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!

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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

 

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

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!

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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!

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. God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you, as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

Getting ready for service!
Main mode of transportation
The boat ride
A little scare-ded!
Vonnie speaks for the FIRST time! Topic: Dream again!
God blessed Vonnie to do well!
Praise and worship!
New sisters in Christ!
Shopping in Suriname
Missions Team ready to go!
Humble surroundings

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Singles chalkboard: Living single successfully| Interview with Vonnie Johnson

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!

So it’s officially spring in the most of the country and many singles are prayerful that this is their “season” to finally get the mate they are waiting on God to send. While you are waiting, it’s a good idea to prepare–not necessarily for a spouse–more so in the way of being whole and complete in Christ first. I know, I know, that can be a challenge and that’s part of what my special guest, Vonnie Johnson and I will chat about in today’s broadcast.

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My special guest, Vonnie Johnson

Vonnie and I met last year at our chuch convention and started talking after a singles worship, and I tell you BCU Family, in listening to her story about singles struggles as well as the benefits to the singles life, I was compelled to have her share with all of you.

Vonnie is the president over the Singles Ministry at Bethel Restoration Center (under the leadership of Bishop John N. and First Lady LaVerne Gray), as well as a dedicated mentor  to young ladies locally and abroad, encouraging them to be strong, powerful, in love with God, and to love themselves.

Are you ready to meet Vonnie? Please click the BCU avatar below to listen in on part 1 of our chat!

WOW! Vonnie’s testimony was a blessing, right? And believe it or not, there is more! Join us next time as we continue our conversation on dealing with people,  “instant forgiveness” and her trip to South America!  Stay tuned, BCU Fam–you do NOT want miss it!

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. God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you as you #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

BlenCouragesU2 Comments

Singles Chalkboard |Waiting…. while…..single.

Hi there BCU Family!

Where are my single listeners?! This podcast is all for you! (and curious marrieds :-)) So, I was blessed with the opportunity to be a speaker at the 2016 She is Set Apart Singles (SISA) Conference last month, and I thought I’d share the audio [it cut out on occasion, but not too badly] with you.

sisa-conference
The conference was WONDERFUL! Please visit SISA’s site, AND link up with these AMAZING speakers!

A common question from singles is “what do I do while I wait?” I used to ask questions like that and the answer I got was “just wait” or “pray”. [Insert question mark face here]. While that is accurate, there is a little more to it than that. I’m glad the Lord blessed me to know better than that–and I’ll share it with you.

What you will hear are 5 areas where we singles should do an inventory check on ourselves through the Word of God. This is NOT a “fix-and get-married-quick” list, rather, as we look at these areas through the eyes of God, we start to see where we can become more like Him and move to doing just that. In the process, if it is His will to send us that mate, we’ll be more discerning, choose wisely, and even better equipped to handle the responsibility of a relationship that God is entrusting you do give your best in.

The areas of examination (and base Scriptures) are:

Spiritual (I Corinthians 5:17, Acts 2:38).

Financial (2 Corinthians 9:7–and not JUST money)

Emotional (Matthew 20:11)

Physical (I Corinthians 6:20)

Mental (Matthew 12:34)

In this podcast, we’ll get through almost three of the five. It’s a good idea to have your notebooks handy to jot down the Scriptures, so you can study them and take note of what God tells you. Also, if you’d like more detail in a .PDF format, please send an email to Blen@BlenCouragesU.com or pop me a note in the comments.  I cannot wait to hear what your thoughts are!

Thank you so much for stopping by! If this was a blessing to you, please comment below and share it with someone–you’ll never know how the Lord may use you to encourage someone else! And if you have not done so, please like BlenCouragesU on Facebook, follow us on Twitter and Instagram!  And PLEASE subscribe to the podcast on Stitcher Radio , Google Play, and iTunes. You’ve already done that? Then tell someone you love AND your enemy–I’m trusting they will soon become your friend! 🙂

Until we are together again, may God bless, keep and make His face to shine upon you—-and #StayOnTheWall!

Love,

BCU

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Child, have ya’ heard?~ A lesson on gossip

Hey Family!

Have ya' heard the latest?
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 there is truth there.

Before I was saved, I could be a little “Willona-ish” (from 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.

This behavior continued after I got saved….more of a bad habit, I suppose. Then one time I shared something rather personal/serious in confidence with “Thelma” who went back told their family. Mayhap that wouldn’t have been so bad, if Family was offering sound wisdom, but Thelma came back to tell me Family laughed about it. May sound petty to you all, but I was SO hurt that someone would repeat and reduce my concerns to others so casually.

Say what?
Another time, I was involved in a sensitive situation where “JJ” had to get involved. JJ promptly started spreading the news and it got back to me. I politely confronted JJ, letting them know it really wasn’t right getting others involved in a matter intended to stay between selected persons. JJ was VERY apologetic–and it wasn’t done to be mean; just habitual, but hurtful behavior.  With God’s grace, I forgave Thelma and JJ and we’re cool.  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!

In the days since those times, God guides me on who I should talk to about certain things. Luke 2:16-19 tells us the people wondered about what the shepherds told Mary, but she “kept all these things and pondered things in her heart”. There is a valid reason she didn’t share that information with everybody! God also blessed me to be a confidant. People 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. Period.

People have also come to me with other’s business, I have to 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.

Bottom line?  The Bible says we will give an account for every idle word spoken (Matthew 12:36). With God’s help, I’m working to make sure my spiritual balance sheet will indeed crossfoot on both sides. ~Debiting un-Christlike behavior (such as gossip and backbiting) is a credit to allowing God’s Holy Spirit to work.~

God bless you all!

Blen

Parrot Pic: http://www.squidoo.com/parrottalking

Willona Woods pic: http://www.google.com/images?hl=en&biw=1180&bih=514&gbv=2&
tbm=isch&sa=1&q=willona+woods+talking&

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