A MOTHER'S LETTER

by Pastor Marquis Boone

Late one night my mother sent out an e-mail that captured my attention. In this email she began to pour out wisdom; and in the email I could hear and feel her heart. In this letter, she began by saying this:

"As a mother, sister, daughter, auntie, cousin, friend and woman, I'm asking and praying that you all find peace with any situation that is bringing unnecessary stress into your life. Sometimes the situation is just what it is. There is nothing you can do about it. Burger King's slogan doesn't work on everything -- you can't always "have it your way." You have to free your mind, heart and body, or you could internally cause your body to develop an illness you really don't want. I challenge you all to take better care of your bodies. Sit down, learn to do less and relax, or your body will shut you down and you will have no choice in the matter!"

My mother continued on in the email to say..."your job does not dictate your happiness. A failed relationship does not dictate your happiness. You have to make life what you want as God leads, but also remember nothing comes easy. Make the best of a situation, but if it becomes too much, it's time to let go."You solve nothing by sending yourself in circles for someone or something that is not reciprocating your worth. Something better is bound to happen, remember when you learn to close a door another one is ready to be opened. Be willing to open that door, it may be the one that sets everything in order!

There is nothing like a mother; wisdom drips from her lips, and kings and queens are birthed from her womb. Mothers are blessed by God and without them we would not be here. I challenge you today -- regardless of the problem or issue -- make an effort to call your mother and say thank you or I love you. Life is too short. Close a door and get ready to open a new one. I leave you with this poem:

My Tears Don't Come Cheap Anymore (By: C. `Tillery Banks)

I don't want to cry anymore about something that ain't nothing
The price of my tears comes high now;
They come from a deeper well than before.
A well filled with knowledge I didn't have before
Filled with visions I have never seen before
Filled with emotions I have never felt before
secrets I've never known before.
Filled with children I have yet to birth
Joys I have yet to live and give
Magic I have yet to perform
Dreams yet to dream
Songs to sing that have not been sung
Dances to danceAnd words to rhyme.
The well is deep.
No, my tears don't come cheap anymore

Scripture Of The Day: "And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her." - Genesis 17:16 (NJKV)

AN ENCOUNTER WITH GOD

by Os Hillman
05-11-2010

"So I was left alone, gazing at this great vision, I had no strength left, my face turned deathly pale and I was helpless." - Daniel 10:8

Daniel received a vision that troubled him greatly. He wanted understanding of this vision. He set himself out to understand the vision by fasting for three weeks. Three days after his three weeks of fasting, a messenger of God appeared to Daniel. The messenger explained that Heaven had heard his prayer from the first day, but the angel was temporarily prevented from coming by the prince of Persia, a demon angel, who sought to thwart God's messenger from coming to Daniel.

There are times in our lives when we must set ourselves to seeking God with all our hearts. It is in these times that we hear from Heaven in ways we may never have experienced before. Daniel's perseverance in prayer was rewarded with a personal encounter with Heaven. However, in order to receive from God, Daniel had to be left alone, have his strength removed, and be placed in a helpless condition. When we have no ability in our own strength to move Heaven or the events around us, we are in position to hear from Heaven. It is the acknowledgment of our humanity and our frailness that places us in a position to have a personal encounter with the living God.

Do you need a personal encounter with God today? Do you need God to intervene on your behalf? Seek Him with all your heart. Demonstrate to Him you are serious. Get alone and acknowledge your helpless condition before Him. He will reward you with His presence.