Sing...Sing...Sing.

I sing because I'm happy, I sing because I'm free
His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.


One of my favorite religious programs on TV is 'Kids Praise' which airs on 3ABN. I am always moved by the sweet innocence and beauty with which the kids offer their praises to God. In addition the talent is really God-given and there are no pride-filled airs about them as they share. I am always reminded of Jesus' challenge that we become like little children if we are going to enter the kingdom of heaven.


Last Saturday morning as I watched the program I saw a little girl singing an old Sunday School chorus: "Come and go with me to my Father's house, ... there is joy, joy , joy." It took me back down memory lane to my childhood years and also later to my own involvement in Sunday School ministry. I reckoned how songs can really lift our spirits and at times when it may be difficult to express our heart in thoughts, the words of a song prove to be just all we need to say.

• Can you recall feeling overwhelmed and humming 'I need Thee O I need Thee' or 'Pass me not O gentle Saviour?'
• Still yet, the words of "It is well with my soul" can bring both comfort and assurance and I am sure you know that tears sometimes flow
• What about "He hideth my soul in the cleft of the rock and covers me there with His hand" at a time when life seems to be swallowing you up?
• On a more contemporary plane, how about Hezekiah Walker's "Faithful is our God," "I am" by Eddie James in Ultimate Call, or Brooklyn tabernacle's "God is still doing Great Things?"

Friend, I know you can identify with me that the call from the psalmist David in Psalm 95:1-2 to "...sing unto the Lord:...make a joyful noise...come before his presence with thanksgiving and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms" encompasses the use of songs of victory, praise and adoration. So next time when you do not know what to say, or who to say it to, remember, you can sing...sing...sing!

Identify with the 'Winner man'

"Jesus is the winner man... the winner man all the time." So sings one of our Jamaican gospel artistes.

This is a season that is all about winning and victory. With the Beijiing Olympics on, the eyes of the whole world are glued to screens to see how the athletes from the various countries are performing. As a Jamaican, I am proud and elated about the performance of our athletes on the track. I was home for the first week of the games but returned to my place of work in another country after the stellar performance of our women in the 100m sprint. However, I continued a keen followup of all the daily events. That victory was sweet. I shouted and screamed with friends and family and really felt proud as a Jamaican. I have been sporting national colours since and wearing tops emblazoned with my country's name. A Jamaican flag has been sticking out of my handbag since. These symbols have identified me with winners.

As I reflected on the sensation associated with this season, I have been challenged to reflect on how important it is for us as christians to proudly identify with Jesus Christ who is the 'Winner man'. Another line in the song I quoted at the start of this post says, "I am on the winning side...the winning side all the time." This is a status we cannot allow to slip from our spirits. Together let us affirm that "we are more than conquerors through him that loved us"-Romans 8:37. Because of Jesus' victory over sin death and the grave we know that we can say "Thanks be to God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ"-1Cor 15:57.

So friend, as we celebrate in this Olympic season, let us remember that our walk with Jesus is a lifetime of victories. Live in it...walk in it...believe in it!

Life Challenges

As I prepared this post, my experience became more than a life challenge...I choose to call it my blogger challenge. It was a test of patience, willingness and commitment. Twice after writing and editting, I lost the post due to my not recognising that the internet connection was incomplete. I had to choose to give up doing the blog post or overcome the frustration and further demonstrate that I was really experiencing what I would be sharing. As you see, I chose the latter.


So, how have things been with you? What has been your latest challenge? How well have you been weathering your storms? Have you been able to gain new spiritual insights or learn new life principles? I have accepted in a new and deeper way that the admonition in 1 Peter 5:17 of "casting all your cares upon him: for he careth for you" is one that we cannot allow to leave our minds and spirit.


I had some experiences in the last few days that left me asking God afresh to lead and guide every facet of my life. I recognised in a deeper way how incomplete our lives are without the empowering of the Holy Spirit. I saw the need for the wisdom spoken of in James 3:17 that is pure, peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and hypocrisy.


As I sat with a friend who had lost her baby in a rather strange and shocking manner, and reflected on the various aspects of the encounter, we both recalled these lines:

We'll talk it over in the bye and bye

We'll talk it over my Lord and I

I'll ask the reason and He'll tell me why

When we talk it over in the sweet bye and bye.

In another situation I faced subtle redicule and synicism because of a stand I took that was not readily embraced. Mind you, I was right. I strengthened my resolves as I affirmed in my spirit:

My Jesus I love thee, I know thou art mine

For thee all the follies of sin I resign

My gracious Redeemer my saviour art thou

If ever I loved thee my Jesus 'tis now.

After vacation plans fell through and second plans also did not work, I battled anger, frustration and disappointment. I could not see beyond those emotions until I surrendered my spirit to the truth that God is concerned about every facet of my life and is able to take me through this.

I later shared the pain of a friend whose house was broken into and vandalised and some items stolen, including her laptop. I saw the value of and the need to 'bear each other's burden'.

Listen, life's challenges are not always easy to bear. In all of these expereience I have been reminded of a verse that I find potent. "Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord"-Ephesians 5:19.

Friends, use this and encourage yourselves as you face your life challenges. Shalom.

Celebration time

Its time to shout, Its time to sing!

Its time to glorify the King.

This stony heart is taken away

I have the liberty to praise his name, Praise his holy name!

This is a song of celebration and I know that the celebration of praise is not always on our lips, but guess what, its always time to celebrate.

Just now here in Jamaica, Independence and Emancipation celebrations are drawing to a close. The thrill and excitement seemd to ooze out of every nook and cranny. The float parades and grand gala celebrations were a thrill. The Jamaican spirit was strong and captivating and one really felt proud to be a Jamaican. The rich display of talent and creativity in music and the various genres were superb. The camaraderie was heartwarming and everyone just basked in the beauty of celebrating forty-six year of independence.

As christians, we have much to celebrate. We have a lively hope, we have a God who loves us anew each morning, we have angels encamping around us, we have an eternal God who is our refuge, whose everlasting arms are beneath us, we are heirs of God and joint heirs with Jesus Christ, we are royal priesthood, peculiar people, we serve a God whose strength is made perfect in our weaknesses, we have a God who is our refuuge and strength and a very present help in trouble who will not allow us to be forsaken or to see our seed begging bread!!!

Now don't you feel like celebrating? Don't you see how blessed you are? Don't you see how much divine favor you have on your side. Make this celebration a way of life. Now I encourage you to join with me and say "I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations". Psalm 89:1

Live in the spirit of celebration.

Me Time

How are all my friends? From the look of things, there is the sign of holiday...rest...relaxation. Well that's just what I am up to now. I am back home for a summer break...finding some well needed 'me time' and enjoying every moment of it. It is so refreshing to be with dear friends and family. My heart and spirit is really warmed by this.

Let me ask you. When was your last holiday? When last did you really drop everything and find some time to relax your body and mind? When did you last find time to be close to nature, to sleep late, to go to the spa, get a massage? Listen it is necessary. You need to replenish, lest you fall apart and be overcome with stress and all its related illnesses. One of the things I am enjoying now is that there is no hurry to get to an appointment, meet any deadline, return a business call, nothing like that. I am just relaxing.

Do you realise that in Mark 6:31 Jesus said to the disciples: "Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat". So, need I say more. I can only encourage you to remeber that this physical body must be taken care of. It is the temple God has built and we must maintain it.

So, take a break. Refresh your mind and spirit and allow your body to experience some well needed rest. Do things you have not done for a while. Allow yourself to be pampered in whatever way possible. Plan a vacation ...there is value in 'me time'

Be blessed!

Facing your 'Mrs. Potiphar'

Popular poet and author Maya Angelou says "You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it."I found this to be an apt statement as I refelected on a challenge I faced recently. Have you ever felt trapped in making a decision which should be easy to make but you struggled with what to do? I am not referring to those that come in shades of grey, it is clear black and white. Ever been there? I made the right choice but later refelected on the mental battle I had. I further recognised that I have been defeated in the past due to bad decisions, but I learnt valuable lessons.

My mind then went back to Joseph and the challenge he faced with Potiphar's wife-Genesis 39:7-21. David did two important things:

• he considered the consequences
• he ran from the scene.

Mind you, he was maligned as a result and imprisoned as the woman of power felt she should not have lost.
Now, let's bring this home. What or who is your 'Mrs. Potiphar'? It does not have to be of a sexual nature. Identify any situation that you face that has the potential to:

• make you go against what is right
• rob you of your dignity
• destroy your character and reputation
• steal your joy
• make you act contrary to christian values and beliefs even when it seems everyone else is doing it.

Act like Joseph did. Follow the two simple principles. It works. Guess what, even if you fail, don't stay defeated. Rise up and go again and learn from the experience for a "saint is just a sinner who fell down and got up".

Let's share in Prayer

Do you recall the song from Sunday School - "Always take time to pray?" Well, that is what I want us to do together today. I am thinking of so many things that you and I can identify with together. Let us like friends, join our hands and hearts in true kindred spirit. You can insert a name in each blank as you relate it to your personal situation...THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN AVAILETH MUCH! James 5:16

PRAYER

Lord we bow before you and join with the angels in saying, Holy, Holy, Holy. Mighty God, we truly exalt and honour you and acknowledge your power and greatness. We approach your throne in confidence that you will hear us. With such assurance, we cast our cares on you because we know that you care for us.

We pray for those who are in grief. We remember the _______ family and ask that by the power of the Holy Spirit you will comfort them. Help them that in their pain, they will not lose hope in who you are and how you work in our lives.

Lord we bring before you the sick and suffering, those who have just heard news of a life threatening illness, those who have to live with various diagnosed conditions, those who are not responding well to treatment and those who are unable to pay their medical bills. God touch them in a special way. We think of ______ and pray that you will bring healing and comfort to their bodies, minds and spirits. God we know nothing is impossible with you.

We pray for the children and the youth of the land. So many of them are trapped in destructive vices and practices. Many times our hearts are in pain and we are tempted to feel hopeless about the future, but again Lord we call on you who can do abundantly more than we can ask or think. Visit our homes, our communities our schools and raise up mothers and fathers who will train up children in the way that they should grow. We curse the plans of the enemy who comes to steal, kill and destroy and ask that your angels will encamp around our youth and save them.

Lord, we remember those who have been victims of the scourge of crime in the society. Those who are fearful, angry and may be harboring thoughts of revenge. We ask that you will come to their spirits reminding them that you are the God of justice. May your peace flood their hearts and give them renewed hope.

Father for those who are experiencing loss, those in financial difficulties, those who are experiencing family crisis, those who have lost hope, those trapped in various addictions. Whatever the need is, we ask that you who will supply all our needs will open doors we never knew existed.

God we thank you that you have heard us and we continue to give you praise and thanks for your love, mercy and grace, Amen.

Shalom my friends.

Feelings Check

Greetings. How has your day been so far? If you are alive and well that is more than enough to give thanks for. But friend, I do know that we have those days when things have us on the down low, and we feel like we wanna hop off earth for awhile. Life's stressors can overwhelm and leave us feeling swamped. Think it not strange, the Psalmist said "From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I" Ps 61:2

Do not allow anyone to tell you that you should not be feeling that way. The reality is, that is how you feel but the challenge is do you want to remain there? You may not be able to change the situation immediately but remember a merry heart is medicine-Prov 17:22. So here are a few tips to lift your spirit.

• Identify something(s) you can be thankful for, it will cause you to see that all is not lost
• Tell God exactly how you feel. Get in touch with your true feelings. Don't stop until you get it all out.
• Sing...even if it is off key
• Cry if it will release the emotional tightness
• Call a friend and unburden
• Remember, nothing that you are going through is unique. Others have been there so there is someone who knows your pain. Share it....share it....share it.

Listen, life has its sunshine and its rain. Right now you may be having showers or even thunderstorms, but God is able to strengthen you through it. Some of these popular sayings may leave you thinking, 'yea yea...its because you don't know'. But let the thoughts linger and be encouraged.