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40 Days to a Legacy of Love is an E-book currently available for download: Click here. 40 Days to a Legacy of Love is a devotional dedicated to parents, Bible Teachers and other ministry leaders who desire to deepen their walk of faith. Take 40 consecutive, transformative and life-affirming days to devote yourself to this daily reading. But don’t simply read. Reflect on the passages and earnestly seek understanding and guidance as you study. I recommend you keep a journal for notes, questions and prayers. The studies in the book delve into godly wisdom reminding us of the power of our words and our conversations. This is meant to be a stress-free devotional. There is no expectation that you have to know everything in it or be a perfect example of everything it holds. Instead, it should guide you to understand God’s great love for us and truly see his never ending grace, mercy and wisdom. Ideally, you will gain greater understanding and wisdom that you can share with others. Over the next 40 days, this devotional will provide one look into how the tongue can be used to frame conversations that promote peace and unity, and lead to a legacy of love. Download the devotional here. A Time to SpeakAs a Doula, I quickly learned that in addition to healthy eating and exercise, emotional well-being is key to maternal health. The emotional well-being of a mother, however, reaches well beyond the walls of any traditional labor and delivery room. For instance, the current outrage over the execution of George Floyd, an unarmed black man murdered while in police custody has sparked an emotional outcry from many people including mothers. Mothers are concerned this type of dehumanizing and unethical brutality against black men exposes deep-rooted social issues that can be murderously unleashed against anyone of color at any time. We are looking for people and especially white Christians to stand up and speak out. As an Abundant Life Doula, I could not remain silent during this critical time. The first thing I did was express myself in my blog and then I took three days to voice my concerns in prayer. No. I cried out to the Lord. I took my concerns and heartaches directly to the One who supplied my need before I knew what I would need. He supplied a significant portion of what was needed in the writings of Amy Julia Becker, a Christian Author and Blogger who speaks to faith, disability, privilege and race. Amy Julia was a solace because in her book, White Picket Fences, Turning to Love in a World Divided by Privilege, she provided understanding. Amy Julia took the time to look back over her life and honestly recognize the advantages and access denied to people of color. With that, she was able to honestly and lovingly provide healing words to myself and others during a Facebook Live event on June 10, 2020. Days later, I began to read comments from other Christians like my friend Gayle. Gayle is white and married to a black Christian man. She expressed her concern in these words: “I have been thinking a lot and praying before I decided to say anything about what is going on across the country right now. I have so much in my heart and mind that I needed to figure it all out before I commented. As a white person I am ashamed and embarrassed of the actions of the white police officers that have taken the lives of so many black men and women. I am embarrassed of the hate and racism being shown. In order to stop racism, it has to stop being taught. We are not born with hate and racism in our hearts it is taught by parents, social media, and unfortunately supported by #45. As the wife of a black man, the mother of a black son and a white son, 2 black daughters, and a grandmother of 2 young black girls and 2 young black boys, 2 young white boys and 2 older black young men. I am afraid, angry, disgusted, frustrated, and just plain pissed off. I pray for them constantly that God will protect and keep them in this crazy, racist, demonic world!! I am hurt and scared of what either of them black or white will have to face as they grow in this current society if nothing changes! When my husband goes for a run I wonder, “Is today the day that some white police officer decides that my husband is “prey” for the day”. So, I pray for his safety constantly. It is sad that just going out for a run should make you feel that way. What is happening??!!!” What is your concern or outrage? Don’t hold it in any longer. I believe our emotional and physical well-being is better served if we can express what we are feeling and it is abundantly helpful when we know someone is listening.
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My Day 3 Morning Agenda Today is the 3rd and final day of the Esther 4:16 Prayer and Fast. Esther fasted and prayed to God because she would have to approach King Ahasuerus on behalf of her people. Her people, the Jews, had a target on their backs. Haman was full of rage because Mordecai, Queen Esther's uncle, would not bow and give Haman reverence. Because of his pridefulness, Haman sought to destroy all the Jews in the kingdom. Today, black people in America, are unjustly killed by white police officers and others. People like George Floyd are arrested, convicted and executed without due process. In response to this evil, black people say, "Black Lives Matter" to acknowledge the equality and injustice that remains in this country. Below you will find an outline of the plan I followed on today as I prayed, sang and worshipped. Date: June 5, 2020 Reading: The Book of Esther PART I
PART 2
Mastering the Art of Loneliness by Zamy Temi
| Equality in the Church of a Loving God But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want; that there may be equality: The church of a loving God has an exceptional role to play in a world of inequality. This world is incapable of seeing people in the light of God's love. But the people of the light see it clearly. We know the injustices in our country but we are guilty of looking the other way. If it were not for the good Shepherd, we'd continue to ignore inequities. But we are our brother's and sister's keeper and, therefore, we are all responsible for lightening the unjust burdens carried by many. When that reality hits us, it will prompt us to get busy making sure that people do not have to deal with racism or any other "ism" that leads to inequality. What About The Children? Let's determine that the next generation of our children will not have to shoulder the weight of inequality alone. But what does that look like? When it is time to approve the church budget, how many God-fearing leaders have determined that the church must have a line for Equality? A way of balancing the scales created by a wicked world. Ensuring equality for all God's people is a privilege of the church of a loving God. This is only a spark to the conversations that must occur. How will we close the obvious equality gaps existing in our congregations? We can't stop at supplying for the needs of people. God cares about our wants. The wants of our brothers and sisters must be equally supplied as well. Praying a new generation of Christians will witness the love of God in its fullness. That point where we leave fear behind and fully have life and have it more abundantly. Let's talk. |
My Day 2 Morning Agenda Today is the 2nd day of the Esther 4:16 Prayer and Fast. Esther fasted and prayed to God because she would have to approach King Ahasuerus on behalf of her people. The act of approaching the king when your presence was not requested was against the law. Esther could be killed for her unlawful act. Today, I pray for those who protest peacefully against racism. I struggle to understand why a new generation of children are singing We Shall Overcome. This should not be. Praying the good Shepherd will help us and heal us today. Below you will find an outline of the plan I followed on today as I prayed, sang and worshipped. Date: June 4, 2020 Reading: The Book of Esther PART I
PART 2
Making Words Count by LeighAnne Lowe Clifton
PART 3
| I contend that fear is a thief that continues to rob so many people. If you belong to Christ, you know fear has no place in the life of a believer and yet we allow it to dominate our thoughts and our daily existence. In so doing, it robs us of the joy and peace we have in Christ. We speak of the goodness of God. But in truth, we put our trust in weapons, our laws and trust money and privilege to protect us. This war is not carnal, we cannot legislate against fear. We can't defeat it with our weapons and our money is worthless when fear is the thief. Abundant life begins where fear ends. The fight against fear is a daily battle. The good news is the Lord is the good shepherd and he is willing to walk with us each day. With the Lord as our shepherd, we can have life in abundance. Read Psalms 23 and consider the utopia we can experience as the sheep of his pasture Answer the following Questions:
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My Day 1 Morning Agenda My 3-day Esther 4:16 Prayer and Fast began today. Thanks to eveyrone who joined in this prayer in your own way. If the Lord wills, I will begin the fast at 6:00 am and it will end at 6:00 pm. each day for 3 days. I developed an agenda for each morning and will share it. I am sharing my plans because I welcome your participation. The things I desire are impossible for me. Thanks be to God that all things are possible through Him. In fact, he specializes in what is impossible for us. In my prayers and sorrow, I approach His throne of mercy on behalf of all that suffer. Date: June 3, 2020 Reading: The Book of Esther PART I
PART 2
5 Secrets for More Peace In Life by Stacie Pardoe
PART 3
| I Can’t Breathe The cries of the righteous Have risen high, Lord, Burning as incense in your presence and about your throne. Our pain is not bodily, although we feel that too But Our knees buckled at the strained pleas for mercy Generations of soul wrenching efforts to breathe Under the heavy weight of the oppressor’s heavy knee The war you have said, is not carnal With that, we laid our weapons down And looked for that mighty force to rise To Pull down strong holds To Cast down imaginations And every high thing exalting itself against the knowledge of God To bring every thought into captivity of Christ We belong to you So, we rest in your arms and find solace, belonging. We will not fear. You are God and there is no other. In your presence, we are abundantly blessed. You bless your beloved, and do not curse. For your grace we are sincerely grateful. It is to you we pray and you alone we worship. We know one day soon, we will breathe |
, The Book of Esther tells the story of the people of God who faced persecution and potential annihilation from the Persians and Medes who sought 100% domination over the Jewish people. Esther, a Jew, became Queen under King Ahasuerus and learned that very wealthy men promised to pay a large sum of money to the king for the destruction of the Jews. In response, Esther called on her people to pray, fast and mourn for 3 days. After those 3 days, Esther would go before the king without his beckoning. It could mean that she could lose her life. |
Evelyn Tinsley, The Host of the Virtual Christian Book Club on Facebook
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