Yes yes yes I know, as children we are taught to stop drop and roll when confronted with fire. It is logical and the application itself has saved many lives, but in the spiritual realm I propose you do just the opposite! When you are in spiritual and physical warfare on every front you must not forget that the God you serve is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Stop running away when it gets too hot. If you find “self” whithering or burning when faced with sorow or pain or concern that threatens to destroy you, remember that that uncomfortable, distasteful gook that is sloughing off of you needed to be burned away! Fight fire with fire!

Holy Ghost fire works the same as fires set to get wild fires under control. There is a process used called “Counter Fire”. It is used to gain control of an an existing line of fire. When a line of fire is lit in front of an approaching fire it can slow it or even stop it. It has the power to make the approaching fire change directions. Change the direction of that wall of fire that meant to consume you. You’ve been equipped with the Holy Ghost! Stop backing away and face the fire that thought it could destroy you. Not only did God send us a spiritual fire, He made us ministers of fire! Psalm 104:4 ESV “He makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.”

Flame On!!!

Yes yes yes I know, as children we are taught to stop drop and roll when confronted with fire. It is logical and the application itself has saved many lives, but in the spiritual realm I propose you do just the opposite! When you are in spiritual and physical warfare on every front you must not forget that the God you serve is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29). Stop running away when it gets too hot. If you find “self” whithering or burning when faced with sorow or pain or concern that threatens to destroy you, remember that that uncomfortable, distasteful gook that is sloughing off of you needed to be burned away! Fight fire with fire!

Holy Ghost fire works the same as fires set to get wild fires under control. There is a process used called “Counter Fire”. It is used to gain control of an an existing line of fire. When a line of fire is lit in front of an approaching fire it can slow it or even stop it. It has the power to make the approaching fire change directions. Change the direction of that wall of fire that meant to consume you. You’ve been equipped with the Holy Ghost! Stop backing away and face the fire that thought it could destroy you. Not only did God send us a spiritual fire, He made us ministers of fire! Psalm 104:4 ESV “He makes his messengers winds, his ministers a flaming fire.”

Flame On!!!

As a child I was always excited about the coming of the Easter season. I had been unfortunately, beguiled by those colorful eggs, that Easter bunny who had nothing to do with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ and the eminent possession of another new pair of patent leather shoes. I didn’t care if they were white or black or red as long as they shined with the enormity of a 200 W security light.  I recognize that everyone doesn’t have the love or the passion for patent leather baby doll shoes as I always have. It’s OK! I can except that I am unique.

Psalm 139:14 tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. I have looked under the letters around the letters and between the letters and at several translations of the Bible. I have been bewildered, because I could not find the word “SAME” within the context of this scripture. From this exhaustive research I have come to believe that it is OK if I love patent leather shoes. It’s even OK if I like my cereal soggy and that I  am not as passionate about Star Wars as others. I recognized that it is OK if you like purple hair and I hate the color purple. This is  how God designed “me”.

Please forgive my simplistic approach to this topic, but I’d like to whisper something to some of you. In case you are excited or aroused by my shiny patent leather shoes, incensed at my wearing them or loving them you STILL will never ever get  a pass to abuse me, miss use me, threaten me, rape me or molest me!  If my shoes awaken or uncovers the monster with in another it is the fault of what is with in them. I still shop for patent leather shoes. I like the ones with bows and without bows. I like them flat and sometimes I like the ones with high heels. I’m just unique like that!

Galatians 6:5New Living Translation (NLT)

5 For we are each responsible for our own conduct.

I am a preacher! I love it! I love imparting the Word of God. I love His use of such an unworthy vessel as myself. Sometimes I also love to simply regurgitate information (talk). There is actually a natural side of me that when triggered is anxious to talk without ceasing. I love historical facts and fodder, so be careful if you ask me for geographical directions. I will probably give you a historical revelation of the ten-mile radius surrounding your destination as well as the political, ethical or socioeconomic status of your location. I am an “Input” addict and sometimes desire that others benefit from that knowledge. I can annoy my family and friends, while others listen in awe. Yes, of course this is another engine that drives me to blog about Faith, God and Kingdom Bizzness!

I came across a young lady several days ago who used a phrase that I was unacquainted with. When she said it, I attached myself to it and tossed it about in my head and heart. She complained about a neighbor and called her a “Conversation Kidnapper”. She said that when you speak with this lady, she never allows that you may have something to say. She said that she likes the lady, but feels devalued because her views, knowledge or even news is never considered. Most conversations with the lady are generally a one person conversation. Her words marinated with me. I did a close analysis of “me” and remembered that sometimes I have too many words. I looked at how I commune with and converse with God. I recognize that sometimes I need to work on shutting up!

God knows everything I am seeking forgiveness for, need healing for, need finances for and am thankful for. Yes, we confirm each through acknowledgement during our prayers and meditations, but there comes a time during the conversation and commune that we must be still and cease our discourse! There’s a Gospel song performed in the movie, The Color Purple, that is a favorite of mine. It is called God is Trying to Tell You Something, sung by The

I am a preacher! I love it! I love imparting the Word of God. I love His use of such an unworthy vessel as myself. Sometimes I also love to simply regurgitate information (talk). There is actually a natural side of me that when triggered is anxious to talk without ceasing. I love historical facts and fodder, so be careful if you ask me for geographical directions. I will probably give you a historical revelation of the ten mile radius surrounding your destination as well as the political, ethical or socioeconomic status of your location. I am an “Input” addict and sometimes desire that others benefit from that knowledge. I can annoy my family and friends, while others listen in awe. Yes, of course this is another engine that drives me to blog about Faith, God and Kingdom Bizzness!

I came across a young lady several days ago who used a phrase that I was unacquainted with. When she said it, I attached myself to it and tossed it about in my head and heart. She complained about a neighbor and called her a “Conversation Kidnapper”. She said that when you speak with this lady, she never allows that you may have something to say. She said that she likes the lady, but feels devalued because her views, knowledge or even news is never considered. Most conversations with the lady are generally a one person conversation. Her words marinated with me. I did a close analysis of “me” and remembered that sometimes I have too many words. I looked at how I commune with and converse with God. I recognize that sometimes I need to work on shutting up!

God knows everything I am seeking forgiveness for, need healing for, need finances for and am thankful for. Yes, we confirm each through acknowledgement during our prayers and meditations, but there comes a time during the conversation and commune that we must be still and cease our discourse! There’s a Gospel song performed in the movie, The Color Purple, that is a favorite of mine. It is called God is Trying to Tell You Something, sung by The Mississippi Mass Choir. God is always telling us something, but can you hear Him? If you are doing too much “you”, you’ll miss it. The answer you sought or the affirmation you needed may have come while you were still telling God about the majesty of the mountains or the incredible waters and waves on the Pacific coastline. You know that prayer I’m speaking of. God created all of that, He appreciates that we enjoy it all, but remember He made it all.

For me and for you I’m just sending out a reminder to try your best to avoid being a “Conversation Kidnapper”. We sometimes have to practice shutting up, so He can get a word in edgewise. And I add that when we do practice silence also practice listening. He has some incredibleness waiting to be heard.

Romans 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Mississippi Mass Choir. God is always telling us something, but can you hear Him? If you are doing too much “you”, you’ll miss it. The answer you sought or the affirmation you needed may have come while you were still telling God about the majesty of the mountains or the incredible waters and waves on the Pacific coastline. You know that prayer I’m speaking of. God created all of that, He appreciates that we enjoy it all, but remember He made it all.

For me and for you I’m just sending out a reminder to try your best to avoid being a “Conversation Kidnapper”. We sometimes have to practice shutting up, so He can get a word in edgewise. And I add that when we do practice silence also practice listening. He has some incredibleness waiting to be heard.

Romans 10:17

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

As usual, God throws a song on my heart to make something relative for me. Remember the chorus of Marvin Gaye’s song, It Takes Two ?

“It takes two, baby
It takes two, baby
Me and you, just takes two
It takes two, baby
It takes two, baby
To make a dream come true, just takes two”

The lyrics made me meditate on the strength of numbers. The strength of having the company of God, Angels and Believers of Christ just like you. Oh, the things that we can do!

Scattered throughout the scriptures are examples of believers who unite that the common enemy is conquered. In joining forces and establishing a grid of support believers come together, like Captain Planet and the Planeteers who would say in unison “Let our powers combine” or The Avengers, in the name of God to reign victorious over evil and break the chains of those in bondage.

I love being a part of the family of believers. It was especially important when I lost both parents in 2011 within three weeks of each other. I was my mother’s only child and momentarily believed I was now all alone. It was in the moment of loneliness and grief that the Holy Spirit held me tightly to remind me that He was still right beside me. The Holy Spirit stood me up so that I could recognize that I was standing because He was holding me up.

God whispered to me that because of my belief I had company. I had the strength of hundreds of thousands because my faith, my hope, my trust and my work was soundly connected and intermingled with others before me, now with me and even after me! I had a force of two and more!!! There is nothing impossible for me when I unite with others, believe with others or pray with others in the kingdom of God. I enjoy facing a foe with a force! With me comes a legion of believers. Jesus, me and thee! Head Up! “WE ARE CONQUERORS”
When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion – African Proverb

Two are better than one, for they get a greater return for their labor. For should they fall, one can lift his friend.
ECCLESIASTES (4:9,10)
טוֹבִים הַשְּׁנַיִם מִן הָאֶחָד אֲשֶׁר יֵשׁ לָהֶם שָׂכָר טוֹב בַּעֲמָלָם כִּי אִם יִפֹּלוּ הָאֶחָד יָקִים אֶת חֲבֵרוֹ
קֹהֶלֶת ד:ט,י

To support the successful development of fruit, a tree must be pruned seasonally. Slowly developing or immature fruit must be thinned out or separated from the fruit that has a potential of promise towards maximum growth and ripeness. Failing  to prune thinning, diseased, corrupt fruit can endanger the life of thriving fruit. Leaving them in place and attempting to stay attached or connected can not only slow the growth of good fruit, but can also infect it.

As we are being transformed spiritually, we must be careful to look for those seasons that require us to prune those things and those “others” from our lives in an effort to be effective and fertile for seed bearing. The process of pruning can be both hurtful and heartfelt. We may have cleaved so long to bad fruit, that the fragrance of its fermenting rottenness  might have weakened our ability to discern the truths of what you have become attached to. Allow the Holy Spirit to scan your head and your heart for those hidden and visible risks that must be pruned from your life.

If you are ready for fitness, prepare yourself for the exposure and ask God to rid you of all that would hinder you so that you may accomplish all that God has predestined for you.

Matthew 12:33
“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is known by its fruit

John 15:1-2
“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit.

When He leads me to a barren place, I have learned to recognize two important things about my Father, God; His love for me is incredible and this barren place is not only necessary, but life-giving. Like many Christians, I can celebrate the victories with a rankerous round of shouts. I have taken a run or two around a sanctuary because I was so overwhelmed and emotionally connected to the Source of my every blessing. Just like many Christians, I have asked “why me?”, scoffed at His love when my way was not His highway of choice. But, one day I got it! I got the  news flash, I looked beneath the hurt, harm and tears to see that it was all for my good.

In the desert you are exposed to incredible heat, dust storms that can pulverize rocks and sun rays that can blister and scar skin. The deserts’ environment is unfavorable to all, but those animals or vegetation genetically conditioned to thrive amidst such a brutal climate. Lack of proper measures to protect our physical selves can reek havoc on our mental and physical well-being. It is an atmosphere lacking compassion and capable to cause death. I however, have learned that in the desert I can find life and strength and restoration!

Have you seen an old cathedral restored when its stones were sand blasted by high velocity sand driven by compressed air or steam? Looking at the before and after the building looks brand new after the process. Sometimes, God places me in a desolate place so that I can be alone to hear Him and Him alone. Sometimes He allows me to experience extreme thirst or heat so I can be purged, debrided or sanitized from myself and from every carnal thing and thought that may distract me from “His” assignment for me. He wants to do a new thing in me! Sometimes I have to face discomfort so that I could have only one Source of rescue. Sometimes He just needs to bring me back to life! I am grateful for every desert  visit.

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Biblically, the city gates were a place for the acquisition of wisdom, the place where business was done and deals secured. At the gate, elders came together to discuss concerns. Answers and resolution was found at the city gates.  This was where legal matters were settled.  Boaz went to the gate to claim his position of kinsman-redeemer of Ruth to meeting elders (Ruth 1:1-11).  King David gave instructions from the city gate to his military (2 Samuel 18:1-5). I was taught that knowledge is power. Because I know that if I seek my power from anywhere except He who holds all power, I am destined for failure. I know that if I desire a journey that flies above mediocrity, it “MUST” begin at the gate.

If you want to know what to do next, which road on whence to begin your journey, who to release from your life or who to embrace in your life, then get to the gates! The gates symbolically represent the presence of God. Seek Him and you will find Him.Wisdom and knowledge are awaiting your discovery and enlightenment. Run to the gate while you have access. Run and get all that is available for you. If your hearts’  desire is to succeed, do not proceed without first going to the city gates!

Proverbs 1:20-23
20 Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets: 21 She crieth in the chief place of concourse , in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying, 22 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? 23 Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.