March is the month when Spring arrives. In the state of Maryland, which has all four seasons, winter is a time when it is cold, and we also can have snow. It is a season when the outward environment is limiting and restrictive.

However, March also ushers in the season of Spring. Spring represents the end of winter and the beginning of time when the weather becomes much more comfortable. Activities that were restrictive during the winter months become possible with the advent of Spring. Just as the seasons change in the natural, seasons change in the Spirit.

This is a time when you are transitioning from testing to a time of fulfillment of the promises. Raise your expectations and relish in the hope that you have survived the season of winter and now you have entered the springtime of blessings. I am so excited about what God is about to do in your life and I look forward to the testimonies many of you will share about God’s miraculous provision. Take my word for it, your latter shall be greater than your former and the best is yet to come!

I always love the month of February because it is always associated with the concept of love. You have Valentines’ Day where couples express their love for one another through gifts, expressions and cards. I believe love is the most powerful force in the earth. I also believe our greatest need is for love. Nothing has shaped your sense of well-being like how much you have been loved over the course of your life.

When you are loved, there is a power released that goes to the core of your being. Healing is the direct result of love being expressed to you. When I observe the ministry of Jesus in the gospels, it is his love for people and sincere concern for them which was the key to them being healed and delivered. Jesus had a way of letting people know they were valued that translated into them experiencing the power of God.

Our main responsibility to others is to love them. Not because they deserve it or act in a way that warrants it but because God has called us to be spreaders of His love. One of the worst things that could happen to us is that we become somehow affected by things in life and distracted by things going on that we fail to be transmitters of the love of God.

The only explanation for how we are saved is that God loved us. He commended his love toward us while we were yet sinners. Consequently, our greatest purpose is to spread that love to others in everything we do and speak. I pray that this month you will put a special emphasis on being loving and showing those around you the love of Jesus. And just in case you did not know, I love you!

As we embark on a New Year this is a time when we can be excited and hopeful for what this new year is going to bring. It is almost like we have a fresh start. The new year represents a new opportunity for God to do something great in our lives. The last couple of years have been very trying with the pandemic basically altering life as we had known it before. The social distancing and COVID measures have made it difficult for social interaction. But I really believe this has been a time when God has caused us to draw more from Him and spend more quality time in His presence. Personally, I have grown exponentially because while I had less human interaction, I have had more divine collaboration.

Somehow the restrictions of COVID have made for a greater emphasis and focus on God Himself. I must say I am closer to God than I have ever been before. His voice is so much clearer, and I so enjoy being in his presence in worship. The other day at Church, I found myself bowing before Him right there at my social distancing seat. I really believe this time of getting closer to God has equipped us for a greater experience in life. That is why I believe 2023 is the year of enhanced and heighten experience with the Lord.

I pray 2023 will be a year unlike any other year because these prior years have positioned you to experience God in his fullness. This has nothing to do with material things or physical progress but everything to do with coming into a level of experiencing God that is satisfying and meaningful. My prayer for you is that you will have life and have it more abundantly. That you will operate with a spiritual mind that gives you fulness of life and peace. Life is living in a reality where your experience is exciting and enjoyable. Peace being a way of being where you operate without turmoil and discomfort. Happy New Year is indeed a happy year because it will be in 2023! Welcome to a new beginning, a major upgrade of life experience!

Remember: Be mindful of, recount, still think on. To think again about something. To retain in the memory, remain aware of.

John 10:10 says, the thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. The enemy is a liar and a deceiver. His strategy is to keep us focused on the wrong things. If he can cloud your perspective of how things really are, he can negatively impact your trust and confidence in God. He wants to weaken your capacity to believe that God is a promise maker and a promise keeper.

The value of remembering is it reminds you of how good and faithful God has been. Remembering all the times God blessed you in the past helps you to be certain that He will bless you now. Remembering keeps you properly focused. Remembering helps you maintain your faith stance. Remembering helps you to stand strong and not quit or forfeit the promise.

The enemy’s goal is to bombard your mind so that you do not remember all the great things God has already done. I encourage you to not forget, but to continue to press forward being mindful that if He did it before He will do it again.

As we embark upon the Thanksgiving Season, let’s remember to thank God for all the great and wonderful things He has done!

Peace & Blessings

October is National Breast Cancer month. I am so grateful that there were people who thought it was necessary to make an emphasis on such a major issue. For too long it was on the back burner because women’s health was not seen as important as men’s health. It is so unfortunate that so much more money is spent on research for diseases that relate to certain groups and not enough emphasis on woman’s health. It is a blessing that finally women’s lives are being valued equally with men. In my lifetime I have seen so many courageous women fight through this disease.

This month we acknowledge this struggle, and I am so grateful to be a part of the movement to rid the world of this disease. For years my husband and I were a part of the Susan Komen walk run downtown every September. It was always exhilarating to be a part of the thousands of people joining together to work for such a great cause. It is my prayer that very soon, there will be a cure for breast cancer. My daughter Diamond is presently a Biomedical engineer working on her PH. D at Southern California University. She was inspired to enter this field because she saw her grandmothers both afflicted with this disease. I am so proud of her being a part of conducting research to find the cure.

In the meantime, we are praying for all those presently dealing with Breast cancer and trusting God for healing and deliverance. I am wearing my pink and I believe we will obtain the victory over this dreaded disease. I praise God through His word we will overcome In the Name Of Jesus.

Fall is a time when the leisure and hot weather of summer gives way to the cool temperatures and regular routines starting again. The change in seasons is a part of the rhythm of life. In much the same way, the seasons change because of the earth’s tilt away and toward the sun, our lives go through changes in seasons. As wise Solomon said, there is a reason and season for everything in our lives. It is important to identify a change in seasons and make the right adjustments. God is doing some new things in your life.

As you progress in Him and follow His lead, it requires all of us to be aware of how we need to be aware of what God is doing. There is a part of us that loves familiarity and wants things to remain the same. But the nature of life is everything is in a flux and moving from what was to what is now. Learn to enjoy change and get the most out of whatever changes come in your life. Even though it may seem uncomfortable, see it as another opportunity to trust God and expect something good to come from it. This fall may you enter into a way of thinking that allows you to maximize all God is bringing you into. I believe the best is yet to come!

August is a transitional month. It is a time when vacations come to an end and everyone gets ready to get back on the grid. God created us all in a way where we need to take time to relax and get reinvigorated. This is why he commanded us to have one day set aside to rest. It is one of the main ways that we manage ourselves is to take into account the need to be renewed and refreshed. I would encourage you that throughout the year be intentional about operating at a reasonable pace. Trusting God involves allowing Him to lead you to do what He orders you and let all that other stuff be left in his hands. Too often we are trying to do too much and contributing to our own demise because we are not taking into account the limits of our humanity.

God can do anything and everything but you on the other hand can only do what God allows you to do. It is important to know your limitations and trust God who is unlimited. As we step back into the fray, let us go forward in a way where we can run the race with patience and finish strong!

Mental Health is the most pervasive issue in our society today. Experts tell us that one in every five persons is mentally ill. That means on any given day, upwards of 52 million people in America are struggling with some form of mental illness. Most people are going undiagnosed and completely unaware that they are dealing with mental illness. It is sad that something can be so common and yet very little attention is given to helping people who are suffering from mental illness.

I have committed myself to learn as much as I can about mental illness. I would encourage you to do so too. One of the greatest challenges to the gospel of Jesus Christ is the existence of mental illness. We cannot say we are carrying out the Great Commission if we are not targeting ministry at specifically the mental health of people. The major thrust of Jesus’ ministry was aimed at the mental well-being of the people he ministered to. Jesus said he had come to heal the broken hearted (Psalm 147:3). When Jesus said come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy laden and I will give you rest, clearly that was a reference to mental illness (Matthew 11:28). There are many references to mental illness. It is critical that the church address this very important issue. I believe Jesus came to set the captives free. Many experts tell us that there is no cure for mental illness. However, I choose to believe the Word of God, which is my truth.

Matthew 4:23.. And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people. I believe ALL would include Mental Illness! The scripture says He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

God bless you!

Spring represents a time when the tilt of the earth toward the Sun means warmer temperatures and conditions for growth.  There is literally a complete change in the landscape as greenery replaces cold hard brown terrain.  Many engage in outdoor activities that were not possible during the winter.  Just as there is a seasonal change in the natural, I also believe there is seasonal change in spirit.  God is bringing us from the challenging times of a world-wide pandemic into a time when we gradually start to live less restrictive lives.  While still vigilant and on guard, this is a season of change for the better.

I believe we can look forward to being able to socially interact more and enjoy the things we love most like traveling and enjoying public worship.  This is a time to be grateful as we reflect on God’s protection and provision.  We have survived one of the most horrific health crises in the history of the world.  And now is a time for renewal, restoration and new life.  The best is yet to come, and your latter shall be greater than your past.  Given the severity of this season of trials and test, we can anticipate that God has something very special for us now.  I dare say as it says in Isaiah 61, “For your shame you shall receive double for your trouble!” Galatians 6:9 says, “Be not weary in well-doing for in due season ye shall reap if you faint not!”

It’s time to get excited and look forward as we spring forth into all God has for us in this new spiritual season.

I have always enjoyed the month of February because it is the month when our minds are turned toward love on Valentine’s Day. It is also a month when society focuses on the contributions of African Americans. It is a wonderful combination intended to raise our consciousness in two vital areas.

First, the need to express love to others. Nothing can be better than showing affection and commitment. Especially as it relates to romantic love. The whole idea of celebrating relationships is so beneficial and heart-warming.

Secondly, the emphasis on Black History is long overdue. It is sad that there was a deliberate attempt to understate the vital role that various African Americans played in the development and progression of our great nation. Americans of all races should take time to appreciate these brilliant, courageous heroes who did great things even while dealing with systematic racism and discrimination. It is time to get our history straight. Although, we focus on Black History in February, it should be celebrated year-round.

May we love with all our hearts and remember with all our strength those who have not been given the proper recognition among our African American ancestors.