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How can WE DO more for our children's FUTURE?

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I heard a wonderful sermon this past Sunday. Here are some notes from my Journal.

"...Bishop Eugene Reeves from the New Anointed Life Ministries of Woodbridge, Va finally stood at the pulpit as he was the speaker of the hour. He told us he was going to speak from II Chronicles 5:1-14 and John 15:1-26.

He advised us that the most important thing we can do is to be able to hear God's voice.

He explained that, “Some folks are waiting for a prophet to speak words into our lives because we can't hear that God is saying, 'Get in relationship with me!'' He said that we can hear God's voice and that we need to get into a direct relationship with God. He preached that God chose us! He knew all about your mistakes, he knows all of our flaws even though we try to impress other people that we don't even like!

He advised us, “Our lives should simply express...'Thus said the Lord'!

God chose U!

God adopted U!

God appointed U to DO it!

U will bear fruit!

He warned us that U can have all the talent, U can have all the gifts...but...if U don't have the anointment to be where U are...it will destroy U! If U jump into an anointment it will kill U!

He shared how people push themselves into promotions on the job and then their lives are miserable as they are worrying and stressed. God will give U peace! The Lord will make a way somehow! When U are resting in your anointing, U know that GOD has GOT THIS!

He encouraged us that GOD will make it work in the end. All U have to DO is be obedient. Have enough faith! Enough faith to step out and DO it. Too often we try to rely on our logic. He warned that anything that U do and CAN DO totally on your own strength and logic is NOT from GOD.

He testified, “ God will put U in situations that U can't even begin to explain!”

All U are able to say is “Look at what the Lord has DONE!”

He warned the congregation that the devil tries to sow seeds of fear and doubt in our lives. God will DO what he said he will DO in DUE season. He warned that seasons come and seasons go. When U walk in your time, it will last into the next generation and the next generation and the next generation. IT WILL REMAIN.

John 15:16 says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other.“Whatever you ask in my father's name I will give it to you.”

He asked us to shout and tell our neighbor, “I AM CHOSEN!”

He explained that when he is getting ready to elevate you, you are going to have been through the fire and are prepared to handle the elevation. He said, “U ain'tt gonna look down or look around and say 'nah-na-nah-na! U will know how to handle yourself!”

He reminded us that even after Moses had brought the people out of Egypt rich...they still wanted to stone him. However, if it had been anyone else who had stepped into his shoes...he would have been killed. When U are walking in your chosen anointment, God will keep U.

He asked us to shout and tell our neighbor, “Thank GOD I am chosen!”

He said, “That's why U don't have to worry...when U DO what U are supposed to DO...God will take care of U! The Lord will keep U! All U have to DO is stay in HIM and HE will give U perfect peace!

He concluded with the 3^rd book of Revelation

To the Church in Sardis

1"To the angel of the church in Sardis write:

These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. 2Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your deeds complete in the sight of my God. 3Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”

So this blessed day ended on a very positive note. I left the church parking lot feeling very good and more prepared to go through the trials and storms required to bear fruit for God's kingdom."

EXCERPT FROM "Cotton Pickin' Paycheck-A 21st Century Journal of Escape from Slavery (1989-2001)" by Joan E. Gosier

Content Courtesy of the

Mayme A.Clayton Library & Museum in Los Angeles, California

SEE Juneteenth African American Holiday in Celebration of Freedom Juneteeth by Avery Clayton ©2005 (Posters available)

"Juneteenth is a holiday that has celebrated the emancipation of Texas slaves for over 100 years. While its roots are in Texas, it has become a special day for African Americans throughout the United States. The celebration of Juneteenth began in Galveston, Texas on June 19, 1865. It was on that day that the slaves in Galveston learned they were free by order of the Emancipation Proclamation that had been signed into law on January 1, 1865. On June 19, 1865 Major General Gordon Granger landed in Galveston, Texas with Union soldiers bringing news that the Civil War had ended and that all slaves were free. Major Granger read General Order Number Three to the newly freed slaves from the balcony of the Ashton Villa in Galveston.

The order stated: "The people of Texas are informed that in accordance with a Proclamation from the Executive of the United States, all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of rights of property between former masters and slaves, and the connection heretofore existing between them becomes that between employer and free laborer. The freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts, and that they will not be supported in idleness, either there or elsewhere." For the slaves of Texas the news of freedom came two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation had been issued on January 1, 1863. Despite the delay, it was a day to celebrate. With freedom came choices. Some former slaves chose to stay and work for their 'old masters.' Many moved on in search of betters lives.

Juneteenth remained an important day and for those who chose to move on, they often returned to celebrate annual festivities with those that remained behind. Many slaves went West lured by the freedom the cowboy lifestyle offered. One in three cowboys were black.

Barbeques, rodeos, fishing, baseball, pageants and parades became part of Juneteenth celebrations. In the earlier years, most festivities took place near rivers, creeks and on church grounds. Strawberry soda, a.k.a. "red soda water," lamb, pork and beef were generally on the menu. Education and self-improvement have always been major themes of Juneteenth celebrations. Guest speakers and revered elders used the festivities as opportunities to recount the past, very much in the tradition of West African griots (keepers of village histories).

Juneteenth celebrations began to decline in the early 1900s as children were taught in classrooms instead of at home. In the past, families taught their children the traditions of Juneteenth, but as schoolbooks replaced family customs, passing on the significance of the day began to decline. The Great Depression (1929-1939) also had an effect on the decline of the celebrations. Many African Americans were forced to leaves their farms in search of work in the cities. Many landowners took advantage of the situation and were less inclined to give workers the day off for Juneteenth festivities. The Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s saw a resurgence of Juneteenth celebrations.

Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom, family, education and achievement. It is a time for reflection and rejoicing.

It is a time for personal, family and professional assessment, self-improvement and for planning the future.

Juneteenth's growing popularity signifies a level of African American cultural maturity of which we can all be proud."

So...are U and your family going to CELEBRATE THIS YEAR?  We are and I am so excited!  

Let's discuss!

Is your child in regular, honors or gifted and talented classes?

What would U say are the differences?

Let's talk about it!

We are always looking for inspirational stories and examples such as this young man's initiative and spirit? Do U have any to share with the world?

COMMON SENSE 

MEDIA

How do U feel about these tips?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =mYyfbeRVM4E

I saw it on Good Morning America and was sooo shocked I didn't even recall WHAT the product was...I told a friend wrongly that it was McDs...People need to WAKE UP AND THINK.

If TV was not a powerful tool why did this ad cost $3 MILLION just to air on 1 night??????????????

Black Parents...what say U?

Is this the type of imagery U want for your young black men to emulate?  If so...keep on feeding them junk...watch your results.