Being a member of Vinings Worship Center has afforded me the opportunity to me some wonderful people. A person that joined Vinings Worship Center introduced the congregation to The Cowboy Church of Lafayette, GA. What an experience to go to church in blue jeans and wearing a cowboy hat. The people at The Cowboy Church are such wonderful people. They have opened their hearts, church and homes to us. Susan and Keith Holland opened their home to us to stay with them whenever we visit.
Keith and Susan have been married for many years. It is easy to see that they have spent years developing a great relationship. Their personalities balance out each other.
Keith is a true cowboy. He has several acres with horses and the like. He likes to “rope” steer. The country life is what really makes him happy. But Keith has learned as a husband that you must do things that make the wife happy. Keith shared with us that Susan has always wanted to go to Europe and visit all the traditional tourist attractions. For Keith that is the LAST thing that he would want to do. But because he loves his wife, they put their money together and went on I believe a two week tour of Europe. Keith, Susan and some other friends flew from Atlanta to Germany. From there they rented a car and drove to several countries. They saw all the traditional tourist stops like Cathedrals as well as experience strange food. Keith was going along with all the touring because he knew that his wife, Susan, was throughly enjoying this fantastic trip. But about the 10th day, Keith had just about had enough of all of these strange cities as well as finding people that spoke English. Keith was missing the country air, his horses and most of all to be able to do some roping. One day Keith “cried” out to the Lord and simply said “Lord, I just want to rope.” Notice Keith only said rope! The next day, they were driving along in the countryside. Keith loved seeing the green fields and even some cattle! Suddenly, they came across a group of children playing. They stopped and found out this was a daycare center. One of the workers could speak English. Keith while on tour in Europe still wore his cowboy outfit. The children were excited to see a “real” cowboy. They asked him what is something that a cowboy does. Well, Keith was able to share with the children about roping. Instead of roping a steer, he roped the children! The children had a wonderful time and Keith was able to do something that he really liked – roping.
The Lord heard the cry of Keith’s heart. John 16:24 says Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. In the Amplified Bible it says . . . . but now ask and keep on asking and you will receive, so that your joy (gladness, delight) may be full and complete.
Keith asked the Lord in simple faith and God answered his request just as it says in John 16:24. Keith experienced much joy! The Lord cares about wants to give us the desires of our heart. All He wants us to ask so that OUR JOY may be full! I believe that full is like when you fill a glass with water and it gets too full, it starts to overflow! An overflow of joy!
That is what brings pleasure to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He wants us to ask. He wants us to ask so that He can pour out his joy on us! Nothing is too small or too large to ask the Lord to do for you! Take Him at His word, ask and watch His joy come in an overflowing fullness!
Categories:
Uncategorized Tags:
It is amazing how the Lord will have you do things that you never thought about doing. There was a time that I didn’t believe that women could preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ but yet I am an ordained minister preaching the Gospel. Now I can’t imagine doing anything else! Even though I am a consistent voter and pray for my government officials, I never thought that I would be in Washington, D.C. advocating for women’s rights in the work place. But that is exactly what I did this past weekend with an organization called 9to5 National Working Women.
My parents introduced me to Jesus Christ by taking me to Sunday School and church every Sunday. So by the time I was 21 years old I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. My parents, especially my mother, was very active in the political arena. My parents didn’t finish high school but because they had excellent paying jobs with General Motors, this allowed them to have the “extras” in life. Many organizations like United Auto Workers helped people working at General Motors to have excellent pay, benefits as well as working conditions. My Mom and Dad were very active in making sure people had fair wages and etc. We did all things as a family so I can remember as a little girl attending political conventions for my parents’ favorite party. I saw candidates nominated for office. I remember going to some reception with my parents and getting the autograph when I was about 8 or 9 of the then current governor of Michigan. In fact, I still have the autograph. Evidently, my mother was elected chairman of her political party at the county level where we lived. She was a delegate to a National Convention where her vote went towards nominating a presidential candidate.
After I went into the ministry, I continued to vote but never really thought about the political arena. When I moved to Georgia and began to work in different businesses and corporations, I saw that the wages were lower and there was a lack of benefits for full time workers. I began to question inside me why was this going on. Even though I had the questions I didn’t think about doing anything about it. Then one day I received an email from my pastor telling me about Mayoral Breakfast Roundtable sponsored by then Atlanta mayor Shirley Franklin. I attended the quarterly meetings for the two years that they were held. At one roundtable I walked up to a table where the person sitting there asked me if I would like to see the minimum wage increased in Georgia to level of the Federal minimum wage that had just passed. I immediately signed up. That was two years ago. The organization was 9to5 National Working Women.
During that time, 9to 5 began to teach me how I could use my voice to make a difference for myself and other people in the political arena.
Currently, 9to5 is advocating for a server’s wage to increase from $2.13 to eventually $4.30 an hour. In addition to that issue, 9to5 is advocating for paid sick leave. The name for the servers is called “The Wages Act” and “The Healthy Families Act” refers to paid sick leave.
Each year 9to5 has an “Annual Leadership Conference” in Washington,D.C. During this conference training is provided on how plan and present your issues to your government officials. In order to attend this conference free of charge, you had to get 10 people to join 9to5 at $10 a membership. I did just that and now I was given the opportunity to go to this conference free of charge. This is the first conference that I have ever attended that someone else paid for it. So this is the conference that I attended last weekend.
Of course I knew that the Lord had opened this door for me not only to advocate for working women but for Jesus Christ. I did intensive prayer and I had my church, Vinings Worship Center, praying for me. I knew that this was a serious assignment from the Lord.
We stayed in a brand new five star hotel with all the extras. The training was extensive but informative and fun. On Sunday I attended Alfred Street Baptist Church in Alexandria, Va that was close to the hotel then returned to get more training. The service gave me a spiritual boost for the rest of the weekend!
My assignment was to go to Department of Labor as we talked about “The Healthy Families Act” and “The Wages Act. Then after going to Department of Labor, I was to go to talk with Rep David Scott to get his support for these bills. So that Monday morning we boarded the bus to our destinations. The people on the bus were pensive and quiet as we were in route. As I looked out the window and began to see the government offices, my mind began to reflect on the many people like Frederick Douglas, George Washington Carver, Harriet Tubman and even my parents that had paid a price for me to go and exercise my voice. Even someone had to pay the price for me to stay in a hotel and receive the same service and treatment as any one else. It was quite a humbling moment.
When we arrived at the Department of Labor and after going through security, we were directed to a conference room. There were about 25 of us. We met with the head of Wages & Hour Division. I sat down to the right of her. My name tag said “Rev. Harriet Bradley.” I could tell that she was a little nervous. So I prayed, made eye contact with her and even did an “amen” to let her know that we were on her side. She listened, we shared and even shed some tears. We got a lot of information and now we had some contacts to help us with our issues.
Then Charmaine Davis, Tonya Pinkston and myself went to the office of Rep David Scott from Georgia. Because the Congress was just returning from a recess, we spoke with his Legislative Correspondent, Arthur L. Tripp. He listened intently to us. When I shared with him about people having paid sick days, he said that is something everyone should have. As I sat there in the office, in the shadow of the Capital, sharing about this issue, I began to share with him how I will never view the Capital the same way again. The tears began to fall as I thought about how the Lord and so many people made it possible for me to use my voice.
But I didn’t forget that the most important thing was to share the love of Jesus Christ. I was able to give words of encouragement and even pray for one person. My heart kept saying “Lord, I want you to be glorified and magnified.” But most of all I believe the Love of Jesus Christ flowed out of me and made a differene every where I went.
I believe that the legislation that we desire will go through the democratic process and will become law. I am so proud to be an American. Tears still flowed as I sat on the plane back home reflecting on such a fabulous weekend. Then on top of all to be in Washington D.C. when President Obama announced that Osama Bin Laden was captured and killed.
I will stay open to do what the Lord wants me to do to advocate for issues that I believe in and for Jesus Christ. What about you?
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!
Categories:
Uncategorized Tags:
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!
Categories:
Uncategorized Tags:
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?”
Categories:
Uncategorized Tags:
