From the desk of the CEO
Welcome to the fourth edition of Sarah magazine! The months are going by so fast; we are in the fourth month of 2024 already. We celebrated the Resurrection of Christ in March. I am forever grateful for the ultimate sacrifice He made just for us. His blessings are continual. He is always right on time and He never fails us. We sometimes think that He has forgotten us, but right when we are
about to give up, He shows up and shows out!
FAITH
While pondering on what this edition was going to be focused on, Faith came into my spirit. I thought about all the scriptures about Faith. One of the main ones is Hebrews 11:1, Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. NIV
I know we can probably quote this in our sleep. But when put to the test do we really believe it?
How many times have we said, “I trust God” but when it takes longer than what we expected, does your Faith turn into fear? All those Faith scriptures you were quoting are now on the back burner (so to Speak) and you are wondering if God is listening. I’m sure you can identify with what I am saying.
Just last month I went through a challenging time. I was ready to throw in the towel and go in a different direction from what was
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promised to me. When God shows you something great is about to happen in your life, it is always followed by an attack to make you think that maybe you didn’t hear God clearly.
I was reading Mark 4:35-40 when Jesus said to His disciples “Let us cross over to the other side”. When they entered the boat, a furious storm came, it was so bad that the disciples thought they were going to drown.
Jesus was asleep while all of this was happening. They woke Him up, wondering how He could sleep when it looked as if they were going to die.
Jesus woke up, calmed the storm, and asked “Why are you so afraid, where is your FAITH?” I said all of that to say this…whenever you are about to cross over into something great, know that there is going to be a storm to make you think you are not going to make it. Believe and trust that the storm is temporary, it is also a sign letting you know that you are on the right track. Satan will do whatever he can to distract you. The storm was a distraction to make the disciples doubt, Jesus spoke to the storm and said, “PEACE BE STILL!” The storm ceased.
Whatever you are believing God for, stay focused, don’t let the storm distract you. He calmed it then and He will do it now. Stay in Faith.
OUR FEATURED STORY!
Ladies and gentlemen… Get ready for a groundbreaking moment as we
proudly unveil the first man to grace the cover of Sarah Magazine since its exhilarating rebirth! Payton Goldston is going to share his story of how God is using him to minister. Sarah is not only for women; we welcome men to share their stories as well. So put your seat belts on and enjoy the story of the first man to grace the pages of Sarah!
Young people make sure you are reading the articles that are so inspiring. Naomi Martin is the head writer and every month she leaves me in amazement of how on fire for God she is. She brings on board with her so many other anointed young people.
In closing, Mother's Day is in May. If your mom is still alive make sure you treat her like the queen she is. Mothers sacrifice so much, let’s make sure we take the time to honor them.
My mom passed in December 2014; I miss her SO MUCH! I thank God for the years she was on this earth and all that she taught me.
Once again, I would like to thank our contributors who continually support this magazine with their gifts and talents. If Sarah has been a blessing to you, reach out and let me and our writers know. You can reach out to them directly or send it to the email provided. We will address it in the next issue Enjoy…
God bless,
Minister Sheree Carradine Creator/Chief Editor
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ARTICLES: Encouragement-Antwan Beaden-Leach………………………………………………………..8 Free 2 Serve- -Keith and Mary Lou Norris…………………………………………………..19 ISICS- Iron Sharpens Iron Christian Singles…………………………………….22 Challenged But Chosen- -Florence Dickey …………………………………………………38 Did You Know (African American History- Robert Temarantz…………………44 Honoring Two Great People-Sheree Carradine……………………………………………...64 Are You Ready?- Dr. Calvinia Williams, D.D 67 The Honour Of Your Presence Is Requested-Reverend Donzella Berry……………………74 Love In A Cup -Tiffany Nakatani…………………………………………………11 Hair Care Tips-Rosalind Harper……………………………………………………………….16 Diva Deluxe, -All About Fashion…………………………………………..………56 Your Health Matters– Venita Freeman………………………………………………………..60 Beauty-Health-Fashion: FAITH- Keith Williams I……………………………………………………….13 3
BOOKS/BUSINESS/SERVICES: Must Read Books…………………………......................................................................46 Divorce Botted Up-Gerald W. Smith Jr………………………………………………………...28 Let’s Get Personal…T-Shirts, Mugs, Tote Bags 66 Book Publishing 72 FOOD: Love In A Cup- Tiffany Nakatani……………………………………………….……………...11 Cinco De Mayo………………...………………………………........................................36 EXTRAS Happy Mother’s Day……………………………………………………………………………42 Did You Miss Out?.........................................................................................59 Previous Issues 73 OUR FEATURED STORY: PAYTON GOLDSTON-Impacting Lives Through Music 47 YOUTH- EDUCATION: Y.P.W.P. (Young People With Purpose)-Faith And Waiting On God Naomi Martin & Friends ……………………………………………………………. 23 4
If you have questions/comments for our contributors, please feel free to contact them personally or send them to mysarahmagzine@gmail.com or shereecarradine@yahoo.com
We would love your feedback and will post your comments/answers in the next issue of Sarah.
Note: We are a Christian based magazine but not limited to only Christians. BUT… we will not publish anything that is contrary to our beliefs, such as profanity or promotion of your sexual preferences.
Eph. 3:20
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FAITH
I know you have probably heard of this example: when you sit in a chair, you have faith that it will not break. Or when you start your car, you have faith that it will turn on. If you have those kinds of faith demonstrated in your life, you can have faith in other things.
Faith, in my opinion, is unshakable and unmovable! You believe it with all your heart and soul. Have you ever had that kind of faith?
The first time that I can recall unshakable and unmovable faith was when I was pregnant with my oldest son, Keene. My water broke at 28 weeks, probably due to my turbulent environment and stress. I was in the military, so I went to the base hospital. They did not have the means to deliver a baby that was under 4 pounds. The base hospital transferred me to the local university hospital, which had a Neonatal unit. I stayed in the hospital for 10 days, going stir crazy, and alone! Then, on the morning of April 12th, the doctors gave me a shot and told me that I would have my baby later that day. After 13 hours of labor, I gave birth to a beautiful, premature baby boy, who weighed only 3 lbs. 6 oz. The doctors said, after examining him, that he would be mentally slow, physically small, and maybe not be able to walk! I looked at those doctors and said that there
was nothing wrong with my baby, he was just small! I had unsurmountable faith that my baby would be alright, because God had him! Today, my son is a healthy, tall, intelligent, handsome young man with a family of his own. He even retired from the U.S. Army! To look at him, you could not tell that his entrance into the world was not normal!
That, my friend, is faith! That is the type of faith that we should have in all things, especially if God gave you a vision. I’m sure that things have happened in your life that made you insecure, disappointed, and even frustrated. I know because I feel that way about certain things in my life. As you continue in your quest to live for God and serve, you will have these types of “bumps in the road”. Just remember…if you have “bumps”, they are tests to see if you will fight to keep your focus! Faith is knowing that God will not abandon you: “And the LORD, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed.” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NKJV)
If you know and are confident that the chair will not break and your car will start, then you can tackle your task with the same faith: unshakable and unmovable determination and confidence!
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Deacon Antwan
Beaden-Leach
Assistant Editor/Co-Graphic Artist
Antwan and son, Keene
FAITH! Got Some!
Antwan , Pop Pop and Keene
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SON! I LOVE YOU! Article images from www.pixabay.com 8
Keene and Labriel
Finding yourself saying "Huh?" or having brain fog? Finding it hard to remember things? Feeling overwhelmed and stressed out? As we age and get older or experience stressors in life our memory both short and long term is often the first thing to fade. In addition to being busy and bogged down with all there is to do and so little time to do it in. As our synapses slow down, our brain tries to fill in the blanks.
Thankfully we've got a tea for that!
Comprised of an antioxidant-rich blend of herbs, green mate, and citrus, this brain-boosting blend also comes packed with a secret ingredient! (well...not so secret) ...You ask what is it??
Tulsi Leaves.
Holy Basil is also known as the Queen of Herbs. It is one of my favorite herbs to incorporate into our blends, specifically our custom blend "I AM AWARE".
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It is a powerful adaptogen that has been revered for so long. This herb helps buffer the effects of stress on the body and helps bring us back into balance once stressors have thrown us out of whack.
It has so many health benefits that it has been shown to promote a healthy response to stress, foster a healthy mood and sense of calm, and support feelings of emotional well-being. It also nourishes healthy cognitive function including focus and alertness, supports a healthy immune response, and helps to maintain normal blood sugar levels.
So next time you find yourself stumped for the answer, simply reach for a steaming cup of "I AM AWARE " tea Drink in the sweet earthy character of this rich herbal combination and feel your memory grow...
Organic Ingredients- Rosehip, Bilberry leaves, Rosemary, Green Mate, Tulsi leaves, Orange peel.
This blend is available for order. Send an email to loveinacupaz@gmail.com
Thank you for your support.
By Tiffany Nakatani
Tea Expert|Herbalist Owner|Founder Love In A Cup, Where Tea's A
Vibe
Follow me on:
Youtube link < click the link
Instagram: @pourselfcarepractice
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10:17, that “Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” (KJV). That means that Faith comes by what is retained or heard through scripture, but through God’s Word Only! The Bible also says in Hebrew 11:1, that “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (KJV). I also like the (NIV) New International Version that says it like this; “Now Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see”
Faith is something that we can’t see, touch or taste but just like with Jesus because we know that what God has said in his word it will not return void, so what He says He will do and complete. My true Faith started as an adult, not that I didn’t believe in the Lord or the Bible but as a young man, there was no study, devotion, or preparation for or into God’s word, and one because living at home until 27 years of age, Mom and Dad prayed over me even when I didn’t know it.
Church was mandatory in my household, so there was no discussion about it, lol. Even though I grew up in
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Church and my parents were ministering the gospel to others and still praying over me, I didn’t truly understand until I was on my own and life was hitting me smack dab in the face. I was a drinker, cursed like a sailor, and did things that I had no business doing or speaking out of my mouth, but that’s what happens when you get into the world and the streets become your god instead of Jesus Christ. Not that I didn’t follow Him but was ashamed to speak up trying to fit into society and others approval instead of staying true to what I knew. I had one foot in and one foot out, basically living a lie and living two different lives instead of the one that God had ordained for me in the beginning.As relationships started to crumble one by one with ladies, finances were always shaky, didn’t understand how tithing worked not only over my finances but my entire life.
Growing up in LosAngeles, CA. was and still is rough, I knew I wanted out
one day but didn’t know how, but as I began to get back into the things of God, my Faith began to build stronger and stronger and once God opened up the door for me to move to Las Vegas, NV. in 2004, I refocused. After some hardships, God showed me some things where only He could get the glory and opened many doors, I then rededicated my life to the Lord and made the decision to follow
Him…All-In!
My Faith in the Lord has brought me through a Pulmonary Embolism, Rare Bone-Marrow Cancer that only has to be treated with medication, Praise God! My Faith through prayer and consecration with the Lord has changed my life for the better, not that everything has been or is a bed of roses because it hasn’t, but with God
ALLThingsAre Possible!
Faith can bring you through so many negative possibilities and outcomes if you just trust in the almighty who is the creator of all things. You hear folks say give it to the universe, the
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universe? Who do you think created you, the moon, the stars, the planets, mountains etc. If He did all that He will take care of you, but you must trust Him, no matter what it looks like, feels like, seems like, etc. Keep your eyes on Him and that is part of casting your cares on Him for He careth for you. That doesn’t mean to do nothing or don’t put forth any effort, but do your part and let Him take care of the rest, and that in a nutshell is having faith.Another way to put it is, “Faith is trusting God when; life doesn’t make sense.”
I hope you enjoyed this article on Faith, anybody reading this if you haven’t been given the gift of salvation and want to know Jesus, it says in Romans 10:9-10, “That if you confess with your mouth,” Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” Trust me friends God is who He says He is and it starts with having Faith and trusting
Him to lead and guide you in every decision big or small!
God Bless!
By Mr. Keith E. Williams Sr.
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Here Are Some Inexpensive Alternatives
BANANAS OR STRAWBERRIES
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SQUIGGLY LINES
In our RV we have only two plaques on the walls. One was made for us by a dear friend just before we left on our full-time RVing adventure. On the canvas is a squiggly line leading from Mason City, Iowa to Tucson, Arizona. That line was her way of approving of the wandering around the nation which we were about to embark upon. The art was accompanied by Proverbs 3:5-6:
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; Do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.” NLT
Underneath that hangs a wooden USA map covered with a jumbled mess of push pins. Each point represents a campground in which we’ve stayed during the last 5½ years. The lines on that map have truly become a squiggly line – more tangled than our creative friend ever imagined!
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Every year during Christmas break, we start thinking about where that squiggly line will go in the year ahead. The possibilities are innumerable! When considering our options, some seem easy and familiar, while others are scary and hold many unknown obstacles. It would be so comforting to always pick the routine route. But then our adventure would turn flat and mundane. We believe God has designed us to face challenges head on. In this way we can glorify His leadership and care for us. He has new experiences and knowledge waiting for us out there in the unknown. So, we plan to go somewhere new to us, even though we have many unanswered questions.
Just another tight camp spot wedged in between two trees. It took some mighty fine maneuvering to get our home into this space in St. Cloud, MN!
Narrow rough roads, campgrounds filled with big trees and rocks and low clearance underpasses scare us most. Those are the things that can make us drop a plan and run back to the familiar. But we persevere on…only by the grace of God. You see, we have dedicated this life of serving and wandering to our Lord, Jesus Christ. We never start a year’s itinerary without
first consulting Him. Then we vow to be open to hearing from the Holy Spirit. They, the Father, Son and
Holy Spirit, haven’t disappointed us yet! Always in the process we fight our fears. The best battle plan is running to Jesus in faith and sitting still to hear Holy’s answers. “Where is it, Lord, that You want us this year, and how do we get there?” We have learned how the answers take shape. They rarely come as a lightning bolt. His direction is more often thoughts coming ‘out of thin air’, ‘stumbling upon’ good information or simply banging our heads against a wall that will not move!
Our most important task is to discern a place to serve for 2 months. We pick a city and see what they have to offer. Our hearts have been burdened for those experiencing shelter and food insecurities. It’s not difficult to find places delivering this kind of aid. A simple phone call secures
Back road near Gettysburg, PA
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Road to Shanksville, PA.
a volunteer assignment.
Then the work begins! It’s time to squash the fears with faith. Normally, we start our route planning by picking roads, campgrounds and obvious tourist attractions. We call on Jesus for His direction to find the path that will bless those we meet, as well as ourselves. When that blessed road is discovered, we have faith His protecting hand will guide and never leave us. Without faith in Him, we would sit stagnate in one place, never realizing the fullness He has for us. Is our plan always perfect the first time? Absolutely not. At this writing we are considering our 4th and 5th versions of the last leg of this year’s trip. This is putting listening to the Holy Spirit into practice. His direction builds little by little until the answer falls into place. Even as we hit the road in April, we have trepidations about what lies ahead, but we boldly advance with a prayer and praise each morning. And we see Him everywhere.
While our lives may be very different from what most consider normal, we think all Christians have the ability to live a fear-squashing, faith-filled life. Your path may not be literal roads
leading to new locations. Your way may be making a career choice, a lifestyle change, a move away from destructive behaviors, or even just finding one person to bless every day. No matter what choices you have to make, there’s always fear to battle. Don’t start the day’s journey without checking in with the Way Maker. Have faith His compass is pointing you the perfect way-even if the road there is a squiggly line.
“I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths, I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.”
Isaiah 42:16 NIV
Keith and Mary Lou Norris Free2Serve
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Y. P. W. P.
Hello everyone, it’s Naomi, representing Y.P.W.P (Young Person With Purpose).
I have a few more friends who will be joining me in sharing their Faith and how they persevere while waiting on God.
I pray that our conversations and interviews inspire and encourage you. If you have a story or a topic, you’d like us to discuss, please contact me at mysarahmagazine@gmail.com
It is our ministry to help other young people. I am looking forward to hearing from you!
LET’S GET STARTED!
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Naomi
1. What is a way you personally persevere when waiting for God to answer your hopes and prayers? In other words, how do you continue on waiting without losing faith that God will come through?
My Answer: The biggest way I am motivated to keep going when waiting on my prayers is that I rely on God to come in at the right time. I expect his encouragement and reassurance to meet me when I’m feeling down or unsure about my expected prayers. There have been so many times where God uses multiple tools in my life to tell me to keep going. It can be a song, it can be something random a friend said, a book, a video, or simply a thought from the Holy Spirit that brings me great joy. The best thing is that God knows exactly when to intervene. He understands what I’m feeling in my heart because He is all-knowing so He knows when I need encouragement and His voice guides me in the steps of my waiting process. Right now, I’m doing a study on the gospels, and last week’s section was on Gods divine intentions. I read about the tiny details that can be seen in the Birth of Jesus like his bloodline, the explanation of how Jesus is divine but human at the same time, His birth in a manger, and the words that were spoken over Him by elders. These all show how intentional and specific God was about the birth of His beloved. It means He was watching closely making sure everything that was supposed to happen would happen. He is doing the same thing for you and I. Believing that God's divine intentions apply to us and how we live is one way I am fueled to keep on pushing for my hopes and prayers. I have faith God is watching me closely and is planting small details in my life I may not even notice myself, that encourage and push me forward.
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Tem’s Answer: I keep on waiting; I keep my faith strong in God by just thinking back to what He's done. He has a perfect resume when it comes to delivering, He is true to His Word and has never broken a promise.
Whenever I pray for something or ask for help, I know the best thing will come, even if it is something I don't expect. For example, Abraham lived 100 years without being able to have kids, his wife was barren, and all previous attempts to have kids failed in one way or another. 100 is genuinely insane for kids because, at that point, it's almost guaranteed that both, man and woman, are infertile. But despite that, God made miracles happen. If Abraham can wait 100 years, I can wait too. So overall, just remembering God will deliver in one way or another, and it will be the best way in the grand scheme of things.
Kienan’s Answer: How I continue on waiting without losing faith that God will come through is that God shows major examples of this exact situation in the Bible, and in the end, God would always keep his promises. For example, in the book of Genesis, the wife of Abraham (Sarah) wanted to have a baby of her own, but she was unable to do so. However, God promised Abraham she would be a mother of generations (Genesis 17:16) When Sarai told Abraham to sleep with Hagar. When he did, she only felt more hurt, but when she finally trusted God, God gave her the child she wanted (Issac).
As observed in Sarai’s story, when she lost faith in the Lord, it only led to getting herself hurt in the end, but once she put her faith in God, He fulfilled the promise that Abraham was given by God. I believe that the Lord knew her faith and commitment and God wouldn’t be as strong compared to her relationship with her son, and it is a Christ Follower’s job to put God first. So, we learn here that having a strong faith with the Lord can lead you to
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receive blessings from Him, such as the eternal gift of heaven as He promised when we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
But it could be argued that even though we remain faithful to God, we still go through trials, tribulations, and suffering. The main flaw with this argument though is that God reassured us that there will be suffering in life, and being one of His followers won’t ever be easy, along with that it disciplines and strengthens us. Romans 5:3-5 states, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Not only does suffering help us persevere in the hardships of life, but it is completely nothing compared to the gift God offers us. According to Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” This quote is coming from Paul, the man who used to persecute other Christians under his original name as Saul. But when he met Jesus, he then had complete faith in his existence, then he fulfilled every single command of his after their interaction on the road of Damascus. Although Paul was persecuted spreading the word of God across Rome, he was able to endure the pain, as he knew Heaven would be a better reward than anything he could imagine.
Although the Bible doesn’t directly state Paul making it to Heaven, I believe God did this intentionally to help us make the decision whether or not God fulfilled His promise by giving Paul the gift of eternal life with Him. Giving us the opportunity to whether or not to have faith within ourselves if we have the possibility to gain salvation.
With all of these factors in mind, I believe suffering is like training to become God’s knight or servant, and our faith in the Lord is our shield against the pain we must endure, while our sword is the power of God, as
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He will help us go through the trials and tribulations we go through as Christians, as it is most guaranteed that we will be persecuted and suffer. So, when I go through hard times, I pray for God to help me endure the pain that awaits me, and he promises to protect us from evil.
2 Thessalonians 3:3 explicitly states, “But the Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.” And Deuteronomy 31:6 says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Because He is faithful, He could be trusted to strengthen us against the battles against sin, along with the Devil. So, during my wait, I know I won’t ever go through more suffering than what God thinks I can handle, and even if it seems like I can never go through what I go through, God’s blessings are always more rewarding in the end, since He is where the joy is!
Naomi
2. Often, it can be difficult to predict our future, and sometimes God doesn’t exactly give us the full picture of what our future will look like. How can young teens like ourselves use faith and the power of the Holy Spirit to let go and trust God, with the understanding that our lives are in his hands? (Philippians 3:12-14)
My Answer: I want to focus on three verses in Philippians chapter 3. The first being verse 1, the second 13, and the third 17. Starting with verse one. “Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” Paul gives us an important command to rejoice in the Lord no matter what happens. He writes that he continues to say this for the Phillipi's own good. He continues to tell them to rejoice so their faith can remain
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protected and continue to grow. One thing people always tell me in church is to praise and give thanks to God for things that have not yet happened. That’s because it shows God how much I can trust Him because I’m willing to say thank you in advance despite not being able to see what I’m hoping for. This simple communication with God grows my faith and brings me reassurance that God has my future covered. So much to the point that I don’t need to see it in order to praise Him for it.
Next is verse 13: “No dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: forgetting the past and looking forward to it. Lies ahead,” The reason why this one stuck out to me is because Paul tells us he still ponders, thinks about, and looks forward to what’s to come but he doesn’t worry, overthink, and stress about it. It is completely okay to make plans and picture what our future will look like (while including God of course) but Paul makes it clear he doesn’t allow his past to make him worry about what will be. We cannot allow our past mistakes and troubles to control how we see what will happen next. The questions that may haunt us such as “What if the same things happen again?”, “what if I mess up just like last time?”, “how do I know this certain person won’t start to see me differently if I try this?” They are all the devil's way of influencing us to stay stuck in our bad to prevent us from moving forward in God's good.
Jesus has wiped our slate clean and God has sent us an advocate and guide, Holy Spirit, to assist us in looking forward into the future with a Godly point of view.
Lastly, we have verse 17: “Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example” It’s true God sometimes doesn’t give us the full picture of how our lives will turn out whether short term or long term but He doesn’t leave us completely emptyhanded. We have many ways we can get help when walking toward what we can’t see. One way is being with each other! Specifically, Christians who set a good example of how we should run this race. Getting our worries about the future off of our chest by talking about it helps build a
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connection in the body of Christ and benefits us as we find a community we know we can depend on.
Tem’s Answer: I think Philippians explains it fairly well, we must pursue Him and by doing so will develop a relationship and trust with God. It's like a relationship, if I like a girl and I don't talk with her, do what she asks me not to do, disrespect her, and blow her off; consequently, a relationship and trust won't develop. It's the same with God, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that we are supposed to treat God like a romantic partner but we are supposed to have Him close to our hearts like a partner would be. To tie back to the beginning, we can use our faith, not only believing that God is there but also trusting Him, to let go and trust God by developing a relationship with Him. Having a relationship constitutes taking time out of your day for Him, actively praying and reading your Bible, and LIVING OUT HIS WORD. When we do that, we will know God better and we will trust Him more because we are closer to Him.
Keinan’s Answer: In the book of Job, Job had nearly everything he needed and wanted in his life before all he had was taken away. He had a healthy relationship with his wife, he had a family, a nice farm, and plenty of riches. When Satan noticed this, he thought God was only protecting him and that was why Job had a good life. God then allows Satan to ruin his life, but he can’t harm Job at all. After Satan’s interaction with God, Job lost his family, riches, popularity, along with his life stock. When he is talking to his friends for an entire week about his suffering, he claims that God doesn’t care about him at all and allows him to suffer for no reason. But later, God comes down to talk to Job, and asks him if he knows how the entire universe was made, how every living thing worked on Earth, and why things happen the way they do on Earth. God is proving to Job that he can’t possibly call God incompetent since He runs and created everything in the
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universe, in which Job can’t ever comprehend since he doesn’t have the knowledge and power to do so. This further proves that God is purposefully allowing Job to suffer, to teach him that he needs to put his faith in God more than allow the Devil to get the best of him. God is not asking Job to understand why suffering is given to him, he needs to instead put faith in God to help overcome it. Job understands God’s point and immediately silences himself.
After their encounter, God gives him back his wealth for proving to Satan that not even him can destroy the relationship between His followers and Him because He is the Almighty, and He is where happiness comes from.
Job’s story shows that although he never understood the full picture of why he was suffering, God passed on Job’s story through thousands of generations, to tell the world about how God can fix anything, even a broken person such as Job who lost faith in God. This tells us that God allowed Job to suffer, to prove that not even the Devil can destroy a man’s life or mind, as God will always protect and fix His followers’ troubles.
But because God can’t just come down to Earth to tell us about why we go through the suffering we go through, He has created the Holy Spirit to comfort us and to help us through the battles needed to become a strong servant for God, along with what to expect in the future. John 16:13 states, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.” Truth in biblical terms can either be God’s word, or that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and is Lord. Since the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, and God are one being, that means that the Holy Spirit can be trusted as God is trustworthy as He promises us eternal life since Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and took the price of our sins, which is death, leading Him to not deserve the punishment, causing Him to be resurrected three days after His crucifixion.
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We as Christ Followers must trust the Holy Spirit, as we trust God and Jesus, as all of their truths state that they love us and want us to achieve eternal life and blessings. But when times get hard and we struggle to understand why things happen the way they do, God will give us the opportunity to understand why we struggle, but if we can’t, we must put our faith in Him to bring us out of our suffering, as He did with Job.
Naomi
3. In what ways do you think Christians can bounce back when what we were originally praying and hoping for doesn’t come out exactly as we had planned and imagined in our heads?
How can we deal with the disappointment that may come in these moments?
My Answer: This is one thing I’m dealing with now. I set plans for myself late last year, expecting them to happen in March without really listening for what God wanted for me, and now I’m dealing with the consequences. It’s often when I feel sad and discouraged about these plans falling apart but I like to recite Psalms 84:18. “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” I’ve realized that it’s okay to be upset when this happens. It’s okay to cry and grieve that what you have waited for a long time won’t actually come. God understands, He really does. Remember Jesus is God who came down in human form. This means He can relate to us and has been through what we have been through. This is how God stays close to the brokenhearted
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because there is no doubt he experienced heartbreak as Jesus on his time here on Earth. God knows how to comfort us and hold us close because He fully understands what it’s like. Rely on God and His knowledge on our hearts so He can start the repairing process with His time. Although Jesus was human and experienced struggles, we must remind ourselves that at the same time He is divine and our Lord and Savior. He is sovereign and knows how to take action. This is why Psalms 84:18 says He SAVES those who are crushed in spirit. My lack of listening skills and ignorant behavior is why I’m dealing with my disappointment now, but God is described in Exodus as “The Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin” God is so good and full of compassion that He is not satisfied with leaving me in my own mess. He will save me and do the exact same for you. He will lift us from the bottom to revive our spirits to bring us back to Him.
Tem’s Answer: I think the best way to bounce back is to think about our perspective and God's. God lives outside of time and is all-powerful, knowing, and loving. We are not any of those things; therefore, our perspective on things will be much much, much smaller, and we won't see the big picture. The best biblical example I know is Job, he was faithful and suffered for years before God talked to Job in chapter 36, roughly. It is easy to think that Job was the victim of an otherworldly bet and that God wasn't just, but God letting Job go through that suffering saved him. Previously, Job would be comparable to a pharisee, following God's law without a relationship with Him, only doing the works making sure he didn't sin against God with his lips, making sure he didn't upset God, which is good, but not what we should strive for. Jesus says ...
[21] “Not everyone who calls out to me, ‘Lord! Lord!’ will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of my Father in heaven will
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enter. [22] On judgment day many will say to me, ‘Lord! Lord! We prophesied in your name and cast out demons in your name and performed many miracles in your name.’ [23] But I will reply, ‘I never knew you. Get away from me, you who break God’s laws.’
Matthew 7:21-23 NLT
... I quote this to say, following His word is important but we need to do so with a relationship with God. To circle back, we only see things from a small perspective, what's going on in our lives and at this specific time but we need to remember that God is thinking on a bigger scale and knows what's best for us on a bigger scale. Yes, God let Job suffer, but because He loved Job so much, He was not willing to let Job fall away from Him, and not have a relationship with Him, He was not willing to let Job suffer forever. God is doing stuff that will only benefit us, if our prayers aren't answered exactly how we think they should be, it's cause God has a plan that would work better than what we thought should have happened.
Keinan’s Answer: Coming from personal experience, there was one time where I let go of my faith as I was going through a very hard time one night, when I thought God had given me the opportunity to find love. But because it went horribly, I completely threw my faith to the side and spent the rest of that night at the school dance partying while being sinful. I was sick of being alone and I felt like God was only toying with me, but after that night, it only led to being more hurt since not only was my heart broken, I destroyed the relationship between me and God, which led me to repent of my sins and ask for another chance. But during that prayer, I asked why I couldn’t find love. But then later on, I learned that the girl that I really liked wasn’t the girl I thought she was, and it opened my eyes to the fact that God was protecting me even though it didn’t look like it at first.
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Not only did I learn that I needed to become more wise in choosing who I want to start a romantic relationship with, but I learned that God loves me more than anything else in my life right now because He went out of His way to make sure I wouldn’t end up falling into a unhealthy relationship, which could’ve torn apart my relationship with Him and I, showing that God’s timing is always perfect, along with that He has a plan for us.
The Lord does want His followers to live happily and thrive in joy, but sometimes, the things that we pray or ask for from Him will only lead us to our downfall. So even when things don’t work out, we will find out in the future about why it happened, and it will show us that God was protecting us from getting harmed by our own desires or wants. Which made me now not pursue relationships in high school, because it is rarely possible for a relationship to go to marriage for such a long period of time, when I don’t even have the resources to obtain not only financial stability but to achieve a romantic and holy relationship at the same time.
So my advice to other people who put their faith in Jesus Christ is that we must remain patient to understand God’s intentions on why things didn’t work out the way they wanted to, which can help us to desire more of what God wants of us, as God’s blessings are way more desirable than our own wants.
Special note from Tem: “Please note that these are my interpretations of the word through my experience and from what I have been taught. I encourage that the word is read, and an understanding is made.”
Don’t forget to send us your feedback. See you next time…
Naomi Martin, Head Writer/Interviewer
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CELEBRATE
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CHALLENGED
When God gave me this topic to share, I was a bit comprehensive about it, because it brought about a sense of superiority or better-than vibe.
First, let’s look at the definition of Chosen: It refers to having been selected or picked out from a group or range of possibilities. It could apply to a singled-out individual, object, or course of action. Being chosen often implies a special recognition or the belief that the chosen thing or person is somehow superior or more suitable than the others. This is amazing because part of the definition of chosen stated just what I was feeling.
I began to search the Word of God to see what He had to say about it.
John 15:16 KJV
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
2 Peter 2:9 KJV
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Challenges Ahead 36
These Scriptures really ministered to me.
I remembered the first article I wrote in Sarah magazine about “Knowing who you are in Christ”. This article takes that article to a different level in Christ. Christ specifically tells us who we are in His Word. Our identity is in Him and He is no respecter of persons. If we are Christ followers and have a personal relationship with Him, we have benefits and our positions have been changed from heirs to joint heirs, from conquerors to more than conquerors, from success to good success, sinners to believers, from the old to the the new, and list goes on and on.
God Said That I Am Chosen!
When I began to meditate on this, I thought to myself, Lord, I believe I am chosen, but for what? Right now, I have so many challenges in my life and I feel like they are a hindrance for what I am chosen for. He spoke to me through His Word.
Romans 8:33-34 KJV
Who shall bring a charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
John 15:16 KJV
Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
These Scriptures resolved my concerns. It doesn’t matter how old or young you are in Christ. He has chosen you. The beautiful thing about being Chosen is that we didn’t choose Christ, He chose us!
Challenge:
Definition: difficult; disable; confront; debate; competition dared, confront, hindrances etc.
Let’s see what God says about it.
James 1:2-6 KJV
Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet with various trials, knowing as you
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do that this tested quality of your faith produces endurance. But let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and sound in all respects, not lacking in anything.
Romans 8:18 KJV
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.
John 16:33: KJV
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
Philippians 4:6-7 KJV
Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.
1 Peter 4:12-19 KJV
Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:
But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
When it comes to challenges, we all have and will experience them.
If we didn’t have challenges, would we honor, pray, praise, worship, and reverence God? No matter what we go through, God always works things out in a way that He gets the Glory. He knows what’s best for us. Never forget who created you!! Challenges can manifest themselves in many ways and facets of life. You can be physically challenged, mentally challenged etc. When we are faced with spiritual challenges, we look and handle them differently. We have the tendency to limit God’s power and authority, We forget what we have in Christ. He is all-knowing, all-powerful and Almighty!!
God is concerned about everything that concerns us and He knows our limits and how much we can take.
My point is this, no matter what you are challenged with today, don’t allow the enemy to tell you that you are not chosen. God chose you and I, and we can do whatever God has called us to do. Nothing is impossible with God!
Speak to your challenges and yourself and let the enemy know who you are and whose you are.!
God is our creator and He protects that which He created. We are not chosen to just
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do anything, it’s a God thing. Don’t believe the lie of the enemy, who will try to make you believe that your challenges disqualify you. Stay in the press for the higher call.
We are going to be challenged because we are a chosen generation for such a time as this. Move forward in the things that God has put to your charge. He paid the price!!
By Florence Dickey
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Author unknown
Pinterest.com
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the first African-American to start up an automobile company
Frederick Patterson, the son of carriage maker Charles Richard (C.R.) Patterson, took over C.R. Patterson & Sons in 1910 after the passing of his father and brought the company’s first automobile to market in 1915. C.R. Patterson & Sons is the first and only blackowned and operated automobile company on the continent.
Frederick Patterson was born in Greenfield, Ohio in 1871. His father, C.R., was a big proponent of education and Patterson was
encouraged to attend the local high school, even though he already had a job at his father’s company. At first, the school denied admission because he was black, but his father sued and won. Patterson was an outstanding football player and upon graduation from high school, he was recruited to play for Ohio State University. He was the first black football player in the University’s history.
After leaving college, Patterson married, and after the death of his
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brother Samuel, left his teaching position in Louisville, KY to join his father’s business. He quickly convinced his father that automobiles were the future. Their next step was to add automotive repair and service to their carriagebuilding business.
Frederick placed his first ad for auto repair services in the local paper in 1913. As the company built their repair and restoration customer base for the newly invented “horseless carriages,” his workers gained valuable hands-on experience with the new technology. The company moved on to service engines, drivetrains, electrical and mechanical systems as well. Greenfield, Ohio, was a well-known stop on the Underground Railroad. Rev. Samuel Crothers and other prominent local Presbyterian ministers were established abolitionists and preached that one should judge a man by the measure of his skills. Likely influenced by these men, Patterson employed mostly white men to work in his factory, a unique concept for a black-owned business in the early 1900s. Patterson was one of the wealthiest men in Greenfield, Ohio, white or black.
Their first automobile, the
Patterson-Greenfield, rolled out in 1915 and sold for $850. It was advertised to be of higher quality than the Model T. The vehicle had a forty-horsepower Continental fourcylinder engine and a top speed of 50 miles per hour.
Patterson struggled to break into the sector, which was monopolized by Henry Ford’s mass-produced, lessexpensive options. Patterson kept at it and designed and deployed his own assembly line technique to increase output. Unable to compete with Ford’s hold on recreational cars, Patterson moved into commercial vehicles, producing buses and transport trucks. He never revealed his face to his customers, often sending a white proxy in his place to avoid customers’ prejudice. C.R. Patterson & Sons was forced to close its doors in 1939 at the fault of the Great Depression.
Submitted by
Robert "Bob" Temarantz
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Order Your Copies By Clicking On The Image Or Scan The QR Codes
DIVORCE-BOTTLED UP
By Gerald Smith Jr. I SEE ME
By Tiffany Nakatani
MISS LADY SUNSHINE
By Carolyn J. Carradine
YOUR BODY IS A HOUSE
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By Victoria Carradine Only
Introducing!!
Get ready for a groundbreaking moment as we proudly unveil the first man to grace the cover of Sarah Magazine since its exhilarating rebirth! That's right, Sarah is breaking boundaries and smashing stereotypes because it's not just for women anymore. We are thrilled to introduce Payton Goldston, a true trailblazer, as he takes center stage to share his remarkable story. At Sarah, our mission is clear: to inspire and empower you to persevere through every challenge life throws your way. So buckle up and prepare to be inspired as Payton Goldston opens up about his journey. We invite you to dive in and immerse yourself in his narrative. Get ready for an unforgettable experience – we hope you enjoy the ride!
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Introduction
From Newark to Tucson AZ, inspirational R&B/Soul artist Payton Goldston portrays his love for God by giving thanks through his passionate music. Growing up singing in choirs and writing songs by the age of 12, yet taking it more seriously at 17, Payton Goldston truly began his musical career after moving to Tucson, AZ., and meeting/working with his close friend Rob Mercury who let Payton record in his studio.
After his very first demo, Payton Goldston and Rob Mercury decided to wrangle together a group titled Battleground City, named after a youth conference they had previously volunteered with. This Hip-Hop Christian Group Battleground City was the start of his music career in 2010.
Payton
As part of our annual coordination of concerts and conferences in Tucson, we implemented a strategic initiative to distribute complimentary mixtapes to attendees. These events, which were open to the public at no cost, served as platforms for both established and emerging Christian Hip Hop Artists/Groups to perform and engage in ministry alongside us.
Our motivation stemmed from a perceived gap in the local community's spiritual outreach landscape. Recognizing an opportunity to introduce individuals to the gospel of Jesus Christ in a culturally relevant manner, we merged our passion for both faith and hip-hop music. This initiative represented our concerted effort to effectively reach and connect with individuals who may have otherwise remained unengaged with traditional forms of evangelism.
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This opened the door to performing in several events/concerts across Arizona, New Mexico, and California, including one of the stages of the Maricopa County Fair and Tucson’s MLK Day Celebration. We opened up for artists such as KDrama, Bizzle, Mali Music, Social Club, Joey Vantes, and many more. Our efforts got us coverage in various esteemed publications, including newspapers, online articles, and local television programs across the United States, extending our reach as far as Australia.
Meeting the love of my life
In 2015 I met my now wife Erica Goldston during our conference. Her former church connected with me and my group several years before, but we didn’t meet until later that year. Of course, I was caught up in love at first sight, but she didn’t notice me until later that year. She had been through a tough couple of years that led her back to Jesus, and a man was not something she was looking for right away. Over time, our friendship grew into a relationship. All of our friends around us knew it was going to happen. After nurturing our relationship for a period of nine months, we exchanged vows and became united in matrimony on September 13th, 2016. This was one of the happiest days of my life! I honestly didn’t think the day would come. I was in my late 20s and so focused on my music career that I felt I didn’t have time for a wife. Also, Erica and I were going through a weird time and drifting apart. I didn’t know why, so I left it in God’s hands, praying for a sign to either end our relationship or continue forward.
During the last day of youth camp at Camp Awakening, I got a word from the preacher ministering that night. He told me that God wanted me to take a leap of faith and know that if I fall, He will always catch me. I made the decision then to
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ask Erica to marry me when I got back to Tucson. She said yes, and 3 months later we were married, and now going on 9 years later, we're still together.
MY MUSIC CAREER Continued
In 2016 Battleground City group expanded to 6 artists. It was me (Psalm Star), Greg (The Messenger), Rob (Rob Mercury), Eduard (Amadeus), Nate (Nate The M.A.C.K.), and Ridge (King Kafir). We continued to create and push free mixtape albums to give to people as a ministering tool.
Performance reach expanded to Texas and Oklahoma due to a youth camp called Camp Awakening. We had the pleasure of performing and being camp leaders for 3 years before the founders decided to shut it down.
We performed frequently at the Tucson National Day of Prayer, and Stop the Violence rallies that continued to expose us to the community outside of the church and had several of our songs featured on hip-hop radio station HOT 98.3.
Battleground City unfortunately discontinued in the summer of 2018 after 8 successful years. This was due to several reasons amongst the members which caused me to step away from music for two years, focusing on leading worship at Living Faith Christian Center (now called His Presence Church) With the encouragement of my wife and several friends, I began making music again and released my debut EP “Endure” in June 2020.
God knew what He was doing because I also began working with the organization City Psalms as a singer/songwriter for their Laments album around the same time. The founder Brian Goodall connected with me after hearing about Battleground City, years prior.
Together with three other artists (Greg Silverman, Dansiea Morris, and Jameiz Grigsby) we wrote, recorded, and released The Laments album in the fall of 2021. The two music projects opened up doors for me including performing at the MLK Day Celebration for the first time, solo.
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Currently
I frequently perform at the MLK Day Celebration in Tucson as a solo artist. Continue to perform with City Psalms at different events. As of 2022, I became a member of the board of directors City Psalms, and I have enjoyed it and learned so much from it over the past years.
With City Psalms, I realized quickly that it was more than just a bunch of artists coming together and creating music to spread the gospel. Do you know that there are over 400 arts and culture nonprofit organizations, just in Tucson alone, but only a handful of them are faith-based? So, the arts and culture in our city is huge. It's a big mission here that if we aren't bringing people to Jesus through that who is, who is impacting them, who is influencing if we Christians aren't coming up and standing firm using what God has given us to impact the city in that way.
The mission of City Psalms is to collectively impact lives through music and art for the good of the city and the glory of God. We do this through community-focused music projects, after-school programs, networks, workshops and so much more.
In 2023 I had to make a tough decision, I transitioned away from His Presence Church. This took a few years of prayer before making the decision to leave. Due to several reasons, my wife and I were not connecting well with our previous church home. Although I had been serving there for 16 years, my decision to leave did not go over well with the head pastor and it left us hurt and bitter. A good friend of ours, Belinda Handy, passed away during this transition. Though we grieved for her, we also rejoiced because we connected with Pastor Miles of The Gathering at Tucson (Formerly known as Tucson Church International). The instant connection we had with him was truly a sign from God that we needed to stay connected with him! We began attending The Gathering at Tucson in the summer of 2023 and it is where we currently attend today. Since attending there it has provided an opportunity for us to start over fresh, build up our marriage, and become involved in a church home together.
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I love it!
It’s been such a wonderful journey with God in just 14 years. I’m looking forward to looking back in 20, 30, or even 40 years to see where else He takes me
Latest release
As we bask in the lulling ambiance that resides with Payton Goldston’s harmonious vocalization, we focus our attention on his most popular release, “I’m All Yours.”
Delicate acoustic guitar strums solidify the instrumentation as the minimalistic approach in the musicality allows Payton Goldston’s opulent crooning to take the spotlight.
The intimacy that lies in the emotionally powered songwriting techniques steers our hearts and minds to the place of admiration that Payton Goldston’s motives stem from. The manner in which his euphonious timbres cascade with the instrumentation in a victorious moment of grand gestures is rather empowering.
“I’m All Yours,” taps into the faith that Payton Goldston embodies on his spiritual journey with the Lord. With this song acting as a letter to
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Jesus himself, you feel driven by this ballad to hang on to your devotion and optimism.
Encouraging his listeners to refocus their moral compass where they see fit, “I’m All Yours,” has Payton Goldston connecting with his audience in a thorough offering of his intentions.
Listen here:
https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/paytongoldston/im-all-yours
Connect with Payton Goldston: Linktr.ee/Paytonrefocus
Song: I'm All Yours
Youtube Link: https://youtu.be/0IYiZvL_zoM?si=fSoSBdH3St1z4O4c
Spotify
Link: https://open.spotify.com/track/7nqFumKA57xKXJCFHNU4dn?si=bffa4 cfa99f04491
Website: https://linktr.ee/paytonrefocus
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Holding back nothing, Payton Goldston has gotten his motivational music played on Tucson’s most popular radio station HOT 98.3, while also getting international airplay in Mexico, the UK, Australia and nationally across the US.
Payton Goldston is no stranger to an audience, as he’s performed in front of hundreds at the National Day of Prayer rally in Tucson, while also making several local television appearances. The working husband and worship leader strives for greatness with the support given under God’s wing, letting everyone find faith and hope within his inspiring music.
In closing:
Allow God to guide your steps in life and don’t worry about what others think. Life is full of things that take time. So, allow the process to complete.
Payton Goldston
#Refocus Podcast Host
Website: https://anchor.fm/paytonrefocus
Email: Paytonrefocuspodcast@gmail.com
Twitter:@Paytonrefocus
Instagram:@Paytonrefocus
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Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Divine Daniels, a lover of all things fashion and flair. From casual chic to full-blown glamour, I find pure joy in dressing up and expressing myself through style. It's not uncommon for people to stop me on the street, their curiosity piqued by my outfits, often asking if I'm a fashion designer. Surprisingly, I'm not! I simply have a knack for finding fabulous pieces at prices that won't break the bank.
Driven by the encouragement of a dear friend, I decided to share my passion for affordable fashion with the world by launching DIVA DELUXE Business. My mission? To show you how to look like a million bucks without spending a fortune. And let me tell you, the reactions have been priceless! When I reveal where I shop and the incredible bargains I find, jaws drop and eyes widen in disbelief.
Partnering with Sarah magazine on Facebook felt like the perfect opportunity to spread the word about DIVA DELUXE. So, a heartfelt thank you goes out to Ms. Sarah for this incredible platform to showcase my newfound venture.
But this isn't just about business; it's personal. I want to connect with each and every one of you, sharing not just stylish finds but also stories, tips, and inspiration. That's why I encourage you to reach out to me directly at divadeluxe247@gmail.com with any questions or just to say hello.
And hey, let's stay connected beyond this introduction! Follow me on Pinterest, where I share daily doses of fashion inspiration that'll make you feel like a Diva in no time. With DIVA DELUXE, it's not just about looking fabulous – it's about feeling fabulous too.
So, to all my fellow fashionistas out there, let's embark on this style journey together. Happy shopping, and remember, you deserve to look and feel like a million bucks without spending it!
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https://www.pinterest.com/divadeluxe247/
Shop My Websites
me
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https://kit.co/divineD/best-fashion-looks-for-women-in-2024 Follow
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MISS OUT!! Email
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Keeping Fit & Keeping The Faith
The Bible, our spiritual compass, provides a foundation for understanding the importance of taking care of the temple that houses our spirit. In 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, the Apostle Paul reminds us, "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies." This passage emphasizes the divine connection between our faith and the responsibility to nurture our physical well-being.
Fitness, viewed through the lens of faith, becomes a sacred practice — a discipline that honors the Creator by stewarding the gift of our bodies. In adopting a healthy lifestyle, we demonstrate gratitude for the intricate design of our beings, recognizing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). Engaging in regular exercise, maintaining a balanced diet, and caring for our bodies are acts of reverence that mirror our devotion to the One who crafted us with purpose. Our bodies matter to God and we can show Him that they matter to us, by making fitness a priority.
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Faith isn't just about what we believe in spiritually, but it also encompasses how we care for our bodies and minds, reflecting God's design and love for us. The seven pillars of health that are highlighted here are Diet, Gut Health, Exercise, Sleep, Hydration, Emotions/Stressors, And Toxicity
This list varies by the source and will have similarities and differences from others.
Let's start with Diet: Our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and what we fuel them with matters. God calls us to nourish ourselves with foods that honor our bodies and sustain our health.
Next, Gut Health: It's fascinating how closely our physical and emotional well-being are linked to our gut health. Taking care of our gut means not only feeling better physically but also experiencing improved mood and mental clarity. Sleep is a gift from God, allowing our bodies to rest and rejuvenate. Prioritizing rest honors our bodies and allows us to better serve God and others.
Exercise is a way to steward the bodies God has given us, not only keeping us physically fit but also boosting our mental health and energy levels.
Hydration is vital for our bodies to function optimally, reminding us of our constant need for God's living water to refresh our souls.
Emotions and Stressors are part of life, but having faith helps us navigate them with grace and resilience, trusting that God is with us in every situation.
Lastly, Detoxifying our lives from harmful influences whether they're toxic relationships, negative thought patterns, or unhealthy habits allows us to live more fully in God's light and love, experiencing true freedom and abundance. In all these areas, faith informs our choices, guiding us to live lives that honor God and bless others. The Word of God also strengthens our faith and informs our choices. It guides us to live lives that honor God and bless others. It is imperative for us to store up scripture in our hearts just as one would prepare for a natural disaster by stockpiling tools and supplies. Just as having essential supplies on hand equips us to face unexpected challenges, having God’s word hidden in our hearts prepares us for the trials and tribulations of life. When we face difficult times, the truths we’ve stored in our hearts become our guiding light, offering comfort, wisdom, and strength. Just as a well-prepared disaster kit can sustain us during a crisis, the scriptures we’ve stored up can sustain us spiritually through life’s storms, guiding us towards hope, peace, and unwavering faith in God’s promises. Below are ten key scriptures from the
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Bible that are often meditated on for their depth and significance:
1. **John 3:16 (NIV)** - "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."
2. **Philippians 4:13 (NIV)** - "I can do all this through him who gives me strength."
3. **Psalm 23:1 (NIV)** - "The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing."
4. **Romans 8:28 (NIV)** - "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
5. **Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV)** - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight."
6. **Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)** - "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
7. **Matthew 6:33 (NIV)** - "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."
8. **Psalm 46:10 (NIV)** - "He says, 'Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.'"
9. **Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)** - "So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
10. **Romans 12:2 (NIV)** - "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is his good, pleasing and perfect will."
These scriptures cover themes of love, strength, provision, guidance, trust, purpose, peace, and transformation, providing a solid foundation for meditation and reflection.
In conclusion, the relationship between faith and fitness is a powerful journey of holistic wellbeing. Just as we nourish our bodies with physical exercise, we also strengthen our spirits through faith
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and spiritual practices. By integrating both aspects into our lives, we find balance, discipline, and resilience. Remember, our bodies are temples, and caring for them honors the divine gift of life. So, let's continue to walk in faith, run the race set before us, and soar to new heights both physically and spiritually. Together, let's embrace the fullness of life that comes from honoring our bodies and our faith.
Fitness Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before you today with grateful hearts, acknowledging that our bodies are temples of your Holy Spirit. We thank you for the gift of physical health and strength, recognizing that our well-being is a reflection of your love and care for us.
As we continue on our journey of faith and fitness, we ask for your guidance and wisdom. Help us to honor you in all that we do, whether we’re lifting weights, going for a run, or simply taking a moment to stretch. May every step we take, every breath we breathe, be an offering of worship to you.
Grant us the discipline to prioritize our health, not out of vanity or pride, but out of a desire to steward the
bodies you’ve entrusted to us. Help us to find joy in movement, in the exhilaration of pushing our limits, and in the peace that comes from caring for ourselves well.
And when we face obstacles or moments of doubt, remind us of the strength that comes from leaning on you. Help us to persevere, knowing that with you, all things are possible.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Article by Venita Freeman
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I just wanted to take a moment and give honor to two great people who have been a great inspiration/influence in Tucson Arizona. They didn’t know I was going to do this, but sometimes we need to stop and thank those who have been a great influence in our lives.
William O. and Martha Wills (AKA Mom and Pop).
Let me share a little bit about them. They are well known in the community for the Racial Reconciliation Community Outreach Network (RRCON), which was founded by their son The Late Bishop William O. Wills Jr. in the eighties. Martha and William continued his legacy by having the conferences every year up until 2020 If you’ve never attended one of their conferences, you might have visited their church Sunshine Ministries
I met this beautiful couple between the late eighties maybe early nineties. From the moment I met them, I claimed them as my family. Over the years I have just been in awe of the things they do in the community. They operate in excellence! They have adopted so many as their own, and we all love them and their biological children so much! If you have never met mom and pop. Let me tell
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you a little more about them.
Martha was born in West Memphis Arkansas on May 6, 1929. William was born in the Bronx, New York on May 25th, 1932. They were joined in holy matrimony on April 4th, 1953. Martha and William just celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary on April 4th, 2024. If that is not inspiration, I don’t know what is!
I just wanted to give them the honor they deserve. Mom and Pop I love and thank you for being there for me and so many others.
If you have never met them, they still have church services every Sunday, contact them, and visit their church, you will be so blessed.
Mom and Pop keep doing what you are doing, God is smiling down on you saying good and faithful servants…WELL DONE! You are such an inspiration! Just thought I’d share.
Mom and Pop were featured in Sarah magazine in May 2015. Minister Sheree Carradine
Sunshine Ministries Address: 2145 S Sahuara Ave, Tucson, AZ 85711 Phone: (520) 750-0787 63
Please feel free to contact me via email at mysarahmagazine@gmail.com or by text at 520-392-4887 to inquire about pricing, available sizes, and color options. These Elegant Lady items are available for purchase at a price point below $20.00, offering you an affordable opportunity to own one.
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Are You Ready?
In the book of Revelations, it is written that there will be earthquakes, disease, famines, great storms, lightning, and thunder (see Matthew 24:6-7).
Jesus told His disciples that war would fill the earth:
“Ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. … For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.”
Are You Ready?
Don’t fear the three days of darkness. Yahweh is with you. He’ll never leave you, stay in prayer.
“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4
Stand against those demons during the three days. Just like in the days of Exodus, it will continue to
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oppress the people of Israel.
Yahweh, was not having it.
We tend to think that God should answer our prayers now, Remember Yahweh, is slow to anger.
Yahweh Was Fed Up.
According to Exodus 1:1-10:5(NIV)
5 Moreover, I have heard the groaning of the Israelites, whom the Egyptians are enslaving, and I have remembered my covenant.
Psalm 91(NIV)
1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.*
2 I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”
3 Surely he will save you from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence.
4 He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
5 You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day,
6 nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday.
7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
8 You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked.
9 If you say, “The LORD is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling,
10 no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent.
11 For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways;
12 they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
13 You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent.
14 “Because he[b] loves me,” says the LORD, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
15 He will call on me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.
16 With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.”
Here Are Some Points That May Help You:
PRAYER POINTS
1. Thank God for His goodness, mercy, love and provisions.
2. Confess and repent of all sins, known and unknown.
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3. Touch your lips and confess this: “My mouth is anointed with the power of God Almighty”.
4. I decree that every word that comes out of my mouth as I pray today must be fulfilled in Jesus’ name.
5. Lord, open doors of opportunity to me through this prayer, in the name of Jesus.
6. I receive the anointing of restoration in Jesus’ name.
7. Every person or personality who has taken what belongs to me; I command them to release it in Jesus’ name.
8. Powers denying me my due miracles, receive the stones of fire, in the name of Jesus.
9. I bind and cast out every strong man in my life, family, or environment who refuses to release my blessings, breakthroughs, miracles, promotion, or prosperity in Jesus’ name.
10. I bind the spirit of depression, frustration and disillusionment in my life, in the name of Jesus.
11. I command all evil unknown forces organized against my life to be scattered, in the name of Jesus.
12. Every activity of physical and spiritual parasites and devourers in my life, in the name of Jesus.
13. I retrieve back from the hands of the enemy any of my possessions that I unknowingly misplaced, in Jesus’ name.
14. I recover all the ground that I had lost to the enemy, in Jesus’ name
15. I command all the damages done to my life by . . . (pick from the list below) to be repaired, in the name of Jesus.
-Evil Tongue
-Demonic Prophecies
-Witchcraft Spells and Curses
-Personal Negative Confessions
-Household Wickedness
16. I command seven-fold restoration of everything the enemy has taken from me, in Jesus’ name
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17. Fire of God, consume the evil clock of the enemy that is working against my life, in the name of Jesus.
18. Yahweh, please restore my wasted years in Jesus’ name.
19. King of Kings, restore my wasted efforts, money, health, strength, and blessings, in Jesus’ name.
20. I remove from my life by fire every barrier to my breakthroughs in Jesus’ name.
It is written in Ephesians 6-11–17 (NIV)
11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
Now we have a number of individuals who have researched mystics, viz., Bl. Anna-Maria Taigi
A large number of these mystics are from the Catholic Church. Their prophecies, well-known and documented, Elizabeth Canori-Mora, Rosa-Colomba Asdente, Palma d'Oria, in Italy; Father Nectou, in Belgium; St. Hildegard, in Germany; Pere Lamy, Marie Baourdi, Marie Martel, Marie-Julie Jahenny, in France. (This list is not exhaustive; many more mystics/Saints [like St. Columbad. 597 A.D.ED] have announced the Three Days.)
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The Three Days of Darkness according to wikipedia.org
The prophecy foretells three days and nights of "an intense darkness" over the whole earth, against which the only light will come from blessed beeswax candles, and during which "all the enemies of the Church ... will perish." The prophecy parallels the Ten Plagues against Egypt in the Book of Exodus (Ex. 10:21–29).
These are perilous times, stay in the word of Yahweh.
May Yahweh Bless all of you, Dr. Calvinia Williams, D.D, MTh president.
Founder of Lupus Of Nevada.
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On The Images
Luke 14:1-6; Proverbs 25:6-7; Isaiah 58:1316; Revelation 21 & 22
Luke 14:1-6
1 One Sabbath, when he went to dine at the house of a ruler of the Pharisees, they were watching him carefully. 2 And behold, there was a man before him who had dropsy. 3 And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not?” 4 But they remained silent. Then he took him and healed him and sent him away. 5 And he said to them, “Which of you, having a son or an ox that has fallen into a well on a Sabbath day, will not immediately pull him out?” 6 And they could not reply to these things. And Jesus responded to the lawyers and Pharisees, saying, “Is it lawful to heal on the Sabbath, or not? ”
We see that at the beginning of the chapter, a trap has been set for Jesus. He had healed on the Sabbath and now the Pharisees want to set Jesus up
by inviting him to the home of one of their respected members. They seated a man with edema (swelling due to fluid retention) across the table from him, and then they watched to see what Jesus would do. Jesus asked if it was unlawful to heal on the Sabbath. Notice that Jesus brought the issue out. The Pharisees wouldn’t answer, so Jesus went on and healed the man and let him go. Again, Christ shamed his critics, pointing out that even a cow fallen in a pit would be lifted out on the Sabbath.
Next, Jesus observed behavior at a feast which illustrates a behavior motivated by pride and selfishness. The point of this game was to make sure everyone sees you and admires you. Jesus noted men competing for better seats at the banquet. (Luke 14:7). Seating in those days was
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ordered with the most important guest ranked, as like today, nearest the head of the table. Everyone was trying to gain the spotlight and exalt himself, and at some point, would ultimately be humbled. It is so shallow when our motive is about “what will others think?” It’s so meaningless to value the approval of men when only God can accurately evaluate, and only His approval counts in the long run.
Here Jesus offers advice. He suggests that the host should invite the poor and homeless to his banquet, not friends who would repay in kind.
Luke 14:8-11 “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for a person more distinguished than you may have been invited. 9 If so, the host who invited both of you will come and say to you, ‘Give this person your seat.’ Then, humiliated, you will have to take the least important place. 10 But when you are invited, take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all the other guests. 11 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”
Luke 14:12-14
12 Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13 But when you give a banquet,
invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.”
That is so POWERFUL!!! It is so much better to reach out in love to “the least of these”, who no one knows but God. It’s not the spotlight, but the knowledge of God that will more than repay acts of love that should motivate us.
Jesus Tells the Parable of the Great Feast
Luke 14:16-18
Our focal verse is Luke 14:18 16 Jesus says: “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests. 17 At the time of the banquet he sent his servant to tell those who had been invited, ‘Come, for everything is now ready.’ 18 But they all began making excuses.”
In this parable of the Great Feast/Supper, which is a parable of the kingdom, three men accepted the call to the feast, but when the time came for them to attend the feast, and enjoy the blessing, they offered excuses.
They preferred to do something else, rather than attend the banquet. There were other options that seemed to be more “inviting” or important.
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Some pleaded lack of time: “I just purchased some land and I really need to go see if all is in order”. Some put other interests and preferences: “I need to go to prove my oxen.” In other words, the oxen had been purchased and he needed to test them to see if they could do the work, he wanted them to do. However, the evening wasn’t the best time to see if they could plow and work the field; the morning would have been a better time. Another man said, “I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot attend. They are perfectly satisfied that their excuse is a good one.
When one begins to make excuses, it doesn’t necessarily mean their heart is far from God or are indifferent to the claims and privileges of their faith or religion. Notice at first there is, in the secret heart of the one who makes the excuses, a sense that they are not sufficient, that they are not the whole and exact truth. But trouble is, that when men and women once again begin to make excuses, they go on making them again and again and again, until they almost convince themselves that their excuses are sufficient. They begin to live on in neglect: and too often, they go on until their conscience now with all the frequent deceit, “falls asleep” .
And if excuses are still thought necessary, they are just the result of
habit and are no sign that the heart is affected with a sense of neglect for the claims and graces of the Kingdom of God.
We see at once the weaknesses and the wrong of these excuses when we examine the nature of them. What are they? Each is nothing but placing the things of this world before the things of God. Which are WORSHIP and GLORIFICATION
If the first man had been honest and frank, he would have said, “I am more devoted to the service of Mammon (wealth, possessions) than to the service of God”. The next man would have said,” I prefer to follow my own inclinations (do my own thing) than to obey my religious obligations”.
The last man would have said, “I think more of my human relationship than I do of my duty to God’.
When we begin to make excuses, we enter upon a dangerous drift of mind and heart, we end up replacing our devotion to God with things that we feel are so much more important. Again, it becomes easier to do when we make excuse after excuse as to why we can no longer be devoted to God.
So, let’s look at the excuses that are in common use today. “I have brought a piece of land and must go and see it to make sure that it is good land. Today
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it’s land, a timeshare, ARB&B, etc.
This is the man or woman who is fully occupied with his or her business and has no time for attention to spiritual duties and privileges, they have made the excuse so often that they believe it is a good and sufficient excuse. These are people who have accepted the call of God.
They also know in their heart of hearts that the worship of God is essential to the best interests of their lives. But they have no time.
They cannot even spend an hour of the one hundred and sixty-eight in each week for the quiet, the rest, and the refreshing that can be found in the House of God.
What is it that is breaking down men and women all over the world? What is this “dull sensation” at the base of the brain, this early decay and death that we hear so much about? Why? Because there is no rest. No day is allowed to put out of heart and brain the dollars and cents, the farm, and the merchandise. Nothing is permitted to interrupt the “grind for the grain”. Stocks, bonds, lotto- the BIG LOTTO.
No higher interests are allowed to break the strain of business or ease the burden of care. There is no time to stop…so you think! But guess what?!!!!!! Someday God sends a time!!!!!!!! A man dies amid his wares
and stocks, his ledgers and profits, and a soul goes, with its excuses for the lack of time, into ETERNITY.
Or we hear men and women pleading lack of time as an excuse for taking no interest in the work of the Church for the bodies and souls of men to which God has called every baptized soul. “I have no time” comes the answer to the one that has invited them. What is all too often the truth. People find time for other things. They find time for social enjoyments, time for amusements, time for the newspapers, stock reports, time for idleness: time for anything to which the world calls them: but they have no time to attend to the calls of God and His church!
At one time sports were only on weekends, now they can be seen anytime! They have several sports channels. Oh yes, I forgot the shopping channels. You can turn on the sports channel and are greeted with March Madness, Golf tournaments, Superbowl, Awards Shows, all competing for our time. When I was coming up, on Sundays a lot of men would get up and wash and wax their cars. Some guys did it on Saturdays so their car would look “fresh” for church. Remember when football was about to come on, they would say, “ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?” People would
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prep the night or day before to make sure everything was ready for the event!
The thing that should be said is, “ARE YOU READY FOR SOME JESUS?!!!!!”
Now back to the excuses….
“I have brought five yokes of oxen, and I go to prove them”. Here we go again. The man pleads his own desires as an excuse. He could have tried the oxen on some other day. He evidently does not care to fulfill his engagement. So, to the messengers who came, he must say something; so, he makes an excuse, which is really no excuse at all. Just as worthless then as they are today.
Ask someone why they don’t go to church. “I was made to go to church when I was younger, so now I have no interest in going.” If the truth had been spoken, he would have said, “I don’t go because I prefer to spend my time in some other way.”
OR suppose a man is living in disregard of his duties to others: he lies and cheats; he is unfaithful to his family. Suppose his excuse was that he was brought up to help his neighbor and that honesty and truth were constantly drilled in his head and he was made to be respectful to his parents, so now he dislikes the truth and dealing fairly with people,
even all sense of responsibility to his family; you would know at once that this man allowed love of gain and sinful selfishness to overcome his training. He was brought up so carefully in spiritual duties and practices that now he’s indifferent. This is an attempt to hide the truth; We have grown to prefer our own desires and our selfish interests, to the upbuilding of the Kingdom of God. Sometimes you hear people say, I don’t go because my business is in such a way, that I can’t leave with a clear conscience.
What is the truth behind these excuses? It is we are not strong enough and brave enough to stand up for what is right. We value “meat” more than eternal life. We prefer our own selfish interests to a clean heart. Business is bad because we have made it bad; we have resorted to bad methods. Our excuses are really a confession that we prefer our own gain to the grace of God So, when we go back to the scripture, these men prefer to try their oxen, to sell their wares, to publish their newspaper, to make their trades in the way that suits their desires rather than to do their duty in that state of life in which it has pleased God to call him.
The last man says that the duties and the pleasures arising from his human relationship (he just got married)
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brings with it duties to which it would be wrong to neglect. But the heart that is right before God, the conscience, which is not warped, has no difficulty, as a rule, in seeing clearly what duties come first in their claim upon life. If the man who married his wife had looked at the matter rightly, he would have seen that he would fulfill his duties to her far better in the end, if he were first faithful and devoted in the service of God.
Yet we hear excuses of this kind frequently: I can’t go to church because my husband/wife doesn’t go and by working all the time we don’t get a chance to see each other often. Back in the time of this parable, when a man got married, he was released from his military duties for one year!
I’d say that was plenty of time to do what was necessary. Or I would have liked to have gone to church, but I had visitors at my house. All the excuses are plausible and put forward in good faith. And each one of them is the placing of a lower duty before the higher one. The wife gains nothing for herself or her husband by neglecting her duty to God. Neither the host nor the guest gains any respect for religion by a supposed duty and courtesy, which is a false one. The man staying at home will not help his wife and children in
gaining the habit of worship, nor assist them in bearing their Christian duty. All are false: all are wrong.
In this parable, the invitation has been extended. Many have been invited, even the game players from the other parables, whose emptiness Jesus had exposed. Jesus came to save us all, even the most sinful. Yet, in Jesus’ story, the invited guest began to make excuses. Each was simply too busy with profit and pleasures. Whatever the excuse, saying NO to the divine invitation means REJECTION. A person who fails to respond to Jesus’ invitation to life has rejected Him. Salvation is a “yes” or “no” issue, there’s no room for “maybe”.
Tragically people of every age judge themselves too busy or involved in their personal lives to respond to this call for eternal life. Too busy to respond to the “Feast of Eternal Life”. And now steadily the character goes down under the habit of excuse!
When you look back at the day you “joined” the church you were excited, revived, rejuvenated you wanted to increase your knowledge of the kingdom, you wanted to increase in God’s Holy Spirit. But then something happened; you began to make excuses. Even as you examine yourself before taking communion, you remember the falsity and the wretched weakness of your excuses.
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But you take it anyway. It became easier every day to place earthly things before the heavenly and make excuses for your conduct. Gradually, the world crowds out God from your affections and your excuses are now, but a sign of the lingering remains of an early love and obedience. Then your soul says, “Lord, I pray thee have me excused”. I had so much to do in looking after my own affairs, watching over my pleasures and profits, caring for my body and mind, that I had no time to give to the training and nurturing of my soul. My business and my family had so many claims on me, that I could not attend to spiritual matters. I pray thee have me excused.
The lesson given that day as the Lord sat at the feast on that sabbath day in the house of the Pharisee was that privileges are of no advantage unless they are used for the upbuilding of the kingdom.
The parable told them that the first point of privilege was often the last point of blessings received because other interests were put before the call of God. Even the despised, the blind, those shut out from the light, the lame those whose lives were halting and feeble from lack of means of nurturethese would in the end be before those who had great opportunities and refused them. We will be condemned,
and we shall hear the voice of the Lord saying, “I say unto you, these men which were bidden shall not taste my supper”. When God’s servants come to us and we hear the bidding voice of the church, in Holy Scriptures, in worship, in sermons, in the Holy Spirit working within, let us not begin to make excuses, but let us say rather: “Lord, here am I, ready to do the bidding, ready to worship, ready for thy grace and nurturing, ready in heart and mind to set above all else in my life the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.”
The honor of your presence has been requested…do you have an excuse? Suppose God had made an excuse for not giving you that job, car, or healing you recently received?
He has extended the invitation to join Him when He comes back to go to the Feast. But there are a few stipulations, so you can decide if this event is important enough for you to attend. He only asks that you accept the invitation because it is free, come as you are, make sure that you’re humble, and you have given your best to the Master. (Isaiah 58)
The finest of the finest, the best of the best has been prepared. Will you accept the invitation, or will you make an excuse? The Honor of Your Presence had been requested…the
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finest of the finest, the best of the best has been prepared. Your hosts: The Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. They will meet you as you come to the table. Won’t you join them?
Just remember if you are rooted deep in faith and you have been anchored, no matter what the situation, and you have not neglected your duties, there is room at the table. You are guaranteed a spot. You’ll be sitting with the Master at the Holy Feast, the feast of celebration, because you were obedient and accepted His invitation. You did not make excuses. Glory to God for His promises and faithfulness.
Invita�on and Warning
12 “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give it to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:12-13
Finally, I invite you to read the following scriptures. They speak volumes.
Proverbs 25:6-7
6 Do not exalt yourself in the king’s presence, and do not claim a place among his great men;
7 it is better for him to say to you, “Come up here,”
than for him to humiliate you before his nobles
Isaiah 58:13–14 NKJV
13 “If you turn away your foot from the Sabbath,
From doing your pleasure on My holy day, And call the Sabbath a delight, The holy day of the Lord honorable, And shall honor Him, not doing your own ways, Nor finding your own pleasure, Nor speaking your own words,
14 sThen you shall delight yourself in the Lord;
And I will cause you to tride on the high hills of the earth,
And feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father.
uThe mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
By Reverend Donzella Berry
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W e hope you enjoyed reading the story of our first man on the cover of Sarah. T his man of God and his Awesome voice proves that Faith and perseverance pays off. No matter what age, what gender , or race, Sarah Magazine is here to remind you that…