ACE #447: The Still Small Voice

For the last few years, God has given me a song, a word (or words), and a specific study each year.

• In 2015, the song was "Worth Fighting For" by Brian Courtney Wilson. My word was Loyalty. I studied Judas, Delilah, Jezebel and Laban Spirits along with the minor prophets. God was really showing me the character of my enemies, but also the ins and outs of my own character. It was a time where I had to be the most self-reflective.

• In 2016, the song was "Send the Rain" by William McDowell.  My word was Integrity. I studied the process of reaping and sowing. It was a time I had to be very intentional about the seeds I sowed and the soil in which I sowed them. I was especially generous to those who were in need.

• In 2017, the song was "You Will Win" by Jekalyn Carr. My words were Peace and Quietness. I studied and taught the book "Golden Fruit" about the Fruit of the Spirit. I worked extremely hard to remain obedient to God's will and His way. In the second half of that year, I only said what God told me to say when up against my enemies.  More often that not, He wouldn't let me say anything. But God declared that through Him I would be victorious over my enemies; He would make it so.

• In 2018, the song has been "A Great Work" by Brian Courtney Wilson. My word continues to be Transparency. I studied about purpose, ministry assignments and, particularly, hearing God's voice. I read and taught the book "Who Speaks to Your Heart: Tuning in to Hear God's Whispers." I will tell anyone, whether they ask or not, this book changed my life. It changed my life so much, that it encouraged me to finish my first book, "From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Faith Stories." I am grateful for the women who saw the project all the way through to end...even after three years of waiting. But God's timing is always the best timing. We launched our business this year and held our first women's conference. Those things developed over a five-year journey of figuring out our callings. Again, God's timing is everything.

As the close of 2018 is quickly approaching, God has given me my word, in a still small voice - Surge. I can't wait to see that thing manifest. Even if I imagine it, it won't be adequate for what God can and will do. Ironically enough, as I was driving, I ran straight into a sign that said Surge and I took a picture. I wasn't even looking for it. I know I am on the right track.

As you set your annual goals for 2019, steal away to a quiet place, a secret place, and get into the presence of the Lord so that you too can hear that still small voice give you your song, your word, your study, and your instructions for the year. All you have to do is listen.
 

  The REVIEWS are out on "From the Test to the Testimony".

ACE #446: Simply Grateful

Anybody who REALLY knows me, knows I'm content to stay in the shadows and just do the work. I'm cool with being in the back of the room serving in a watchman position. (But God is shifting that).

In this last week alone, I have gotten THE BEST and most unexpected messages, cards, emails, etc. from people who see what God is doing in my/our lives. 

Some have thanked me for a seed sown in their childhood (my 20's)...when I didn't even have any grace about me. I would just say anything...I mean anything...with absolutely no filter...and they still listened.

My LinkedIn page has had more traffic in a week than it's had in five years from folk I haven't seen or heard from in years - former classmates, former co-workers, acquaintances from years past, and even strangers.

I appreciate, the most, the folk who walked with me and prayed for me in my valley moments, my Joseph dark pit days, my unsure how to get to purpose evenings...you know, even when I was trying to make a dollar out of fifteen cent days.  

"From the Test to the Testimony" is touching the hearts of people. I am SO thankful for the women who shared their faith stories and trusted me with them. I can honestly say that the three-year wait was well worth it.

And women have shared how the Level Up Women's Conference was life-changing for them in some way. (I have no idea how to top that in 2019).

I'll tell anybody, I've learned to accept THY will over MY will over the years and it makes all the difference. Obedience is the key to unlocking doors, windows, and crawl spaces! 

God is awesome...and my hubby is cool as a fan❗

I'm simply grateful.

#grateful
#lookatGod
#2019iseeyou
#timetoRESET

Psalm 136

¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords:
His love endures forever.

From the Test to the Testimony is available on Amazon:  https://www.amazon.com/Test-Testimony-Anthology-Womens-Stories-ebook/dp/B07K2KGX3Q

ACE #445: Are You Ready to 'Level Up'?

Philippians 3:13-14 New King James Version (NKJV)

¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have ^[a]apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ¹⁴ I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

This past weekend, Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries Inc. hosted our first women’s conference with the theme, “Level Up: Reaching for the Higher Calling.” Saying it was awesome is an understatement. God truly got the glory!

We focused our workshops in three areas:

·        Mental Health and Wellness

·        Spiritual Growth and Development

·        Personal Growth and Purpose

Our primary goals were to shed light on personal, cultural, and spiritual topics that are relevant for individual growth and to our local communities. Further, we wanted to encourage the attendees to make new connections and embark upon new relationships – personally, professionally, and spiritually. I believe the goals were accomplished…and then some.

As I reflect, what I realize most is that God prepares us for our next level through the good, the bad, and the ugly. We might think that life has dealt us a bad hand when, in fact, God is helping us to hone our skills and our gifts, and also strengthening our prayer lives and our faith to elevate us to the next level – a higher, more challenging, more rewarding position. It’s been said on many occasions that the crushing brings the oil. The crushing position keeps us humble, but truly allows that anointing to flow much more freely. While there is often pain in the crushing, there is great value.

Don’t say that you want to “level up” if you’re not ready to endure the crushing; it’s part of the process. Are you ready to ‘level up’?

“We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed” 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (NIV).

ACE #444: When a Deferred Dream Becomes Reality

More than 20 years ago, when I was doing my student teaching, I taught a unit on "A Raisin in the Sun". I used Langston Hughes' "Dream Deferred" as my introduction into the unit. As a 22-year-old young adult, I thought that life was going to be easy and all of my dreams would be realized...and quickly.  I didn't know that "life" would actually get in the way. I had it all figured out about what, I thought, would be the American Dream.

• I would be a millionaire by 40...I'm 44...and not.
• I would have 2.5 kids naturally...and that is not the case.
• I would live in a $1.5 million mansion...not quite, but someday...maybe...if I can afford a housekeeper because I despise cleaning and I am allergic to dust.
• I would be married to the man of my dreams; he looked more like Denzel Washington...but my husband is kinda cute and walks with a Denzel swagger...or so I'm told.
• I would have the bomb dot com career; I was destined to become a White House staffer...then there's that Olivia Pope thing...smh...no thanks.
• I would have celebrity friends who were movers and shakers in the entertainment industry.

But I am a witness that God does all things well. This is what I actually got:

• A good paying job with benefits, health insurance, and a retirement plan.
• One healthy, brilliant, beautiful daughter...not naturally at all...by any means.
• A beautiful home that is decorated just like I like it in a cozy neighborhood with cool neighbors.
• A husband after God's own heart who ministers to the sick and shut-in and preaches the gospel of Jesus Christ like nobody's, but everybody's, business.
• A modest career in education working with children everyday.
• Very few friends who I can call for anything, but those few can intercede for me at the drop of a dime and encourage me behind the scenes, yet expect nothing in return.

And, now, I just published my first book with seven stories from women who have struggled with this very thing we call "life", but held on to their faith in Jesus Christ to become better for His glory. We've conquered depression, rejection, abandonment, grief, suicidal thoughts, identify confusion, infertility, and even addiction. 

From the beginning, I was built for ministry. It was always inside of me, but I had to surrender to God's will and His way. When I gave up MY will for God's will over my life, my deferred dreams became reality.

I want to encourage you today that if you have an unrealized dream, wake it up!  Dig deeply inside of who you are and examine the things you really want to be...and be all of them!

I invite you to read, From the Test to the Testimony. I promise, it will bless you.

Dream Deferred by Langston Hughes

What happens to a dream deferred?

Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?

Or fester like a sore--
And then run?

Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?

Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.

Or does it explode?

Jeremiah 29:11-13 New International Version (NIV)

¹¹ 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. ¹² Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Available in paperback and e-book.

And we're rocking a new logo for the blog and a new website at https://www.randclewisministries.com! 

ACE #443: From the Test to the Testimony

Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries Inc. Releases From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Women’s Faith Stories

Three-Year Project Comes to Life

LEXINGTON, Ky., Nov. 1, 2018 – Charliese Brown Lewis never thought she would finish a project after two years of letting it sit on the shelf literally.

From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Women's Faith Stories chronicles the journeys of seven different women of various ages who depended on their faith in God to see them through the most difficult circumstances. Each woman tells a very specific story that takes her from the test to the testimony.

“Three years ago, I was led to some very specific women to ask them to share a reflection story for a special project I had in mind,” Lewis said. “These stories were very personal, so I had to deal with them with care because I was asking these women to revisit some tough places, both emotionally and spiritually, from their pasts.” 

Lewis admits that life got in the way of moving the project forward initially, but she also had to recall some painful memories of her own in order to be transparent for other women who could be going through a similar situation. 

“The stories are personal, intimate, and real,” she said. “As an editor and a writer I had to replay their situations and my own throughout the entire process from draft to finished product. There is a true fight for each of us to move from struggle to triumph primarily through our faith.” 

This collection deals with many issues common to the everyday woman from managing chronic illness, depression, and suicidal thoughts to finding purpose, peace, and the power of forgiveness.

Lewis stated, “I wanted to make sure that the stories would be read, but also that the readers could truly relate to the issues that we each dealt with. At the end of each story is a series of questions to assist the readers in self-reflection with hopes of helping them heal or, at least, encouraging them to get help to heal.” 

Contributors include Stephanie Chisley, Doris Coffey, Ashley Edwards, Marietta Finkley, La’Tonsia Howard, Jacques Watkins and Lewis. 

From the Test to the Testimony: An Anthology of Women’s Faith Stories is available on Amazon as an e-book (preorder) and a paperback (Nov.30). It is the company’s first independently published book.

Paperback cover price: $12.99; E-book: $5.99

CHARLIESE BROWN LEWIS is an educator, writer, and speaker.  She is the editor and co-author of The ‘After Church’ Experience blog and president of Robert and Charliese Lewis Ministries Inc., which she co-founded with her husband. Charliese and her family reside in Kentucky.

ACE #442: Affordable Care

Today, there is so much discussion around the Affordable Care Act. Many are saying "Repeal and replace" it. You have others saying leave it. It's helped so many. Yet others say it's causing this or it's causing that - what seems like it should be a good thing (affordable care) has really caused a lot of confusion and controversy around the country. Our own selfish ways and desires have taken over the thought of having Christ-like love for those in need. 

In Philippians 2:4, Paul said, "look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others." 

Paul's letter was written in response to the church being so gracious to his needs while in prison. Paul expressed thanks to a church whose love was unequaled in a time when he needed it the most. It was to a church that believed it could afford to care about the well-being of someone in need - a lesson in Christian living and loving with the mind of Christ.

Friends, many times in life we miss awesome opportunities to care for each other because we feel we can't afford to do it. Somehow, it becomes more about our needs and what is best for us instead of us trusting God to show us how others will be blessed from our selfless love. Whether we are rich or poor, there are still opportunities to think of others. Sure, we may never understand how beneficial the medical affordable care act is, but as Christians we can still afford to care for our brothers and sisters in need. Don't always be so interested and concerned with your needs, but show some love to the interests of others . We can afford to do that!