Prayers for timone #15

from K. Worthen
"dr. timone, It is my prayer that the Lord will go with you and bless you in the new position. Be assured that my thoughts and prayer will be with you. Yours in Christ"

This is the last in a series of prayers that were shared with me in May. What blessings I've received from people. I am indeed grateful to have people pray for me.


So what am I doing with these blessings?

I'm stretching myself each day to fulfill God's call on me. As many of you know, this is not an easy journey. But our God is a faithful God.

But what about the violence? How is my work addressing humanity's attack on humanity?
I'm sick about this killing of innocent people. I'm sick about this killing of people caught doing wrong.

Why have we upped the amount of violence perpetrated against another?

I'm writing this entry after seeing the video of Laquan McDonald who was murdered by a Chicago Policeman October 2014. It's too much!!! Why God are we doing this to one another?

I wish I could un-see the video.

How is what I'm doing helping God's people? How am I making a difference?

O God, please help us.

Prayers for timone #14

from C.White.
"Praying for your success, for your happiness, for peace in your spirit and blessings for your students. Love you and wishing you all the best."

Shape-shifting peace. Just when I think I have peace, something happens to disrupt it. That's when I realize that I have the wrong peace. The peace I'm seeking "surpasses all understanding." This shape-shifting peace is the wrong peace--it's the peace I think I can get on my own.

How many times must I go back to the beginning to get this message? Seventy times seven? Perhaps. But there I go, back to Jesus who is the source of peace who's peace I seek each day. Christ's Peace.

In a time when life is devalued, I am seeking Christ's Peace more diligently. I have gotten waylaid by the shape-shifting peace, but I'm staying in the fight. Too many of us are living under the belief that we do not matter. That belief is causing all manner of destruction.

Christ's Peace breathes new life into us.
Christ's Peace shows us how to love one another.
Christ's Peace asks for nothing, it GIVES.
Christ's Peace opens to greatness and shares that greatness.

Are you like me, fooled by shape-shifting peace?

Prayers for timone #13

from J. Welborn
"Hi timone--What can I say? You are a blessing to this world, this nation, our community--
And especially to me!
May God continue to bless you and give you perfect peace as your mind is stayed on Him!
Cannot wait for our slushies this summer!
You are my hero--
hero--
friend--
sister in Christ!
Peace"

We don't always know what we mean to others until they tell us. I am humbled by the above words. I forget that God is working through me, therefore, people are touched by Her Grace. To discover again that I am helping to make manifest God for another is truly amazing.

Are you aware of what you bring? Are you allowing God to shine through?

What God asks is often uncomfortable, yet I am learning that God's comfort moves with me. I need just step out on faith. I need only to believe.

These last few months I have been teaching 2 courses: Introduction to Black Spirituality and Women in the Church: Bound Freedom. Both courses have stretched me to see more clearly God's image in my own life. In sharing the various authors' work with my students, I have discovered something else to love about myself: God within. Emmanuel with me. What a joy it has been.

Prayers for timone #12

from K. Guignard
"When trouble seems to come and you feel like you are drowning remember you know a man who walks on water."

The truth of the matter is "trouble don't last always."

I am certain that Jesus helps me:

• through the rain
• through the storm
• through the mess
• through the downs
• through the UPs
• through the joys
• through the pain
• THROUGH!!!

When I FINALLY said yes to Jesus, my life changed for the Better. The One who walks on water will journey with you to a new level where you find things are better. But please don't confuse better with no pain, no worries, no headaches. Those things will be there, but the JOY associated with journeying with Jesus is AMAZING!!!!

Allow Jesus help you through.