Pray and Then Receive

One day during a telephone conversation Pastor Andrea shared with me that her daughter, Airelle, was teaching her brother, Andy, how to release his faith. I pondered about that for a few days. How do you release your faith? So I called Pastor Andrea back and asked her how did Airelle teach Andy to release his faith. Immediately, Pastor Andrea put Airelle on the phone. Airelle answered my question by simply saying “Well, you pray and then…BELIEVE! “ (end of quote) Her voice had such finality in it! You pray and then believe!
I call Airelle a “Woman of Faith.” Her parents taught her early that there would be things that as her parents they couldn’t always do for her and that she had to look to Jesus Christ and use her faith in Him. Airelle has taken that to heart. I have seen Airelle pray and believe the Lord and have HUGE results. Last year Airelle wanted her mother to have a birthday party. Her mother was really saying no but Airelle would not be denied. She simply prayed to the Lord and believed the Lord had answered her prayer. She believed even when her mother was saying NO there wouldn’t be a birthday party. Well, the Lord did answer Airelle’s desire for her mother to have a birthday party. About a week before Pastor’s Andrea birthday, the Lord put it on one of the church member’s heart to celebrate Pastor Andrea’s birthday. It just snowballed from there! It was the most fabulous birthday party. There was something for every age to do. Another member of the church brought several adults that were mentally and physically challenged. The youth and young people of the church entertained them by playing video games. It was like the Lord said “Thou Shalt Party”! We had the best time ever! Airelle was just walking around the party and her attitude was “I knew the Lord would do it.”
Airelle is turning 13th this month. Airelle’s parents are having a “Right To Passage” Ceremony for her. What is a “Right to Passage” Ceremony. This is similar to a Jewish Bar Mitzvah when a boy or girl turns 13 they have now reached the “coming of age” meaning they become responsible for their actions. Prior to this the child’s parents are responsible for the child’s adherence to Jewish laws and tradition but after the age of the 13, the children bear their own responsibility for Jewish rituals and laws. As Christians Airelle’s parents are adding that their daughter exemplifies her relationship with Jesus Christ wherever she may be. Airelle also signs a commitment to remain celibate until the Lord brings her chosen mate. Then after the “Right of Passage” Ceremony there will be a tremendous birthday party!
I believe that Airelle is getting a tremendous harvest from her prayer for her mother to have a fabulous party! Family and friends are coming from all over the country and even from overseas to celebrate her 13th birthday! I know that this 13th birthday celebration will be like none other! Why? Because Airelle has prayed, believed and RELEASED HER FAITH! When Airelle does that, the Lord ALWAYS does big things for her! The Lord will do the same for you when you release your faith!

Happy 13th Birthday, Airelle Christina Smith!

Home Field Advantage

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Hebrews 12:1

March is the month that we experience “March Madness.”  That means that the top basketball teams in the country enter into the tournament and play one and done until they have a Champion.  My Michigan State Spartans are in the tournament.  They have been a top team for many years.  Last year they made it into the Final Four only to lose to Butler University.

One of my college mates had an opportunity to attend a home game at the Breslin Center of Michigan State University.  Let me tell you, there is nothing like being at a game in person.  Yes, television does a great job of covering the game, but there are so many things that television can’t cover.

My friend discovered so many things as she helped cheer our Spartans to victory that night. There is a special student fan section called “The Izzone.”    Tom Izzo is the basketball coach so the fan section uses part of his name.  They usually wear tshirts that say “Izzone.” During the game they cheer for Michigan State but they also use every tactic to distract the other team.  For example when the other team shoots the ball and misses the Izzone yells ” Air ball, Air ball.”  When the  oposing team goes to shoot a free throw,  the Izzone will make all sorts of noise and put up signs to distract the shooter.   The Michigan State doesn’t lose in the Breslin Center very often.  When the team might get behind, the Izzone does everything they can to encourage them to win.  Many times Coach Izzo will say when the team has come behind to win, it gives the Izzone the credit for helping them win. 

So as my college mate was telling me all that she saw at the game, she said to me “In an atmosphere like that, there is no way that they should ever lose.”   That is why a team enjoys the home field advantage.

Hebrews 12:1 talks about the great clouds of witnesses that are cheering for us.  The cloud of witnesess are family and friends that have gone to Heaven and they are sitting in the stands in heaven watching us on the playing field of life.  That is our home field advantage.  With the Lord Jesus Christ and the witnessess cheering us on, we are in an atmosphere were we can and do win!

Well, as I continue to cheer my Spartans to victory in the tournments, I have confidence that as long as the Lord and the cloud of witnesses are on my side, I am going to win!  Go Jesus!

Maintaining The Heart of A Servant

Do you see a man skilled in his work? He will serve before kings; he will not serve before obscure men. Proverbs 22:29 (New International Version)

The following is an excerpt from my upcoming ebook  titled “Can A Woman Preach?” This book provides a scriptural basis to why women can preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as well character traits the Lord develops in you as a minister. Jesus Christ says in Matthew 20:28 Amplified Version Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free].  The key to success for any person is to have an attitude of being a servant! That attitude can get to places that you never dreamed of!

I have a pastor friend, Pastor Olivia Johnson, that  is always finding ways to be a servant. Not only does she serve others but she has taught her congregation to be servants. As a result, Pastor Olivia and her congregation are experiencing  the “Kings” of ministry wanting to serve their congregation! The picture that you see is  Pastor Olivia and some youth from her church preparing their Thanksgiving Baskets that they give out every year!

I believe that as you read this post the Lord will show you ways that you can be a servant. Being a servant not only does something for the person that you are serving but to you! It can open tremendous doors!

I have developed a fan page on Facebook for my publishing company William Albert Publishers. I would like for you to go to http://www.facebook.com/pages/William-Albert-Publishers/183176075040459?tour=1&sk=wall#!/pages/William-Albert-Publishers/183176075040459?sk=wall and click “like.”

 This will give you and opportunity to get updates concerning “Can A Woman Preach? as well as other books.

Enjoy the Post!
Rev. Harriet

The word of God says in I Peter 5:6 says Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time. You may be just starting in the ministry or the Lord may be using you to minister to thousands. Whatever place the Lord has positioned you; remember to maintain the heart of a humble servant. A heart like that always causes the Lord to promote you and put you in places that you could never imagine. This happened to my pastor friend, Pastor Olivia Johnson, pastor of Generational Blessings in the Chicago, Illinois area. Pastor Olivia has a heart to serve. She has taught her congregation the importance of serving others including other ministries. Her teaching included to be faithful to serve when you say that you are going to serve, be on time when you serve and to serve with a willing heart. A well-known pastor came to her city to conduct a special meeting. This was the first time that this pastor was having this meeting. Whenever a pastor comes into a city to have a special meeting, that pastor depends on pastors and ministers to support the meeting. Support doesn’t just mean attending but helping as well. Pastor Olivia gathered people from her congregation to help with this meeting. She didn’t just send her people but she also served in the meeting herself. Pastor Olivia and her congregation helped in very area for the meeting from registering the attendants to serving in the VIP room. The people that helped from her church stood out from the other volunteers. What made them stand out? They were always on time and did what they were told with a spirit of excellence. When the staff of this pastor asked what church they attended the consistent answer was Pastor Olivia Johnson’s church, Generational Blessings. Then some of the staff members of this well known pastor and music artist went back to the pastor and told him that Pastor Olivia and her church’s help made the conference a success. This caused Pastor Olivia to be summoned by that pastor. He personally thanked her for all the help that her church provided and he then told her that he wanted to come and personally minister at her church. A few weeks after the conference, the pastor’s staff called Pastor Olivia to set up the date for when he will come to her church. Many people would love to have this pastor come to their church because he can bring a big crowd to that church. Pastor Olivia’s intention was to be a servant to the pastor and not to get his attention that would lead to some sort of gain!
The Lord made a way for Pastor Olivia to have this high profile pastor come and minister at her church.

Now you can see why I dedicated this book to Pastor Olivia. This pastor needed someone to be faithful to help him with this meeting. There were several men Pastors that came to the initial organizational meeting but Pastor Olivia’s church was the only one that kept their commitment to serve. Even though Pastor Olivia is a woman, the Lord has anointed her to lead and empower people to know only accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior but the Lord uses her to empower her people to be the best Christian that they can be! Once again having a servant’s heart caused the Lord to put her in a place of honor. Many ministers try other things to get the attention of a high profile leader or even the Lord but what the Lord wants is for you to be a servant! It will exalt you every time! (from “Can A Woman Preach?” Chapter  5 “God Called Me”! What DO I Do Now?”

The Royal Wedding of CeeCee Michaela & Wilbert Floyd

I orginally sent this out to my email list. I received so many responses that I decided to post this on my blog. Enjoy!

Hi Everyone,
This past weekend I attended the wedding of CeeCee Michaela and Wilbert Floyd in Charlotte, N.C.. You might remember CeeCee when she played Yvonne in “Girlfriends” as well as other movies. I had never seen the sitcom Girlfriends. Never watched it! I met CeeCee as a result of seeing her on TBN. I saw that she was full of life and reminded me a lot of myself. I wrote her an email telling her how much I enjoyed seeing her on TBN and how much she blessed me. A few months later, she sent out an email wanting to hear from people that had been living a celibate lifestyle for at least six years. The qualification had to be a true celibate life which meant no heavy petting and etc! Well, I replied to her email sharing my testimony. She responded and asked me for a photo. She asked me to be part of a documentary called “V is for Virginity.” She told me later that there had been several people that had responded. This is what started a friendship with her. I had opportunities to help her with her Godzgirls Meetings and pray for the young ladies. Through private conversations with CeeCee, I could tell that she was living a committed life and doing everything she could to encourage women of all ages to do the same!

CeeCee lived a celibate life for 10 years 9 months and some days until she married Wilbert Floyd. Wilbert had been a widow and decided that he was going to stay single. Three months later, the Lord caused CeeCee to come across his path. The Lord said to him “Look at her.” During their vows he honored her for living that celibate life and promised that he was going to do everything in his power to love her and said for her to be ready! I shouted ALL RIGHT!

I saw a prophetic word that said that the Lord was bringing couples together in 2011 that have waited a long time and been faithful to the Lord. So far this year I have gone to two weddings where the couples have lived a celibate life for a long time and the Lord brought them together. There was another couple that the Lord put together but I didn’t attend their wedding. I know that I will be attending more weddings!

I want to encourage every single person that has made the same commitment, the Lord knows exactly who is for you and He will give you His very best. Even though you have been persecuted and even misunderstood for your stand the Lord will honor you for that stand! The two weddings that I have attended, it was mentioned in the ceremony that commitment and it was honored! I also encourage the married people reading this email to pray for us single people that we will continue to stand for God’s best in our lives in this area!

I have posted the picture of me on the “Red Carpet” at this Royal Wedding. It was truly a celebration of God bringing a King to his Queen!

Be Blessed,
Rev. Harriet

Dr. Martin Luther King Birthday Celebration

I have lived in Atlanta since 1991 but I had never participated in the celebration of Martin Luther King’s birthday. So I decided to participate this year. I volunteer with an organization called 9to5. This organization advocates for the rights of women in the workplace. One of their current campaigns here in Georgia is to see the minimum wage for servers go from $2.13 to the current minimum wage that is for other workers.

In honor of Dr. King and his marching for social justice there is a march that goes right through downtown Atlanta on Peachtree Street. The march started about two hours late because the church service before the march went overtime! So as a result I had the opportunity to stand on my feet for about two hours before the march began. By the time the march ended, I had been on my feet for about five hours!
As we marched down Peachtree Street, we chanted “9to5 keep wages high.” The crowds watching the march began to cheer! I felt like a celebrity!

I couldn’t help but think of the price that was paid so we could march. We didn’t have to fight billy clubs, dogs or have the fear of getting killed or jailed. Someone else had suffered that so we didn’t have to.
That is just like Jesus Christ. He bore our sins on His body so we can walk free from sin. All we have to do is accept His sacrifice made for us!
Let us always remember the freedom we have to voice what we believe whether it is about some social injustice issue or the saving grace that we received through Jesus Christ!