New Book Club Book!

I know it's been awhile since I posted for my blog book club but I'm keeping up the faith that someone would join in. So I recieved The Penny by Joyce Meyer and Deborah Bedford for my birthday and I am already halfway through it because it is so good! So this is my new blog book club book! Post at this blog and tell me your comments, your questions, observations etc. (there are also questions in the back of the book you can answer!) I will get your comment right away in my e-mail so that I can approve it and then I will respond to you! If we can get a few people in maybe we can have a steady discussion! If you aren't familiar with The Penny, it is Joyce Meyer's first attempt at ficton and it's very new. (It debut this month) So Join in!

My 27th Bday

27 years doesn't seem like alot of years I'm still young right? yes and no. I feel like I've been through so much and looking back I am amazed I've made it this far. Between being young and seeing drugs,violence at an early age, moving all the time and not being able to make any solid friends, being a teen mom and then marrying quickly and too early. moving out of state away from my family and dealing with many many stuggles there (too much to write about now) having four kids and just the stress that comes with that....I've been through alot and I know I still have a long way to go. But I thank God for always being there,for always listening for always helping me even when I didn't obey and made life harder on myself. He still forgave, still saved and still comforted me! I love Him so much and I don't care who laughs or thinks I'm stupid or just don't understand because my walk with Him is my walk with Him and our relationship is all that matters.
God bless everyone may you have a blessed relationship with Him the way I have....
"The room grew still
As she made her way to Jesus
She stumbled through the tears
That make her blind
She felt such pain
Some spoke in anger
Heard folks whisper
There's no place here for her kind
Still on she came
Through the shame that flushed her face
Until at last she knelt before his feet
And though she spoke no words
Everything she said was heard
As she poured her love for the master
From her box of Alabaster
ChorusAnd I've come to pour
My praise on Him like oil
From Mary's Alabaster Box
Don't be angry if I wash His feet with my tears
And I dry them with my hair
You weren't there the night He found me
You did not feel what I felt
When He wrapped His loving arms around me
And you don't know the cost
Of the oil in my Alabaster box
LYRICS FROM ALABASTER BOX BY CECE WINANS
TAKEN FROM THE VERSUS IN THE BIBLE LUKE 7: 30-50
And there was a woman in the city who was a sinner; and when she learned that He was reclining at the table in the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster vial of perfume,
38and standing behind Him at His feet, weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears, and kept wiping them with the hair of her head, and kissing His feet and anointing them with the perfume.
39Now when the Pharisee who had invited Him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet He would know who and what sort of person this woman is who is touching Him, that she is a sinner."
44Turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair.
45"You gave Me no kiss; but she, since the time I came in, has not ceased to kiss My feet.
46"You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume.
47"For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but he who is forgiven little, loves little."
48Then He said to her, "Your sins have been forgiven."

Pray for your seed in good soil

I was reading over one of Jesus most well-known parables in Matthew 3. This is also a unique parable because this is one of the rare times Jesus explained it Himself. I think that I represented each one of these seeds during my walk in Christ. The one that fell beside the road and the birds ate them up, which means I would hear the Word of God and not understand it and not try to gain understanding of what I heard so the devil came and snatched it up and kept it from growing in my life. I also was once the seed that fell in the rocky places with little soil and grew but was scorched because I had no root, this is when I would hear preaching or read a scripture that would get me excited but didn't hold on to it and as soon as I had problems I lost it. My seed also fell among thorns and I would hear the Word but felt like if I followed it I wouldn't fit in to what others were doing around me and the Word became choked and unfruitful. But I now pray and continue to focus on my seed falling on good soil. That I hear the Word, understand it, and bear fruit from it. That God's Words, I continue to study and take to heart everyday, holds strong and multiplies abundantly into many blessings. This would be a good thing to pray after you read the Bible, or attend church service, just say "God may what I learned fall on good soil. Amen."

Down with Religion!

Below is an excellent quote by a great teacher Joyce Meyer if you haven't heard of her she preaches on tv, radio and is a multiple bestselling author. This quote is from one of her bestselling books and it demonstrates how it shouldn't be about religion but a relationship.

"The devil doesn't want us to hear the truth. He has offered religion, the
following of rules and regulations to try to get us to make a never-ending
attempt to be good enough to deserve God's blessings." (But none of us can be
good enough to deserve His blessings and love that's why He offers it to us as a
gift through Jesus Christ.) She continues to say, "The Bible doesn't teach us
about religion, it teaches us about a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus
Christ. When He comes to live on the inside of us, we receive His nature in our
spirits. We get an opportunity for a frest start, a new beginning!"

Matthew 15:9 "They worship me in vain, their teachings are but rules taught by men."

1John 1:8-10 "If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us."

James 1:26-27 "If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart this man's religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself unstained by the world."

Joyce Meyer at My Church Today

http://www.changinglives.org

I was awesomely blessed today to see Joyce Meyer speak live for the first time when she became the guest speaker at my church. I experienced many small blessing that turned into one large blessing of a day today.

It all started this morning I got up early and dressed and waited for my mother to drive me because we planned to attend together. (my mother don't go to church as often.) My car is broken down so us going together is a blessing all around. But then my mother called to cancel because my younger sister who's expecting soon didn't think she would make it back in time for her babyshower at 2p.m. My sister threw a fit and didn't care that I may not have a ride there even though she knew clearly how excited I was and I how much I looked forward to going. So my mother gave in to her and I was so upset, I cried. But then my husband gave me money to take the train and the cab so that I could attend. (money I didn't know he had by the way) I still was griping on the inside thinking about how wrong my sister was to do me like this at the last minute when she knew this was our plans. (church ends at 12 her shower was at 2 there was plenty of time.) I even decided to not attend her shower when I got back but to just send her gift.

So ofcourse God being a wonderfully loving God who listens and teaches, dealt with me about this, and Joyce Meyer's teaching was "Get over yourself." I learned that we should go about God's business of loving others and putting others before ourselves that God will do for you. She also talked about how we shouldn't depend on people but with God's help. She gave the most awesome illustration of something that happened in her life when she was upset with her husband, Dave Meyer who went golfing and she was feeling down. so instead of griping and yelling at him she talked to God. She told him plainly how she was feeling and she knew that she shouldn't be so bothered but she needed help. So the next day she found her bed full of gifts from Dave and she said that that meant more knowing that it came from God then from Dave doing it out of guilt after she yelled and screamed at him.

The message hit my heart and I understood. So I became the bigger person and dealt with my feelings of my sister to God and I am depending on Him because God will never cancel on me at the last minute and God is never selfish and God promises to never leave nor forsake me. I attended her shower and had a good time and I am believing that God will teach her and grow her up spiritually. (Hebrews 13:5)

"There's no where in the Bible that I can find that the Bible tells us to put our expectations in people, It says we are to expect God."-Joyce Meyer direct quote from today's teaching

TWO YEAR BLOGIVERSARY TODAY!!!!!!!(say yes)

I know it's late but I had a busy day today and I wanted to make sure I blogged today to celebrate two years of writing in this blog! I decided to celebrate by posting this song by the Shekinah Glory Ministry singing the song Say Yes. I love the song and If I wouldn't have said yes I wouldn't have this blog because when I first decided to start a blog it wasn't intended to be all Christian and some of the things that came to me to write surprised myself and made me nervous about other's reactions. But nevertheless I said Yes to His will and I have had many e-mail of people telling me how they see things differently as Christians, that it's not about being judgemental and overly righteous and they see God the way He wants them to see Him as the all loving, all merciful, all forgiving God. Below are links to my one year and my first blog thanks for reading and celebrating with me!

http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2006/05/one-year-blogiversary.html#links

http://matthew1236.blogspot.com/2005/05/conservative-not-always synonymous.html#links

if you are having a hard time with the music you can listen to it on my myspace www.myspace.com/beyonditallmag

Would You Say This?

Would you say, "I don't need school because I'm not smart enough?"
Then why would you say, "I don't go to church because I don't know everything in the Bible."

Would you say, "I had a bad experience shopping at this store so I'm never shopping again."
Then why would you say, "I had a bad experience at a church before so I'm never going to another church."

Would you say, "I'm too sick to go to the hospital?"
Then why would you say, "I make too many mistakes to go to church."

Church is so important because it can help open your eyes to things that you don't understand in the Bible or enlighten you in ways that can help you make changes for the better in your life. I noticed the most that people avoid church because of guiltyness. They think about sin in their life and they feel they don't belong in church. But God is a forgiving and loving God who desires to give you many chances and always wants to welcome you back. Think of the story of the prodigal son, don't think that you are a hypocrite because you want to come to learn about God. So you say, but what if I go back home and go back to sinning? First of all everyone sins, everyday because no one is perfect and the best thing for you is to try your best to please God for a better blessed life but even if you are not sure about having Him in your life, church will eventually change that. In church you may hear or feel something that will open your eyes to Him so don't be afraid.

The Bible says in 1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He’s faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Psalm 103 says that “as far as east is from west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us." In Hebrews 8:12, He said, “your sins and iniquities, I will remember no more.” What a promise from God’s Word. He says He will remember it no more. And He will never bring it up again.

My Pastor Gregory Dickow says it wonderfully when he says this, "The Bible says in Proverbs chapter 24, “A righteous man may fall seven times, but he gets up.” So, clearly that tells us that God gives us second and third chances. The Bible also says, “If your brother sins against you seventy times seven, forgive him.”
So if we’re supposed to forgive our brother seventy times seven – 490 times – how much more will God forgive us? If God will tell us to forgive over and over again and give somebody a second chance, how much more do you think He gives us a second chance because He is love and He is the God of new beginnings. He gave the thief on the cross a second chance. He gave David a second chance. He gave Moses a second chance. He gave Abraham a second chance. He gave Paul a second chance. He gives everybody a second chance. Now, it’s up to us to seize the opportunity and use that second chance to honor Him and to glorify Him."

Stop giving God the credit for Satan's work

So many of us are so quick to blame God when we are having problems. We either do it angrily by shaking our fists in the air and saying "God why me?" or we are the humble Christian type who says "God is just testing me" How about when we deal with problems and struggles in our lives we rebuke the devil. We shake our hands downward and say Satan you aren't going to win I am the child of God!! It says in the Bible in Psalm 34:19, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” God delivers out of affliction He doesn't cause them.

When you're in love and ready...

When you're in love and ready is the popular response for parents to teach their children when it's okay to start having sex nowadays. I was thinking about this while reading an article about how telling teens to wait for marriage is failing. But what's really failing is this you're in love and ready mantra.Some adults past the age of 40 still don't know when they are truly in love, the kind of love that God has sent them.So there are divorces and broken hearts and STDs and unwanted pregnancies and alot of mess! So how can we expect a teenager to know? Some children as young as 13 think they are in love these days! I know this, I experienced this when I failed to realize that saving myself would have saved so many problems in my life. Men basically can say anything you want to hear to make you think that you are in love and ready and vice versa. Then you are stuck with someone who really don't care enough about you to take the extra mile to learn about the real you. That only comes about when someone is thinking about marriage. When they think about bonding with a person for the rest of their lives, they start to really get to know them and learn about them and understand them. This all should happen before sex. I am not the judgemental person. I have made mistakes that has cost me. God does forgive you of your mistakes but it doesn't take back the punishment and struggle your mistakes will ultimately put you through. It's time we take back the "in love and ready mantra" and bring back waiting! Teach your children when they are young let them know so much that by the time they are teenagers they will desire someone to want to marry them first just as they will desire going to college or being whatever they want to be when they grow up. I am dedicated to breaking this cycle with my children and I am ignoring the people who have got it in their brains that it is impossible to for a teen to save themselves nowadays. God is real and it is possible!

Fly Like a Bird

I posted Mariah performing Fly Like a Bird at the 2006 Grammys. I just love that song and I love that Mariah is at that point where she can sing about how she loves Jesus and have scripture in her song etc. and no one judges or talks about her for it. If she would've made that song when she first came out people would've written her off as a gospel fanatic and left her alone I am so glad she is taking advantage of her fame and spreading the word. My favorite part is when she says "I need your strength to survive" That is so true..His strength is the only way I can deal with things in life amongst all the tragedies in this world... I dedicate this video to the Virginia Tech Tragedy.

Out of the Miry Clay

I finished my novel Out of the Miry Clay and am now looking for a publisher. I am proud and happy that this work will entertain and educate young adults. below is my synopsis of my book:

It is about a girl in the inner-city of Chicago who dreams of becoming a singer. After a small break comes her way a stranger helps her to become closer to God. After this happens, many tragic things happen in her life as well as a nagging melody that begins in her head that she tries to ignore, but is always there. After she fails at trying to get her album together she finds words to this melody and these words directly contradict the ultra sexy, ultra violent lyrics she is required to sing. But she realizes that this is the true calling that God has on her life and it not only changes her in significant ways but changes others in her life as well.

Jesus is not just a belief

Happy Easter to all. Just remember that Jesus is not just a belief that He is the only way, truth and life and no one comes to the Father but through Him. I firmly believe nothing will change that. When we witness, we shoudn't just say, this is what I believe...We should say this is the truth and believe it! Jesus died on the cross to pay the debt for our sins, After 3 days He came back again in victory over Satan and now to be saved we have to believe in Him and He will come back some day. What I love to hold on to is this; Every Knee shall bow and Every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord and that is true so don't let anyone who turn you away for the faith, frustrate you!

We All Matter

This past Good Friday I was thinking about how Jesus died for all. The suffering, torture, whips, nails were all endured for all of the world. Not just the pretty Christian that crosses your mind. The Jewish also He died for and I pray that many Jews embrace Jesus and the fact that His word is merely the fufillment of the prophecies they so diligently study. I still believe they are the chosen people but we all became chosen when Jesus paid the price for our sins. God already chose you He's just waiting for you to surrendar all and choose Him. If you already accepted Jesus in your heart, continue to remember to share your faith to everyone because everyone matters and don't be afraid to put aside your pride and surrendar to Him each and everyday.

Pray for Hollywood

I was reading a very interesting Christianity Today Blog about praying for hollywood. Christians remember to pray for themselves, their family, their neighborhood, their cities, their government and their country, which is all good, but this is the first I've heard of people actually specifically saying to pray for those in show business. We should make an effort to do this because these people do influence many around us and instead of talking bad about the violent or sexual movies they make or criticizing their unGodly lives we should pray and have faith that God will show these people the right way and the right things to say and that there will be more positive movies made etc. I'm not saying go to these movies or support them but prayer is stronger then any movie or message hollywood can pump out.

Plant the seed

When Christians evangelize, I think it's important to always remember two things; 1. no matter how much you know, how long you've been saved, how many scriptures you can recite, you are nothing without God and 2. your job is to witness to others about Christ and what the Bible says about how they should live their life not to force it to happen or become angry if it doesn't.

If we all just have the mentality that we are only here to plant seeds of God's perfect love, forgiveness, compassion and mercy and then let Him do the rest there won't be these views of Christians being these overbearing, hipocritic, finger pointing creatures.


"What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 1 Corinthians 3:5-6

Urge you to bring Gospel channel back

In my myspace page I was notified about a letter from Gospel great singer Kirk Franklin. I copied it below:

What's good, God's people!I wanted to take a minute of your time to tell you about something that is very important to me
and the Christian/Gospel Music community at large. I was recently at home in Dallas, watching the Gospel Music Channel with my family when I saw a message come across the bottom of the
screen that DirecTV will be removing the Gospel Music Channel from it's lineup
on March 14. This disturbed me as not only an artist who greatly
appreciates the opportunity to share their ministry with the world through the
vehicle of television, but also a Christian and parent who greatly appreciates
wholesome television programming that my entire family can watch and enjoy
without worrying about what images are going to pop on the screen.If DirecTV
removes Gospel Music Channel from the lineup, I do not know how many cities will
be affected. With all of the chaos and negativity in the world today, it
is important that people, Christian and non-Christians alike, have outlets they
can turn to such as Gospel Music Channel whose programming consistently speaks
of the hope, peace and love of Christ in the midst of troubled times.I am
inviting my fellow artists, industry associates, radio announcers, friends and
fans to join with me in letting DirecTV know that as paying subscribers to their
service, it is important to us to they keep the quality programming that Gospel
Music Channel offers in their channel lineup. There are two very easy ways
for you to do this. First, you can contact DirecTV at 1-800-494-4388 and
let them know that you are opposed to them removing Gospel Music Channel from
their list of channels, and it is important to you that they to continue to make
the quality and family friendly programming of Gospel Music Channel
available. Second, you can pass this along to everyone you know and have
them do the same.Let's not miss this opportunity to stand together and bring
about change for Kingdom purpose!

In Him,Kirk Franklin

Please call and don't let the Gospel Music Channel go away. I know I've enjoyed the programming and I'm sure that it has contributed to many being fed in their spirit by listening to the music that glorifies God.

*New Note! Also you can e-mail them at this link http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/customer/howToReachUs.jsp

Foolish Debates

"A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions."
Proverbs 18:2

I know I've blogged this before but I can't stress enough the importance of coming across with love and understanding. This world is going to constantly have people with beliefs contrary to the Word of God but we as Christians should not approach this with anger, strife and arrogance but with the understanding that they have not found the gift of Christ just as we all were lost once those people just simply need to be found. Prayer is the key to letting go whatever is putting a dividing line through you and that person. Prayer is very freeing because it puts whatever the problem is in the hands of the one you know can work it out. This also works with disagreements within the church. Maybe that person still has some growing to do in their walk with Christ, don't let that bother you or maybe it's you, maybe God is trying to get a message to you through that person. Pray about it and you will find out. Debating won't solve anything.

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing." Philippians 2:14-16

My Post It Notes

I have post it notes everywhere. It's hard for me to remember things so they are very handy for little notes stuck on my computer, my wall, my television etc. But the best purpose I've found for them is bookmarking God's promises to me. Whenever I have doubts or problems many alternative solutions pop in my mind such as run away or get angry or get depressed etc. But instead I turn to my post it notes. They have helped me so much stay in line with my faith and once I read these scriptures out loud I feel a deep comfort that nothing else can provide. I have listed them below I suggest you get our your post it pad and start sticking away!

Isaiah 41:10 "Do not fear for I am with you;Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with my righteous right hand"

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope."

Luke 10:19" Behold, I have given you authority to tread upon serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall injure you"

John 15:16 "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask of the Father in My name, He will give to you."

Philippians 4:6,19 "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.""And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus.

1Peter 4:7,10 "casting all your anxiety upon Him, because He cares for you."'And after you suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you."

Ofcourse there are so much more and if you crave more open your Bible and find them at all times in your life. When I focus on these promises nothing shakes my faith, nothing any scientists can say, nothing portrayed in the media, because I feel Him and I see Him working in my life.

Until I learn (poetry)

Until I Learn
by Telika Howard 2/07

Dear God
I'm not at the point
where I see any answers
and that's okay
because I'm grateful for your
forgiveness
as I keep falling behind
your love keeps me in line
and I finally see why
why
I have not seen
my dreams and
why things happen bit by bit
I must continue to keep my heart
and desire toward you
don't bless me abundantly
until I grow some more
don't give me my dream
Until I see properly
don't open the windows
until I learn
until I learn
and I will be a better person for it.
Romans 5:3-5
1 peter 5:10

I Hope I Don't Scare You
by Telika Howard 2/07

If you look at me as an example
take the evolution seen
and the unlimited possibilitiesof my life
dont be afraid of where I'm at now
but where I'm gonna be
soon I will flee
all of this
using my faith as wings
only pay attention to that-
my wings
not my cage
and follow me in my faith
don't avoid where I've been come walk with me
without sight
2nd corinthians 6:10

Today I Know
by Telika Howard 2/07

I'm gonna write
writings that will
unlock hearts
and create steps for others to climb
simple letters, words together
put just right by my hands and
lead by the spirit
I know it will be more
more then the stars
can contain
and if this happens
after I die
ripped pieces of paper taped together
80 years from now
it wouldn't matter
because today I know
my destiny
1 timouthy 4:11-16

Everyday new

I had a wonderful vacation I believe over the time spent just with my family I have become stronger and closer to God. I have truly learned to be still and just wait. Everytime I get antsy about things in my life I now lean back and praise Him and thank Him that He will make it happen and I pray and believe my prayers are just that powerful. That has done some amazing things for me and my spiritual life. I'm truly blessed to have reached this point. I used to think it was slothful to not always be running around trying to do things yourself and come up with a back plan for your back up plan but that's not helping yourself that's blocking God and what he wants you to do which is have patience and faith. I am not working, I am not writing (besides this blog) I'm watching my children and I'm talking to my husband and I'm praying and thinking and reading the Bible. It feels good to finally slow down and not have this long to do list. Women has this biggest problem where they think they are viewed as weak and powerless if they just sit back and relax and let God oversee their lives. They think that others will think that they are lazy or not a go-getter. but you know what? who cares what they think! being still will produce much better results in your life. It feels good to begin 2007 like this without any strong obligations on myself accept to simply thank Him and love Him everyday.


Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth."