Dear Friends,
We are all in a battle for our lives, and though on occasion we may ignore the sounds of war, and we may even blind ourselves to the violence surrounding us, nevertheless the fight goes on. This past Sunday the sermon was "In it to Win it". The theme provided us an understanding that we are in a battle for our spiritual lives, and its important to understand the enemy that we are fighting to have Victory over him.
Characteristics of the Battle:
Ephesians 6: 12-18 (The Message Translation)
A Fight to the Finish
10 -12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
13 -18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.
Characteristics of the Enemy:
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy
1 Peter 5:8
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour
Luke 22:31
And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat:
Weapons the enemy is using:
Doubt, Fear, Restlessness, Ignorance, False Love, Addiction, Etc.
Our weapon:
"Do not fear or be dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours but God's." (2 Chronicles 20:15).
Saints and friends, the Battle is the Lord's and we have been equipped to have the victory. Continue to put on the whole armour of God and withstand the temptation of the enemy. Though he may come to take, destroy, prevent life, the Lord has promised us that he comes to give life and that more abundantly. (Please come to Sunday Afternoon Services for the Full Sermon Text.
Pastor Darrell
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Friday, May 16, 2008
Reflection on Sunday, May 11, 2008
Dearest All,
I speak to the one in all: God. The living Spirit in All that gives life & breath & direction to our internal=eternal Spirits. For we are not, as they say, humans having a Spiritual experience but Spirits having a human experience. We forget this, at times, as we rush through the daily grind of living a "human" experience. We forget that we are actually Spirits having a human experience, made human to bring in the flesh God's love & presence on Earth through our actions & deeds. We forget to touch base with our inner Spirit where God & love & truth reside.
Well, if you are like me, & I am sure there are more like me me than not, you need to be reminded from time to time. And I found one such place on my journey through Seattle Washington. I speak of Liberation Ministries, which I want to give praise & testimony to. For it is a new, young & vibrant, church where one can go to be one with God & to feel the Spirit rise from within in a mighty crescendo of inclusive love & harmony. For it is truly a church where one can go to remember that you are a living breathing manifestation of God on Earth. For your Spirit aligns with God's spirit, in such a divine way that I just gotta testify.
You see I came to Seattle to visit my beloved friend Allen Mosley. Now Allen had spoken of Pastor Darrell & his church & how I just had to come & experience his loving ministry. Well, talkin about it & experiencing it are 2 very different things! For I was not ready for what I was about to experience in the way of "inclusiveness" one experiences at Liberation Ministries.
You see my experience with Liberation Ministries started on Tuesday May 6TH with the Praise & Worship Choir ( See Photo Above). Allen, asked me to come to rehearsal with him where I was immediately asked to sing with the choir on Sunday, as I am a professional singer. In fact Cheri, the choir accompanist, or should I say the Rev. Cheri, who gave a most divine sermon on Sunday(see photo below), asked me if I would also sing a Ricki Byars song with her called "Use Me".
Now this song speaks of being of service to God which is what I humbly try to to do every day of my life & in my music. But, I had not planned on singing only on enjoying Allen's joy for his church. So, I took a moment to go through my mental but but butts. As we are often apt to do when we are asked to rise up out of our comfort zones to be present. BUT, I believe in being of service & rising to the occasion whenever God speaks through others, to be there & to give. So, I pushed aside the thoughts running through my head: But Lisa, you haven't sang this song before, but Lisa you have no time on this trip to rehearse & decided I would be apart of this inclusive church, that was beckoning me to rise up in praise to God.
So, Sunday I came to church knowing & trusting that God would be the way maker for my weary soul to sing her song into life. For we had been on 4 ferries in 5 days & traveled some 300 miles. And I am here to testify what God can do through us when we step out of the way., and give God the reins. For, like me, Rev. Cheri was weary, she had played piano in another church only that morning & fought through traffic to be there, run a rehearsal with choir, & give her 1rst sermon in 4 and a half years! WOW! And what a sermon it was.
For she chose, like me, to push aside her thoughts, her mortal mind, & her "human" trepidations to be a vessel/a channel for God's voice. And what a magnificent voice she was. For she included every single member of Liberation Ministries in celebrating Mother's day. No small act when you think most of the congregation was of the male persuasion! But she spoke of us all inclusively being Mother's, being there for the children in the world, & for one another. And how we must push aside our "human" experiences, the ones that keep us from our Spirits, & be still & know that I am God. BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD!!! Be still & know God in you. And in doing so know God in all things. For God is the way maker.
God certainly was that day for both Rev. Cheri & I. And anyone that was there that day can testify, as well, that Rev. Cheri was indeed a divine manifestation of God in word & in deed. For what made Rev. Cheri's sermon so "relevant" & timely is that she reminded us all that we all can be God in action & behold the Christ in us all when stop to be still & know that I am God dwelling in you. And that is just what I was able to do in being a member for a day at Liberation Ministries.
Now I have sang all over & at many churches but never ever have I been made to feel so included, never have I been asked to rise up, in such a way & be the face of God in action as I was at Liberation Ministries. And as so many of you, as members of Liberation Ministries, are being called into service to be the face, the eyes, the ears the embodiment of God in action. For me this is what the teachings of Jesus were all about! And what a divine opportunity you all have being apart of Liberation Ministries.
Really when you look at it so many of us go to hear the voice of God at a church through others, but are not asked to be the face, the voice of God in action & that is what makes this church so special. For you all truly are, as the church motto says where "religion meets relevance".
So thank yous go out to all of you for being so relevant & for making me feel apart of something special. It was a blessing & and honor to be a member of your church for the day, for you are a very special church. It's not every church that lets you be apart of bringing God to human form-to be GOD in action!
I especially want to thank Minister Austin for his divine direction of the Praise & Worship choir & for welcoming me with his warm & loving heart. To Rev. Cheri for asking me to minister with her through song & for her divine sermon which is still teaching me the truth of God. And that is to be still & know that I am God. And a BIG BIG thank you to Pastor Darrell who is a shining light of God's love on Earth, and who asked me to rise up today and be the voice of God through this blog. Thank you Rev. Darrell & all the congregants of Liberation Ministries for having a church where all are one with God, where all are included. You all keep being the face of God! And God willing, I will join you again...Till then
Love & Bless Sings,
Lisa Cohen
http://www.lisacohenmusic.com
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Ralph Waldo Emerson
I speak to the one in all: God. The living Spirit in All that gives life & breath & direction to our internal=eternal Spirits. For we are not, as they say, humans having a Spiritual experience but Spirits having a human experience. We forget this, at times, as we rush through the daily grind of living a "human" experience. We forget that we are actually Spirits having a human experience, made human to bring in the flesh God's love & presence on Earth through our actions & deeds. We forget to touch base with our inner Spirit where God & love & truth reside.
Well, if you are like me, & I am sure there are more like me me than not, you need to be reminded from time to time. And I found one such place on my journey through Seattle Washington. I speak of Liberation Ministries, which I want to give praise & testimony to. For it is a new, young & vibrant, church where one can go to be one with God & to feel the Spirit rise from within in a mighty crescendo of inclusive love & harmony. For it is truly a church where one can go to remember that you are a living breathing manifestation of God on Earth. For your Spirit aligns with God's spirit, in such a divine way that I just gotta testify.
You see I came to Seattle to visit my beloved friend Allen Mosley. Now Allen had spoken of Pastor Darrell & his church & how I just had to come & experience his loving ministry. Well, talkin about it & experiencing it are 2 very different things! For I was not ready for what I was about to experience in the way of "inclusiveness" one experiences at Liberation Ministries.
You see my experience with Liberation Ministries started on Tuesday May 6TH with the Praise & Worship Choir ( See Photo Above). Allen, asked me to come to rehearsal with him where I was immediately asked to sing with the choir on Sunday, as I am a professional singer. In fact Cheri, the choir accompanist, or should I say the Rev. Cheri, who gave a most divine sermon on Sunday(see photo below), asked me if I would also sing a Ricki Byars song with her called "Use Me".
Now this song speaks of being of service to God which is what I humbly try to to do every day of my life & in my music. But, I had not planned on singing only on enjoying Allen's joy for his church. So, I took a moment to go through my mental but but butts. As we are often apt to do when we are asked to rise up out of our comfort zones to be present. BUT, I believe in being of service & rising to the occasion whenever God speaks through others, to be there & to give. So, I pushed aside the thoughts running through my head: But Lisa, you haven't sang this song before, but Lisa you have no time on this trip to rehearse & decided I would be apart of this inclusive church, that was beckoning me to rise up in praise to God.
So, Sunday I came to church knowing & trusting that God would be the way maker for my weary soul to sing her song into life. For we had been on 4 ferries in 5 days & traveled some 300 miles. And I am here to testify what God can do through us when we step out of the way., and give God the reins. For, like me, Rev. Cheri was weary, she had played piano in another church only that morning & fought through traffic to be there, run a rehearsal with choir, & give her 1rst sermon in 4 and a half years! WOW! And what a sermon it was.
For she chose, like me, to push aside her thoughts, her mortal mind, & her "human" trepidations to be a vessel/a channel for God's voice. And what a magnificent voice she was. For she included every single member of Liberation Ministries in celebrating Mother's day. No small act when you think most of the congregation was of the male persuasion! But she spoke of us all inclusively being Mother's, being there for the children in the world, & for one another. And how we must push aside our "human" experiences, the ones that keep us from our Spirits, & be still & know that I am God. BE STILL & KNOW THAT I AM GOD!!! Be still & know God in you. And in doing so know God in all things. For God is the way maker.
God certainly was that day for both Rev. Cheri & I. And anyone that was there that day can testify, as well, that Rev. Cheri was indeed a divine manifestation of God in word & in deed. For what made Rev. Cheri's sermon so "relevant" & timely is that she reminded us all that we all can be God in action & behold the Christ in us all when stop to be still & know that I am God dwelling in you. And that is just what I was able to do in being a member for a day at Liberation Ministries.
Now I have sang all over & at many churches but never ever have I been made to feel so included, never have I been asked to rise up, in such a way & be the face of God in action as I was at Liberation Ministries. And as so many of you, as members of Liberation Ministries, are being called into service to be the face, the eyes, the ears the embodiment of God in action. For me this is what the teachings of Jesus were all about! And what a divine opportunity you all have being apart of Liberation Ministries.
Really when you look at it so many of us go to hear the voice of God at a church through others, but are not asked to be the face, the voice of God in action & that is what makes this church so special. For you all truly are, as the church motto says where "religion meets relevance".
So thank yous go out to all of you for being so relevant & for making me feel apart of something special. It was a blessing & and honor to be a member of your church for the day, for you are a very special church. It's not every church that lets you be apart of bringing God to human form-to be GOD in action!
I especially want to thank Minister Austin for his divine direction of the Praise & Worship choir & for welcoming me with his warm & loving heart. To Rev. Cheri for asking me to minister with her through song & for her divine sermon which is still teaching me the truth of God. And that is to be still & know that I am God. And a BIG BIG thank you to Pastor Darrell who is a shining light of God's love on Earth, and who asked me to rise up today and be the voice of God through this blog. Thank you Rev. Darrell & all the congregants of Liberation Ministries for having a church where all are one with God, where all are included. You all keep being the face of God! And God willing, I will join you again...Till then
Love & Bless Sings,
Lisa Cohen
http://www.lisacohenmusic.com
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Reflections on Sunday, April 20, 2008
This past Sunday we had a great opportunity to revisit the presence of God in our lives. As we think about our day-to-day lived experiences, our weeks and month, we are confronted with the question, "Where is God in my life?" The reality is that the Spirit of the Living God is always present and waiting to be more involved in our natural experiences. But as busy, time conscious people, we must learn to make space for the spirit of God to fall fresh on us. The Lord asks that we move the clutter, pain, sorrow, depression, worry, and doubt of the place that belongs to HIM and him alone. Someone asked, pastor What would my life look like if I truly allowed the spirit of the Lord to fall fresh on me? The scripture that summarizes it for me is found in Psalms 1 (The Amplified Bible Translation):
1[a]BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.(A)
3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].(B)
4Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.
5Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor [b]sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].
6For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God's will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, allow the Spirit of the Living God to fall fresh on you and in you and blessed will you be among all the nations.
Enjoy the beautiful song attached,
Pastor Darrell Goodwin
1[a]BLESSED (HAPPY, fortunate, prosperous, and enviable) is the man who walks and lives not in the counsel of the ungodly [following their advice, their plans and purposes], nor stands [submissive and inactive] in the path where sinners walk, nor sits down [to relax and rest] where the scornful [and the mockers] gather.
2But his delight and desire are in the law of the Lord, and on His law (the precepts, the instructions, the teachings of God) he habitually meditates (ponders and studies) by day and by night.(A)
3And he shall be like a tree firmly planted [and tended] by the streams of water, ready to bring forth its fruit in its season; its leaf also shall not fade or wither; and everything he does shall prosper [and come to maturity].(B)
4Not so the wicked [those disobedient and living without God are not so]. But they are like the chaff [worthless, dead, without substance] which the wind drives away.
5Therefore the wicked [those disobedient and living without God] shall not stand [justified] in the judgment, nor [b]sinners in the congregation of the righteous [those who are upright and in right standing with God].
6For the Lord knows and is fully acquainted with the way of the righteous, but the way of the ungodly [those living outside God's will] shall perish (end in ruin and come to nought).
Brothers and Sisters in Christ, allow the Spirit of the Living God to fall fresh on you and in you and blessed will you be among all the nations.
Enjoy the beautiful song attached,
Pastor Darrell Goodwin
Wednesday, April 9, 2008
Reflections on Sunday, April 6, 2008
We had a very special service this past Sunday at Liberation Ministries. It was a Consecration Service for all who have committed to serve in a certain position within the church and to God. There were many who were in attendance for the first time. We all felt the spirit of the Lord from the wonderful singing of the Praise Team and the congregation. We sang my favorite song, “You Alone are Worthy”. I love the song because it reminds me again as to what this is all about...why I got up, got dressed and am standing there singing.
As always, I really enjoyed the service, just being in the presence of God, praising Him and worshipping with the L.M. crew. What’s really amazing is that you can look into the faces of everyone else there and see that they are enjoying the service, ALL OF IT, as much as you are. That’s just gravy for me!
We heard a great message from Pastor Micah Daniel, who led us in reading from Jeremiah 18: 1-6 and 1 Timothy 4: 11-15. The first of the scriptures teach us that God is the Master Potter and we are his clay that can be reworked, reshaped and remolded into what God created us to be. The second scripture instructs us to not let anyone look down on us because we are young, that we are to be examples for others in our speech, our lives, our faith and in purity. I took this scripture to mean that we shouldn’t let anyone look down on us for any reason (mostly because I’m not that young!). We should just be about the business of serving God and living for Him and doing what we know He wants us to do in the unique and special way that He has blessed each and every one of us. That brings me to the last part of the second scripture. Pastor Daniel read and spoke about not neglecting our gifts, which was given to us by a prophetic message. He said that we should honor what our pastor tells us when it comes to what we are capable of doing for God, and that because he is our leader, God reveals to him things that we are gifted with. Pastor Daniel had jokes throughout the message and kept us laughing as we listened to God’s word.
I had never been a part of a consecration service before. In the churches that I grew up in, if you wanted to commit to being a part of the service or the church or God, it was something you acknowledged internally and then to one or two church officials in the church and that was it. It was usually during the altar call, after which you would be asked what you wanted to do in the church, and before you could answer someone would say, “we’ll find something for you to do”! There was no ceremony to recognize your commitment to the church or to God. It was good for me to stand and hear the words from Pastor Darrell and Minister Austin as to what it is I am saying I will do for God, my church, my church members and the congregation, even though I have personally done that within. I also felt encouraged by the part of the service where the congregation was asked to support us. When I think about the kind of “vessel” I am, sometimes things like chipped, cracked, broken, and leaking come to mind. But in the presence of my church yesterday, I felt as though it’s okay to be those things within my church family while God is working on what will someday be a finished work that will glorify Him.
Liberation Ministries is a great place of worship and a great place to come and discover who God is and who you are in God.
Sis. Annette
As always, I really enjoyed the service, just being in the presence of God, praising Him and worshipping with the L.M. crew. What’s really amazing is that you can look into the faces of everyone else there and see that they are enjoying the service, ALL OF IT, as much as you are. That’s just gravy for me!
We heard a great message from Pastor Micah Daniel, who led us in reading from Jeremiah 18: 1-6 and 1 Timothy 4: 11-15. The first of the scriptures teach us that God is the Master Potter and we are his clay that can be reworked, reshaped and remolded into what God created us to be. The second scripture instructs us to not let anyone look down on us because we are young, that we are to be examples for others in our speech, our lives, our faith and in purity. I took this scripture to mean that we shouldn’t let anyone look down on us for any reason (mostly because I’m not that young!). We should just be about the business of serving God and living for Him and doing what we know He wants us to do in the unique and special way that He has blessed each and every one of us. That brings me to the last part of the second scripture. Pastor Daniel read and spoke about not neglecting our gifts, which was given to us by a prophetic message. He said that we should honor what our pastor tells us when it comes to what we are capable of doing for God, and that because he is our leader, God reveals to him things that we are gifted with. Pastor Daniel had jokes throughout the message and kept us laughing as we listened to God’s word.
I had never been a part of a consecration service before. In the churches that I grew up in, if you wanted to commit to being a part of the service or the church or God, it was something you acknowledged internally and then to one or two church officials in the church and that was it. It was usually during the altar call, after which you would be asked what you wanted to do in the church, and before you could answer someone would say, “we’ll find something for you to do”! There was no ceremony to recognize your commitment to the church or to God. It was good for me to stand and hear the words from Pastor Darrell and Minister Austin as to what it is I am saying I will do for God, my church, my church members and the congregation, even though I have personally done that within. I also felt encouraged by the part of the service where the congregation was asked to support us. When I think about the kind of “vessel” I am, sometimes things like chipped, cracked, broken, and leaking come to mind. But in the presence of my church yesterday, I felt as though it’s okay to be those things within my church family while God is working on what will someday be a finished work that will glorify Him.
Liberation Ministries is a great place of worship and a great place to come and discover who God is and who you are in God.
Sis. Annette
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Reflections on Sunday, March 30th, 2008
Yesterday was one of those Sundays where when church is over you just wanted to keep that feeling going. I feel sometimes I get a different prospective being on the praise team. When you look out in the congregation and see people worshiping it just makes your spirit fly. It reminds me of that old church hymn “I fly away”.
Brother John Ray continued the praise and blessed us with an amazing Sermonic Solo. The talent that is within our church is amazing. God is a Good God.
Yesterday was testimony Sunday; as I sit there listening to each person speak, I listened to each person telling my story. There are times in life when I feel that I am the only person going through things, and that everyone’s faith is so much stronger than mine. Yesterday I was reminded that no matter what happens in our lives God can, and does use it for his glory. I would also like to take the time to share my personal journey with each of you. Feel free to look at my blog spot that talks about my walk with God through cancer. http://tantso.blogspot.com/ I encourage each of us to share what God is doing in your lives. We are all God's angels.
I heard over and over again that no matter what, “God is an ON TIME GOD”. When you don’t see how you can fix the relationship, job, living situation, give it to God. Watch God work it out. When you feel that everyone has walked out, and left you all alone know that in those times God picks us up and carries us. Know that you can only breathe for yourself, and no one else can breathe for you. Nothing that is going on in your life is larger than the love of God.
At Liberation Ministries we have a belief that everyone is a minister. Yesterday I can say that I witnessed that in person. I had the honor of spending time with some folks who where visiting for the first time. They stated “I haven’t felt anything like that in a long time, I just didn’t want it to end.”
Praise God the good news is it doesn’t end. Praise Team meets on Tuesday, Bible Study on Friday, and Church on Sunday. Church is not the same with out YOU there.
See you this week.
Love You
Brother Allen
Brother John Ray continued the praise and blessed us with an amazing Sermonic Solo. The talent that is within our church is amazing. God is a Good God.
Yesterday was testimony Sunday; as I sit there listening to each person speak, I listened to each person telling my story. There are times in life when I feel that I am the only person going through things, and that everyone’s faith is so much stronger than mine. Yesterday I was reminded that no matter what happens in our lives God can, and does use it for his glory. I would also like to take the time to share my personal journey with each of you. Feel free to look at my blog spot that talks about my walk with God through cancer. http://tantso.blogspot.com/ I encourage each of us to share what God is doing in your lives. We are all God's angels.
I heard over and over again that no matter what, “God is an ON TIME GOD”. When you don’t see how you can fix the relationship, job, living situation, give it to God. Watch God work it out. When you feel that everyone has walked out, and left you all alone know that in those times God picks us up and carries us. Know that you can only breathe for yourself, and no one else can breathe for you. Nothing that is going on in your life is larger than the love of God.
At Liberation Ministries we have a belief that everyone is a minister. Yesterday I can say that I witnessed that in person. I had the honor of spending time with some folks who where visiting for the first time. They stated “I haven’t felt anything like that in a long time, I just didn’t want it to end.”
Praise God the good news is it doesn’t end. Praise Team meets on Tuesday, Bible Study on Friday, and Church on Sunday. Church is not the same with out YOU there.
See you this week.
Love You
Brother Allen
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Resurrection Sunday- March 23, 2008
I hope everyone enjoyed the service this past Easter Sunday at Liberation Ministries. I know I enjoyed it and was uplifted by the whole service. Service was open by a great trio number by Minister Kiantha, Austin, and Pastor. The praise team did an amazing job as usual and Jared shined in his solo. Bro. Alan also gave us a mini concert. God truly has so many talented people at our church.
The sermon was good and I am blogging about what I personally took from it. I dont know if some of you feel like this, but I think the ministers are peaking in our diaries LOL. Pastor had two words for us. GET UP. He first talked about the meaning of Easter and how God got up. This really reached me because I have been going through my own personal demons. God endured all , suffered all just as us humans, but he got up. So that I can live, and when I had to think about that I was like WOW if GOD got up through everything than I should be able to also. Pastor talked about having stones always being in the way, and how you have to continue to get up, to learn, to keep going foward. That most of us will sit up, but wont fully get up, waiting for proof from God that he is really there instead of fully believing in our hearts that God is really there. I thought this was such a great message because as humans we think that some things are just so painful and that we can never get through them, but you can make it through anything with God, and through remembering that when you have no one he is there. I was telling Pastor and i will put my business out why cant God not give me a break I have seen my father get shot and killed in front of me. I lost my grandmother my best friend and number one supporter. I suffered through abusive relationships where I was thrown down a flight of stairs and then had my jaw broke. Went through deep depression and a suicide attempt.. and then when i feel like Im doing everything right getting back to the church. Im striked with another stone, and he was like God is not done with you the stones are not done.
I learned from this that I also have to believe in God through the good and the bad in my life. That just because I love god, believe in God, and have faith doesnt mean that he is going to make my life a petal of roses, because that is just not his plan, but he has prepared me to handle everything and anything. I am giving option and choices. I may have endured all this so one day I can help someone from suffering the way I have. God suffered to but he got up, and he continue to do what he did even with the stones in his way.
As God was given the choice I am given the choice to either GET UP and keep moving, and living, inspiring, developing, and growing. Or I can stay lay there and continue to be defeated due to my own inability to GET UP and have that courage and strength that God, had . So as pastor said when your feeling depressed GET UPPPP.. when your feeling stressed GET UPPPPPPP. when you feel like you cant go on GET UPPPPPPP. and then when you need inspiration as pastor said look at Alex or a baby, and they are young and there is something in them that want to GET UP and do their thing as GOD did even in the midst of the bad.
Remember as the praise team sang our GOD is an Awesome GOD. I also wanted to share that my alter prayer was one of the most powerful things I had experienced. I was hurting bad and wasnt even going to come to church at all on Sunday, but then decided to come because I didnt want to be alone and I wanted to be with my church family, but I was like Im going to go but Im not going to feel anything. That was completely impossible, because if God is going to reach you he is going to reach you. My heart opened the minute I stepped in the church, and when I went up for alter prayer this time was different. I felt like GOd was using Pastor to say the things he wanted me to hear. I felt as if Pastors voice was vibrating and going right into my heart, and I couldnt help but to release that pain and hurt in the moment and let it out and cry.It wasnt about looking a mess or having my mascara smear, I was truly in the house of the lord, and I felt it from head to toe.
Liberations Ministries is doing amazing things for me and for so many people in our church. I need it, it helps give my life balance, it centers me it gives me the comfort that I need sometimes. The messages are bible based, and relevant to what is always going on in my life. I truly believe that Pastor is a beautiful gift from God, and he gave Pastor to all of us as an extension to show what we can be and do, and how we can be ministers just as he is to us, and we need to take what he gives us and pass it along to other people who may need the word in there lives.
In conclusion i also want to say thank you to the Pastor on behalf of myself, and Im sure the other members who attended the lunch at Bluewater Bistro, and that two days have gone by now so I hope that you GET UP.. and SURVIVE.. Get UP.. and INSPIRE.. GET up and show God that his life and his ability to GET UP is not invain because you are using him as the example. I know I was ready to GET UP the moment service was over.
Bro. Jonray
The sermon was good and I am blogging about what I personally took from it. I dont know if some of you feel like this, but I think the ministers are peaking in our diaries LOL. Pastor had two words for us. GET UP. He first talked about the meaning of Easter and how God got up. This really reached me because I have been going through my own personal demons. God endured all , suffered all just as us humans, but he got up. So that I can live, and when I had to think about that I was like WOW if GOD got up through everything than I should be able to also. Pastor talked about having stones always being in the way, and how you have to continue to get up, to learn, to keep going foward. That most of us will sit up, but wont fully get up, waiting for proof from God that he is really there instead of fully believing in our hearts that God is really there. I thought this was such a great message because as humans we think that some things are just so painful and that we can never get through them, but you can make it through anything with God, and through remembering that when you have no one he is there. I was telling Pastor and i will put my business out why cant God not give me a break I have seen my father get shot and killed in front of me. I lost my grandmother my best friend and number one supporter. I suffered through abusive relationships where I was thrown down a flight of stairs and then had my jaw broke. Went through deep depression and a suicide attempt.. and then when i feel like Im doing everything right getting back to the church. Im striked with another stone, and he was like God is not done with you the stones are not done.
I learned from this that I also have to believe in God through the good and the bad in my life. That just because I love god, believe in God, and have faith doesnt mean that he is going to make my life a petal of roses, because that is just not his plan, but he has prepared me to handle everything and anything. I am giving option and choices. I may have endured all this so one day I can help someone from suffering the way I have. God suffered to but he got up, and he continue to do what he did even with the stones in his way.
As God was given the choice I am given the choice to either GET UP and keep moving, and living, inspiring, developing, and growing. Or I can stay lay there and continue to be defeated due to my own inability to GET UP and have that courage and strength that God, had . So as pastor said when your feeling depressed GET UPPPP.. when your feeling stressed GET UPPPPPPP. when you feel like you cant go on GET UPPPPPPP. and then when you need inspiration as pastor said look at Alex or a baby, and they are young and there is something in them that want to GET UP and do their thing as GOD did even in the midst of the bad.
Remember as the praise team sang our GOD is an Awesome GOD. I also wanted to share that my alter prayer was one of the most powerful things I had experienced. I was hurting bad and wasnt even going to come to church at all on Sunday, but then decided to come because I didnt want to be alone and I wanted to be with my church family, but I was like Im going to go but Im not going to feel anything. That was completely impossible, because if God is going to reach you he is going to reach you. My heart opened the minute I stepped in the church, and when I went up for alter prayer this time was different. I felt like GOd was using Pastor to say the things he wanted me to hear. I felt as if Pastors voice was vibrating and going right into my heart, and I couldnt help but to release that pain and hurt in the moment and let it out and cry.It wasnt about looking a mess or having my mascara smear, I was truly in the house of the lord, and I felt it from head to toe.
Liberations Ministries is doing amazing things for me and for so many people in our church. I need it, it helps give my life balance, it centers me it gives me the comfort that I need sometimes. The messages are bible based, and relevant to what is always going on in my life. I truly believe that Pastor is a beautiful gift from God, and he gave Pastor to all of us as an extension to show what we can be and do, and how we can be ministers just as he is to us, and we need to take what he gives us and pass it along to other people who may need the word in there lives.
In conclusion i also want to say thank you to the Pastor on behalf of myself, and Im sure the other members who attended the lunch at Bluewater Bistro, and that two days have gone by now so I hope that you GET UP.. and SURVIVE.. Get UP.. and INSPIRE.. GET up and show God that his life and his ability to GET UP is not invain because you are using him as the example. I know I was ready to GET UP the moment service was over.
Bro. Jonray
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Reflections on Sunday, February 24th, 2008
This past Sunday was, as always, a remarkably emotional rollercoaster filled with signs of God’s grace and mercy for His people. From our sad unfortunate loss of Eddie and Jeremy to sunny California to the story of a crazy drive of the Pastor despite God’s signs, any person in the congregation would have thought it was all planned out in advance to make such a great cohesion of a service. Part of Jeremy’s departing words included the notion that he “never went to a church where he felt like every sermon was directed right at him.” I believe that is what makes Liberation Ministries unique in essence of the words shared and the community in the congregation: religion is translated for relativity. I, too, after every sermon since the first one I attended last year felt like God through this church was speaking directly to me; His grace and mercy is felt every single Sunday and that is what drags me still out of bed on time despite going to sleep the night prior to at 3a.m.
Signs; we see them, we acknowledge them, but yet we still ride against the grain every single time and avoid the path they appear to lead to. Pastor Darrell’s story of ignoring every single sign to stay inside and not drive/fly/travel anywhere, but still doing so was a clear example of this. Recently laid off, I feel like it was a sign from God that it was now my time to move back home to the islands. So many things are pulling me there; my parents are getting a divorce leaving behind a distressed mother, my brother who has a newborn son (*my God child) is leaving for Officer school, and my younger brother is graduating. These are all obvious signs to me, but sometimes I have to wonder if it’s the not-so-obvious signs that I should truly follow. One of my favorite songs’ lyrics say “do I really want a God that I can understand, still I close my eyes and try to reason why, but since when does my desire dominate The plan.” Sometimes I just want to scream out loud “JUST TELL ME! I’M TIRED OF PLAYING THESE GAMES!” (*And in games, I refer to throwing me through all these trials and tribulations). At the end of church though I realized, our choices truly define who we are, thus innately we all will not follow “the signs” the same way.
Pastor Darrell hits the black ice, the car slides, turns, glides in circles over the slippery ice….Flashes of a lifetime of memories, of his family, of his choices dawn on him…Suddenly the “killer” ride slows the circling and the bumper simply “taps” the railing halting the life-threatening experience. The end of the Pastor’s story expressed one extremely important point that if misconstrued can be taken in an extremely wrong manner: God’s grace is always there. No matter the choice you end up making, He shows mercy, He shows grace, and helps guide us to humility and progression. This is not to say that we can make as many unjust/bad choices in our life and receive no punishment, but know the one and only judge in our life decides how He is there for us. We have no control over the omniscient. The one thing I do strongly believe in though; God speaks to us through our core: our heart. If we follow our heart, God will bring us to and through all of our crazy rides. Like the title of my favorite song from the Praise team: “God is Here.”
Signs; we see them, we acknowledge them, but yet we still ride against the grain every single time and avoid the path they appear to lead to. Pastor Darrell’s story of ignoring every single sign to stay inside and not drive/fly/travel anywhere, but still doing so was a clear example of this. Recently laid off, I feel like it was a sign from God that it was now my time to move back home to the islands. So many things are pulling me there; my parents are getting a divorce leaving behind a distressed mother, my brother who has a newborn son (*my God child) is leaving for Officer school, and my younger brother is graduating. These are all obvious signs to me, but sometimes I have to wonder if it’s the not-so-obvious signs that I should truly follow. One of my favorite songs’ lyrics say “do I really want a God that I can understand, still I close my eyes and try to reason why, but since when does my desire dominate The plan.” Sometimes I just want to scream out loud “JUST TELL ME! I’M TIRED OF PLAYING THESE GAMES!” (*And in games, I refer to throwing me through all these trials and tribulations). At the end of church though I realized, our choices truly define who we are, thus innately we all will not follow “the signs” the same way.
Pastor Darrell hits the black ice, the car slides, turns, glides in circles over the slippery ice….Flashes of a lifetime of memories, of his family, of his choices dawn on him…Suddenly the “killer” ride slows the circling and the bumper simply “taps” the railing halting the life-threatening experience. The end of the Pastor’s story expressed one extremely important point that if misconstrued can be taken in an extremely wrong manner: God’s grace is always there. No matter the choice you end up making, He shows mercy, He shows grace, and helps guide us to humility and progression. This is not to say that we can make as many unjust/bad choices in our life and receive no punishment, but know the one and only judge in our life decides how He is there for us. We have no control over the omniscient. The one thing I do strongly believe in though; God speaks to us through our core: our heart. If we follow our heart, God will bring us to and through all of our crazy rides. Like the title of my favorite song from the Praise team: “God is Here.”
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