March 2024

Survivor’s Song | Interview with Connie L. Johnson

Here there BCU Family!

You can access the podcast here , or click on the avatar below, as you refer to the show notes below for the highlights. We pray the content blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the podcast!

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Survivor’s Song | Connie Johnson | Ep 339

Podcast highlights:

We are wrapping up our conversation with my songwriter, author, advocate and friend, Connie L. Johnson.
In our first conversation, Connie and I talked about christian conduct, advocacy and blessing others.
Our last talk was about trauma, grief, AIDS advocacy, “busyness” and healing.
This time, we chat about introversion, “Ted Talking”, and being a good neighbor.

KJV Scripture References

Psalm 37:23
The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.

Philippians 4:13

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

John 13:35

By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

James 2:8

If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

Where are all my introverts who are living in this extroverted world? LOL! lThe struggle is real, but so is our amazing God who is able to strengthen us to stand up and out for Him. Also, this was a good reminder for us to be a good neighbor to the people we come in contact with.

As a gifted speaker, Connie has a Ted Talk which you can access here. She has also written a book about women in Kenya who are living with HIV and AIDS. If you would like to purchase Connie’s book, Beyond Measure, please visit her site here: www.IamConnie.me, or you can reach out to her at “IAmConnie40” on all social media platforms. Let’s end in prayer!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, we thank You for the blessing of love, fellowship and friendship. We also thank You for remembering those of us who are on the shy side to allow Your Spirit to rise up in us, so we can boldly live and speak for You without fear—in the empowering name of Jesus!

Jesus, we ask that you please touch the body and mind of someone who is in pain today. Please remember all who are living with HIV, AIDS and any other disease, and heal as only You can, Jesus! We thank You that someone will now know that You are a Healer, Savior, deliverer and a very present help in the time of trouble!

Please help us, Jesus, to know how we can love on and be a good neighbor to everyone, so we do our part in honoring and caring for the people who are made in Your image. We thank You for continuing to bless and keep us as only You can, in Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

As a reminder, if you have not subscribed to BlenCouragesU.com, please do so! It’s free and a good place to get the encouragement, inspiration and information based the Word of God! Additionally, you can also see what we are up to on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Also, if you so inclined, join us Thursday nights––we are LIVE on YouTube 8:05EST/7:05CST. You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Apple podcasts, Google podcasts, Pandora, and Spotify!

Thank you SO much for stopping by! God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

26 Mar 2024

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Beyond Measure | Interview with Connie Johnson

Here there BCU Family!

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Beyond Measure—Connie Johnson | Ep 338

Podcast highlights:

We are continuing our conversation this week with a sweet friend of mine, Connie Johnson.
Last time, Connie and I talked about christian conduct, advocacy and the importance of blessing others.
In this conversation, we talk about trauma, grief, AIDS advocacy, “busyness” and healing.

KJV Scripture References

Psalm 147:3

He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds.

Luke 10:38-42

³⁸Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house.

³⁹And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word.

⁴⁰But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.

⁴¹And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:

⁴²But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.

Matthew 11:28-30

²⁸Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

²⁹Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

³⁰For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

BCUFam, when Connie asked, “am I busy, or about My Father’s business?”——that question resonated with me on a few different levels! Over the last few years, the Lord is helping me to realize that it is better sit at the feet of Jesus, to actually hear and do what He is calling us to do, versus proving our “faithfulness” to others by being overly busy in every area that needs help.

As a gifted speaker and author, Connie has written a book about women in Kenya who are living with HIV and AIDS. If you would like to purchase Connie’s book, Beyond Measure, please visit her site here: www.IamConnie.me

When we are together next time, Connie and I will wrap up our conversation, so please stay tuned! In the meantime, let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, thank You for the reminder Jesus, that we do not have to prove our love to You by being over-scheduled. Please help us to know which assignments are ours and when to do them, so You are honored and pleased with us.

Jesus, we also ask that You please heal all who are broken-hearted. Please touch the body and mind of someone who is in pain today, Lord. Please remember all who are living with HIV, AIDS and any other disease, and heal as only You can, Jesus! We thank You that someone will now know that You are a Healer, Savior and a very present help! Glory!

Please help us, Jesus to know how we can be a blessing to at least one person according to Your will and way, so we do our part in honoring and caring for the people who are made in Your image. We thank You for continuing to bless and keep us in Your care, in Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

Thank you SO much for stopping by! God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

19 Mar 202419 Mar 2024

BlenCouragesU1 Comment

Room A203 | Interview with Connie Johnson

Here there BCU Family!

You can access the podcast here, or click on the avatar below, as you refer to the show notes below for the highlights. We pray the content blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the podcast!

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast |Interview with Connie Johnson | Ep 337

Podcast highlights:

We are in Room A203 this week with a conversation with a sweet friend of mine—-singer, songwriter, poet, advocate and so much more, Connie Johnson.
Connie and I connected via “accidentally” via social media, and found we had many things in common.
In this segment, Connie and I talk about christian conduct, advocacy and the importance of blessing others.

KJV Scripture References

Luke 6:31

And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

Luke 10:25-37

25 And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

26 He said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou?

27 And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.

28 And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

29 But he, willing to justify himself, said unto Jesus, And who is my neighbour?

30 And Jesus answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead.

31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.

32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side.

33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him,

34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him.

35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee.

36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves?

37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Jesus unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.

WHEW!!!! BCUFam, when Connie said we have to be mindful of how we interact and view people, that was a spiritual gut check and call to action. As followers of Christ, we are called to love and care for His people, rather than name call, shame and neglect them. That was a good reminder that we have work to do!

Interestingly enough, I interviewed Connie late last year, with the intent to have podcast uploaded in January. God’s timing worked out so much better, since it is Women’s History Month. And with the help of the Lord, this amazing woman is definitely making history and changing the future for many children, and I am sure inspiring others to do the same as the Lord leads! Amen? Amen!

Lord will, I plan to continue our conversation the next time we are together, where we will cover trauma, grieving, and healing. In the meantime, let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You today, thank You so much for all our ears have heard. Jesus, we ask You to search our hearts and please forgive us for any times we made someone feel marginalized for the situations or choices that were made. We truly want to do unto others and we would have them do unto us. Please help us, Jesus to know how we can be a blessing to at least one person according to Your will and way, so we do our part in honoring and caring for the people who are made in Your image. We thank You for continuing to bless and keep us in Your care, in Jesus name, we pray, Amen!

Thank you SO much for stopping by! God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

12 Mar 202412 Mar 2024

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

Miracle at McDonald’s

Here there BCU Family!

I typically record our content in an informal “podcast on the go” format. Many times, the Lord gives me subject matter as I am driving or waiting, so I record on the spot! You can access the podcast here, or click on the avatar below, as you refer to the show notes below for the highlights. We pray the content blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the podcast!

BlenCouragesU · BCU podcast | Miracle, Matthew, McD’s | Ep 336

Podcast highlights:

Recently, I recorded a podcast entitled “Red Sea Moments”, inspired by a family member’s “small” testimony of God’s goodness.
A “Red Sea moment” is when God makes a way or blesses us, which is all the time, so there are no small testimonies.
In this podcast, I recall one of the first times I heard God’s voice, and the miracle from McDonald’s He provided for me right out of Matthew chapter 6.

KJV Scripture References

Matthew 6:25-34

²⁵Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

²⁶Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

²⁷Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?

²⁸And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin:

²⁹And yet I say unto you, That even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

³⁰Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

³¹Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

³²(For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

³³But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

³⁴Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

Philippians 4:19

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

Now BCUFam, some of you may be turning your nose up at the mention of McDonald’s, but at one point in my younger days, they were a tasty and reasonable option. The point is that God is a Provider and Needs-Meeter–and with His help, we just need to trust and obey God and He will come through. Now, Jesus does not always bless us with tangible things like mansions, yachts, private jets, money bags and, checks in the mail (and yes, He can do all of this), but He also blesses us with life, health, strength and protection, and MOST of all, the Holy Ghost!! And that seals our salvation so that we have Heaven to look forward to—and that is better than ANY material blessing here! Amen? Amen! Let’s pray!

Father, in the name of Jesus, as we come before You, we say thank You, thank You, thank YOU! We thank You with a grateful heart, full of praise and awe for how You have blessed, kept, and made Your face to shine upon us. And even through the tears, hard times and the things we don’t understand, we have a yet praise down in our spirit, because You are God, You are good, and as You have been reminding us, things will work together for our good, because we love You and we are the called according to Your purpose (Romans 8:28). We pray for each person listening today, Jesus, that You will continue to bless and strengthen, that You will meet every need, that we will hear Your voice and with Your help, we will do what You say.

Jesus, we thank You for the reminder that as You take care of the birds and flowers, You will take care of us. We thank You for moving on behalf of someone who is in need today, and for saving someone who needs to know You in the pardoning of their sins—fully repentant, baptized in Jesus name and filled with the Holy Ghost as Acts 2:38 outlines.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray and thank You, Amen!

Thank you SO much for stopping by! God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

5 Mar 2024

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