Giving Honor...Always!

              

I thank my God for all the memories I have of you. ~ Phil. 1:13 (GWT)

                      

     It's been awhile since I put up a new blog post, lots has been going on and my promise is still to only post when I have something real to say. Recently, a dear friend and fellow worshiping artist departed this life, and I had the opportunity to share some words at her repast after the service. She was a true gift from God and a friend in every definition. When we realize the power of friendship, we will hopefully learn to be more supportive of one another, more Christlike in our behavior, and more understanding of our differences. When that happens, there will be no room for competition...I believe that we wouldn't even want to compete with one another if we really realized the power of friendship. No, everyone will not be our friend, and we can't be friends with everyone. But, we can be kinder and treat others as Christ would treat them.

     Cynthia Manker was a prolific writer, actor, communicator, motivator, public relations and media specialist, and most of all, a true worshiper of Christ. She lived in the revelation of Ephesians 6:13 "...After having done all...Stand". Even when she could no longer physically stand, her spirit stood tall. She was a wonderful friend to me, and we worked together in the same drama ministry for six years. These are the words I had the opportunity to speak about her today:

     August 6, 1998 was not only my birthday, it was the day that God blessed me with one of the greatest gifts I would ever have, a friend named Cynthia. On stage and off, we were complete opposites in almost everything, in height, in taste, in animals: I loved cats, she thought they were sneaky, she watched TV, I got rid of mine.  She was the extrovert, I was the introvert, when I would stress out, she would see the bright side.   If there were a theme song for our friendship, it would be: "Count on Me" but I won’t sing. I called to cry on her shoulder many a night and she would listen and never once judge me, but wouldn’t hesitate to call me out if I was in the wrong.  Once, she talked me into being part of her clown act “Quacky & Company” at a church picnic, (she was Quacky, I was Company) and I went along, being the willing drama student that I was. It was my first and last time EVER being a clown but that’s another story. But for 17 years, we were in each other’s corner, at our best, and at our worst. We both loved the Lord, and watching The Hoarders because we were afraid of becoming pack rats. Our running joke was “Cynthia, find my show”. She was my friend, and I will miss her.

     Cynthia was a reader of my blog, and I'm glad we shared many ministry times together, as well as a great friendship. Today's blog is dedicated to her, to remind everyone to honor those who you work with in ministry, whether you sing together, dance together, mime, act, do music or visual art. You never know when you won't have those times again. So, love them, uplift them, and support them!

Blessings...

Spirit to spirit

You are not the same as those who don’t believe. So don’t join yourselves to them. Good and evil don’t belong together. Light and darkness cannot share the same room. ~ 2 Cor. 6:14 (CEB)

     October is the month when all things Halloween are seen everywhere, from the house next door to the neighborhood shopping centers, school campuses and even medical facilities. According to a 2012 article on CNN World, Halloween is no longer a holiday dominated by children, but today Halloween is a decidedly adult affair -- replete with raucous parties, racy get-ups and elaborate decorations. Many adults begin celebrating the holiday as early as a month in advance, says Kathy Grannis of the National Retail Federation. (1)  Ms. Grannis goes on to say that: "A large portion of the growth is coming directly from adults who begin celebrating as early as a month prior to Halloween night. We are definitely seeing that it is no longer only a children's holiday." Halloween has also grown in popularity outside of the U.S., according to Lisa Moron, author of “The Halloween Encyclopedia” and “Trick or Treat? : A History of Halloween”. (2) 

     Along with increasingly bizarre costumes, there is also a large fascination with the occult, including séances, the paranormal, psychic readings and even witchcraft.  Many Christians see nothing wrong with participating in these activities and often practice some of these things regularly, especially around Halloween. But, as worshipers and followers of Christ, should we participate in a holiday that has its origins in paganism? Are we to communicate with the spirit realm outside of what is written in the Word? Let’s see what He has to say about it:

...So why are you trying to find out the future by consulting witches and mediums? Don’t listen to their whisperings and mutterings. Can the living find out the future from the dead?

Why not ask your God?

 “Check these witches’ words against the Word of God!” He says. “If their messages are different than mine, it is because I have not sent them; for they have no light or truth in them."

~ Is. 8:19-20 (TLB)

     In other words:

·     Don’t be a Fortune Teller, Spiritual Medium or Clairvoyant

·     Beware of consulting a Fortune Teller, Medium or Clairvoyant

·     Have nothing to do with Palm Readers, Tea Leaf Readers or Ouija Boards

·     Don't follow Astrology or Horoscopes

·     Avoid Black Magic in any form (3)

Why? You may ask…

The Lord your God, who is with you, is a God who does not tolerate rivals.  Deut. 6:15 (GWT)

Never have any other god. Ex. 20:3 (GWT)

But more than anything else, put God’s work first and do what he wants. Matt. 6:33(CEV)

     We don't need to look too far around us to see that we are in the last days. God's Word says that the closer we get to the Lord's return, there will be more people walking away from God's ways and seeking after the dark side. There are many reasons for this, but as worshippers we cannot afford to compromise our faith to blend in with the world. We are supposed to be different...which doesn't mean walking around with an oversize Bible and a sad face, not enjoying life, but according Matt. 5:13-15, we are called to be salt and light, a purifying force of enlightened people who carry the presence of God. We can't be that if we are walking in darkness, even if we think it's just for fun. Too many people have lost their way and don't take Christ seriously, because we don't!

And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For you are God’s temple, the home of the living God, and God has said of you, “I will live in them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they shall be my people.”   That is why the Lord has said, “Leave them; separate yourselves from them; don’t touch their filthy things, and I will welcome you   and be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters.”

~ 2 Cor. 6: 16-18 (TLB)

  

Something to think about... 

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References:

1, 2: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/22/world/halloween-culture-adults/index.html

3: Spiritism, Free Tract Society



Worshipful Season

     While we are all preparing for the holidays, remember to keep the worship of God at the center of all things. Regardless of how you choose to celebrate, don't get caught up in the busy-ness, commercialism and greed that overtakes many during this time. Find someone to bless, who cannot return the blessing and continue to seek out opportunities to share whatever you have with someone else!

Being kind to the poor is like lending to the Lord;

he will reward you for what you have done.

Prov. 19:17 (NCV)

Generous people will be blessed,

because they share their food with the poor.

Prov. 22:9 (NCV)

 

When you happen on someone who's in trouble or needs help among your people with whom you live in this land that God, your God, is giving you, don't look the other way pretending you don't see him. Don't keep a tight grip on your purse. No. Look at him, open your purse, lend whatever and as much as he needs. Don't count the cost. Don't listen to that selfish voice saying, "It's almost the seventh year, the year of All-Debts-Are-Canceled," and turn aside and leave your needy neighbor in the lurch, refusing to help him. He'll call God's attention to you and your blatant sin.

Deut. 15:7 (The Message)