By Vernalee
This morning we listen to Glory. The song's messaging shows that God is always in control. At all times, we must give glory to God. It is from God that all of our blessings flow. Psalm 115:1 tells us about his glory. It reads -
“Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to Your name give glory
Because of Your lovingkindness, because of Your truth.”
Glory be to his name!
Glory Hallelujah!
Happy Sunday! Blessings!
By Vernalee
Years ago, on one of my daughter’s summer vacation trips to Glen Allan, Mississippi, she and her girlfriends were in church. Mischievous, the adolescents decided to “get happy” pretending that they had been filled with the spirit of the Holy Ghost. As they were allegedly “shouting,” the little girls started rolling on the floor calling on The Lord. Much to her chagrin, when my daughter opened her eyes, she saw her perturbed Grandmother standing before her. Her Grandma Phoebe with her Bible in her hands sternly said to her namesake, “Little Phoebe, if you don’t get up off that floor, I am gonna tear your tail up! You don’t play with God!” Telling the story invokes laughter now, but it wasn’t funny to my daughter at the time. In fact, it was quite embarrassing. It did however teach her about the sacredness of God and provided a lifelong spiritual lesson.
Galatians 6:7 states, “Do not be deceived. God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Although this story is one of her favorite spiritual childhood memories and Grandma stories about her trips to Mississippi, she holds dear Galatians 6:9 as a spiritual cornerstone. “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time, we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” She also learned that her Granny didn't take no mess!
These are the stories of old that will never fade away; stories that we keep near and dear in our hearts. Though her Granny (and my Mother) has gone to be with the Lord, the indelible memories of her and the lessons that she taught us will live on forever - from one generation to the next!
By Vernalee
It’s been said that everybody needs a song; a song that they can claim as their very own.
My Mother’s fall back song was “Precious Lord.”
As a little girl, I can vividly remember Momma with her famous lime green apron with pink sash pockets tied around her waist singing as she prepared dinner.
“Precious Lord, take my hand, Lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light:
Take my hand, precious Lord, Lead me home.”
I was too young and naïve to fully understand that singing was often verbal releases and expressions to calm and comfort the soul.
My Momma’s voice lovingly resonated and penetrated every room of our home. It was very soothing as her emotionality was vocally personified through her sound. Sometimes, you could feel her sadness; other times, her joy.
Singing as she cooked was her form of relaxation; her method of releasing the actualities of her spirit; a fact that I learned years later. Memories... As I recall listening to my Momma singing, I was overtaken by my sensory intake of the tantalizing aroma of the food - crispy fried chicken, mustard & turnip greens, creamy mashed potatoes with smothered chicken gravy, and hot water corn bread - seeping flavorfully through the air.
In an animated fashion as she stirred the pots, she continued to bellow out melodic harmonies being both the lead singer and her accompanying chorus. The song and the food wreathed of sheer love! Eagerly waiting to dig in and enjoy the delicious soul food, I realized that Momma had through her voice transported me emotionally to a holy and spiritual place. With full tummies, we kids felt as if we had been to church mid-week in our very own kitchen.
The throwback memories of those days have become deeply rooted in my heart. They unforgettably live on though the time has long past.
It’s a fact that a special gospel song can - uplift, soothe, relax, comfort, bring joy, remove sadness - and make you want to shout to the Heavens the Lord’s mighty and holy name. Fast forwarding, my favorite gospel song regularly changes. I guess you can say that I’m moody in that what I like to hear (since I cannot sing a lick) depends upon what happening in my life. So I’m stuck right now on “Something About the Name Jesus;” it is the sweetest name I know! Now, let’s be realistic. A song no matter how sweet the sound can’t make your troubles disappear. It can’t erase your past mistakes and failures. It can’t make you forget that somebody did you wrong. It cannot perform the impossible as if the words were a magic wand.
But what it can do is satisfy your soul and uplift your spirit! It can enhance your pleasant memories and take you to a peaceful mental place engulfed with thankfulness, grace, love, and mercy to give praises to the Lord. It can make you happy, appreciative, and thankful to God for life and your so many blessings! On some days, like today, who could ask for anything more! The powerful lyrics and mesmerizing sound of my favorite song are truly all that I need! My soul becomes anchored in the Lord! That is a blessing in and of itself! Happy Sunday and Blessings!
Dedicated to the memory of the late Bishop Rance Allen.