Emmanuel?! Is God with me?

Isaiah 41:9b-10
I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be afraid, for I am your God. I will strengthen you; I will help you; I will hold on to you with my righteous right hand.

I have been reading this book called "Wilderness skills for women: How to survive heartbreak and other full blown meltdowns", it was a random find. The author uses practical skills one would use in the wild and makes a spiritual connection with our "wilderness" seasons in our journey with Jesus. Normally I would not give it a second glance, but for some reason I picked it up, skimmed through it and purchased it. I had every intent of returning it honestly if I did not like it, I have never done that just so you know, but that was my plan. I only made it to the second chapter before I realized I really liked the book and I believe the Lord specifically had it just for me. The second chapter was conveniently titled wilderness of rejection.  She begins with a context verse Matthew 4:1, Jesus being led into the wild by the Spirit to be tested. She defines wilderness and I chose which one best fits my season, it is a bewildering situation, not too deep, huh. Skill is the ability to use one's knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance. 

  Upon receiving my second rejection letter, not to mention an email, informing me that they would not be able to donate financially to my personal ministry. I was talking on the phone to a friend who was sharing with me about all the great things God was doing in his life, well of course I was rejoicing with him because that is exciting. I was then able to share with him how I just received a rejection letter in the mail and how I was praising the Lord. Well this surprised him and rightly so, who does that for real. Yet there was some overwhelming happiness that caused me to feel the same way about the letter that I did with him receiving a free car, and getting engaged. I was learning to "count it all joy", like James speaks of, I was coming to the realization that "all things really do work for the good for those who love the Lord". God was helping my unbelief! The resounding truth from the book that I had been meditating on is "what seems like rejection is God's protection", how this has spoken to my heart in many ways from thinking about past situations to the present financial uncertainties. God is there, He is here, right in the middle. 

  One of the dangers of a woman lost in this wilderness is the tendency to allow the rejector to define her value or worth, for me it would be doubting God's provision. The fear that my circumstances are bigger than God can handle. I am so thankful that God allowed me to even see that the purchase of the book and being allowed to read that chapter was all a part of His plan to show me just how big He really is. The same God who was with Joseph in Genesis when his brothers sold him as a slave only for him to be the right hand man of the ruler of Egypt, just in time for him to save his family from famine; is the same God who is sharpening my ability to endure and training me to know and heed to His voice, while exhibiting courage in the unknowns of my life. He is the ever-present God; not only is He present He is controlling all things so that the destiny He preplanned for me will come at the right time. How liberating it is to know Emmanuel, how exciting to have Him on my side, protecting me even in the bewildering situations of rejection.

There is a CD I want to plug called Stand Out by Tye Tribbett, my friend (shout out to Nikki wit Common Ground Ministries) pointed out the theme which I totally missed. He was saying to Stand Out, don't be pressed into the world's mold, be transformed and let the Bible renew your mind. Stop trying to blend in because it seems safe, or whatever the reason. We don't have to be nor can we be good enough, but we are pressing and striving for perfection in Christ. It is so much better and more satisfying then anything this life can offer!

Just recently i went to visit a church and the pastor was talking about Daniel 1:3-20. This may seem like a lot to read but it is a pretty clear story about the capture of 4 boys to be slaves in a kingdom. They were chosen to represent the king and serve him, but they had to get their name changed and language, they probably were even castrated like many other slaves. Anyway the point of the sermon was in vs.8 how one of the boys (Daniel) had made up in his mind no matter what the circumstance were he was going to be true to what he believed in. He said NO COMPROMISES!

The pastor pointed this out so tough because in our society it seems to be the in thing to be a christian. Everyone is trying to claim it (as if it were a good luck charm), but where are the real CHRISTians, who resolve in their hearts to serve the LORD and not defile themselves with the ways of the world? Why is it okay to identify with a religion that you don't truly follow? That is like me saying I am an Omega, or a Delta, or even that I am a biochemist, and i know I did not pledge anything, nor did I major in science, I can't stand it!

As a matter of fact if I were to wear the letters of these Greek organizations, try to do their steps and their calls all over the place, man, they would probably jump me, or even worse. They would think it is so disrespectful, b/c I did not do what was necessary to identify with their group, the process, PAY the dues, or any other costs. But for SOME reason, it is okay to do the same (or really worse) when it comes to the CHRISTian faith. The very word denotes follower of Christ, obeying HIS commands, DOING what He says, and not just hearing or going to church. PLEASE heed this warning, it is not pleasing GOD doing those noble deeds, HE still requires our Blood, really perfect sinless blood, and only one MAN has ever had this Blood type and that is JESUS the CHRIST. HE says that the only way to the FATHER is through HIM. MARK 1:15; JOHN 11:25-26; JOHN 14:6; these are JESUS' very words.

JOHN 14:24 says if you love the LORD you will keep HIS commands. There is no way around these things, it is clear as day, so let's stop pretending that we follow CHRIST, b/c at the end of the day, GOD sees and will judge our hearts, actions, and words. We can't escape His wrath that is to come, so choose this DAY whom you will serve before it is too late!

Last song plug, later on in this book of Daniel, his homies had to stand when he was not there, the other three mentioned. Now if you read you will see how the Lord showed them abundant favor because of their faithfulness and belief. They were elevated to high positions in the kingdom, which would make it harder to "stand out" I would think. Their very lives were threatened yet they boldy maintained their convictions. I have actually been praying for the Lord to raise up men in the Black Community that will raise up the standard and live out loud what they believe. The song is called"Burn us up" I believe by Shane and Shane, the CD is called Pages.
file:///C:/Documents%20and%20Settings/Eulice%20Hooper/My%20Documents/My%20Music/Unknown%20Artist/Unknown%20Album%20(9-25-2007%2012-30-07%20PM)/03%20Track%203.wma

Snapshots of God!

I recently came across a series in the Christian bookstore called God in the Arts. It uses different media avenues to shed light on the story of redemption in the arts. I believe there is a very real presence of God in photography specifically. The way some people can capture the essence of still life can often incite awe because of the grandeur of creation, which points to an even grander Creator!
I am a very contemplative person, this can be dangerous because sometimes I get lost in my own thoughts. I get caught up in the past and even as I posted these pics my mind began to wonder. I have to deliberately bring my thoughts back to God, how he is working, and arranges the details of everyone's life. Just to know he had a specific plan when he knit my little brother, who is my best friend(apart from his wife), into my moms womb and even my little nephew who looks just like my sister it amazes me. I am excited and praying about what he will be, I want him to be just like my brother, a godly man; a man of integrity and valor.


I take so many pictures my family often expects me to have the camera at different functions, my mom at one point called me the family historian. I love looking back at those old pics and I don't know why. Most of the time the then babies are now teenagers, others have gotten married, or cut their hair, sadly some have even gotten divorced. The point is change is inevitable no matter how it comes, even the relationships that you once had with the people change or become non existent. But you know the pictures, they never change, yeah they may get old, start turning yellow even, but that moment in time, that look it never changes. The reason why you made that face, remains constant, that horrid outfit that you would not be caught dead in today, back then you thought it was the coolest thing ever. When I think of these things I am reminded of the God who is immutable, never changing. For me it helps me to see how I can't hold on to those memories or the people for that matter, too tightly, they fade, names are forgotten, faces begin to blur and feelings change even. The comfort in knowing God is so secure, He can't lie, makes me want to run to him and love Him more because I truly desire that stability. I think we all do. Maybe that is why I take so many pictures; snapshots of what I really desire.http://www.tumblr.com/blog/eulice29/new/text