I was sitting in my office this morning thanking God for all that he has done for me, particularly in the last four years. God is so awesome and good! He brought my daughter out of a coma four years ago on Palm Sunday, he healed her and this May she graduated from college. He provides for me before I even ask! He is worthy to be praised! What has God done for you lately? Let's tell the good news. Joy in Christ, Rev. Denise Rogers

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

Answers

The word teaches us "In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning you." With that in mind, i thank him for a year of travel by air without incident. Sometimes we take even these regular things for granted, but I am grateful for that. At the family level I thank him that all children continue to progress toward higher education (mine are 16, 13, 11). I thank him for my pastor, and her commitment to teach and preach the unadulterated word. I thank him for health, and a year without illness. I thank him for mercy, having spared Houston at least three times (so far) from hurricanes.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

The Lord is Good, His Mercy is Everlasting and His Truth endureth to all generations!! I too feel like testifying. My hometown in Tarboro, NC was flooded out by Hurricane Floyd last year but the grace of God spared my family and friends. I lost a beloved sister- in-law to breast cancer but the strength of my wife's family faith has given me comfort. My proposal for a new economics book is now in the hands of several prominent publishers and I intend to leave that prayer request at the altar!!! My wife has decided to become intellectually incarcerated [i.e. enrolled in a graduate program] and I am now suddenly jugling my professional demands, our kids demands [ages 7&5] and house responsibilities without her watchful attention, yet, thank God, I'm making it. I will never again take her SuperMommy qualities for granted. I have many things I would like to do and places to visit but time and finances won't allow it this year. But, I'm still blessed. Circumstances at times appear difficult but thru it all, I remember one of my favorite selections from Love Alive II sung by Lynette Hawkins, "Be Grateful". Yes, just "Be Grateful" because as that gospel diva sang so well with conviction, there is someone else who is worse off than you. Thanks for the chance to testify. Also, has there ever been a greater gospel album than Love Alive II?? Here it is the year 2000 and I still play those timeless selections.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

I have so much to thank God for that sometimes its hard to know where to begin. First, I thank him for my health and strength. I dont have any serious health problems, and I feel good. Next, I thank him for my wife and kids. They are healthy, too. My daughter received a full scholarship this year at FAMU, praise the Lord! Then, I want to thank God for a wonderful pator's appreciation this past Sunday. The members showed my family and me such an outpouring and demonstration of love. Finally, I want to thank God that this place isnt my home, I have a better place prepared just for me. To God be the Glory!

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

Oh! What a blessing it is to be alive and well! God has richly blessed all of us! We are fortunate to live in a country where we are free to express ourselves in such a forum as this and to worship in our respective churches. We are blessed! I constantly pray for my church and churches world-wide. As AME's we need to unite in a unified bond and pray for our great church and the leadership we have in this church from the bishopric trickling down to the local preacher. We are desperately in need of God's guidance. Let's thank God for our beloved church.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2000

God has been so wonderful, there isn't enough space or time to tell it all. He is still working with me, and I am not quite ready to testify, but I can say that I am on a much higher plane today than I was 6 weeks ago. I thank Him for His grace and His mercy and for the revelation knowledge that he has given to me in the past six weeks. I thank Him for the anointing of the Holy Spirit and for all the blessings that lie in store for me.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2000

Where can I begin? I am thankful to God because He is God all by himself. I am thankful to him for life, health, and strength. I thank Him for every pitfall and persecution because I know that it is all for His glory. I am thankful for the things that He has allowed me and my family both blood and extended to go through because it keeps us mindful of His presence and His power. He is so good, so wonderful, so excellent. As I think about just how good He is I begin to cry because I know that if it had not been for Him on my side and caring for me I would be dead. I thank Him that before I knew myself He knew me and had mercy on me. He is magnificant, marvelous, and majestic. I am so glad that in His presence there is joy, I am thankful that He has shown Jis favor upon me with a wonderful wife who is a great help to me in my ministry. I am thankful to Him for my Pastor Rev. A. Earl Jordan who has been the only earthly father I have ever known. God has allowed me to sit at the feet of one of His servant to prepare me for the ministry He has for me. "Then sings my soul, my savior God to thee, How Great Thou Art" #68 AMEC.

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2000

As I read the responses to the question I posed. I cried, for there is so much passion, love and hope in the responses. The holy spirit is indeed working on all of us and our denomination. As a pastor I learned very quickly the importance of the power of the worship service to bring us closer to God. I have always considered my sunday worship experience, as my spiritual pit stop. It is the place ro go to refuel, to here the experiences of my other christian brothers and sisters to feel encouraged. That is why I feel it is so important to have a place both in worship and outside of worship to Praise God for what he has done and is doing in our lives. It is very easy to point out things that are wrong in our lives and our denomination. But we serve a personal God! A God who sees each of us as an only child. When we testify to his power, we empower ourselves and others. I love this discussion board and each and every one of you. I would like to add that I have been involved in several denominations, and whether they are African-American or White denominations, the problems all seem to be the same. When we remember the power of God, there is no human made problem that God cannot fix. Let's remember his power through testimony and prayer. We are children of God and descendents of a 27 year old man (Richard Allen)who through persecution, hatred and little money turned to God for all his needs and brought forth the AME church. Thank you all for being great teachers to me. You help me grow spiritually. Joy in Christ Rev. Denise Rogers

-- Anonymous, September 21, 2000

I too want to thank God for His grace and His mercy. For God has been good to me as well. He has blessed me with a wonderful wife and children. My mother and father are alive and doing well. Lord...I thank you!

-- Anonymous, September 22, 2000

Greetings in His Name

I lost my twin brother at the age of 17 in a hit and run accident, I found him lying next to the road all smashed up. I was in hospital with Typhoid fever at a dangerous stage for 3 months. I lost my wife after being married for 18 months, saddled with a baby girl of 8 months. I survived two cyclones in Mocambique as well as ending up with Malaria

But you know what ....the goodness of the Lord far exceeds the challenges in my life. I believe like gold is purified in fire .. so are we purified in the fires of life

GOD IS GOOD .... ALL THE TIME .... AND TO EVERYONE

If I have to choose a way to walk in ... I'll choose the same road again

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2000

I just want to give all the Glory and Praise to God for allowing me an opportunity to pursue my theological education. The Holy Spirit has taken residence within our congregation and I thank God. After nine years, the Word of God has fallen on "good soil" and God is making the increase. I just thank God for loving us just the way we are and for providing for me each and everyday. Shalom, my brothers and sisters in Christ.

-- Anonymous, September 27, 2000

I just got home from church at Wayman Chapel in Billings, Montana. 350 miles from my home of Bozeman. Presiding Elder Ellis Casson, conducted our quarterly meeting and today he preached. Oh, my God, I felt like jubilee, Elder Casson, in a short space of time taught, exalted, energized and mobilized the congregation. What a blessing God sent to our church in the form of our Elder. The congregation was on fire for the lord, and when he gave the Altar call, young adults came to Christ today in tears, crying out for the Lords. There are no words to describe what a "holy spirit" day we had with Elder Casson. I want everyone to know the fifth district, is working hard for christ. And our Elder sets the standard and the bar high in terms of great preaching. God blessed us, and blessed us with the visit of our presiding elder Casson. I telling you, Elder Casson of the Pacific Northwest District(formerly Puget Sound) is holding revival meetings for the lord. Praise God for such an annointed man.

-- Anonymous, October 01, 2000