"Ongoing Grace Growing"

It is late and I am still up. A lengthy nap after church has caused my insomnia. As I sat in front of the television tonight flipping stations with the remote, my mind kept going back to this word "Grace". For over fifty years I have heard my Mother say... "she hopes as she ages, she will grow in grace". For about the same amount of years I have heard many prayers for our senior adults... "as they grow older may they grow older in grace". I know of the grace of God displayed towards me and its benefits. But what does it mean for us to become full grown in grace? Is it important enough to generations that follow behind us to grow in grace among other Christian qualities and character? How necessary is it?

Grow in the grace. Grow not just in one grace, but in all grace. Grow in that root grace: faith. I believe we should let faith increase in fullness.

Grow in love. Ask the Lord that your love will be more extended, more intense, more practicle, influencing your every thought word and deed.

Grow likewise in humility. Grow upward in your approach to God in prayer and a more intimate fellowship (there's that word again) with Jesus.

May the Holy Spirit enable you to grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior. By not doing so we are refusing to be blessed. To know Him is life eternal. If you have no desire to learn more about Christ, you know nothing of Him. If we don't want to know Him better then we simply don't love Him. The absence of Christ is hell. But the presence of Jesus is heaven.

We should not rest until we have increased our acquaintance with the Lord. Learn more of Him and of His divine nature. Learn more in His human relationship, His finished work, in His death, in His resurrection, in His present intercession, and in His second coming. We should want to know more and more of Him. This is one of the reasons I love blogging with the Ministers and other fellow Christians the most. I have learned so much in such a short time. In all practicality I know I have lived better than half my life. Still I want to know as much as I can about Him. In doing so, as I grow older I am growing in grace.

So, an increase of our love for Jesus and a more perfect concept of His love for us is one of the best ways to grow in grace.

"Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ"

2 Peter 3:18

Still Searching??

Tell me where you lost your fellowship with Christ and I will tell you where you can find Him. Did you lose Christ by forgetting the prayer closet? Then that is where you go back to seek and find Him. Did you lose Christ through sinning? Then the only way to find Him is to give up your sin and ask the Holy Spirit to discipline you. Did you lose Christ by neglecting to read and study the Sciptures? Then yes, (you guessed it) you will again find Him in the scriptures. The old proverb is true, "Look for a thing where you dropped it." Look for Christ where you lost Him for He has not gone away.

It is difficult to go back and look for Christ. When you get lost in a big forest and it's getting dark, it is hard to find your way back. I know this to be true because my oldest brother Alvin got lost in the woods. It got dark and he thought all hope was gone. The road back can be the hardest to travel. Twenty miles forward is easier than one mile back. When you find the Master stay close.

How did you lose Him? One would think you would never leave a friend so precious. He is ssssooo sweet. His words are comforting. His company is no doubt desirable. Why did you not watch Him every moment? Were you not afraid of losing Him?

Even though you let Him go, what a miracle that you are now seeking Him. Keep on looking. It is dangerous to be without the Lord. Without Christ you are like a sheep without a shepherd, a tree without water. With your "Whole" heart seek Him. Give yourself fully to the search and you will discover Him to be your joy and your gladness.

I am sharing what I know to be true. I have had to seek him more than once in my life. As a young wife and mother, hard times would challenge my faith and would cause me to fall out of fellowship with Jesus. I even struggled while wading through rough waters as my husband dealt with the call into the gospel ministry. God had to "prepare" me as well to be a compatible helpmeet, viable asset and not a liability. After many ups and downs throughout this process, I finally cried unto the Lord as did David...."Lord return unto me my salvation". It was then that the Lord took me back where I first believed and restored me back into the fellowship with Him. I don't want to ever have to search for Him again. For He is truly my joy and my gladness.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:13

Ode of Dora Anderson Wilson...

Have you ever had the blessed priviledge of being loved by an extrodinary individual? I mean VERY extrodinary. It is an experience above all others. The love is so great that you see no fault and don't believe that a person that has this overwhelming ability to make you feel completely loved can do anything wrong. You can't even explain it. Hardly no one else has come close to this kind of love (except mama). It is a love and relationship like non other. It isn't a love like a mate to a mate, a sister or brother kind of love. It is very very close to the love of an exceptional mother, father, grandparents and bodyguard rolled into "one" person.

I have had this kind of love that started before I knew I ever existed and it was cut off way before I wanted it to while in middle school. Her name was Dora Anderson Wilson, affectionately known as Aunt Dora. She was double kin to me. She was the sister to my maternal (big mama) grandmother's father, which made her my great great aunt first. She later married and became the second wife of my maternal (big daddy) grandfather's father, which made her my step great grandmother. She raised my grandfather from the age of three after his mother died and was a wonderful step-mother. She was also very much in the life of my grandmother (her niece) from the time my grandmother lost her mother at age eight years old. She became an Angel to many during that time. She was very much a nurturer, teacher, role model, and mentor. Very quiet and unassuming. She was plain and average looking with dark brown, beautiful, soft skin and very soft fine hair. She stood about 5'1" and about 65 lbs over her ideal weight. To lay against her or rest on her lap was very cozy. She was a devout Methodist and Godly woman who prepared wonderful Sunday dinners and holiday meals. She had NO patience with unruly children. She knew how to put you back in check and on the strait and narrow path.

My mother was her pick of the liter out of eleven children my grandparents had, and she took her to live with she and her husband while mama was a small child. After my parents were married and had me they were still living with her until relocating to the city where they reside presently. I was about 18 months old at the time. The story goes that I became very very ill as an infant and it was she who stayed up for days after the doctor gave up. She nursed me back to health, smearing me with all kind of stuff and praying so loud that the neighbors could hear. I am not supposed to be here according to that story. She became completely deaf after a bout with smallpox as a young adult. She learned how to read lips perfectly on her own. You would not have ever suspected she could not hear anything. When I was about five years old one warm sunny summer day in the country; she and I were walking through the woods on a narrow trail. I was singing (as usual) as I skipped along behind her. Little did I know (but her instincts did) that a whipping snake was making a whistling sound coming up behind me. She grabbed me and ran to safety. Listen, I was walking behind her, the snake was behind me, she was COMPLETELY deaf, how did SHE know about the snake? The family's reply to MANY stories like this one was always...."nobody but God".

I could go on and on about her unconditional love and I'm sure she will come up again in another blog. The only other person who shares this sentiment with me and knows exactly what I mean about Aunt Dora is my own mother. She also had this kind of love from her. I'm blessed to be loved by so many other people. I have great parents, an incredible husband, loving children, grandchildren, etc. and I am truly blessed. I thank God daily that I have them.

I pray that All of you experience a "human" love like this on this side of the Jordan. I know her love was sent from the very heart of God, for He IS love. I thank God for the human touch of my loving family but especially my Aunt Dora's. Thank you God for giving exceptional love through your Son Jesus Christ. I truly loved her and I know without a doubt she loved me.

Thank you Aunt Dora!

Mrs. Dora Anderson Wilson 1882 - 1966
Proverbs 31:10-31
R.I.P.

"Don't Worry, Be Happy"

We can all agree that we have had some good days and we have had some bad ones. Our Pastor tells us every Sunday morning that "EVERY day is a good day when you love the Lord". Each time he says this, especially when I have had a tedious week of struggle, it convicts me. I began evaluating whether I spent to much time worrying than I should have. Then I think about where would I be without God. Knowing without Him my circumstances would be fatal. There is hope in Jesus. In spite of how bad I think it is...because of Him, it is a good day.

What makes YOU happy? I know it could be a variety of things. What is the top five? The things money can't buy or do you think....more money, more happiness? Certainly, it could buy less worries... don't you think? Come on, be real. Worries out of the way could make way for happiness, right? I'll give you a minute to think about it. Are you going to answer what is politically correct or do you have a different analogy about real happiness?

The word tells us many things about having joy and contentment. There are ways to have such happiness. First of all the believer should take care that our happiness has its foundation in the Lord (Psalms 43:4). We should be happy and rejoice that He sits on the throne and He rules all things. The Christian delights not only in what God is, but also in what He has done. So let His people tell of His mighty acts. A real good and happy day for me is thinking upon His goodness and praising Him because He's God. In recent days I have been shouting about another storm he just brought me through. This feeling of great relief to a problem solved. Thank you Jesus! "It sure is a happy day" (quote from Gone with the wind).

Let us not cease from rejoicing. As new mercies flow, our gladness in the Lord's loving acts and grace should make us thankful. It should make us happy and it should make us sing (Exodus 15:1-2). Let us be glad in the Lord.

Matthew 6:31-33

"A Charge To Keep I have"

In the process of anwering many emails and my response to some of my blog family members, I have reflected on many seasons of my life lately. I have thought about (thanks to Rev. Aaron) the very early memories of my childhood. I have also thought about my relationships with the opposite sex and its experiences, and how I came to fall in love with an incredible man. I shared with my youngest son not long ago that with life comes more and more experiences to share. I have communicated so much of my life, the good and the bad, with many who seek answers to so many questions about what they are facing. It is strange how they are drawn to me even before their own family members or parents. All I have is life's lessons to draw from along with the word of God to warn of the do's and don'ts of a particular issue. I have been approached by Pastors seeking a female's point of view ocassionally. I believe and I KNOW God has given me these life experiences and stories to share with "whomsoever" for such a time as this.

As the Pastor's wife, when "I" have questions, when "I" am in despare "WHO" (humanly speaking) am "I" to go to? To my Pastor? What if the issue at the time may be WITH my Pastor? I have had to struggle many times alone and lonely. It was only God who brought me through when I felt no one would understand and/or would make light of my concerns. Then here comes Satan. Trying to conquer my soul at it's most vunerable time. I am wide open. The struggle gets more intense because I have to deal with the discouragement tactics of the devil PLUS the problem at hand. I am grateful that I have gathered along the way some astonishing victories and praise reports.

After the ocassional conflicts life brings I have found that for me a revival has to take place within my soul. I sing songs like "Take me back where I first believed" to relive my rebirth into the life of Christ. Then I say to my soul that "I made a vow" a long time ago and I'm determined to reach my goal. As Pastor Kraig so plainly puts it..."this is just a shift in the wind" on my Christian journey. It can be all good today, then the wind shifts and I'm fighting to remain strong in the Lord. God has found favor in each of my attempts bouncing back with a greater witness and determination. It has been proven to me time after time that God does answer prayer.

And finally, I rejoice being always reminded that "A charge to keep I have and a God to Glorify an ever dying soul to save and fit it for the sky" I will take nothing for my journey thus far and gladly share what I have learned and overcome to help strengthen others for this same pilgrimage. Thank God for His amazing restoring and keeping power. I will remain steadfast until this race is over with the help of the Lord.

James 1:12

Vi's Expressionism...

Hello Blog Friends,

Since becoming a new blogger, I have been anxious to put my thoughts to blog on a regular basis. That is not always an easy thing to do. I have been hanging around you fellas for quite a while now, even before I started my own blog. I couldn't wait to see what you wanted to share and talk about each time I logged on. I always tried to hold myself back from being the first to comment. That didn't always happen.

I was itching to put my "two cents worth" in (and still do) on every subject you all talked about. So far I haven't messed around or commented on the sermon outlines. I do read them and learn a few things in the process. You had me going to my study bibles and dictionaries many times. It is a welcomed and refreshing challenge. I was really happy when my thoughts, insight, outlook, and conclusions coincided with yours. I was REALLY thrilled when Pastor H.B. Charles preached from my favorite scripture (you all know it) and placed the outline on his blog. Ocassionally, I have had a few questions (sometimes very painful) for you to answer. Thank you for your patience and sensitivity to my dilemmas even though you didn't know who I was.

So far I have been gathering my Sons blog buddies and you have been very gracious to me. If you are just humoring your Pal's Mom, don't worry, maybe the newness will wear off quickly and I will be off into a new thing. You can incorporate that request into your daily prayers (LOL). We all know God will hear and He answers.

I am not through gathering new blog constituents. So far I have been hanging out with some of you Pastors. I look forward to inheriting the Sistas, Brothas, Young People, and folks of other cultures. I anticipate learning even more and the sharing of one another's lives.

I had the need to communicate this to you since you are still getting to know me as your new blog friend. I pray that some that I am about to gain are reading this and will comment. I get sooooo excited to see you stop by. It makes my day. I really really do honor every prayer request and hope you do the same for me.

So, I can hardly wait, I want to know...."What do YOU think about "Something"? Blog me.

"Black is not only Beautiful But..."

I like many others have been preoccupied by the media with subjects, opinions, accusations and curiosities of the African American or Black sociological culture. Recently, I have even seen old movies resurface on just about anything that will better enlighten other ethnic groups on the subject. They give a "standing on the outside looking in" prospective on the everyday life of the African American. Almost every talk show, major television newwork special, professional panal discussions, etc. are putting it on out there. Why Now? I have my thoughts why we (blacks) are so closely analyzed at this particular time in history. I think it is a good thing to come out of darkness into the marvolous light about anything. I am just so surprised how until now, there was no initiative.

I was reading a couple of articles in my issue of Jet magazine. I came upon a headline in the communication's section entitled "CNN's Black America Report Sets Viewing Records". It goes on to say that the documentary series "Black in America" was the highest rated program in its time slot. It aired two nights "The Black Man" and "The Black Woman & Family" with over 2.6 million viewers both nights. The article did not say black viewers only. Another article: "Vogue Italia Goes Black" informs Jet readers that Vogue released an all black issue in July for the first time EVER. Featuring black related subjects, only black models, they even included an article on Ebony magazine. It sold out in the United States and England in less than 72 hours. It went back for reprint for 30,000 copies for U.S., 20,000 for Italy and 10,000 for Britain. Am I the only one amazed by this?

For some reason, NOW our diversities must be made clear. Is it because "if I am to follow you, take instructions from or let you have authority over me, I've got to completely understand you? Isn't the character of a human being and individual enough? I was young when President Kennedy campaigned. For some reason I was intensely interested for my age. I don't remember documentaries made of his ethnicity (an Irishmen) or religion (Catholic). As a people we wanted to know if he was going to be sensitive to the issues at hand. We had some serious "Negro" issues and problems in that day. We had to trust blindly that he was the candidate that could best serve the entire american society and not put blacks on the back burner. One thing I do remember. Hearing the opinions of our Pastors, Elders and seniors of the black community. They were concerned that whomever was to take office in our government, had to be saved. A person that was filled with the fear of God and would head this nation in a manner that would reflect Christian beliefs.

So, what I have heard, read and seen lately,"Black is not only Beautiful but Profitable"

This is my "two cents worth" I'd like to get yours. Be Blessed.