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So a pigeon walks on to this bus…

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Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

Typically, you have the option of listening to our podcast, reading the notes or both. For this post, because of the conversational story, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the corresponding Scriptures. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Last week, the kiddos, Jaz and The Professor read me the story, “Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus” by Mo Williams. While it’s geared for younger readers, it’s a very cute story about a pigeon who has aspirations of driving a city bus full of passengers—against the instructions of the driver, who had to step away.

Now BCU Family, I got a kick out of the story, and I totally understand it’s just a story meant for entertainment. As the kids finished up reading, the Lord brought to my attention a way we could apply this lesson spiritually and also in a way to help children (well….and adults) view and understand the pigeon’s actions and how we can act the same way, if we’re not mindful, intentional and walking in the Spirit of God.

Listen in as my trusty sidekick, Jaz, aged 8 and I talk through the lessons we learned around the word the general theme of disobedience, accepting “no” and manipulation.

Scriptures to ponder:

Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin (James 4:17). 

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful (Proverbs 27:6).

If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? (Matthew 7:11).

And Samuel said, has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than to sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams (I Samuel 15:22). 

So, BCU Fam, what’s your reaction to the story? In what ways has the pigeon shown up in your life or the lives of your kids? What do you do about it? Please scroll on down to the comments section and let’s continue our conversation!

In the meantime, 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, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes!

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

Love,

BCU

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All things work together for the good…

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Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

As usual, you have the option of listening to our podcast (click the BCU avatar below to listen), reading the notes or BOTH. A suggestion is to please LISTEN as you read as there is a little “unplanned” commentary in the podcast. In any case, we pray the post blesses you. If so, please thumbs up, share and/ or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

I was going through my notes earlier this week and ran across this thought-provoking-“dialogue” between God and the original author (I’m not sure who that is), that I picked up about five years ago.  I changed a bit of the conversation here and there, but the poem is still intact and an awesome reminder of the wisdom and protection of our intentional Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Me: God, can I ask you a question? (and yes, we can respectfully ask God questions. See Psalm 62:8b).  Why did you let so many bad things happen to me today? 

God patiently listens…

Me: Well, I woke up late.

 My car took so long to start.

 At lunch they made my sandwich wrong and I had to wait.

 On the way home, my phone went DEAD, just as I picked up a call.

 (tears in my eyes)

And on top of it all off, when I got home, I just want to soak my feet in my new foot massager & relax. BUT it wouldn’t work!!!

Nothing went right today! Why did that happen?

God: The Death Angel was at your bed this morning and I sent one of the other angels to battle him for your life. I let you sleep through that.

Me: (humbled): Ohhhh..

God: I didn’t let your car start because there was a drunk driver on your route that would have hit you if you were on the road.

Me: (ashamed)

God: The first person who made your sandwich today was sick and I didn’t want you to catch what they have, I knew you couldn’t afford to miss work.

Me: (embarrassed): I see…

God: Your phone went dead because the person that was calling was going to give false witness about what you said on that call. I didn’t even let you talk to them so you would be covered.

Me (softly): Oh.

God: And that foot massager–it had a shortage that was going to throw out all of the power in your house tonight. I didn’t think you wanted to be in the dark.

Me: (in tears of repentance and gratefulness) Lord, please forgive me. 

God: I forgive you, Daughter, just learn to trust me…..in all things. They work together for the good to them love Me and are the called according my My purpose. (Romans 8:28). That’s you–you are the called according to my purpose. 

Me: With your help, I will trust you.

God: And don’t doubt that My plan for your day is always better than your plan.

Me: I won’t God. And let me just tell you, Jesus, thank you for everything today. I love you!

God: You’re welcome, Daughter. It was just another day being your Heavenly Father and I love looking after my children…I love you. 

Did this speak to your heart? Stir up some feelings of repentance? Prompt you to be more thankful? Cause some rejoicing? (that Psalm 24:7-10 will take you to a place of praise)! Let me know your thoughts in the comment section below and we’ll continue our conversation!

In the meantime, 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, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes!

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

 

Love,

 

BCU

 

 

 

 

A lesson from an ice cream cone.

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Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

Typically, you have the option of listening to our podcast, reading the notes or both. For this post, because of the conversational story, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the corresponding Scriptures. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

For those who know me personally, you know I have a thing about going out for ice cream. I think it had to do with a unfortunate incident with losing that ice cream cone when I was a kid! LOLOL!!! (If you know the story,  you can post it in the comments) 🙂

Anyway, while the creamy dessert was a minor indulgence, the Lord used it to teach me a BIG heart lesson. Click below to listen in.

Scriptures to meditate on:

…The little foxes, that spoil the vines… (Song of Solomon 2:15).

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked–who can know it? (Jeremiah 17:9). 

…Man looks on the outer appearance, but God looks on the heart. (I Samuel 16:7). 

Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23).

For the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit  and of the joints and marrow , and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12).

And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men, knowing that of the Lord, you shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve Christ the Lord (Colossians 4:23). 

So, BCU Fam, what’s your reaction to the podcast? What about the quote, “When you go to do something, when you do it, be sure to do it and NOT look for something in return?” What else resonated with you?  Please scroll on down to the comments section and let’s continue our conversation!

In the meantime, 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, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes/Apple podcasts!

Thank you SO much for tuning in and Lord will, until the next time we are together, may God bless you, keep you, make His face to shine upon you and give you peace, as you #StayOnTheWall!

 

Love,

 

BCU

Are you a repeat offender?

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Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

Typically, you have the option of listening to our podcast, reading the notes or both. For this post, because of the conversational format, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the corresponding Scriptures. We pray the post blesses and encourages you.  If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

A while back the Lord blessed us to conclude a study on #TamingTheTongue–where we talked about how we will be offended (Matthew 18:1-7) or we will OFFEND others (James 3:2). Armed with this knowledge, we want to respond to offenses and apologize to those we offend in a spirit of love and humility.

During a conversation with a friend of mine, we talked about “repeat offenders”,  and how that type of disobedience is offensive. Moreover, not only is it offensive to the person who gave the directive or asked a behavior be stopped, but offensive to others who are actually obedient (it’s distracting and often causes more work for the compliant people–for example, getting to work on time, etc.), and most of all, practiced offending offends God. Yes, it does.

Please click below to listen in!

Scriptures to meditate on:

Woe unto the world because of the offenses! For it is needful that offenses will come, but woe to the that man who brings the offense (Matthew 18:7).

In many things, we offend all. If any man offends not in word, the same is a perfect man, and is able to also bridle the whole body (James 3:2). 

To him that knows to do good and doesn’t do it, it is sin (James 4:17). 

And Samuel said, has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than to sacrifice, and to hearken, than the fat of rams (I Samuel 15:22). 

So, BCU Fam, what’s your reaction to practiced disobedience equating to sin? What is it that you may be holding on to, in the way of repeat offending? What other thoughts do you have on this call to action?  Please scroll on down to the comments section and let’s continue our conversation!

In the meantime, 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, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes!

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

Love,

BCU

When gossip strikes back…

Published by

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

As usual, you have the option of listening to our podcast (click the BCU avatar below to listen), reading the notes or BOTH. In any case, we pray the post blesses you. If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

There’s a gospel song called “Birds in the Church”. Actually, its a narrative by Rev. Benjamin Cone, Jr. (from Mississippi Mass Choir, I believe) who among other things, tells us how people can be a lot like parrots–freely repeating other people’s business. I get tickled when I hear it, but the truth is evident!!!

Before I was saved, I could be a little “Willona-ish” (remember her from the TV show Good Times) when it came to discussing the happenings of people’s lives. The intent wasn’t malicious, just something to talk about, dissect, and share my “expert opinion” on the matter at hand.

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“Chile, have you heard?”

This behavior continued after I got saved….more of a bad habit, I suppose–and apparently God was trying to get my attention and did when I shared something rather personal/serious in confidence with someone I’ll call “Thelma”, who went back told their family.  Mayhap that wouldn’t have been so bad, if the family was offering sound wisdom, but Thelma came back to tell me the family laughed about it. That may sound petty to you all, but I was SO hurt that someone would repeat and make light of my concerns to others so casually.

 

Another time, I was involved in a sensitive situation where someone I’ll call “JJ” had to get involved. Now, JJ was helpful throughout the situation, but promptly started spreading the details of what happened and it got back to me.

I politely confronted JJ, letting them know it really wasn’t right getting others involved in a matter that was supposed to stay between selected persons. JJ was VERY apologetic–and I’m certain the chatter wasn’t done to be mean, rather it was just JJ’s habitual, but hurtful behavior.  With God’s grace, I forgave Thelma and JJ and we’re cool, but I have to say I felt really hurt, embarrassed and betrayed! Through that pain, God showed me how awful it is to idly parrot and betray confidences AND that my idle chatter were NOT Christ-like at ALL! Thankfully, with His help that behavior soon ceased in Jesus name, and has been dormant for the past couple of decades.

In the days since those times, God guides me on who to tell what to and when to do it. Luke 2:16-19 tells us about the birth of Jesus and how the angels talked to the shepherds and those shepherds told people, but Mary, the mother of Jesus, now “kept all these things and pondered things in her heart”. There is a valid reason she didn’t share that information with everybody!  Follow the leading of the Lord as to who to confide with.

Another lesson is, that God also blessed me to be a confidant. People do come to me with sensitive information and private challenges, knowing that with the grace of God, I will offer wise council, pray and keep the matter between us. No ifs, ands, buts or suppose. Period.

My final lesson is that people have also come to me with other’s business and that behavior needs to be shut that down with a swift retort like, “I will keep the situation/persons in prayer”, “that’s not my battle to fight–only God can work that out”, or “have you been praying for them?” Talking about someone is not as effective as praying for them. I’m not saying that we can’t talk through someone’s situation to understand things better or help that individual in crisis—we just need to be sensitive to how the Holy Ghost is telling us to handle it so we’re truly walking in the Spirit, rather than the flesh.

The bottom line?  The Bible says we will give an account for every idle word spoken (Matthew 12:36).  That means we have to explain or justify WHY we said what we said., and I have to tell you, BCU Fam, we will have NO justification whatsoever.  Let’s repent TODAY and with the help of God, work on our spiritual balance sheet, so that we will have more credits (allowing the Holy Spirit to guide our conversation) rather than debits (allowing the flesh to rule the conversation). Amen? Amen!

So, BCU Fam, what’s your reaction to this week’s post? How do you guard against gossip coming out of your mouth and staying out of your ears?  Please scroll on down to the comments section and let’s continue our conversation!

In the meantime, 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, Twitter , Instagram, and  YouTube! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes!

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

Love,

BCU