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BodyofChristNewsJANUARY2015VOLUME26ISSUE5COLORADOBYTHEWILLOFIAMTHATIAMExodus314COMPLIMENTARYBOCNEWS.COMSERVINGCOMMUNITIESINDENVERAURORAMONTBELLOBOULDERCOLORADOSPRINGSPUEBLOWhenIfirstheardthatHeritageChristianCenterwasopeninganewchurchinAuroraIaskedPastorLeonardifhedsitdownandsharewithmewhatGodhasbeendoinginhislife.ThesearehiswordsTHESURGEONwalkedintothewaitingroomwheremywifeMichelehadbeensince5a.m.Itwassupposedtobea5or6hoursurgeryitwasnow1230p.m.Thesurgerywentwellthesur-geontoldherhoweverwearehavingdifficultygettinghiscoretemperaturetoraisebacktonor-malandwakinghimup.Thiscancauselossofoxygentothebodybutmostlytothebrain.WerehopingforthebestIllbebackshortly.Shortlyturnedintotwolonghours.ThentheyledMicheletotherecoveryroomandtriedtoprepareherforwhatshewasabouttosee.ThesurgeontoldhertoaskmeifIknewwhoshewas.IfIpassedthattestthenchancesweremybrainwasokay.IknewshewastheresheheldmyhandshespokesoftlytomeContinuedonPage1WHYByRandyM.McCowanPastorDennisandMicheleLeonardMyheartneverleftDenver.IneverstoppedprayingfortheHeritagefamilydaily.ButGodwantedtogetmyattentionandHediditbytakingawayeverythingIknewandloved.179In2010PastorDennisLeonardwalkedawayfromthechurchhebuiltinAuroranowhesbackinColoradowithnewaHeritageChristianCenter.Hereswhathappened. 2BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015FamilyOwnedandOperatedCALDWELL-KIRK2101MarionStreetDenverColorado80205303-861-4644FuneralsReceptionsCremationsElvinR.CaldwellJr.PresidentRubyKirk-GrayFounderwww.caldwellkirk.comServingtheDenvercommunityforover60years.HappyNewYear 3JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWSWeWishYouABlessedandProperousNewYearfor2015WilWilsonVivianWilsonfromthestudentsparentsandstaffofExcelInstitute. 4BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015 5JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWSKINGJR.COLORADOHOLIDAYCOMMISSIONERSCHAIRMANVernL.HowardTHEVERNSLLCVICECHAIRTerryNelsonBLAIRCALDWELLRESEARCHLIBRARYTREASURERCITYOFAURORACRDBarbaraShannon-BanisterRozDumanCCGAASandraMoore-MannGMDMABishopAcenPhillipsStephenStraightSTRAIGHTMARKETING 6BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015MaryEllenDanuserservedourcountryfor12yearsintheUnitedStatesArmyReserveasaMedicalSpecialistandArmyRecruiter.SheisaretiredinsuranceprofessionalandmarriedtoawonderfulmannamedJohnDakota--aretiredMarineofficerandcommercialpilot.SheandherhusbandliveinColorado.Theyenjoytravelingattendingcarracesdiningoutgoingtooutdoorjazzconcertsreadingwalkingandsightseeing.MaryEllengrewupinasmallcountrytownVandaliaMissouriandmovedtoDenverin1977withtheUnitedStatesArmyReserve.ShesaysIcameherefortwoweekstrainingfellinlovewithDenverandmovedhere.MaryEllenhaswrittenabookFreedomtoChooseIsSkinColorReallyanIssuewhichexploresthechallengesofdatingandmarriagerela-tionshipsbetweenpeopleofdifferentskincolorandculturalbackgrounds.Thebookquotescoupleswhopresenttheirexperienceswiththeirfamiliesandsocietysreactionstotheirrela-tionship.Andtheyareopenabouttheirownchallengesastheynavigatethisstill-somewhat-unusualoccurrence.Hermotivationtowritethebookwastoeducatesocietyaboutwhypeoplechoosetodateandmarryoutsidetheirrace.Itgrewoutoftheexperiencesthatsheandherhusbandencounteredwheneverandwherevertheywereoutandabout.Thebookincludesinter-viewswithinterracialcoupleswithoutrevealingtheiridentitiesforthesakeofprivacyandtransparency.MaryEllenpointsoutthatmanyweretaughtracismintheirhome.Racialissueswerentopenlydiscussedtheracessimplydidnotmixinsociety.Sothequestionofinterracialmarriageneversurfaced.Whensomegrewupanddatedandmarriedoutsidetheirracetheparentshavehadtroubleacceptingtheserelationships.Andsomeofthecouplesreporthavingadifficulttimeevenafterbeingmarriedtwothreefourorfiveyears.MaryEllenstressesGodwantsustoloveeverybody.Hedoesntseparateusintogroupsbycolororculture.Imyselfhavenotalwaysbeenacceptingorsupportiveofmixedrelationships.AndIdidntthinkIwouldeverbeinaninterracialmarriagerelationshipmyself.Ihopepeoplewhoreadmybookwillbeabletohaveanopenmindasweexplorethereasonswhypeoplechoosethepeopletheychooseasamateandbemoreacceptingofthosechoices.Ibelievethisbookgivestheoppor-tunityforpeopletothinkoutsidetheboxsaysMaryEllenInanother200yearswewillbeacompletelydiffer-entrainbowofcolorsthanwearerightnow.Hopefullypeoplewillbeabletobehappyforotherswhohavefoundloveevenifitdoesntfallintothepre-determinednorm.FreedomtoChooseisavailableatTheTatteredCoverBookstorelocatedonE.ColfaxAve.LodoandHighlandsRanchthroughherpublishersweb-sitewww.xlibris.comandatwww.amazon.comandwww.barnesandno-ble.com.MaryEllenalsowritesablogandwelcomescommentsaboutthebookatwww.blended-living.com.JeremiahCamaraslatestworkistheproductionofthedocumentaryContradictionsAQuestionofFaithwhichdealswiththesaturationofchurchesinAfrican-Americancommu-nitiesthatexistinthemidstofimpov-erishmentandpowerlessness.HeasksthequestionIsthereacorrelationbetweenhighpraiseandlowproductiv-ityAndifthepresenceofGodalleg-edlydwellswithintheseholyfacilitieswhyarethesurroundingareasladenwithsomanysocietalissuesOriginallyfromCincinnatiOhioMr.Camarawasbaptizedandgrewupinachurch-goingfamilyandattendedTryedStoneBaptistChurchwhichwasthelargestchurchinthecityatthattime.LaterwhenhemovedtoAtlantaGeorgia20yearsagoinlookingattheissuesofthechurcheshenoticedchurchwasbigbusiness.PeoplewouldaskwhereheattendedchurchbeforeevenknowinghisnameandhewonderedwhatthisobsessionwaswithBlackfolksandthisreligiousintoxication.WhileheunderstoodthehistoricalsignificanceofaguidingbeliefanddeepfaithinthenarrativeofBlacklifeinAmericahebelievesthetraditionofusingprayerasthefirstlineofdefenseandrelianceonsupernaturalinter-ventiontosolveproblemsinanageofinformationreflectsapeoplethatareoperatingoutsidethecontextofamod-ernparadigm.HeacknowledgesthattherewasatimewheretheonlyplaceBlackscouldturntowastheinstitutionofthechurch.HowevermaintainshedoesntthinkitwouldbeinherentpropertiesofreligionthathelpedBlacksgainvariousgroundsinAmericabutreligionsabil-itytounitepeopleinfightingacommoncause.UnderstandablysaysMr.CamarathechurchislikeanoldfriendthathasservedBlackswellthroughouttimeswhennothingelsedid.Butdespitethislegacywemustbeopentomeetingnewfriendssuchastheinstitutionoflogicreasonandfreethinking.Hecontin-uesperhapsthemostinsidiouslydev-astatinggenerationalhand-me-downproposalinAfrican-AmericancultureiswhenweareencouragedtolayourburdensinthelapofJesusandtrustthatGodwillprovideallofourneeds.IthinktheliteraladherencetothisBiblicalactionhasnotonlyhelpedtohinderourwilltobeself-reliantbutithasalsocreatedastateofdependencyupondivineinterventionthatisunpar-alleledinmostgroups.IseethatasaprobleminAfricanAmericans.ThedocumentaryContradictionsAQuestionofFaithwithaquestion-and-answertimefollowingwillbepre-sentedinDenveronJanuary17attheCleoParkerRobinsonDanceTheater119ParkAvenueWest.Mr.JeremiahCamaraisalsotheauthorofHolyLockdownDoestheChurchLimitBlackProgressHewasafrequentguestontheMichaelBasenshow.HissecondbookisTheNewDoubtingThomasTheBibleBlackFolksandBlindBelief.JeremiahCamaraMarryEllen1.J.MOSS-GROWNFOLKSGOSPEL2.TRIPLEE-RISE3.FIVEMEN-CHAMPIONS4.FREDHAMMOND-IWILLTRUST5.VASHAWNMITCHELL-UNSTOPPABLE6.YOUTHFULPRAISE-ISEEVICTORY7.MALIMUSIC-MALIIS8.KJ-52-MENTAL9.RACYBROTHERS-HEALOURLAND10.3WINANSBROTHERS-FOREIGNLANDContradictionAQuestionofFaithSkinColorStillanIssueinSocietyCOMMUNITY 7JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWSandprayedforme.IrememberlayingthereinthemostexcruciatingpainIhaveeverfeltinmylife.Icouldfeelthetearsrunningdownmyfaceandanoverwhelmingfeelingofcompletehelplessness.Thereweretubesandwirescomingoutofmybody.Icouldntcommunicateexceptwithasqueezeofmyhandbecauseofthebreathingtube.TheonlythingthatgavemecomfortwastoclosemyeyesandsaytomyselfJesusJesusJesusoverandoveragain.ThedaywasNovember32013only30monthsaftermyfirstheartsurgeryin2010.IdidntthinkitcouldgetanyworseaftermyfirstheartsurgeryandhereIwasgoingthroughitagain.PeoplehaveaskedmePastorwhydidyouleaveIfeellikeyouabandonedmeImmadatyou.MyheartachesevenmorewhenIhearthosewordsandIamsosorry.Myintentionwasnevertoleaveandbeabsentfromtheirlives.Butsome-timesGodwilltakeyouonanunexpectedjourney.SometimesHewillevenup-rootyoufromevery-thingyouknowandeverythingyoulovejusttogetyoubyyourselftogetyourfullattention.InJanuaryof2009afterourNewYearsEveCelebrationatthechurch...itwasagreatnightbutthenextdayIremembertellingmywifehowtiredIwasphysically.Ididnthaveanystrength.IwenttothedoctormorethanonceandwasalwaystoldthesamethingMr.Leonardyoureingreathealthforsomeoneyourageyouhaveaheartmur-murthisisntuncommonandmostpeoplelivewiththistheirwholelivesevenundetectedyoujustneedsomerest.Restrestwasneverapartofmyvocabulary.Ihadtoalwaysbegoingmovingdoingsomethingdifferent.Itwasallaboutsouls...howtowinmoresoulsintotheKingdom.ButIwasalwaystiredandIdidntknowwhy.IfeltlikeIhadlostvisionandIdidntwantthechurchtosufferundermyleader-shipifIwasnt100.Ifeltthebestdecisionforthechurchsfuturewastoputayoungermanwithvisioninplace.After25yearsinFebruary2010Isteppedasidetoallowanewfutureforthechurchtobebirthed.THEHARDESTTHINGFORAFATHERTODOistohandhisdaugh-terovertoamanformarriage.ThehardestthingforapastoristohandhisbabythecongregationandfamilythatGodbuiltovertosomeoneelseandtrustthemwithit.Withmarriageasaparentyouhavetostepasideandallowthemtogrowandbuildtheirlives.IneverwantedtoleaveHeritagebutIneededtostepasideandallowthenewleadershiptogrow.Ineededtogetoutoftheway.ThatwasverydifficultformeandheartbreakingIwantedtobetheGrandpaintheback-groundbutIprayerfullyandtearfullysteppedaside.In2010weeksaftersteppingdownasSeniorPastorIwastakingawalkwithmywifeandourdogs.Shewaschattingalongusingupher24000-pluswordsadayonmewhensheturnedaroundandsawmehunchedoverontheground.IcouldntcatchmybreathIcouldntstanduponmyowneverythingaroundmestartedtospin.AfterafewminutesMichelewasabletogetmeupandtheshortwalkbacktothecarfeltlikehours.SheinsistedthatwegotothehospitalbutItoldherIwasfineandtotakemehome.ButaweeklaterIhadasimilarepisodeandthistimeMichelewasntsoniceshegavemenochoiceinthematterandtookmetotheemergencyroom.ThemomentIwalkedinthedoortheydidntevencheckmeintheyputmeinawheelchairliftedmeontoabedwithdoctorsandnursesmovingquicklyaroundme...needlespokingmewiresstucktomeoxygentubesinmynosemachinesbeepingwithgraphssurroundedme.AndtherewasMichelewithherarmscrossedshakingherheadsayingItoldyouAsurgeoncameinandsaidMr.Leonardwecantbelieveyouwalkedinhereyourheartrateisonly70over38youhavetohavesurgeryrightawayyourheartisfailing.Ithoughtheartsur-geryAreyoukiddingmeImtheguythattaughtthecongregationtoeatrightIexerciseeverysingledayIeatrightexceptwhenIgotoGoldenCorraloffofHavanaorIpayavisittoSisterErnestineatAAFishMarket.Ijustcanthelpmyselfthatfriedcatfishisridiculous.CanIgetanamensomebodyAftertheheartsurgeryIhadafollow-upappoint-mentandthecardiologisttoldmethattheheartmurmurwasactuallyabirthdefectthatIhadbeenlivingwith.Myaorticvalvewasdeformedthesameheartdefectthatmyfatherhadanddiedfrom.Therecoverytookmonths.ButthemostunsettlingpartwasthatthedoctortoldmethatitispossiblethatIwouldhavetohaveopen-heartsurgeryifthissur-gerydidntworkandwewouldknowin2years.ANDSUREASIAMSITTINGHERETODAYitwasalmost2yearstothedaythatIhadtohaveopen-heartsurgeryagain.Onlythistimetheyhadtoreplacetheaorticvalvewithanartificialoneandthearchoftheaortawasreplaced.YouneedtoprayforyourdoctorIknowIprayedoverminebeforetheyrolledmeintotheoperatingroomthatmorning.MyGodtheyputmeonheartandlungby-passremovedmyheartfrommybodyandrepaireditinanotherroomthenputitbackin.AndthatswherewestartedthisconversationRandybecauseitisinmomentslikethesewhereGodhasyourfullattention.Therecoveryfrommy2ndsurgerytookalmostayear.Mywifehadtodrivemeeverywhereformonths.Thatinitselfmademecrazy.Ikeptask-ingmyselfWhyGodwhyButMichelesaidsomethingtomethatIwillneverforget.ShesaidDennisyouhadbeentothedoctorseveraltimesinColoradoGodcouldhaverevealedyourheartissuetoyoutherebutHedidnt.WedontalwaysknoworunderstandwhyGoddoesthethingsHedoesbuthereweareweneedtotakethistimeandgrowinHim.SoIbecameGodsstudentandsodidMichele.HeritageChristianCenterlaunchedachurchplantinSanDiegoCalifornia.Westartedwith8peopleourfirstSunday.TherewerenovolunteersnostaffwedidnthaveGrandmarunningtheBookShop.ItwasMichelemyselfand8curioussoulswiththesamedesiretodomoreforGod.Launchingthatchurchplanthasmademestepbackandlearnandre-learnwhatthetrueheartofapastoris.Ihavealwayswantedtohelpotherpastorsgrowtheirchurchesandthisexperiencehastaughtandshownmeexactlywheretheyareintheirstruggles.Thechurchtodayisntlikethechurchin1985whenHeritagefirstopened.Theneedsarelargerthechallengesthepeoplefacetodayaregreatertheenemyistryingtobreakapartthefamilylikeneverbefore.TheexperienceinSanDiegohashumbledme.MyheartneverleftDenverIneverstoppedprayingfortheHeritagefamilydailybutGodwantedtogetmyattentionandHediditbytakingawayeverythingIknewandloved.IwascomfortableinmyhomeinColoradobutyouonlychangewhenyouaretakenoutofyourcomfortzone.InOctober2013Ihadrecoveredfrommy2ndopen-heartsurgeryandIsaidtoMicheleImhealedupImstrongIvegotmydrivebackIvegotmyvisionbackIvegotmydreambackandImgoinghomeItwasatthatsametimein2013thatHeritagereceivedasignificantpay-offforitsformerchurchpropertyandthosefundshavebeenusedtobuildanewHeritageChristianCenterinAurora.IknowRandyIveheardalloftherumorstoobutifthereisanyquestionordoubtaboutwhereHeritagehasinvesteditsmoneywritedownthisaddressandIinviteanyonetogocheckitoutHeritageChristianCenter14401EastExpositionAvenueAuroraColoradothatsthecornerofSableandExpositionyoucantmissit.InfactoneofourchurchmembersHudsonevenrecoveredouroldSinnersWelcomeHeresignbeforeitwasdisposedofinthetrashafterIsteppeddownin2010.Ivegotthesignandwereputtingitonthenewbuilding.IHAVEANEWHEARTinseveraldifferentways.ThoughthejourneythatGodtookmeonthepastfiveyearshasbeenalongandarduousoneIamgratefulformyHeritagechurchfamily.Youroutpouringofloveandprayershashealedmeasmuchphysicallyasithasspiritually.IaskforgracefromthosethatfeelIabandonedthemandIaskyoutoforgivemeInevermeantforyoutofeelthatway.OneofmyspiritualsonsBishopQuacySmithistheordainedpastoroftheSanDiegochurchplantandheisalreadydoinggreatthingsforGodinSanDiego.SanDiegowashishomeBishopSmithsdesirewasalwaystocomehomeandserveGodspeoplethere.ColoradoismyhomeIgrewuphereIamgladtobehomeandthenewHeritageChristianCenterinAuroraisnowopen.MicheleandIinviteyoutocomebeapartofwhatweredoingforGodandHiskingdom.Makenewfriendsandrenewoldfriend-ships.ThankyouforwelcomingushomeImlovinmyHeritageDENNISLEONARDHERITAGECHRISTIANCENTERWhyheleftwhyhereturnedFromPage7InOctober2013Ihadrecoveredfrommy2ndopen-heartsurgeryandIsaidtoMicheleImhealedupImstrongIvegotmydrivebackIvegotmyvisionbackIvegotmydreambackandImgoinghome 8BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015LeameansbringerofGoodNewsandwhenLeaL.Porterwalksintoaroomtheroomwillinevitablylightup.Becauseashernamesuggestsshecomesbearinggoodnews.IfyouhaveeverhadthepleasureofmeetingLeaPorterthenyouknowthatsheleavesyouwithalastingimpressionthatissuretowarmyourheart.LeaisawomanofherwordandawomanofHiswordGodsword.Sheisstriv-ingdailytoaccomplishwhateverGodhassetoutforhertodosheisapproachingeachdaywithGraceandConfidenceconqueringeachtrialandgrowingandbeingshapedinGodsword.Leaisfamiliarwithpainandheart-achebutshewillnotallowlifescir-cumstancestolabelhernordefeatherbutshehastakenthepositionofvictory.Leaisanewlymarriedwomanwhoisexcitedtohaveahusbandwhoissupportiveandcheeringheronalongwiththeirtwoboysandtwogirls.OverthelastseveralyearsLeawasasinglemotherwhofoughtforthesafetyofherchildrensacrificedfortheireducationandworkedtire-lesslytoprovideforherchildren.Sheisnowontheothersideofthatlifebuthasnotforgottentheprocessthatshehadtoendure.Sheunderstandsthelifethatmanysinglemothershavetoliveinordertomakeadifferenceforherchildren.DuetoLeasexperiencesasasinglemotherawomanofdeterminationandabringerofgoodnewsshehasbeengivenagreatopportunitytorep-resenthercityandherstatethroughpageantry.LeaiscurrentlyreigningasMrs.Denver2015andwillbecompetinginthe2015Mrs.ColoradopageantinApril.Leahasherreasonsforcompetinginthe2015Mrs.Coloradopageantpleasereadbelow.Asacommunityletsallgetbehindherandhelppushhertothefinishlinewithourprayer-fulandfinancialsupport.WHYAREYOUPARTOFTHEPAGEANTWhenGodpresentedtheopportu-nitytorunfortheMrs.Colorado2015PageantIwasremindedbyHimthatImatter.Theidentityofbeingawifeandmotherisamajorblessing.Itcanalsobeallconsuming.ThereisonlyonelifetoliveanditsshortsoIhadtorememberthatImustcontinuetostretchandgrowmyselfbeyondanyplaceofcomplacency.Iamrun-ningforthetitlebecauseIamlivingbeyondmycomfortzonethewayGodintended.Tobeasourceofencour-agementandinspirationforsinglemothersisveryrewarding.WHOAREYOUWANTINGTOIMPACTThegreatestimpactIwanttomakeisonmychildrenandhusband.Itsimportantthatmychildrenexperi-encetheirmotherasawholeandtotalperson.Apersonthatstillhasgoalsdreamsandaspirations.MyhusbandsupportsmeinwaysIveneverknownbefore.MypageantjourneyisalsoavehicletosaythankyouandhonorhimfortakingmeashiswifewhichinturnallowedmetobeeligiblefortheMrs.ColoradoPageant.Mydutyistoleavealegacyformyfamily.IlovemycommunityandImustconstantlybeawarethereareyoungergenera-tionsofgirlsofcolorwhomayormaynothavepositiveexamplesintheirliveswatchingoureverymove.Theyneedablueprinttofollowfortheirowndestiny.HOWWILLYOURTITLEMAKEADIFFERENCEINCOLORADOWewillhavetowaitandseethelevelofdifferenceitwillmakewhenthatmomentcomesinAprilAlthoughthatisyettobeknownGodisallknowingIpraythiswillbringincreaseandelevationtomanywww.gofundme.comg9lnk8FacebookLeaL.PorterMrs.Denver2015COMMUNITYTheBringerofGoodNewsBySparkleJ.RobinsonLeaL.PorterAndMoseswasanhundredandtwentyyearsoldwhenhediedhiseyewasnotdimnorhisnaturalforceabated.Deuteronomy347Oneofthesadrealitiesweseeinournationtodayisthattoomanyofusarelivinglongerthanpeopledidagenerationagobutwemaynotbelivingbetter.Toomanyusmayliveintoour70s80sor90sbutwemaybeburdenedbyahostofhealthcondi-tionssuchasdementiaheartdiseaselungdiseasekidneydiseasearthri-tisstrokesanddiabetes.Frequentlyelderlypeoplehavetolivewithahostofpainfuldisablinganddistressingconditions.Wemaythinkthatsuchsufferingispartandparcelofaging.Howeveritdoesnotalwayshavetobethatway.Ifwecareforourbodiesasweshouldatarelativelyyoungeragewecanavoidsomeunnecessarypainandsuffering.WhatthetextquotedabovetellsusisthatMosesoneofthegreatestpatri-archsoftheageslivedtoaripeoldagebuthewasstillstrongandvigor-ousevenattheadvancedageof120Perhapsweallshouldstrivetobelikehim.DidMosesdiscoverafountainofyouthdidhejusthavegoodgenesorwashejustluckyActuallywecanfindsomecluestohislongevitybyjustlookingathislife.LookatthecausesofhislongevityasnotedbelowMosescommunedwithGodandwasamanofprayerOddlyenoughthismaybethekeysecrettohislongevity.FromthetimehespokewithGodattheburningbushExoduschapter3andmovingforwardMosesspokewithGodasitwerefacetoface.Heaskedforguid-anceanddirectionandwaswillingtodowhatGodaskedhimtodo.PerhapsmostimportantlyMosesprayedfortherebelliousstiff-neckedpeopleofIsrael.HeevenintercededforthemwhentheLordspokeaboutpunish-ingthemfortheirsins.ReadExoduschapter32.IntercessoryprayerandspeakingwithGodallowedMosestobealeaderforsomeevilpeople.JustimaginethestresshewentthroughandstresscanputyouinanearlygraveMoseswasabletocopewiththestresshewasunderbyprayingforthepeopleandthesituationstheyhadtoendure.Wetoocanpray.WemaynothearGodsvoicespeakingasdidMosesbutJesustoldustoprayforsituationsprayforpeopleforgivethosewhooffendusanddespitefullyuseusandGodwillhelpusandrelieveourstressLetHimchangethesituation.ReadMatthewchapter6.Complainandfusslessandpraymore.Insteadoflettingpeo-pleandsituationsgetyouallstressedout-pray.RememberTheeffectualferventprayerofarighteousmanavai-lethmuch.James516MosesateahealthydietMosesatemannaasnearaswecantellfromthescripturesExodus1635anditlookslikehepracticedtemperanceifheateotherthings.HedidnotlustafterthequailtheIsraeliteswantedorlongforthedelica-ciesofEgyptReadNumberschapter11.Nowweknowtodaythatourdiethasacriticalroletoplayinourstateofhealthandourlongevity.Ifweeatahealthydietwecanlivelongerandbetter.Someserioushealthproblemscanariseandbeaggravatedbywhatwechoosetoeatsuchasobesitydia-betesheartdiseaseandstroke.IcantestifythatIhaveseenfartoomanypeoplewhohavesufferedanddiedbecauseofwhatthychosetoeatevenwhentheyknewbetter.WeneedtoaskGodtohelpuscontrolourappe-titesandguideusinourfoodchoices.DontdigyourowngravewithaknifeandforkMoseswasphysicallyactiveHowelsecanyouexplainthefactofa120yearoldmanbeingabletoclimbMountNeboDeuteronomy341andearlierMountSinaiExodus1920InadditionwhoknowshowmanymilesMoseswalkedleadingthepeopleofIsraelfor40years.Ifevertherewasafountainofyouthitisexer-cise.Asedentarylifeismoreharmfulthanwecanevenimagine.Weshouldneverconsiderexerciseassomethingoptional.Itissomethingwemustdoifwewanttolivelongerandbetter.WedonotneedtoclimbmountainsasdidMosesJustwalkingdailywillhelpusimmensely.Exercisecanhelpustotrumpthingssuchasobesitydia-betesheartdiseaseandstroke.IfyouneedtopraytoGodtoleadyouintoamoreactivelifestyle.ThepatternofthinkingweneedtoacquireisthatGodwouldhaveuscareforthesebodiesHegaveusandcareforthemasiftheydidnotbelongtous.OurbodiesbelongtoGod.ICorinthians619and20.Ifwewouldbegoodstewardsofourbodieswecanavoidmuchpreventablediseaseandinfirmityevenasweage.MayGodempowerustochoosetolivelongerandbetter.LiveLikeMosesDr.ConnerByByronE.ConnerM.D.HEALTHThepatternofthinkingweneedtoacquireisthatGodwouldhaveuscareforthesebodiesHegaveus. 9JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWSThereforedonotworryabouttomor-rowfortomorrowwillworryaboutitsownthings.Sufficientforthedayisitsowntrouble.Matthew634Asweembarkuponanewyearweneedtoliveonedayatatime.Notborrowingtroublesfromthepastforwhatisdoneisdonenotprojectingtroublesforwardtothefuturefortomor-rowisnotpromisedbutdealingwiththecircumstanceoftoday.Pastandfuturethinkingcangivewaytodepression.Depressionisrootedinourhavingunrealisticexpectationsandmisplaceddependenciesthatislook-ingtootherstosolveourproblemsandbringushappiness.Theseunrealisticexpectationsandmisplaceddependen-ciesareprimarilyresponsibleforthedownwardspiralthatleadstodisap-pointmentangerself-pityandultimate-lydepression.Godsgraceissufficientforoureveryneedandisavailabletoeverybeliever.Howeveritisonlyavailablefortodaysneeds.YesterdayisoverandtomorrowifweareblessedtoseeititbringitsownsupplyofGodsgraceandstrengthLamentations322-23.Godhadapurposewhenhedividedourlifeintodaysandbroughtdownoneachdaythecurtainofnightthateachdaymighthaveitsownmeasureofjoytrialsandchallenges.Thatwemighthaveatimetoregroupregainourstrengthbothphysi-callyandmentallyandbeginagain.AshumanbeingsthepresentistheonlyrealityweexperienceandGodisalwaysfaithfultobeallthatweneedtoday.ThatiswhyJesusemphasizedlivinginthepresentinMatthew634.Theproblemsweimagineareawaitingustomorrowarenothingmorethanfan-tasytodaybecausewedonotknowwhattomorrowwillbring.Letusexplorethedangeroflivinglifeanywherebutinthepresent.TheDangerOfThinkingAboutThePast.Howyouthinkaboutthepastcanpreventyoufromenjoyingthepresent.Consumingthoughtsofwhatyouhavedonewrongwhatyoushouldhaveandcouldhavedonewhatyoumissedoutondonothingtoaidyouinthepresent.Constantlylivinginthepastdoesnothingbutgeneratedisappointmentandfosterseedsofangerandselfpitythatwillleadusinadownwardspiraltowardsdepres-sion.OneverycommonproblemthatthosewholookbackhaveisafailuretoacceptChristsforgivenessforyoursins.Wehavealldonesomethingswhichwewouldratherthatnooneknows.Howevercon-tinuallythinkingaboutwhoyouusedtobeandhowyouusedtoactcancauseyoutolosesightofGodsgracegiftofforgiveness2Peter159.Youhavefor-gottenwhatChristhasaccomplishedforyouandwhoyouhavebecomeinHim.AnotherhindrancetolivinginthepresentisrefusingtobelievethatGodisworkingallthingstogetherforgoodRomans828.Dwellinguponpastmis-takesandmisfortunesinsteadoftrustingGodtoworkthemtogetherforgoodwillkeepyoufromexperiencingHispeaceandjoytoday.Holdinggrudgesandnotforgivingoth-ersalsopreventsyoufromlivinginthepresent.Wecanbecomesopreoccupiedwithpastinsultsandinjuriesthatwecannotenjoythepresentmomentnomatterhowpleasantitmightbe.TheWordofGodsaystolayasideallgrudgeshardfeelingsandresentmentandforgiveothersasChristHimselfhasalreadyfor-givenyouEphesians431-32.Holdingontopastfailurekeepsyouchainedtothepast.ButGodisnotasconcernedwithhowmanymistakesyoumakeasmuchashowyourespondeitherinfaithorunbeliefwhenyoudomakemistakes.HeismoreinterestedinchangingyourcharacterthanyourcircumstancesandasyoulayyourpastatHisfeetyouwillexperienceHisgracetoday.TheDangerOfThinkingAboutTheFuture.Thinkingpat-ternsrelatedtothefuturealsopreventyoufromlivinginthepresent.ThefuturebelongstoGodalone.Nomanknowsbeyondtheshadowofadoubtwhatisgoingtohap-pentomorrow.WorryandanxietyaboutthefuturerevealsalackoftrustinGodslovekindnessandpowertocareforyou.GodisincompletecontrolofthisworldandwalkingbyfaithinHisunchanginglovewillprotectyouforanyfearofthefuture.Perhapsmuchfearofthefuturecomesofpastwrongdoing.Manyofusarefear-fulofthefuturebecausewehavedonewronginthepast.CarlMenengerthefamouspsychiatristsaysthatifhecouldconvincethepeopleinhispsychiatrichospitalsthattheirsinsareforgiven75ofthemcouldwalkoutthenextday.IfyouhavedonewrongconfessandaccepttheforgivenessofGodinChristJesus.IfyouhavebeenwrongedforgivejustasyouhavebeenforgivenbyGodinJesusChrist.NelsonMandelaoncesaidUnforgivenessislikedrinkingpoisonandthenhopingitwillkillyourenemies.Manyofusarefearfulofthefuturebecausewehavebeenhurtinthepast.Hangingonthehurtsfromthepastwillmakeusanxiousfearfulandtimidaboutthefuture.Dontcontinuetonursethepaindontcontinuetodwellonthehurt.AllowGodtohealyouofthat.Howeversomepeopledontwanttoletgosomepeoplewanttohangonthehurtbecauseitgivesthemreasontojustifythesadlifetheyareliving.Somepeopledontwanttobehealed.Theywanttocontinuallyrememberhurtsfromthepastandprojectthemintothefuture.Someofushavestinkinthinkin.Thinkingaboutwhatlifeoughttobelikeratherthandealingwithitasitisisasubtletrapthatbreedsunrealisticexpectationsthestartingpointofdepres-sion.Themoreyouindulgeinfantasizingandprojectingintothefuturethemoredifficultitbecomestofacethecommoneverydayrealitiesoflifebecausetheydonotmeasureuptoyourdreamworld.Fantasizinganddaydreamingaboutthefutureislikearockingchairitgivesyousomethingtodobutitwontgetyouanywhere.LivingInThePresent.Anxietyandtrustcannotpeacefullyoccupythesamemindatthesametime.HowthencanyoubegincontrollingthisimportantareaofyourthoughtlifeIn2Corinthians105Paulspeaksofthespiritualauthoritywhichhasbeengivenuntohimandtothoseoflikemind.ThismeansrejectingthoughtsthatarecontrarytotheWordofGodnomatterhowlogicaltheymayseemandembracingthetruthofGodintheirplace.RenewyourmindasyouchoosetoacceptwhattheScripturessayaboutanattitudeorsituationratherthanyourfeelings.Ouremotionsdontknowwhatisreal.Emotionsalwaysfollowthoughtstheyarerespondersnotinitiators.Emotionshavenointellectandthereforecannotdis-cernbetweenfactandfantasytruthandfalsehoodpastpresentorfuture.Theyonlyrespondpredictablytowhatyouarethinking.Ifyoufeelangryitisbecauseyouarethinkingangrythoughts.Ifyoufeelfearitisbecauseyouarethinkingfearfulthoughtssadfeelingsaretheresultofsadthoughtsetc.Emotionsdontknowwhatisreal.Theywillrespondpre-dictablytowhatyouarethinking.ThereforeallowyourmindtothinkongodlythingsPhilippians48.Inourrelationshipswithpeoplewemustrealisticallyrecognizethateveryonehasbothgoodandbadpoints.Ifyouchoosetolovesomeoneyoumustlovehimorherwithboththeirstrengthsandtheirweakness-es.TheWordofGodadmonishesyoutodisciplineyourmindtothinkonlyonthegoodthingsandprayfortheweaknessesandfaultsinpeople.Thiswillprotectyoufromcriticalandresentfulattitudeswhichareactuallymoreharmfultoyouthantoothers.FinallyifyouwanttoliveonedayatatimekeepyoureyesonJesusHebrews121-2.SatandoesnotcarewhatyoureyesareonaslongastheyareoffJesus.SetyourmindcontinuallyonthethingsabovewhereChristisColossians31-2.GeorgeMacDonaldinthebookBetterthanGoldsaysNomaneversankundertheburdenoftheday.Itiswhentomorrowsburdensareaddedtotheburdenoftodaythattheweightismorethanamancanbear.InordertoliveonedayatatimewemustclearlydowhatMatthewtellsusinourtextdonotworryabouttomorrowfortomorrowwillworryaboutitsownthings.Sufficientforthedayisitsowntrouble.Ifwearetoprogressinthislifewearenottodwellonourpastnorcontinuallyfantasizeaboutthefuturebutbealwaysdealingwiththematteroflifeimmedi-atelybeforeus.Wemustliveusingthelessonsofthepastasareferencetoaidourjourneyintothefuture.Moreoverifwekeepthosethingsinbalancethepastandthefuturewecancontinuetomoveforwardwithoutdoinganyoneorourselvesanyharm.Howevertodooneortheothertoomuchwillcauseustostopourforwardprogressorwewillinjurethosearoundusandourselves.HenryFordsaidFailureistheoppor-tunitytobeginagainmoreintelligently.IfyouhaveexperiencedfailurethisyearifyourprogresshasbeenslowedifyourfindyourselfinarutandstagnatedifyouhavebeenstymiedinyourattemptstolivethelifethatyouknowGodwantsyoutotodayisanopportunityforyoutobeginagainmoreintelligently.MoreintelligentlyinthespiritualsenseisfirstcomingtoknowJesusasyourLordandSaviorJesus.ThereisnosuccessapartfromarelationshipwithJesus.Secondmoreintelligentlyislearningtorecog-nizeandrejectthoseweightsandsinsthatarehinderingyoufromobtainingGodspromisesandblessingsonyourlife.Thirdmoreintelligentlyislearn-ingtoliveinpatientobediencetoGodsWordalwayslookinguntoJesuswhoisthebeginningandendofalifewelllived.WillyoudecidetodaytobeginmoreintelligentlyByRev.WilliamT.GolsonJr.Rev.WilliamT.GolsonJr.OneDayatATimeSERMON 10BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015 11JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWS 12BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015 13JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWS 14BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015 15JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWS 16BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015from9to10AMCURRENTAFFAIRSIvebeenveryprayerfulandwatchingverycarefullytheeventsinFergusonMOaswellassomeoftheeventsaroundourcountry.Iamawareatthetimeofthiswritingoftheclear-ingoftheofficersinvolvedintheEricGarnercasewhodiedwhilepolicewasarrestinghiminachokeholdinNewYorkandalsothetragicpassingawayof12-yearoldTamirRiceinClevelandOhioshotbypolicewhilepossessinganAirsofttoygun.Iamalsoawareofthesenselessshootingof22yearoldJohnCrawfordinBeaverCreekOhioinaDaytonareaWalmart.JohnwaskilledwhilecarryinganewBBgunforsaleinthestore.IwantedtocometoyouandjustsharewithyouwhatIveprayerfullycometosomeconclusionsaboutconcerningtheneedforpolic-ingreformandalsosensitivitytrain-ingwithlawenforcementaswellaseducatingthepublicinengaginglawenforcement.Irecentlysharedwithourcongregationatoneofourservicessomeofthesethoughtsmorespe-cificallythedealingwiththeFergusonMissourisituationwithMichaelBrown.IknowthattherearedifferentsidesofthisstoryandIknowthatpeoplehavestrongfeelingsonbothsidesofthisstoryormultiplesidesofthisstorybutIdliketokeepitfocusedonthefactsandIdliketokeepitfocusedonscrip-tureaswellaspolicingreformsthatareneededinAmerica.IhavebeeninmeetingswiththechiefofpolicetheDistrictAttorneyofAdamsCountyandArapahoeCountyandwiththecitymanager.Ivedonemyresearchbecauseoneoftherea-sonsweareinthispredicamentisbecausewehavebeenreactingratherthanresponding.Afterdoingmyresearchacoupleofthingscometomind.Thefirstthingisthattherearesomethingsthatwecanlearnfromthisparticularincident.HoweverIamoffendedthatpeoplehavesuggestedthatthisincidentisinanywayshapeorformconnectedtotheTrayvonMartintravesty.TrayvonMartinwasonhiswayhomeafterpayingmoneyforSkittlesandicedtea.Hisonlycrimewaswear-ingahoodieintherainwhilebeingblack.Iknowthatthereareatroci-tiesinournationandIknowthatlifeisntfairandyesIknowthereareover-zealouspolicemenwhoarebiasedagainstpeopleofcolor.Butifwearetofurtherouragendaagainstracialbiasoflawenforcementweneedtopickalegitimatecase.TheMichaelBrowncaseisnotalegitimatecase.Itisnotlegitimateforalotofreasons.Firstofallwhatgotusallupsetisthereportstatinghewasshotinthebackonhiskneeswithhishandsupandwassurrenderingwhenhewasexecuted.Whatforensicevidenceandwhattheeyewitnesseshavesaidunderoatharedifferentfromthatreport.Wehavenoevidencethathewasshotinthebackandwehavenoevidencethathishandswereup.WehavenoevidencethathesaidDontshoot.Witnesseswhoassertedthisaccountrecantedtheirtestimonywhenunderoath.OneofthethingsthatwecanlearnfromthisisYoungpeopleandoldpeo-plestopsmokingweedYourjudgmentisimpairedandyourdecisionmakingisunstablesoyoudothingsyoudontnormallydo.InGenesis128weseeGodhasgivenusdominionoveralltheearthandHetoldustosubdueit.WhyarewegoingtosurrenderourdominanceoveralltheearthWhyarewegoingtosurrenderourcontroltoplantlifeintheformofcannabisInthestateofColoradoabloodTHClevelof5nanogramsmlisconsideredundertheinfluence.Accordingtotoxi-cologyreportsMichaelBrownhad12nanogramsmlofDelta-9-THCinhisbloodstreammorethandoubletheundertheinfluenceamount.Idontcareifitislegal.JustbecauseitislegaldoesntmeanitsrightStoprobbingconveniencestoresPayforwhatyouwant.Ifyoucantafforditleaveitalone.Youseetheselessonshavebeenlostinalltherheto-ric.AccordingtoDorianJohnsonwhowaswithMichaelBrownintheconve-niencestoreitwasnottheirintenttorobthestore.DorianJohnsontesti-fiedthathehadplannedtopayforthecigarillosbutBrownreachedoverthecounterandgrabbedthem.StopgivingthepoliceanexcusetoshootyouThepolicealreadyhavetheupperhand.Theyhavedeadlyforce.Thestreetisnoplacetopleadyourcase.Getoutofthatsituationassafelyasyoucanandthenhandleyourbusi-nessincourtlikesomebodywithsomesense.Stoptearingupyourownneighbor-hoodsNowwhereareyougoingtoshopNowwhereareyougoingtogotothehairstoreYouknowweNEEDhairstores.NobodywillwanttobuildthereanymorebecausethefirstthingwewanttodoisusesomethinglikethisasanexcuseanddowhatwefeeloutofangerwhichisnotwhatGodtaughtustodo.ThatiswhytheHollyShoppingCenterandtheDahliaShoppingCenterhavenevercomeback.Storeownersrefusetobuildthereagainbecausetrustwaslostbetweenthegrocerystorethecommunity.InMatthew543thewordofGodsaysYouveheardthatithasbeensaidthatyoushouldloveyourneigh-borandhateyourenemybutIsayuntoyouloveyourene-miesblessthemthatcurseyoudogoodtothemthathateyouandprayforthemwhodespitefullyuseyouandpersecuteyou.IhaveevenheardpreacherssayprayerisgoodbutIdontseeaBUTinmyScriptureWearenotthefirstgenerationofAfricanAmericanstobeper-secuted.AreyoukiddingmeWevebeenthroughthisbefore.Dr.Kinghastaughtushowtogothroughthis.TheScripturecontinuesthatyoumaybethechildrenofyourfatherwhoisinheavenforhemakeshissuntoriseontheevilandthegoodandsendsrainonthejustandtheunjust.ForifyoulovethemwholoveyouwhatrewarddoyouhaveDonoteventhetaxcollectorsdothesameAndifyougreetyourbrotheronlywhatdoyoumorethanothersDonoteventaxcollectorsalsoBeyethereforeperfectevenasyourfatherinheavenisper-fectWevegottostophatingLoveisnotwhatyousayitiswhatyoudo.LoveisgodlyactionIfweareChristiansifGodhasgivenusHisheartandHisspiritthereisnojustificationfortorchingpolicepatrolvehicles.Notonlythatbutyoujustburnedupsomeofyourtaxdollars.Nexttimearoundyourlevyisgoingtogoupandyouaregoingtospendmoreonpropertytaxbecausethatsyourtaxdollarsyoujustburnedup.Insteadweneedtolearnhowtoloveandperhapsweneedtotakeales-sonfromthechildren.ChildrenataFergusonMissourirallywereholdingsignsthatreadYoumatterFreehugsandSmileyouarebeautiful.Somebodyraisedthesechildrenright.SomebodyhastoldthemthatGodneedstofightyourbattle.SomebodyhastaughtthemnottogoandburnStopHatingByDr.RobinD.HollandContinuedonBOCNEWS.com 17JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWSMenofIsraelhearthesewordsJesusofNazarethaManattestedbyGodtoyoubymiracleswondersandsignswhichGoddidthroughHiminyourmidstasyouandyourselvesalsoknowActs222BrothersandsistersthereisakindofpowerthatGodhasmadeavail-abletothechurchtoday.Unfortunatelynotmanyofusaremakinggoodusesofthispower.ThekeyapprovaloftheministriesofJesuswaswithsignsandwonders.WithoutsignsandwonderstheministryofJesuswouldnothavecommandedsuchattraction.Christianitywithoutsignsandwon-dersisafrustratingreligion.Christianitywithoutthemiraculousisafrustrat-ingandfrustratedreligion.NomatterhowreligiousandchurchyyouarethePharaohsofyourlifewillnotletyougowithoutfirstademonstrationofGodspower.Noamountofgram-mareducationorwealthcanintimidatethePharaohsoflife.ItisonlytheforceofpowerthatmakesPharaohsoflifereleaseyoufrombondageandslavery.Psalm663SaytoGodHowawe-someareyourworksThroughthegreat-nessofYourpowerYourenemiesshallsubmitthemselvestoYou.TheWordofGodsaysThroughthegreatnessofYourpowernotthroughthegreatnessofYourgrammarteach-ingssermonsexegeticalacumenorreligiousobligation.ItisthroughthegreatnessofYourpowerthatisGodspowerthatyouruleoveryourenemies.PaultheApostlerevealedtousthesecretbehindhisgloriousministry.In1Corinthians24-5Andmyspeechandmypreachingwerenotwithpersuasivewordsofhumanwisdombutindemon-strationoftheSpiritandofpowerthatyourfaithshouldnotbeinthewisdomofmenbutinthepowerofGod.Thereasonmanypeopleareolongergoingtochurchtodayisbecauseoflackofsignsandwondersinthechurch.Whennothingsupernaturalishappen-ingthenaturaltendenciestakeover.ChristianityisnotareligionitisthelifeofChristondisplaythroughmor-talman.AndyouknowthatthelifeofChristisalifeofsignsandwonders.ChristianityisalifeofChristinmanrobedinpowerandmanifestingthemany-sidedwisdomofGod.ThechurchofourLordJesusChristisachurchofpower.Itisarulingandreigningchurch.Isaiah22-3sayNowitshallcometopassinthelatterdaysthatthemountainoftheLordshouseshallbeestablishedonthetopofthemountains.Andshallbeexaltedabovethehills.Andallnationshallflowtoit.ManypeopleshallcomeandsayComeandletusgouptothemountainoftheLord.TothehouseoftheGodofJacobHewillteachusHiswaysAndweshallworkinHispaths.ForoutofZionshallgoforththelaw.AndtheWordoftheLordfromJerusalem.Asyoucanseefromthescripturethechurchisenteringintoanewdimen-sionofauthorityonceagain.HeavenisreleasingthechurchintothefullnessofherdestinyGodisraisingmenandwomenofsupernaturalauthorityinthechurch.Peoplewhowillcommandsignsandwonders.PeoplewhowillmakenationstostandatattentionMenandwomenofdominion.Howevernotmanychurchesareoper-atingatthisveryuniquesupernatu-ralwavelength.ButhereatKingdomConnectionChristianCenterwearemarchingforward.WeareenjoyingthepowerofGodandmiraclessignsandwondersaredailyoccurrenceinthisplace.GiveGodallthepraiseandgloryHosea46saysMypeoplearedestroyedforlackofknowledge.BecauseyouhaverejectedknowledgeIalsowillrejectyoufrombeingpriestforMe.BecauseyouhaveforgottenthelawofyourGodIalsowillforgetyourchildren.Lackofknowledgeistheprimaryreasonforlackofallthingsincludingsignsandwonders.Youwerecreatedforsignsandwonders.Isaiah818saysHereamIandthechildrenwhomtheLordhasgivenmeWeareforsignsandwondersinIsraelfromtheLordofhostswhodwellsinMountZion.EverychildofGodsupposedtobesignsproducers.IfyoudontoperatewithsignsyouwillsoonbefrustratedasaChristianandbecomebitterandoffended.Peoplewhodontwalkinsignsareeasilyoffend-edandarealwayscriticalofthosewhoarewalkinginsigns.Youarecreatedtowalkinsignsandwonders.Sodontletthedevilcheatyouandlureyououtofyourrightthroughvainintellectualism.SeekthepowerofGodSomepeopleknowmoreofHebrewandLatinthantheyexperiencedthepowerofGodintheirpersonallivesLetmeannouncetoyouthatitistheWordofGodthatmakesyouwalkinsignsandwonder.ThereisnowayyoucanwalkinthesupernaturalwithouttheknowledgeoftheWord.ThenameofJesusisverypowerfulanditsapotentforceforthereleaseofsupernatural.InMark1617JesussaidInMynametheyshallcastoutdevils.AspowerfulandpotentthenameofJesusisyettheWordofGodissuperiorinpowertothenameofJesus.Psalm1382saysForYouhavemag-nifiedYourWordaboveallYourname.ThereforetheWordofGodisGodsnumberoneinstrumentforproducingsignsandwonders.Exodus417saysAndyoushalltakethisrodinyourhandwithwhichyoushalldosigns.GodtoldMosestotaketherodinhishandandproducesigns.Inotherwordstherodhastheabilitytoproducesigns.LetusaskthequestionWhoorWhatisthisrodIsaiah111-2sayThereshallcomeforthaRodfromthestemofJesseAndaBranchshallgrowoutofhisroots.TheSpiritoftheLordshallrestuponHim.TheSpiritofWisdomandUnderstandingtheSpiritofCounselandmightTheSpiritofKnowledgeandofthefearoftheLord.SowerealizethatJesusistheRodHeistheRodoutofthestemofJesseAlsoinRevelation1913wediscov-eredthatJesusistheWordofGod.HewasclothedwitharobedippedinbloodandHisnameiscalledtheWordofGod.TherodisJesusandJesusistheWordofGod.SotherodofsignsistheWordofGodItiswiththeWordofGodthatyoudosigns.WiththeWordofGodyoucanneverlackmiracles.WhenyouactontheWordofGodyouwillriseaboveyourcircumstances.TheWordofGodhashealingpower.Psalm10720saysHesentHisWordandhealedthemanddeliveredthemfromtheirdestructions.ThatWordishereandHeshealingsomebodynowinthenameofJesusAllyouneedtodotoprovokesignsandwondersisfoundinJohn25WhatsoeverHesaystoyoudoitUntilyoudowhatitsaysmiraclesarenotpossible.Whetheryouareabusi-nessmanoryouareaprofessionalorapastororteacherifyouknowwhatGodsaysinHisWordandyoudoityouwillhaveaflourishinglife.GodsWordistherodthatcommandsthemiraculous.AnduntilyouareintouchwiththeWordyoucannotbeintouchwithsignsandwonders.HowdoyougetintouchwiththeWordThroughthestudyoftheWord.2Timothy215saysStudytoshowyourselfapproveduntoGodKJV.UntilyoustudytheWordofGodyouwillneverbeapprovedbyGod.AnduntilyoureapprovedbyGodyouwillonlyliveordinarylife.MemorizetheWord.Deuteronomy66AndtheWordswhichIcommandyoutodayshallbeinyourheart.AlsoDeuteronomy1118saysThereforeyoushalllayupthesewordofmineinAdventureintotheMiraculousByRev.Dr.AdeAjalaSERMONFormanythisisthetimeofyearwefocusonournewyearsreso-lution.Ourgoalsmayincludebeingmorephysicallyfitimprovingourfinancialconditionorlosingweight.ItsalsoatimeoftheyearwhentheChallengesofAgingcometotheforefrontaswemayseemoreolderadultslivingaloneandinpoverty.Youseemoreandmoreofourseniorsarelivinginpoverty.Manyofthemsimplydonthavethefinan-cialresourcestoliveouttheirgold-enyearswithoutfinancialinsecurityGoverningtheStateandLocalities2013.Theyliveonmodestretire-mentincomeswhichoftenarebarelyadequateandsometimesinadequatetocoverthecostsofbasicnecessities.InColoradoelevenpercentofourseniorsliveinpovertyaccordingtotheKaiserFamilyFoundation.Nearly1in7ColoradoseniorshavebeenunsureofwhenorwheretheywouldgettheirnextmealHungerFreeColorado2014.Compoundingtheproblemisthefactthatmanyseniorswhomayqual-ifyforassistancedontapply.TheyareeithertooproudtoaskordontknowwheretogethelpHuffingtonPost2013.SeniorpovertyismostacuteamongLatinoandAfrican-Americanseniors.In2009thepovertyratewastwenty-ninepercentforHispanicsandabouttwenty-fivepercentforBlackswhichismorethanthreetimeshigherthantherateforWhitesataroundeightpercentHuffingtonPost2013.Singlewomenarealsovulnerableoneinfivewomenover65livedinpovertyin2009accordingtotheHuffingtonPost.In2013thirty-twopercentofthetotalColoradoAfricanAmericanpopulationlivedinpovertySpotlightonPoverty2013.Theeffectsofpovertyonhealthcausehigherratesofchronicdis-easesandshorterlifeexpectancyAmericasHealthRankings2013.Povertydirectlyinfluencesanindivid-ualsabilitytomeettheirbasicneedsincludinglackofaccesstohealthcarelimitedavailabilityofhealthyfoodsandconstrainedchoicesforphysicalactivity.AccordingtotheAmericanMedicalAssociationbyage65two-thirdsofAmericanswillhaveatleastonechronicdiseaseandwillbeseeingsevendifferentdoctorsafifthofelderswillhavefiveormorechronicdiseasesandwillbetangledupwith14doctorsGoverningtheStateandLocalities2013.Thereforeinthetraditionoftak-ingcareofourelders.IaskedthatyouincludeinyourNewYearsResolutionstocommittoassisting2to3olderadultsinyourlifei.e.tak-ingthemtothedoctorshelpingoutaroundthehousecookinganicehotmealandetc.ThestaffatForestStreetwilldoourpartincombatingtheChallengesofAgingbypromisingtoworkwithfamiliesandindividualsinneedofrehabilitationandlong-termcarebyacceptingMedicaidpendingresidentsonacasebycasebasisprovidingassistancetoindividualsandcare-giversinnavigatingthehealthcaresystemtogainaccesstoavailableresourcestolivesafeandhealthylives.FormoreinformationonForestStreetCompassionateCareCenteraskillednursingfacilitylocatedinthecom-munityofNortheastParkHillorourCommunityOutreachLiaisonProgram.Pleasevisitforestst.orgcall303393.7600orstopbyandvisitusat3345ForestStreetDenver80207.ByMayaWheelerHelpASeniorin2015MayaWheelerRev.Dr.AdeAjalaistheSeniorPastorofKingdomConnectionChristianCenterlocatedat10680DelmarParkwayAuroraCO80010.HeisaprolificteacheroftheWordofGod.HehastraveledtooversixtycountriesinallthecontinentsoftheworlddeclaringthegospeloftheLordJesus.Dr.AjalasKingdomPowerConferencehasbeenusedbytheLordtosetmanypeoplefreefromsicknessesandoppressionofthedevilallaroundtheworld.Dr.AdeAjalaisavailableforspeakingengagementonalimitedbasisandcanbecon-tactedbycalling720-859-1737orthroughemail.infokccconline.orgContinuedonPage20 18BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015 19JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWS 20BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015Caldwell-KirkChristmasFoodBasketsElvinCaldwellandstaffpresentaturkeyandfoodbaskettooneof50familiesreceivingthemtheSaturdaybeforeChristmasthisyear.Thefoodbasketsgivencontinueacommunityservicestartedabout35yearsagobythemortuary.AtfirstIwaspessimis-ticabouttheNewYearwonteatthiswonteatthatgoalsthataremadeandquicklythrowntothecurb.Thisyear-lyhabitcanbedeflatingfortheego.Goalssuchasgotothegymdecreasesugarintakeeatmorevegetablesandsoforthbecomeheavyontheshouldersthatcarrythem.ThefeelingoffailureisntsomethingIwantedtotryagain.AsIwalkedinalocalparkonChristmasnightIrealizedhowsatisfyinganewgoalisforafreshstartasweringin2015.Wecanmanagethegoalsbycreatingsimpleprecisegoals.SMARTgoalsareeasiesttofollowspecif-icmeasurableattainablereal-isticandtimely.Hereisanexam-pleIwillgofora10minutewalkafterdinnereveryFridayandSaturdaynightforonemonth.TheSMARTgoaldetailseachpartoftheSMARTgoaldescription.TogivethegoalmorepowerprovideananswertoWHYthegoalismade.WhywalkafterdinneratleasttwotimesaweekHereareprobableanswerstothewhy-tohelpmedigestmyfooddecreasebloodsugarbeforebedsleepbetteratnightdecompressafteralongweekorbreatheinfreshwinterair.StatisticBrainstatesPeoplewhoexplicitlymakeresolutionsare10timesmorelikelytoattaintheirgoalsthanpeoplewhodontexplicitlymakeresolu-tions.Thetoprankedgoalfor2014wastoloseweight.Ofthosepeoplethatmadethegoaltoloseweight8achievedthegoal.Keepingthegoalfrontandcenterofyourlifeisimportant.Forexampletrychangingapasswordtoreflectyourgoal.IntheSMARTgoalofwalkingwecanmakeapasswordofWalkItOff2015Thisingrainsthegoalverytimethepasswordisentered.Soonahabitloopcanbecreatedwiththegoalyouhavechosenforyourself.Ahabitloopisthecuehabitandreward.IhaveagainusedtheSMARTgoalIwillgofora10min-utewalkafterdinnereveryFridayandSaturdaynightforonemonth.Thebrainmakesahabitthatisauto-maticallycuedbyeatingdinnerontheweekends.Therewardiswhatkeepsthehabitingrained.Inclosingspecificgoalscanstatisticallyworkinyourfavorofreachingthelightattheendofthetun-nel.Whenfocusedthebrainwillstarttoauto-maticallyworktocatcharewardforthebody.Wecanmakesmallsignificantchangesinourlivesbutittakesacommunitytocre-atelastingpositivechangeThankyouforreading.ByKaileBoumaNewYearsResolutionsHEALTHyourheartPsalm3730-31sayThemouthoftherighteousspeakswisdomandhistonguetalksofjustice.ThelawofhisGodisinhisheart.Noneofhisstepsshallslide.MeditateoftheWord.Joshua18sayThisBookoftheLawshallnotdepartfromyourmouthbutyoushallmeditateinitdayandnightthatyoumayobservetodoaccordingtoallthatiswritteninit.Forthenyouwillmakeyourwayprosperousandthenyouwillhavegoodsuccess.Tomeditatemeanstoconsiderdeeplytoreflectupontorevolveinthemind.Itislikechewingthecord.Itisbreakingitdownintoassimili-ableformssothatyourspiritandyoursoulgetthebestoutofit.Meditationbringsrevelationandrevelationbringsunderstandingandunderstandingbringsfaithandfaithbringsmanifestation.Jeremiah1516saysYourwordswerefoundandIatethemAndYourwordwastomethejoyandrejoicingofmyheartForIamcalledbyYournameOLordGodofhosts.ConfesstheWord.Joshua18saysThisBookoftheLawshallnotdepartfromyourmouthThewrit-tenWordofGodbecomesthelivingWordofGodwhenyouconfessit.ConfessioninjectslifeintothewrittenWordtomakeitalivingWord.2Corinthians413sayAndsincewehavethesamespiritoffaithaccordingtowhatiswrittenIbelievedandthereforeIspokewealsobelieveandthereforespeak.ConfessingtheWordofGoddoesseveralthingsWhenyoudeclareorspeaktheWordsofGodoutofyourmouthyoureplantingaseedthatwillbirthfaithinyourlife.Youseewhatyoubelieveyouwillspeak.IfyoubelievetheWordofGodyouwillspeakit.AlsoifyouspeakaWordoftenyouwilleventuallybelieveit.Andifyoubelieveityouwillbeboldtospeakit.ItisGodscycleforproducingfaithaswellasplantingseedforharvest.ActontheWord.James122-25sayButbedoersofthewordandnothearersonlydeceivingyourselves.23Forifanyoneisahearerofthewordandnotadoerheislikeamanobservinghisnaturalfaceinamirror24forheobserveshimselfgoesawayandimmediatelyforgetswhatkindofmanhewas.25Buthewholooksintotheperfectlawoflibertyandcontin-uesinitandisnotaforgetfulhearerbutadoeroftheworkthisonewillbeblessedinwhathedoes.UntilyouactontheWordofGodyouwillnotproducesignsandwonders.Starttodaystartnowandseeyourlifetakesoffwithsignsthisyear.HAPPYNEWYEARADE...frompage17Godissogooddontlookbackover2014butkeepyourEyefixedonGod.Gointo2015expectingGodtocontinuetoDogreatthingsbecauseHEisanawesomeGod.Giveanditshallbegivenuntoyougoodmeasurepresseddownandshakentogetherandrun-ningovershallmengiveintoyourbosom.ForwiththesamemeasurethatyemetewithalitshallbemeasuredtoyouagainLuke638P.M.WynnGroveKaileBoumaisalocaldietitian.FindmoremoretipsatDenverDietitian.com 21JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWS 22BODYOFCHRISTNEWSJANUARY2015 23JANUARY2015BODYOFCHRISTNEWSBELIEVEINGOOD.MasterofDivinityDegreeandgraduateprogramsthatimmediatelyhelpyouinyourworkforgoodOnlineOn-campusHybrid