I KNOW YOU vs. I KNOW OF YOU.

How often have we either heard or have said, "I know you" when we've encounter a familiar face.  In some instances, we maybe able to recall that persons name, yet more than likely we can not.  The mere recognition of the persons face triggers a reflection within time, in which you experienced something pertaining to that person.  You may not even be able to state the "when" or "where", but you  "know" the person.  Or do you really?

In our society today, we have multiple avenues of "meeting" people. With all of the different social media platforms, group class activities such as gyms, dance, zumba or class settings, we have the opportunity to become familiar with various people at once.  Although we may have shared a space in time in the presence of the person, we still can't claim to "know" them.  Knowing a person will require time dedicated to dialogue that will give you personal insight into that persons life experience.

As a way to foster true relationships among those persons we encounter within the business, community and spiritual community,JCN began hosting fellowship nights.  The "KNOW THOSE WHO LABOR AMONG YOU" Fellowship events, are open to everyone and promotes unity among the participants.

The first fellowship took place at Up In Smoke BBQ during the Christmas Holidays.  The group enjoyed learning facts about each person at the table through their participation in answering questions such as "If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?"  The answers revealed not only their dream destination, but allowed many to learn there was various commonalities amongst the group.  In addition, group participation exercises brought about a roar of laughter as participant were required to sing the lyrics to the Christmas Carol found under their napkin.  The discovery of those who are gifted singers and those that are not was quickly revealed, yet the camaraderie was priceless.

The second fellowship took place at Ziggy's and wasunknowingly planned on a day that conflicted with many of the participants schedules.  Although, the number of participants was reduced this fellowship brought a refreshing bonding between the men participating that night.  From a female perspective, the open and candid sharing of advice, life experience, and motivation was an occurrence scarcely witness in the competitive world of today; especially due to the fact that they were meeting for the first time. The group exercise of the night was "WHO AM I".  The participants each pulled an index card from the stack, and held the card up to the other, revealing a cartoon character.  The person viewing the card revealed clues to the person holding the card, until he was able to guess the identity of the cartoon character.  The exchange was hilarious, the descriptions of the characters was colorful and offer up details that were on point and some that was not even close.  The fun was so obvious until the Owner of the restaurant had to join us in the photo to show support.

Both nights of fellowship allowed persons from different backgrounds, social/economic backgrounds, age ranges and most of all different church and/or non church affiliations to come together in a bond of unity.  The fostering of dialogue and activities reveal insight that allowed a direct exchange of knowledge about each person.  And exchange which gave a foundation to building relationships within the participating group to truly get to "KNOW" each other.

We encourage you to participate in the next fellowship event "BOWLING" in the month of March.  Details will be posted here on the blog.  We look forward to getting to "KNOW" you.

PARTY OVER HERE ! PARTY OVER THERE! THEY'RE PARTYING EVERYWHERE

February 7, 2014, was the launch of the National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day.   Public Health Service Providers and Community Service Organizations all over the country sponsored HIV Awareness Events.  The offering of information, free testing, counseling and medication assistance was presented to the general public through each of these events.

Within our local area, the Bond Community Health Center sponsored a community  BLOCK PARTY in observance of this most important day of awareness.  This event was open to other Healthcare Providers, Community Service Organizations, Business' and Spiritual Entities, as a partnership opportunity.  Each one was encouraged to set up an information table highlighting their HIV Campaign and/or services.

Jewels Covenant Network Inc. answered the call and set up an information tent.  Throughout the course of the day visitors from the surrounding community visited our table and filled their bags with informational brochures and received a special treat for being tested at the Mobile Health Unit on site.

Many of our visitors expressed that it was a "relief" to not wonder about their status any longer.  JCN's HIV Awareness Campaign slogan (SELF+LOVE=KNOWING) brought about a dialogue that opened the doorway for us to share even more of the informational facts we in the African American community must become mindful of and share with each other.  One such fact is that in Florida, approximately 100,000 people are HIV positive and 1 in 49 Black Floridians are currently living with HIV infection.  The misconception that testing requires health insurance or will cost a fee, has deterred many from seeking their personal results.  This is a false perception.  There are numerous testings sites that are FREE OF CHARGE.  Results are confidential and trained counselors are available to provide pre/post testing counseling.

If you or someone you know has not been tested in the Tallahassee or surrounding area contact: 

Bond Community Health Center
1720 S. Gadsden St.
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 576 -4073

FOUNDER'S DESK: HOLD TO HIS HAND.

Hello Readers.  

As always it is a true pleasure to be able to use this medium to impart unto you a Word of Encouragement.  In recent months, many of you and I have had some awesome talks, shed tears of anguish and joy, and became overcomers by the words of our testimonies.  Testimonies that were only possible because we CHOSE to HOLD TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HAND.

Growing up I heard this song sang with an energy which caused the entire membership of the church to rock back and forth; as though the words of the song caused their souls to dance within.  Needless to say, it has always been one of my favorite songs.  And recently after singing it at church, I was lead to write down the words to share with you.  The verses of the songs says:

Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved shall stand.  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand!

Chorus:  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand!  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand?  Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand!

Trust in Him who will not leave you.  Whatsoever years may bring.  If by earthly friends forsaken, still more closely to Him cling!

Chorus:  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand!  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Covet not this world’s vain riches, that so rapidly decay.  Seek to gain the heavenly treasures, they will never pass away.

Chorus:  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand.  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

When your journey is completed, if to God you have been true.  Fair and bright the home in glory, your enraptured soul shall view!

Chorus:  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand!  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Chorus:  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand!  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

Throughout these past 11 months, many of us – YES US, have experienced an adventurous ride on the roadway of LIFE.   A ride that has taken us down some unexpected bends, sharp turns, elevated mountains and some of the deepest valleys.  But the GOOD NEWS is that we knew to kept our hand in the Lord's hand, no matter how heart wrenching the ride became.  I took a moment to look up the definition of HAND in my study bible, as it relates to God and it said: 

Hand – the end of the arm that serves as a grasping and handling tool for humans; symbolic of power. 

The phrase "The end of the arm that serves as a grasping and handling tool for humans." – continued to resonate within me so I inquiried about the “end of the arm….)  And this is what I received through the Word.

Isaiah 52:10

King James Version (KJV) 
¹⁰ The Lord hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.

Isaiah 52:10

New Living Translation (NLT)
10 The Lord has demonstrated his holy power before the eyes of all the nations. All the ends of the earth will see the victory of our God.

Exodus 15:6 
New Living Translation (NLT)
“Your right hand, O Lord, is glorious in power.
Your right hand, O Lord, smashes the enemy.

⁶ 

*Right Hand: A figure of speech that represents God’s ultimate power and authority, and where the exalted Jesus Christ now sits.

Chorus:  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand!  Hold to his hand, to God’s unchanging hand.  Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.

John 10:27-30
King James Version (KJV)

²⁷ My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
²⁸ And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
²⁹ My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.
³⁰ I and my Father are one.

**The strength of God is made known in creation and redemption and in his empowering of believers to live faithfully.

My sheep. They listen to Jesus, and they follow Him. These believers show renewal in the new direction and commitment of their lives.

The Lord gives His sheep the endless life of fellowship with God. He protects them from perishing, according to the infallibility of divine grace; and He allows no one to snatch them from His hand. The saints persevere because God preserves them. The sheep are not able to snatch themselves out of God’s hand because the divine Shepherd will keep all of His true sheep from eternally straying. The solemn warnings of Scripture against apostasy are not intended to cause doubts about God’s perseverance with those He has saved.

The Father’s hand. The hand of the Shepherd is also the Father’s hand, and the supreme power of God is the ultimate guarantee of the sheep’s safety.

As we end the year of 2013, we will begin to consider changes we would like to make in this upcoming year.  Our yearning to see or experience better things in this New Year, will cause many to make resolutions or set goals that will be their "fool proof" plan.  And thats fine, if that's what you chose for your life.  However  I'm more inclined to follow the insight of the song, in understanding that "Time is filled with swift transition, naught of earth unmoved shall stand.  Build your hopes on things eternal.  Hold to God’s unchanging hand!"  This has PROVEN to work in my life, so I'm going to continue to HOLD to his hand- My God's Unchanging Hand.

Blessings Readers

A DAY OF THANKSGIVING

In 1621, the Plymouth colonist and Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast that is acknowledged today as one of the first Thanksgiving celebrations in the colonies.  For more than two centuries, days of Thanksgiving were celebrated by individual colonies and states.  It wasn’t until 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, that President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national Thanksgiving Day to be held each November. (Excerpt taken from www.history.com)

On November 28, 2013, dinner tables, sideboards and countertops all across the nation will display a picturesque offering of turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, green beans, candied yams, corn soufflé, macaroni and cheese, pumpkin pie, pound cake, peach cobbler, and a plethora of other mouth watering dishes and desserts.  And just before plates are piled high with the bounteous offerings, a proclamation of “Thanksgiving” will be made.

As with customs of times past, the Thanksgiving meal will begin in the average home with an expression of “ I’m thankful for …”  At the same time there is an above average number of homes that will begin their Thanksgiving meal, with “ Heavenly Father, we thank you for …”  No matter how the expression begins, there will be the mention of family coming together, the opportunity to see loved ones once more, having life, health and strength; along with the reference toward our possession of cars, homes, jobs, businesses, accomplishments and companions that has been categorized as a “blessing”.  Next will come the expression that we are "thankful" because some persons are not as fortunate as we are.   Shortly after a creative musical will begin, as the sound of forks and knives tap the porcelain plates, coupled with a background chorus line of chatter.  As the musical composition is playing, the sound track of “Thanksgiving” will end and be enclosed in its CD case of (Common Disregard) until the next Thanksgiving Day.

Although unexpected, the narrative most accurately depicts the events and thought patterns of many families.  The heightened sense of  “Thanksgiving” is reduced to a customary pronouncement based on tradition.  “Well at least they gave thanks,”someone is saying at this very moment.  Yes, that is true.  However, did it produce a change in the heart or mind of the person giving thanks or the listeners?  This could be because; there isn’t a clear understanding of “THANKSGIVING” in its full capacity.

In the beginning paragraph, we were told of the origin of  “Thanksgiving.”  Yet we missed its foundational core.  History has revealed that the colonist, were in a state of unfamiliarity with the farming process and their gaming skills.  In essence they were in a troubled state of "helplessness".  The Indians began to take the time to teach them their methods of farming and gaming, which led to the successful outcome of “self-sufficiency” for the colonist.  In addition to this new found cooperation, both the colonist and indians, shared also in the belief of a Deity that reign superior over all things.  Obviously, their process may have been different in the way each group worshipped, yet the mental resolve to worship the source of power was shared.  Thus resulting in a feast, as an outward display of their Thanksgiving unto their God for providing help and provision.   Also, we see that it is during “war time” that President Lincoln, instituted the national observance of Thanksgiving Day.  President Lincoln’s motive was to undoubtedly lift moral within the country during those troubled times. Thus his knowledge of the scriptures, and the understanding of God as being the “Supreme Being”, ignited the thought of having the nation as a whole come together and give thanks for the spiritual blessings he has provided.

Because of the modernization of many of the traditions of old, we have somehow lost the foundational spirit, meaning and principles behind them.   Thus becoming unconscious of the original source, in which our expression was directed toward initially.  

THANKSGIVING (n) – expressing gratitude; a public acknowledge or celebration of God’s goodness.

So as we shop for the fixings for our meals, gather together our best linen and good china, or prepare to travel to our designated places for this Thanksgiving holiday, lets take a moment to think on our THANKSGIVING we can give to God. 

Let us give THANKS to God, for keeping our families safe during these times of social and economic trouble.  Thanking him for his hand of protection that was over our family.  Even when trouble presented itself, it didn’t cause irreparable calamity.  Thanking him for his merciful eye, that when he witnessed our transgressions, he didn’t recompense evil for evil.  Instead he gave us an opportunity to accept his invitation of reconciliation back unto his fold. Thanking him for having the knowledge through personal experience of just how GOOD he has been to us.  Thanking him for giving us the opportunity to provide our family members with more than just a life sustaining meal, but access to Eternal Life.    

Giving our family, friends, and loved ones an opportunity to hear of the GOOD NEWS, by which they can also believe,    confess and accept, Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.  Giving them the hope of redemption by sharing the sin cleansing benefit of baptism.  Giving them the encouragement to accept the New Being gift of Jesus Christ -  the Holy Spirit.  Giving them clear instructions for them to assemble themselves with a Bible based church. One that is Giving them Spiritual food (the Sincere Milk of the Word preparing them for the Meat of the Gospel) that will bring nourishing nutrients, by which to grow into a mature Christian.  Giving them more than just food that will soon be passed in the draught, but provide the Bread of Life that they too can share with a Spiritually hungry nation.  We are of a Royal Priesthood, let us exemplify such:

 King David gives us an example as to a mindset of THANKSGIVING that we should possess, in Psalms 28: 6-7

6.  PRAISE THE LORD!  FOR HE HAS HEARD MY CRY FOR MERCY.

7.  THE LORD IS MY STRENGTH AND SHIELD.  I TRUST HIM WITH ALL MY HEART.  HE HELPS ME, AND MY HEART IS FILLED WITH JOY.  I BURST OUT IN SONGS OF THANKSGIVING.

On November 28, 2013, lets not conform to the ways of this world, but let us be ye transformed by the renewing of our minds, and become the providers of not just natural food, but Spiritual Food for our family, friends, and loved ones. Thereby reestablishing the Spiritual core within a new generation that God is our only real source of safety, refuge and provision.  Give Him Thanks for all HE has done.     Happy Thanksgiving !!!