Wow! Have there been times in your life where you just felt like everything was caving in and maybe you should give up? I know I have felt that way before. When I do a spiritual inventory and sit with God and myself, I realize I had been trying to do all things by myself! No wonder I was exhausted!! As I have gotten older I have learned to surrender to God, he does not want us weary, burn out, or overwhelmed. For we cannot do kingdom building. Our church was given about $5,000 dollars worth of designer and other new clothes to distribute to the needy. The owner of the clother store called me from minnesota to ask if we wanted the clothing. Our church is small but we felt God was using us for his plan. We immediately though of our A.M.E churches in Africa and Indian reservations. After church yesterday we went to pick up the clothes, there were six of us and 3 cars. I kept thinking how are we going to carry all of this? I surrendered to God and all of a sudden clerks in the store started leaving their registers to help us pack. We cleared out the whole basement of the store in an hour and a half. God can and wants to do all. Surrender and let God have his way. Oh, you will be hearing more about the clothes in a later post. But to our family in South Africa and Namibia, Mozambique you will hear from us!! Remember God has not forgotten any of his children!!!! And though we get weary and it seems that the wicked are prevailing, they are not!!!! For God is moving heaven and earth to protect the righteous. One last thing the Holy Spirit has been telling me to pray for Bishop Ingram and his district. I sense there is an urgency. I have not met Bishop Ingram nor do I know his district. But I am requesting prayers for him, his family and his beloved district. DON'T QUIT, SURRENDER TO GOD and you will prevail! God loves you so much, somebody is crying today because of money issues, health, relationship issues. But God wants you to keep praying!!!!!! You will be victorious.

-- Anonymous, July 22, 2002

Answers

Rev. Rogers,

Thank you. That was for me yesterday.

-- Anonymous, July 24, 2002

Where can I learn more about surrendering my life to God. Oh, how I want to. I'm a Christian, but when I think of surrendering to God all I can think of is not taking credit for my personal achievements & not taking blame for my personal shortcomings. How do I get over this stumbling block? Any recommended reading? Any Bible verses? Anything you can recommend would be most appreciated.

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2002

One right off the top of my head from reading your post came from the parable in Matthew 20th chapter. It is with these verses beginning with 12 Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. 13 But he answered one of them, and said, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a penny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good? 16 So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen. And one more from Col. 3rd chapter. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

That entire chapter is really good on Christian living and covers a lot of ground.

In Christ, Carmen Rose

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2002

God bless you MJ for responding to the post. By asking the question how I can surrender to God, you are well on your way. Be encouraged my sister. I remember when i lived in new york city, one of my joys was shopping on 34th street I would call those days "Shop to I drop days;-) I would start on third ave. and make my way across town, I would go into stores, every floor on Macy's and keep going until I got to ninth ave. If you are not from new york it is quite a distance especially when you are carrying bags. After I got to ninth ave. I would suddenly realize that I would have to carry everything back to where I started in order to get home. For I lived on the east side of town.There was just no way I could do it! I was exhausted, if my life depended on it I could not go another step. At that point I would put my hand up in the air and take a cab right to my front door. I surrendered to my tireness and went home comfortably. When I surrender my life and will to God, I am not exhausting my self trying to do it on my own or walking through life spiritually blind. To surrender to God is an act of faith and an act of abundance. YES! I said an act of abundance. For our father God wants to give his all to us, he wants to love us, protect us and take the heavy load from us. In place of worries, and burdens he gives us blessings that are abundant. To surrender to God is to say you know what I do not have to walk across this barren desert of life. I can take God's private jet and fly high above things that are God's business and not mine. 1.)I would suggest that you find a church that is comfortable for you. If it has been awhile since you have been active in church you might want to try a smaller church. I am an A.M.E pastor and I love my denomination and would recommend one of our churches. 2.) Make an appointment with the pastor and share with him/her what you shared on this board. I am sure they will have some suggestions. 3.)Join an on going Bible study where you can learn about the word of God and grow with other Christians.4.) Go to your Christian Book store and talk to one of clerks or managers about what you are working on. You will be surprised how helpful they can be. and Lastly during the day keep saying "I surrender all Lord" remember by surrendering you don't have to carry excessive baggage like worries about money, family, career, how you look, what will happen tomorrow or anything else. For God has you in his hand. MJ get in that spiritual cab called giving all to Christ and you will ride with certainity that God is the driver and the only "onstar system" you will need. (onstar is that expensive service that cadillac offers that can give you directions, someone actually talks to you, a satelite can open the door to your car if you get locked out) MJ I am so proud of you! If I can help in any way please contact me. And to the rest of the board let's all pray for sister M.J

-- Anonymous, September 25, 2002