WE ARE THE WORLD

By Vernalee

Released in 1985, conceived by Harry Belafonte, written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie, performed by 46 vocalists, and conducted by the masterful Quincy Jones, "We are the World" won three Grammy Awards and was a worldwide commercial success selling over 20 million copies. The proceeds from the pop/gospel record raised over $63 million for African famine relief.

It was a song written to offer hope; a song of unity; the hope and unity that we need now.

Yes, "we are the world" and yes, "we are all in this together" as we fight this coronavirus. We - regardless of race, sex, color, income, status ... are all God's children.

God created us all to be equal. In Genesis 1:27, we find -

"So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them."

Right now, we all need God's grace and his mercy. Hebrew 4:16 reads, "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

We cannot be high and lofty and forget that God is in control.

As we as a universal choir sing the words of the song (below), we will realize that nothing, absolutely nothing can save or help us but God's love, mercy, and grace.

"There comes a time When we heed a certain call When the world must come together as one There are people dying Oh, and it's time to lend a hand to life The greatest gift of all

We can't go on Pretending day-by-day That someone, somewhere soon make a change We're all a part of God's great big family And the truth, you know, love is all we need

We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving There's a choice we're making We're saving our own lives It's true we'll make a better day, just you and me

Oh, send them your heart So they know that someone cares And their lives will be stronger and free As God has shown us by turning stones to bread And so we all must lend a helping hand

We are the world."

We thank you Lord once again for your love, mercy, love, grace, protection, and covering.

As we approach your throne this Sunday morning, thank you merciful Lord for never leaving our sides, for walking with us, talking to us, holding our hands, and showing us the way.

Happy Sunday!

Blessings!

YOU BROUGHT THE SUNSHINE INTO MY LIFE

By Vernalee

If your eyes were glued to the Lifetime channel like mine's last night, we saw the making of the gospel group, the incomparable Clark Sisters. We traveled back in time to witness their family problems (we all have them), their climb, their challenges, their struggles, their successes, their love ...

True to form as their lives personified, "We see the glory, but we don't know the story."

The Clark Sisters have many gospel hits, but "You brought the sunshine into my life" will make you jump up and shout! These lyrics mean so much right now.

Listen ...

"You made my day You came my way You heard me every time I pray You gave me peace You gave me grace You put a smile upon my face

You brought the sunshine in my life You are the lifeline Since that I have found Christ There has been such a change in my life."

Powerful Lyrics, I'll say!

Sunshine brings light, it brings heat, it guides us ...

Sure, some days may seem dark, but God gives us light that comforts us; delivers us; makes us whole ...

Without fail, the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. The light of day is powered by the sun ... which is powered by God.

Our lives are changeable and sometimes like the weather. We may have stormy days, but if we stay close to God and remain prayerful, "daylight will come in the morning!”

The Clark Sisters through their harmonious voices reminded us that through it all - we are “Blessed and Highly Favored.” They reminded us about the sunshine that God brings that makes those horrific dark and dreary days bright. Today, the brilliant sun rays illuminate the blue sky this Resurrection Sunday! It gives us hope!

Happy Easter! "He arose from the grave!”

Blessings!

LEAN ON ME!

By Vernalee

This week we lost a music icon, Bill Withers. His legendary songs carried so much meaning. One of them, "Lean On Me" is so appropriate particularly now. As we are experiencing this pandemic, the theme is "We are all in this together."

Written decades ago, the lyrics will never grow old. ”Just call on me brother when you need a hand.”

By now, we should realize that we are not an island. Plucking the strings on his guitar, Bill Withers' voice so harmoniously mellowed the lyrics, "we all need somebody to lean on." On this first Sunday of April 2020, though we may not be sitting in our familiar church pews, we can still praise God. We can thank him for bringing us this far. We can come to him in prayer and ask for his grace, mercy, blessings, protection, and covering for us and our families. We can stand on the ground in humility and realize that We Need Somebody beyond ourselves. There is nothing wrong to lean on someone as that person can become a crutch; a stabilizing force who can help us make it through the day. As they help us, we in turn help them.

Proverbs 27:17 tells us "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." Ecclesiastics 4: 9 -12 reads "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

There are many scriptural references that speak to strength in numbers. So today, we should realize that we are not alone. We are never alone as long as we keep God centered in our lives.

Though Bill Withers was not a gospel singer, many of his songs (Grandma's Hands) reflected on life and love for the people who cross our way. It is only fitting to step back for a minute today to reflect and realize that we need God and we need each other ... to lean on!

Happy Palm Sunday!

Blessings!