table with a bible and cried out repent! Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is near!  What about you! When was the last time you decided enough is enough and you would no longer tolerate the blatant sin that was all around you.  You would no longer keep silent and cower away to the other side of the room, the office, the cafeteria, the classroom, etc.

Would you operate like other so called Christians that watched them be persecuted and ridiculed but did not stand up with them, but hung their head in shame. Would you join them in their crusade for holiness or turn and look away. Saying the same exact words as others, "It don't take all that."

Our theme for this 2011 year is Wasting Our Lives for Jesus!  It will take all of that and a whole lot more.  We cannot be silent in this year and expect to achieve results that will make an impact on those we encounter.  Because the Shaw students boldly spoke Truth their words were heard and people were affected by it. How many will we choose to affect by opening our mouths against the lies that the enemy has fed our nation, our families, our young people and the people we encounter each and every day. Our Pastor often says that our silence means that we are in agreement.

Our agreement should be this! "I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes!"  If we are not ashamed of the Gospel then we cannot be ashamed or fearful before men to open our mouths and speak God's word.  God's Word is Truth. Let's not be silent!

Chosen     

2011's Gonna be a Fantastic Year

Hello all and Happy New Year to everyone!  I am so thankful to be back in the United States of America!  There is no place like home!  However I must say that South Africa was truly amazing!  That continent is truly rich, and the people really blessed my soul. The children we met and ministered to captured our hearts.  They were so grateful and thankful when receiving the gifts that we shared.  One of my favorite encounters was meeting a wonderful older lady named Hilda. She invited us to come into her home which was maybe about 6 x 6 tin enclosed box.  In it was her stove with Kerosene laterns for cooking.  A bed and a makeshift counter with a bucket filled with water.  The place was spotless and everything in it's place. There was a spirit of contentment on her face.  Although to the natural eye she had little and was in need but in all actuality she had everything.  As we left we gave her a ziplock bag with toiletries.  She told us thank you very much and then said; whenever you receive anything you must always tell God thank you.  How right se is.

I took away much from South Africa and am very excited about this new year. God is prompting me o pursue those dreams and visions that He has given me over the years.  Dreams and visions that have been buried under piles of paper, on to do today lists, or in journal notebooks tucked away after being completely filled.  On my to do list this year is to break the spirit of procrastination in my life once and for all.  There is so much to be accomplished in the next 358 days.  Time waits for no one!

So join me in making 2011 a fantastic year in your life as well.   Revisit some of those goals, dreams, and visions that Father has placed on your heart.  My trip to South Africa was one of the goals I had for 2010 to travel.  I want to travel to all 7 continents before I leave this earth.  I'm well on my way having traveled to 3, only 4 more to go.  We serve a great God and He desires to give us the desires of our heart, because our desires are aligned with His purpose and will for our lives.

So let's "just do it" for 2011.

In His Image,

Chosen