The Inner Fight

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit,

and the Spirit againt the flesh."

Galatians 5:17

This week I shared with my Son, some disturbing news of a friend of his (to protect the innocent, I will call this friend "Kemp"). By Kemp's inordinate behavior and uncontrolled vices, he has single handedly pushed himself against the wall. Not only is this a disservice to his young family, but it also contributed to him being excommunicated as a Pastor and gifted Preacher. The overall impression of most who are aware, seems to think (by the arrogence of Kemp) that there was no lessons learned from his fiascos. Unfortunately, from years of him burning bridges among his relationships, there is little tolerence by most in stretching out a brotherly hand only to be disappointed by Kemp's inability to take charge over his battles.

Knowing Kemp's family, when I first heard the news, I allowed myself to think, (Lord forgive me) "he was destined to fall into divers temptation". Having preaching Sons myself, I feel a great sense of urgency in this young man's situation. I felt horrible for borderlining into self-righteous judging. If not by the grace of God this could be ME, my family, my sons, and our situation.

In EVERY believer's heart there is a constant struggle between the old and the new natures. The old nature is still active and loses no opportunity to employ its deadly weapons against newborn grace. On the other hand, the new nature is always watching to resist and destroy its enemy. Grace within us will employ prayer, faith, hope, and love to cast out evil. Grace puts on the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:11)

These two opposing natures will never cease their struggle as long as we are in this world. We battle with ourselves from the Wicket Gate to the river Jordan. The enemy is so securely entrenched that it can never be totally driven out while we are in this body.

What adversary are WE fighting today? I want to tell Kemp and many others, do not be discouraged, fight on. God is with us. He is the healer of our wounds. Fight on, looking unto Jesus. Though the conflict is long and demanding, sweet will be the victory, glorious the promised reward:

From strength to strength go on;

Wrestle, and fight, and pray,

Tread all the powers of darkness down,

And win the well-fought day.

____Unknown

Keep Kemp, his family, church family, and his " Inner Fight" in your prayers.

VALENTINE'S DAY!!

This is one of my favorite times of the year. Not because of any material gain. Although, it could be an added bonus. But, just setting aside a time to acknowlege and have a celebration of Love itself , to me is truly AWESOME. Recognizing all the wonderful people I love and cherish, and reflecting and communicating with all those I am privileged to be loved by, thrills my very being. I love the idea of love. I love everything love represents. I love being IN love with a significant other/my husband and everything that it entails.

Valentine's Day is also a special anniversary for my husband and I. This was the day we officially began courting one another. This happened after growing up and serving together in the same youth fellowship at the same church, then becoming good friends and confidants. My life changed after Valentine's Day 1967 that began my life's destiny. I regret nothing or would I change anything in my tranformation from being a singularity to a plural with William L. Pullam. By the goodness of God our plural has gotten bigger and bigger. He has richly enlarged our territory, and I am thankful.

Whenever my husband/pastor has the opportunity to introduce me publicly, he always borrow some of the lyrics of a song produced in the 50's that was sung by Sam Cook. The crowd always anticipate the words because he never fails to include them in his narration. I also have the words in print, matted, framed and it's one of my cherished posessions. Here are a few of the words.

You are the Apple of my Eye

my Cherry Pie

my Cake and Ice Cream

My Sugar and Spice

and Everything Nice

You are the Girl of my Dreams!

He has treated me as though I am everything that is good in his life. I have always felt loved through the good and throughout our struggles. But most of all, I thank God for His love and the awesome love displayed by my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ over 2000 years ago. John 15;13

Thank you for the Beautiful two dozen Roses

that reflects the beauty of our relationship

and

our Eternal Love

I love you William with my Whole Heart. You mean so much to me and there is non that can compare. Thank you for your Love and Respect. I'm yours forever and a day.

Happy Valentine's Day

to all

of my Loved Ones and Dear Friends

Be blessed

1 John 4:7

Finally Got Me!

I have done amazingly well not contacting any winter illnesses this season. Usually in early fall my sinuses act up really bad. I am very happy it didn't happen this time. We took our annual trip to Vegas the first week in November. My Mother was ill the whole time we were there as the result of her taking her yearly flu shot days before we left. I thought I was destined to get sick by being with her all week. It never fails that after being on a plane, I get a cold but neither incident caused me any trouble. During this past Thanksgiving at least 3 people that arrived for dinner had colds and I dodged the flu bullet again. While preparing for Christmas 2008 to be at my house, everyone called me at least once a week and DEMANDED that I stay healthy so our Christmas festivities would be accomplished. Christmas Day arrived and I was on top of my game, cheerful and energetic. As I greeted guests that showed up for the opening of gifts and dinner, every other person that came into my home had a cough or cold, including my Mom who hadn't gotten over her flu symptoms since Vegas. She was on her third round of antibiotics from her doctor. After a lengthy time of opening gifts with 25 persons in attendance, my kitchen crew and I put dinner on the table. Someone was missing from our circle of prayer. It was Kevin. It was his turn to say grace. I went to one of the bedrooms to look for him and he was shivering in a chair under a blanket. It turned out that he was in the begining stages of the flu with a 102 degree temperature. Kraig also had a cold, Kraig's baby son had a temperature and was throwing up, and Mama is still coughing. After Kraig and his family goes back home to Houston, my husband comes down with the same virus the baby had, but it's coming out the other end. STILL, with all of that, no problems for me.

I was concerned about my Mother because she again went to the doctor for the same cold since November and it is now January. She had a chest xray and more medicine to take. Still I had no symptoms of a cold. Now, we are days before getting on a plane to go to the inauguration. I am praying "please Lord, don't allow me to get sick" I didn't want such an exciting time to be tainted in any way. The Lord granted my request. I had a wonderful time, a great flight there and back.

BUT, ten days after we deplaned our fight back home here in Texas, It Finally Got Me. A sore throat, coughing, hot and cold flashes, body aches, upset stomach, no voice, speaking at a whisper, and a lot of drainage.

Although, there is no reason to feel joyous over how bad I am feeling at this moment, I am grateful that God was merciful and granted me the gift of sustained health. He allowed me to remain healthy so that I could fulfill the duties that were set before me, and my desire to take an unhibited trip to Washington, New Jersey and Philadelphia without any obstacles of feeling bad.

Thank you God! Please say a little prayer for me that I don't linger to long with this cold. I have no doubt that I am in his keeping care and healing hands. Until I'm feeling better, stay healthy, and I'll blog at you soon.

On my way back to Bed. Love you all.

The Inauguration? I'm Almost Speechless!

We are back in Texas from the bitter cold of Philadelphia Pennsylvania, Newark and Jersey City New Jersey, and Washington D.C. We had a fabulous time visiting each place. We are still in awe of being a part of history in the making and having the opportunity to probe into past history. It was thrilling to glimpse artifacts of America in her infancy and chronological records of events in Philadelphia.

I am speechless and there are no words to capture the essence of our experience at the Presidential Inauguration. Not only could I not believe I was really witnessing such an illustrious celebrated occasion, but that I was truly there in the flesh. Great God Almighty!! The consensus expressed in all the news programs about the feelings, reactions of everyone in attendance and the aura of the event was 100% accurate in the many emotions felt by my family and I. I thank God for the opportunity, experience, and for simply allowing it to be so. Thank you God.

My husband and I were blessed to have the companionship of our son Rev. Kevin and his wife LaTonya on our trip. We had a great time of bonding and fellowship. I am certain this will be one of our greatest family memories.

Surely, there were many great moments. One of the highlights for me was having the opportunity and privilege of meeting my first born blog son, Pastor Lance Mann. As soon as he arrived at our meeting place in Newark, I realized how TRULY excited I was. My husband and Pastor Kevin greeted him first with a declaration, that if they hadn't brought me over to meet him, they wouldn't have been able to return back to Texas in peace. Lance was then introduced to my daughter in law LaTonya. He turned to look at me. I asked him if he knew who "I" was. With a great big smile on both our faces, he reached out his arms to embrace and annouced me as Momma V! This happened two days after the inauguration, before seeing and touring any of the other sites and cities. If nothing else had happened after meeting my Lance, I would have returned home very happy and satisfied. He did not disappoint me, he met my every expectation of him. He felt just like family, a fine young man. We had a great time of fun and fellowship. He showed us a few sites, took us to Jersey city to see the New York skyline and Lady Liberty. He also took us to a fantastic place to have lunch called Je's. It was the best meal we had the entire time we were on our trip including our meal of the famous Philadelphia cheese steak. Thank you Lance for everything. I love you.

This is a picture I took at a funeral of one of our beloved Deacons standing in front of our church a few days ago. I just wanted to show off "Momma's Babies" on my blog. Has nothing to do with my trip. They are (L to R) Mr. Keith Lloyd (33), Rev. Kevin Lanier (37), Rev. Kraig Lowell Pullam (30). They are so beautiful.

Dad, Mom and the Boys!

On to the Inauguration trip photos ...

I hope you enjoyed viewing just a few of MANY pictures we took. Wish you all could have been there with us. I hope some day I will have the opportunity to meet the rest of my blog family.

P.S. I was also excited to see Will Smith's (Fresh Prince of Bel Air) neighborhood and the basketball court that he played on in West Philadelphia. I saw the Rocky Balboa statue and Patti LaBell's childhood home also.

I said, I was ALMOST speechless!!!! (lol)

My grandson,

Kai Livingston Pullam age 5

son of Kraig and D'Ani (Dee) Pullam.

Blessings to each of you