content – Page 2

The Original Avenger

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 interview format, please tune into the podcast recording and refer to the written post for the highlights. We pray the post blesses and encourages you. If so, please thumbs up AND leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the post!

Podcast highlights:

We should always pray and not faint.
Waiting on God is an important part of our growth process.
When God moves, He moves suddenly.

Scripture references

Luke 18:1 And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;

2 Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man:

3 And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary.

4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man;

5 Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me.

6 And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith.

7 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them?

8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11).

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31).

So, have you cried out to God in faith? Still waiting? Are you believing that our Avenger is nigh? Please head down to the comments section to share your thoughts so we can 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, and Instagram! You can also listen in and subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and Apple podcasts!

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

Love,

BCU

30 Jul 20181 Dec 2018

BlenCouragesU1 Comment

Single on Valentine’s Day? Stop here!

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 podcast blesses you. If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy your study!

So singles, it’s that time of year again where everything is hearts, flowers, candy and couples. Depending on where you are in your single comfort zone, this “holiday” can either be depressing (who wants that?) or a blessing (I’m thinking yes on this)!

Let’s start off by listing (in random order) some things you CAN do as a single on Valentine’s Day:

Treat yourself to a pedicure, manicure, facial or massage!
Order really good take out from your favorite restaurant or a place you’ve wanted to try. Short on cash? Make it lunch, a fancy coffee drink, or a yummy dessert.
Try a making a new recipe. Share it with a single friend.
*After checking your budget, buy yourself something nice. Maybe a scarf, hat, smell-good or bath salt or a notebook, scrapbook, a new Bible, or a good book to read.
Invest the money you’d spend on a gift for yourself and buy a few shares of stock (this is a long term investment–expects ups and downs).
Do that research on something you’ve been meaning/wanting to do, learn or try. YouTube has thousands of videos for the dormant do-it-yourselfer in all of us.
Start a blog.
Start following a blog. (Bloggers LOVE followers–especially those who comment (hint, hint).
I love podcasts because I can listen while cleaning, shopping or commuting. Search out a podcaster that will challenge you, support cranium expansion or encourage your heart.
Babysit for a single/couple who may want to go out, or just need a break.
Take the day off and do a whole lot of NOTHING!
Binge watch your favorite YouTubers, classic TV shows or catch-up on blog subscriptions.
Travel/take a day trip. Yes, alone.
Visit the hospital/or provide eldercare relieve a care-giver.
Spend the time in prayer, intercession for other couples/singles and reflection.
Make a list of all the things that God has done for you.
Have kiddos? Make it a family game/movie evening at home. Or invite other singles with kids to go to a Dave and Buster’s or a Monkey Joe’s. (you’re likely to have the place to yourselves).
Have a dinner-party with some of your single friends.
Catch-up with a childhood friend/family member via telephone, Skype/Facetime or in person.
Be a blessing to someone else. Buy someone else a coffee, dinner, groceries or flowers. Seek God on how to be a blessing to someone else.

*As a disclaimer, I know that material things don’t bring you happiness or help with the loneliness, heartache, and occasional pain of not having a loved one–I get that. Only Christ’s perfect love can ease the pain of a lonely heart. In order for that to happen, we need to ask Him to help us as we yield to contentment in this season of our lives. In fact, Paul told the Philippians “…for I have learned, in whatever state I am in to be content” (Philippians 4:11). Now being content can be a process and that process sometimes takes more time than it should, in part, because we don’t want to do things God’s way–which means we may need to wait. A long time. A long, long time. Waiting doesn’t mean being idle or waiting to start to do something until “the one” comes by.

The single season is a good time to get with the Lord to get clarity on our gifts, talents, assignments and tasks—and get more/productive with what God has called us to do. Working on what God has for you keeps you satiated and kills that loneliness, heartache and pain, thereby getting you to that place of contentment Paul speaks of. Ask me how I know. 🙂

Single BCU Family, even as you are walking in your purpose, there will be days/times where a pang of loneliness comes up–that’s normal and a sign to go into prayer for more grace, and if need be, talk to a trusted friend, your pastor or you can always leave a comment or email me at Blen@BlenCouragesU.com and with God’s help, we’ll get through the tough time together! Before you know it, the spouse God promised you (if He has done so), will appear and you’ll be settled into who you are in Christ, along with being whole and complete and content. This makes for attracting a whole, complete and content individual, whom you can walk out the rest of your lives in doing God’s will AND be ready for Jesus when He comes back for us! This single season is not in vain, BCU Fam! God has a perfect purpose and it’s being worked out!

Until then and even after the spouse comes, Jesus should always and forever be our first, true and best love. Period. Amen? Amen!

What are some ways YOU work through Love Day? Please drop a line in the comments section below so we can 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 Apple podcasts!

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

Love,

BCU

5 Feb 2018

BlenCouragesU9 Comments

When gossip strikes back…

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.

macaw-2671151_640 — “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 He 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

26 Aug 201728 Jan 2025

BlenCouragesU10 Comments

Singles chalkboard: From Rags to Riches| Interview with Vonnie Johnson (Finale)

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

This week, our post is available in the audio format, as we are interviewing a special guest. To access the audio file, please click the BCU avatar to listen. We pray the conversation blesses you. If so, please thumbs up or leave a comment! Thank you and enjoy the podcast!

We are picking up where we left off , BCU Family in the way of part three of my conversation with my special guest, Vonnie Johnson. Part one of the interview is here and part two is here.

This week, Vonnie gives us a glimpse how very different the mindset of the people she ministered to in Suriname, compared to many of us in the United States, as well as reflecting on how God has brought her from being a country girl to who she is now.

I don’t want to spoil it, so please click on the BCU icon to hear, take a look at the pics/captions at the end of the post, (mouse over for captions) and let the post bless and encourage you!

So are you feeling like you want to get up and do something great for Jesus?! Me, too! And no worries if you can’t travel or do something “noticeably great”, by people’s standards, that is. Talk to the Lord–pray about it and do whatever the Lord tells you to do! Do it willingly, cheerfully and to glorify Him only. That’s what MAKES your deed noticeably great to God! Along the lines of excitement, I’d love to hear what part of Vonnie’s chat inspired your heart. Drop us a comment below and let’s continue the conversation!

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, Twitter and Instagram, and now 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. Until the next time we are together, may God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you, as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

Praise & worship

Women’s conference

Images of Suriname

On the way to service via boat

Images of Suriname

Suriname view

The crowd overflowed outside

The missions team!

Vonnie teaching at the conference

New sisters in Christ!

Shopping in Suriname

Humble surroundings

13 May 201712 May 2017

BlenCouragesULeave a comment

Singles chalkboard: Living single successfully| Interview with Vonnie Johnson (Part 2)

Hey 👋🏾 there BCU Family!

FB_IMG_1472493145297-1 — Vonnie’s advice? Live your single life NOW with Christ in view! No need to wait til spouse comes along!

We are picking up where we left off last time, BCU Family in the way of part two of my conversation with my special guest, Vonnie Johnson.

This week, Vonnie chats about how her son’s sudden illness changed her life and indirectly led to her taking her first missions trip and teaching for the FIRST time to a congregation on the topic, “Dream again”.

Take a look at the pics at the end of the post (mouse over to see the captions), as you listen to part 2 our candid, sobering and informational chat.

BCU Fam—what part resonated with you the most? Drop us a comment below and let’s continue the conversation! For me, I’m SO grateful for God’s mercy toward Vonnie and her son–and for her reminding me to forgive quickly and completely. With God’s grace, let’s do just that so we can be free of regret and also BE forgiven by God (See Matthew 21-35). Amen? Amen!

Join us next time as we conclude our conversation and talk about gratefulness, sacrifice, ministry and going from “rags to riches” Stay tuned, BCU Fam–you do NOT want miss it!

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

Love,

BCU