The Reason for the Season (2010)

Economic Impact Report: As Seen by Santa!!!

The economy’s so bad this year that even attorneys, teachers, and PhDs
Are caught in the squeeze. Collections, Foreclosures, Bankruptcies.
Layoffs, the hiring freeze, new, excessive banking fees and charge card penalties!
So when I saw Santa walking earlier today - his head hanging low and no signs of his sleigh,
I stopped and offered him a ride…
His sleigh had been repossessed.
His house was foreclosed.
He said the elves were pitching a fit
And the lights were turned off in Rudolph's nose!
Mrs. Claus was depressed, Donna and Blitzen had run off
This economy – he said is the worse he’s seen yet.
"Unemployment is high, morale is low…
People are hungry and homeless with no place to go.
In the midterm elections, Black people didn’t vote,
Jesse lost hope…
Christmas is near, he said, and I'm running out of time,
And did you see the news? Charlie Rangel’s about to DO time."
I said Santa you’re right but we can’t so easily give up the fight,
We've got to hold on and pray that God will handle our plight.
After all Jesus is the Reason - - not the gifts, not the lights,
Not the parties, not the food, not the spending, not the hype.
Yes, it's depressing but the fault lies with us. Over the years,
Acting like Christmas was about the spending and making such a fuss,
Spending all kinds of money but spending very little time,
Telling folk about the Lord, what a shame, what a crime.
So Santa agreed and thanked me for the ride,
We both said a little prayer that this season
the Holy Child will be glorified...
That people will think twice before overdoing it this year...
And that each and everyone's home and heart
Will be filled with Love, Peace, and Cheer!!!
Merry Christmas to all....and to all....a good night,
Read the Word yourself and help others come to know Christ!!!

What Presence Do You Bring to the Lord?

The end of the year is upon us. In two weeks we will be entering a New Year, a new opportunity to do better, be better, be focused, be ready. 2010 has been a wonderful year - one I thought from day one would be ... a year of change, a year of excitement, a year of growth, renewal, hope, and great expectations. And that is how it has been. And it wasn't "all good" when I looked at some of this change initially. But now I know: All things work together... all things.... for the good of those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. I know now, without a doubt that we were all created for a purpose - to be used by God... so it is important to listen to God to discover what that purpose might be. I know now, without a doubt (though it sounds so much like a cliche'), He will not take you to it.... and not bring you through it. He will not put you in it... and not bring you out. I also know now not everyone will or can appreciate what you do for God..... at the same time.... it is only what you do for God that really matters in this world.



What Presence will you bring to the Lord in 2011? What attitude will you have.... what gratitude do you have today that you are alive, breathing, in fairly good health, that you are in your right mind, that have some kind of a roof over your head (some don't). That you are not loocked away (some are). That you likely to to get into heaven (some won't) because you know Jesus died for our sins and that He is coming back. That you can give yourself to God (some can't) and be used by Him. That you have TRUST in Him (some have none not even a small grain of faith - the size of a mustard seed). That you are preparing for the day that Jesus will return (some aren't). Gratitude... Praise.... Belief.... Love..... What will be your presence in 2011. Have you made your reservations for your seat in heaven?

What Right Do I Have?

What Right Do I Have to Bargain With God?

Nonewhatsover. This will be short because God said it would. I have no right
whatsoever to attempt to bargain with God in order to do his will. But I found
myself bargaining! God, if you do this, I will do that. And - yes God did this.
Time for me to put my money where my mouth is - will I do what I promised?
I have no choice.

So if you see me tomorrow and my outward appearance looks new,
Know that God has changed my thinking and my outlook too.
If my smile seems brighter and my step seems lighter
It' s only because I 'm now doing what He told me to do.
If when you see me it looks like I haven't a worry or care,
That I've lightened my load and no heavy burdens do I bear,
If it looks like I'm happy, if it seems like I'm overjoyed....
In spite of my economics and the fact that I'm still unemployed....
Just know that God has not only said something--
But he's done something to me....
Just know I'm not the same person....today
That I used to be.
And that same God - the one and only can do the same for you....
If you open up and let him in....and be obedient when He tells you what to do.

Regina Vincent Clark - Oct. 20, 2010

Fired! Only to Get Fired Up For Jesus

I was recently fired from my job! It is the first time in my career that I have been released, let go, downsized, displaced.... you know all those fantastic kinder, gentler terms that are used to describe your untimely dismissal from a 9 to 5 that you might have really wanted to hold on to.

Fortunately, God has been working with me all year (2010) preparing me for this. First he sent a good friend who helped me see from day one - what God was doing. I knew I had bills to pay and rent and a mortgage in another state... and didn't quite understand God's orchestration and strategies. My friend had cancer so we talked each day about his challenges with chemo and his work in the community and my challenges with "trying to keep my job." Well long story short - I lost my job and was encouraged still by my friend. Less than one month later, my friend lost his battle with cancer. My friend assured me God had something else for me to do.... and now I understand that I was fired -- only so I could get fired up for the Lord.

I see things differently now - through new eyes. I feel that new walk I've heard about. I feel the need to pray without ceasing as my great aunt told me so many times when I was in my 20s. We will understand it better by and by....so true. I thank God for this new breath, this new outlook, this new opportunity to step up my game in Service for Him. It is a new opportunity to let my light shine so that all will see His works and magnify His name. In our play, This Little Light of Mine" (1995, Hopkinsville, KY and Clarksville, TN and other cities), there was a line: When you work for God you never have to worry about unemployment. I am blessed. God is giving me the time I needed with family, for organizing my home-based assignments, and for dedicating more time to be a disciple and a servant.

If you should ever find yourself in the unemployment line like me... know that God put you there for a reason and what might have looked like a demotion or was intended for Satan's commotion - just might be a Divine Promotion!!!!

Blessings.

"Yes, God, I'm Listening" available at amazon.com.

What Is This?

Casually walking in to work this morning, I suddenly resolved 80 percent of the world's problems! What is this? Of course, you and many (not all) want to know. The answer is simply: "What Is This?" an old gospel song from the 60's, maybe the 50's. I will research it later.

The world we live in today knows nothing about the lyrics from "What Is This?"
The world we live in today knows little about the Holy Bible that sits in most of our homes.
In this world we live in today we are actuality not living at all, but simply existing.
We don't have time to live. We don't have time to read. We don't have time to reflect. We don't have time to forgive. We don't have time to ask for forgiveness. We don't have time to ask "What Is My Purpose?" How Do I Serve? What does it take to get to the Kingdom of God. Furthermore, if we had the answers would we have the time to do any of those things.
What Is This?
It makes me love my enemies.... not in the world we live in today.
It makes me love my friends.... if they can do something for us, maybe.
It won't let me be ashamed to tell the world I've been born again.... Have I???
What is this? That makes folk say I'm acting strange?
That makes me want to run on in Jesus' name.
Whatever it is it won't let me hold my peace! Psych.
So there you have it. The answers to 80 percent of the world's problems.
Because we would rather say and feel today, "It is what it is"
when we should be feeling.... really feeling and asking, "What Is This?"
But if we don't feel it, we certainly can't question it and if we're not
questioning "it," we cannot address it. It just is what it is!

Hurt People Really Do Hurt People

There are so many people hurting in the world today. You can look around and see it for yourself as individuals in the news do horribly insane things to themselves and to others. Recent terrorist attacks (the attempted bombing in New York City/Times Square) and murders and murder-suicides are evidence of the pain our brothers and sisters are in. Our brothers and sisters? Yeah, we don't look at one another as brother and sister, but we all are related. We are just too busy and too beside ourselves with greed, power and selfishness to recognize the genetic bond. In the beginning there was just Adam.... and later there was Eve. They had children - we are the children of the children of the children of the children of the.... well you know it goes pretty far back -- but we are the children. We are God's very special children. We are brothers and sisters, whether we like it or not. Some of us don't like our brothers and sisters born into our immediate families so it must be especially for those of you with sibling issues to love "complete strangers."

Having said all that, my brothers and my sisters, we need to get right. As hurting people (and we all are hurting at some time or another) we need to stop hurting one another. We need to watch what we say, who we use, who we abuse, who we leave behind, and who we play games with - games with the mind.

I know my mission in life and one of the purposes God has set forth for me is to listen to people. I don't have to say a lot - I just need to listen and to encourage others to go on (when the Spirit says "say something"). To be faithful. To not give up. To be patient. To speak up. To keep on holding on. I know this is good advice because this is what God has told me to with the challenges in my life. And I am doing those things. I intend to hurt no one. And those who hurt me are hurting themselves. To the Believers, they know there are consequences. Not from me but from our Father. To those who are not Believers - well their punishment was dictated by their own disbelief. I don't have to fret any of them. I just need to keep on keeping on.

What Baggage Will You Check on the Trip?

We all have baggage. Some of us are in denial about the weight of the baggage. Where the baggage came from....what we need to do with it.... and why we have this baggage in the first place. Recently I got to thinking about my baggage. And I have LOTS of baggage and it isn't all bad, detrimental, heavy, or embarassing baggage but I have baggage and it does weigh me down from time to time.



It stifles my relationship with God. It hinders my relationship with others. It prevents me from being who I am -- a child of God with flaws, frailties, joy, peace, hope, love, and a desire to leave the world a better place than I found it.



For some so-called relationships, the fact that I have a large, loving, close-knit family is baggage.

I will always take time to be with and do for my family - no ifs buts and...... it is what it is.



My idependence sometimes creates a problem for those who try to pose their values on me.



Oh yes then there are those heavier bags of debt (yes, yes), bad decisions (true), indecisiveness (sometimes). We all have such bags but the sooner we own up to them and check some of them the better. No need to carry them through the airport of life when they can go under the plane and on to the unclaimed baggage store if we so desire.....



This is just a beginning thought that's been on my mind a long time now.....stay tuned for an update, a follow up, or possibly a book on the topic. Which is still a big bag that I have not let go of yet.... a bag marked procrastination in doing for me, right now..... that is what God insists that I do to move forward with my life.... so yes soon... another chance .... another book.

Are you willing to admit your baggage? Be honest! Baggage comes inherently with the fact that we are not perfect!!! We are human....we make mistakes.... and we learn. So what baggage will you check on the trip? What will you let go from the past???? And what baggage is it that
lights up your life that you will treasure, value and keep in clear sight for continued joy, peace
and happiness?

Another Day In Court

Another Day In Court copyright 2010 (2/17/10)
Regina Vincent Clark, Ed.D.

You won’t be arrested for trying to steal my joy,
You won’t be handcuffed or shackled and put in a squad car.
You’ll not be charged with assault and battery for beating me down,
No one will throw you in the slammer for turning my smile into a frown.
You won’t serve any time for treating me like dirt,
You won’t be served any warrants for making others hurt.
You won’t have to hide from the law for causing any pain,
There’ll be no posse or bounty hunter chasing you down the lane.
No jury will be sequestered, no lawyers will plead your case,
It’s okay and yes, you do have guilt written all over your face…
You see you will go to court and there will be a trial,
You’ll be held accountable for all those actions that you know are foul.
The ultimate judge is God, His court is supreme, the highest in the land,
So I don’t have to wish you harm – when He calls you to the stand.
When He looks you in the eye and waits for your plea,
I already know you’ll want forgiveness, grace and mercy.
Only God will know if it’s really too late…Maybe you should think about your life now….
and not leave things to fate.
You won’t be arrested for any of the things noted above….
But you will go to Hell if you don’t learn to love.

Don't Let Your Fear Interfere With Your Faith

It's hard to steal second base with your foot still on first! I live by that rule, but I continue
to keep not only my foot but my entire body and sometimes my mindset on first base.
There is all that security. That fear of getting called "out" should I make the mad dash that
would get me closer to home, closer to an added score on the board, closer to a Life Series Team Pennant.... the team of course is God and Me. So much like a Doubting Thomas, I wait.... and wait for another batter to approach the plate and hit the big one. Hit the one that will advance me at least to second.

But I know it is my responsibility to make a move. The last batter struck out. And the one before him. I've been standing here knowing that I can move. I can get to home with just a little faith. But there it is. That fear. That lack of discipline. That lack of confidence. Of course, as Marie Curie said "nothing in life is to be feared, only understood." And discipline says Jim Rohm, is the "bridge between goals and accomplishment." Nothing in life just happens, Gold Meir said, "You have to have the stamina to meet the obstacles and overcome them."

That is easier to buy into when you accept the fact that "obstacles are put in your way to see if you really wanted something or just thought you did." Another philosopher put it this way: Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off your goals. And how many times have I heard it said and have I said it myself: Feed your Faith and your Doubts and Fears will starve to death.

So today it is with a renewed sense of reaching the goal, being more proactive, and exercising some discipline that I refuse to allow my fears to interfere with my faith. It is time to get my foot, my body, my complacent, doubting mindset past first base! What about you???

The Risk of Becoming "Digitally Disconnected"

The Risk of Becoming "Digitally Disconnected"


I "twitter" at the thought of logging on to the ‘Net
To find no one there, even if it is 3 in the morning. . .
I thought Facebook guaranteed me a new family
One I didn’t to have argue with and didn’t have to see.
“Yahoo” I screamed when I got LINKEDIN,
No more long distance calling MCI /ATT family and friends,
My email would be hot
My gmail would hit the spot
All of my relationships now come with a dot. . .
I am living today in a much broader cybersphere. . .
Even if no one ever visits or lives very near…
MySpace is connected to the world through Comcast and Clear. . .
But I do occasionally twitter at the thought of a breakdown somewhere,
When social networking gets lost somewhere in the air,
When I log on at 3 a.m. and find nobody there….
Of course that doesn’t mean my FB family doesn’t care..
Right???? Of course not.
But just in case I’ll Google a few new websites…
And I’ll just keep the computer logged on all day and all night.

Regina Vincent Clark, Ed.D. copyright 2010