iBelin

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-04-24

// April 24th, 2011 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

• RT @A1_Austin Preach! @iBelin // thanks man. I was working on that thing! #
• Not happy that Le Creuset is closing and a paper store opening in it's place!!! (unless it is like NY's Kate's Paperie) #
• Not happy that Le Creuset is closing and a paper store opening in it's place!!! Disregard my last. Nothing can replace it! #
• My gratitude to the recommenders of Netflix for iPad. #
• @AshaLu what is @tlenayebi doing to you? #
• So, who's using Live Profile? #
• @LeiDe_bu here's my pin: LPZMP6A8 #
• @goldhoneebee LPZMP6A8 #
• @terrillish it's texting…. I guess its like BBM maybe? #
• @terrillish no, I've heard nothing. Still thinking about that iPad 2 #
• @terrillish it's texting…. I guess its like BBM maybe? #
• Whew! I've laughed so hard today I 'done got' a headache #
• Add me on LiveProfile my PIN is LPZMP6A8 – LiveProfile is a free messenger for Android iPhone and BlackBerry – http://liveprofile.com/get #
• It's already a great day #
• @NatalieGreaves yes ma'am! Anytime #
• The funniest stuff happens when you ain't got no business laughing! (Life's too short to hold it in!!! ROFL) #
• In case you like wings you can order… http://twitpic.com/4ndlp4 #
• @grammercie nice #
• @DRTYLER1911 it's the old old story, we know you can tell it! #
• @kairosame is prayerwalking at 9 am at Bicentennial Mall State Park. #
• I don't know what's gonna be more fun: laughing with my church members preparing for church tomorrow or church itself… I'll let u know #
• For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. #

Dare Not Ask

// April 23rd, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Lent Devotional

John 21

Broken, despised, and rejected, our disciples went back to what they knew after watching their leader die a horrible death. More than wondering what they would do next, they were still trying to process what went wrong. While they may not have had an articulated vision of how things should have happened, one thing is for certain; they were not expecting the cross. Even with all the preparation from Jesus, his death on the cross was not what they expected to establish his kingdom on Earth.

Have you ever known this kind of disappointment? It’s numbing. Enough to make you think you are about to lose it. “How could things have gone so terribly wrong?” is the question that turns over and over in the mind. It makes sense the disciples went back to what they knew; but even that was not working. Until they heard the voice…

Imagine their shock as they heard the voice. Yet they moved in obedience. (My sheep know my voice…) As a result, their haul was more than abundant. When they came ashore, seeing the man confirmed what they already knew. It was Jesus. A million thoughts were probably running through their mind, all starting with “but”, yet no one asked the question “who are you?” They knew. It was Jesus. After all the miracles Jesus performed with them, this miracle was for them, for us. His resurrection sealed our gift of eternal life and renewed hope for mankind. And so the disciples dared not ask the question “Who are you?” His works spoke for him and they knew it was Jesus.

The next time a miracle is performed in your life, will you know that it was Jesus and the power of the cross working in your life? Will you recognize the voice through your pain and move anyway? When you are faced with a hopeless situation and are in need of a miracle, will you dare not ask who is able to perform such an act? Or will you stand boldly in the knowledge of Christ and His completed work on the cross; knowing that it is in fact Jesus who is the answer? My prayer on this Resurrection Sunday is that you will know in your heart that because He lives, all things are possible and there is no room for negativity. I pray that you will dare not ask “who is this” because you will already know it is fact Jesus, the risen savior, still living and active in our lives. Hallelujah!

Minister Tracey Bowen

My Birthday Devotion

// April 23rd, 2011 // No Comments » // Lent Devotional

Just so I can have life in his name.

Today is my birthday, and of course I want to party like it’s my birthday. But as I reflect on Jesus and all that he has done for me, my party will take on a different form.

We all know the story and that Mary got the message first and the guys followed up and found it just as she said and that Thomas doubted… We’ve heard numerous sermons and studied much about it. But the last line for me matters most. John, the hot tempered disciple, that because of his relationship with Jesus, became the beloved disciple, simply says this has been written so that you may believe and in believing may have life in the name of Jesus.

There is an awesome responsibility that comes with this information. I am no longer comfortable just operating in my own power and in my own way of living because I recognize that through Christ there is such a better way of life. Through Christ Jesus my life has deeper meaning and purpose. My life is not my own, my thoughts and cares are not simply mine, but they must reflect the life that I get because of a loving relationship with Jesus. My vision is no longer short sided, but is global. I recognize that through what I say and what I do, I have not only the opportunity, but the responsibility to impact the world to the Glory of God, through relationship with Christ with the power of the Holy Ghost.

Just makes you want to shout doesn’t it?! At least it does for me… Guess that’s the kind of partying I’m gonna do for my birthday, a kind of introspection about whatever it is I believe about my life, despite all that has happened, despite the good times and the bad times, despite the despair and the disgust and the divine, despite the shortsightedness and the far reaching, that i am delivered and redeemed through Jesus Christ and I’m going to consider how best to share that love and that relationship and that power so that all can have life in his name.

Toni Belin Ingram, Pastor
Greater Smith Chapel AME Church
…a place where everyone is welcome

No Power

// April 22nd, 2011 // No Comments » // Lent Devotional

John 19

Good Friday appeared to a dark hour in the life of our Savior. We cannot begin to imagine pain and suffering Jesus experienced on that day. Emotionally. Physically. Spiritually. Emotionally he dealt with being despised and rejected by the very people he came to save. Physically, he was beaten until pieces of his flesh were torn away from his body; bruised almost beyond recognition. Spiritually, he felt the anguish of being separated from the Father, feeling forsaken and forgotten. It was a dark day, one that appeared to be fatal for mankind.

Yet in spite of all he endured, hope prevailed on that day. While Pilate was concerned about sending an innocent man to death, Jesus reminded him that he had no power over him except that which was given to him by the Father. The Father who had everything under control. The Father who knew the end from the beginning. The Father who held all power in His hands and who loved Jesus dearly. While there were those who operated under the misconception of being able to “call shots”, Jesus was keenly aware that his fate was in the hands of the ultimate “shot caller,” God, the maker of heaven and Earth. All others were merely walking out a scene that had already been scripted . They had no power of their own.

As we reflect on that Friday so many years ago when it seemed like hope for mankind was lost, consider Jesus’ outlook and apply it to your life. No matter what or who you are facing that looks like it brings death, it only has the power that God gave it to impact your life according to His plan, for His glory. Let this thought give you the confidence and boldness to face them with peace and hope, in the spirit of Good Friday. Because we know who holds the power… Happy Good Friday!

Tracey Bowen

It Is What It Is!

// April 21st, 2011 // No Comments » // Lent Devotional

John 18:28Then they led Jesus from Caiaphas into the Praetorium, and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium so that they would not be defiled, but might eat the Passover. 29Therefore Pilate went out to them and said, “What accusation do you bring against this Man?” 30They answered and said to him, “If this Man were not an evildoer, we would not have delivered Him to you.” 31So Pilate said to them, “Take Him yourselves, and judge Him according to your law.” The Jews said to him, “We are not permitted to put anyone to death,” 32to fulfill the word of Jesus which He spoke, signifying by what kind of death He was about to die. 33Therefore Pilate entered again into the Praetorium, and summoned Jesus and said to Him, “Are You the King of the Jews?” 34Jesus answered, “Are you saying this on your own initiative, or did others tell you about Me?” 35Pilate answered, “I am not a Jew, am I? Your own nation and the chief priests delivered You to me; what have You done?” 36Jesus answered, “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, then My servants would be fighting so that I would not be handed over to the Jews; but as it is, My kingdom is not of this realm.” 37Therefore Pilate said to Him, “So You are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say correctly that I am a king For this I have been born, and for this I have come into the world, to testify to the truth Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” 38Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews and said to them, “I find no guilt in Him. 39″But you have a custom that I release someone for you at the Passover; do you wish then that I release for you the King of the Jews?” 40So they cried out again, saying, “Not this Man, but Barabbas.” Now Barabbas was a robber.

​It Is What It Is. How many times have we used this phrase to proclaim that whatever it is we are confronted with is the truth? I have used it more times than I can count in times when I have come face-to-face with realities that are not to be denied. No matter how I choose to analyze or perceive what is before me the facts do not change. It Is What It Is.
​I imagine that this is how Pilate felt when he was presented with Jesus and after querying him could find no evidence of wrongdoing. Rather what stood before him was the glaring embodiment of The Truth. Not the misconception of power hungry Jewish leaders who wanted to keep appearances on the one hand yet wanting to see Jesus killed on the other. No, what Pilate saw was one who was born to set the record straight and did so with such humility there was no doubt he was who he was. All that was left was the question: What is truth?
​Truth is what liberates us by freeing Gods will to move with power…It Is What It Is. Truth separates falsehood by rebuking them and giving wisdom to those who accept it…It Is What It Is. Truth invigorates by allowing the power of the Word to stand alone without further definition. It Is What It Is.
Truth is defined in the person of Christ who remains true for all who believe…..It Is What It Is.

Rev. Carmen Walker
Pastor, Mt. Zion AME Church-Opelika
Opelika, AL
www.mtzioname.org

Cock-a-doodle-doo!!! From Fallen to Forgiven

// April 20th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Lent Devotional

John 18:19-27

Those of us that live in the city are not accustomed to the crowing of a rooster. It is a foreign sound to us and more than likely will cause much frustration and irritation of it’s a noise we were to hear without our wanting. Those of us that are accustomed to the crowing of a rooster know that it signifies the dawn of a new day; it’s a wake-up call. It is no different now than it was during the time this passage of scripture was written. However, when the situation is pondered over in the text, it is a huge wake-up call for Peter. Peter was already warned by Jesus that he would deny Him three times before the cock crowed. Peter in his loyalty and faith, spoke out against such actions. Unfortunately, Jesus’ words came into fruition and on the third denial, the cock crowed. Many see this part of the story as a mere denial and rejection, but it can also be seen as hope for determination and restoration.
Let me help you out a little bit…
Before the cock crowed, Peter was vain. After the cock crowed, Peter was humble.
Before the cock crowed, Peter was conceited. After the cock crowed, Peter’s confidence was in God.
Before the cock crowed, Peter was unreliable. After the cock crowed, Peter was upright.
Before the cock crowed, Peter was impulsive. After the cock crowed, Peter was courageous.
Peter’s failure was not indicative of his love for Jesus, but a mere personality trait of the flesh. But thank God for Jesus!!! After the denial, the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus; Jesus appeared to Peter as a testament of His unconditional love for Him. Oftentimes when we’ve fallen, we are harder on ourselves than anyone else. Use this story as a wake up call to not only accept Jesus’ forgiveness and re-establish your relationship with Him on a higher level then before; but also to forgive yourself and know that you can truly go from fallen to forgiven. COCK-A-DOODLE-DOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Rev. Raushanah N. Butler
Acworth, GA
Websites: www.facebook.com/candopower AND www.facebook.com/ranibu

YET HE FORGAVE

// April 19th, 2011 // No Comments » // Lent Devotional

John 18:15 Simon Peter and another disciple were following Jesus. Because this disciple was known to the high priest, he went with Jesus into the high priest’s courtyard, 16 but Peter had to wait outside at the door. The other disciple, who was known to the high priest, came back, spoke to the servant girl on duty there and brought Peter in. 17 “You aren’t one of this man’s disciples too, are you?” she asked Peter. He replied, “I am not.” 18 It was cold, and the servants and officials stood around a fire they had made to keep warm. Peter also was standing with them, warming himself.

Have you ever been out to a restaurant with a group of friends, coworkers, or family and someone in the group got loud and drew attention to your table and you wanted to hide and pretend you didn’t know them – although it is obvious you are with the group?

Peter was one of Jesus’ “boyz” – actually a part of the inner circle within the inner circle; yet he denied their relationship as he entered the courtyard of the high priest. He was only there because he had followed Jesus there, and he was only allowed to enter because the other disciple with them knew the high priest and convinced the girl-servant to also let him enter. I imagine the other disciple said to her… “He’s cool, he’s with us.” But still Peter denied being a disciple of Jesus when she asked. We know this wasn’t the only time Peter would deny Him, and Jesus knew before Peter knew. Jesus even told Peter that he would deny him – and Jesus was right, of course – yet he forgave Peter, because he loved him.

How many times have you denied Him – for your own convenience, so you could make your own decision or justify doing something you knew was not pleasing in His sight? We have all done it at some point – knowingly or unknowingly, intentionally or unintentionally… yet He forgave us. Why? Because He loves us that much!

L. D. Swett
Hudson, OH

“Courage Under Fire!”

// April 18th, 2011 // 1 Comment » // Lent Devotional

John 18: 1-14

Each of us at one time or another has faced obstacles or found ourselves in situations that tested our courage or resolve. Situations might have occurred where fear and trepidation replaced courage or weakened our faith. There is an example for us to model when we are under fire from persecution, disloyalty, betrayal and all the obstacles that are presented by just being human and alive.

This text provides a few scenarios that tested the courage of Jesus to continue on His mission to the Cross. Jesus was determined to head towards the Cross of Calvary so a contingent of Roman soldiers was not enough to diminish the courage of Jesus. The Roman troops came prepared to combat any resistance from Jesus or His followers; they were well armed and prepared to use force to fulfill their mission.

Twice Jesus courageously asked the officers who they were looking for and twice Jesus identified himself as the person that they were seeking. Jesus did this not only to courageously identify himself but also as a means of protecting his disciples. This was not going to be a case of mistaken identity, there would be no need for DNA exoneration because Jesus was the person that was wanted and would be deemed guilty as charged.

As you journey through life, keep your focus on the mission and God’s purpose for your life. Prayer: God of Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, and Mary, give us the strength and courage to keep our focus on You. Give us courage when we are weak and lonely. Give us courage when we are sad, lonely, and bereaved. Dear God be the source of our strength. In Jesus Name. Amen!

The Rev. Velma E. Grant, ThM, MDiv
President Sixth Episcopal District Women in Ministry of the AME Church

Twitter Weekly Updates for 2011-04-17

// April 17th, 2011 // No Comments » // Uncategorized

• Black homicides reach 'crisis' in Nashville http://t.co/W4n39eD #
• Ivory Coast… what now? #
• @TamiHeim amen #
• TCAP testing starts today. Pray with me for Tennessee students and educators. #
• RT @deltalady @iBelin praying for success and stress and anxiety reduction for students, their familes and teachers #
• @AshaLu yay! #
• I mean, really! Just how cool a tweeter is @CoryBooker?? (and leader) #
• @iman_akilah what u doing Lil gurl!?! #
• Just heard, "There ARE some things up with which one shall not put!" #
• To @VashtiJasmine! Methinks I just saw @vashtimckenzie slip her iPad in an alligator case!!! #treschic #
• I jumped the gun with the linen. #freezing #
• @steenfox when I can get some? #

The Prayer that Saved My Soul

// April 17th, 2011 // No Comments » // Lent Devotional

John 17:20-26

I read somewhere that prayers are timeless. Once prayed, they have impact into the future. It is a comforting thought that prayers of protection prayed for a child as an infant have the power to go into the future and still protect. We all have been impacted by a prayer of this kind. It was one prayed by Jesus himself before He surrendered to death on the cross. It was the prayer that saved our soul.

“…I pray also for those who will believe in me through their (the disciples) message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.” – Jesus

Do you hear the hopeful certainty in Jesus’ voice? He knows there are those who will believe and is praying before we have even come in to exsistance! Activated over 2000 years ago, it reached into the future, replaced the “those” with “Tracey”…and your names as well, personally sealing our salvation along with our adoption as sons and daughters of God. Hallelujah, AMEN!

Have a BLESSED Palm Sunday!

Minister Tracey Bowen