Proof of Life

Proverbs 18:16

 

 

16A man's gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men.

 

 

For most people, it's not every day they get to watch a friend's dreams come true. For me, it is a pleasure to see because God has allowed my dreams to come true. One such friend in college, Karen, always wanted to be in media, specifically broadcasting. Year after year, she kept pushing toward it. Even when it meant relocating to get to that dream. A couple of years ago I had the TV on though in another room. I heard her voice on the TV. I turned and sure enough it was her. She had relocated from another area.  She made her way into TV broadcasting in Baltimore. Back in January of this year, I was sharing with a mutual friend what station she was on now. And we spoke of wanting to get together. Well, I heard from Karen the very next day as she was working on a story line. It was a blessing I didn't know was coming. God allowed me to have favor with her because of a gifting. A gifting that fit into the story line. Why is this important? Well that story line led to a woman named Patricia West from an organization called S.I.S.T.E.R.S Involving Sisters seeing me. God told her to honor me. So two weeks ago in front of nearly 200 men and women I spoke about my friend Karen in my speech and how her reporting led to me being on that stage receiving an award.  And I spoke of my gratefulness to Patricia for heeding the voice of the Lord.

 

So imagine my heart when I got word of a bomb threat. I was on a call for White House Prayer for Our Nation's upcoming event. A leader asked me what was happening in Baltimore. I'm thinking he's speaking of the night before. When he said no, there's a bomb threat at a TV station. My entire countenance changed. He couldn't understand why I was frantically asking what station. I hung up immediately when I found out  so I could inquire of the whereabouts of my friend. When I didn't hear anything I called back and said, please pray. I checked social media. But more importantly, Karen was still operating as the reporter she is. Even in the face of what everyone thought was danger, she was still operating in her gift. Keeping her followers updated on the news.  I was never more grateful. For me, it was proof of life and that she was okay. So it is with this gratefulness that I say to you today, operate in your gift and purpose before you chase anything else. Your gift and purpose will always bless others because it was never just meant for you. It will place you before great men and women. And as long as you're operating in it, it may be the proof of life those who care for you need to see.

Special Announcement

Good Afternoon,

 

I hope this message finds you well and having a terrific Thursday. I will be on a discussion panel this Sunday, April 17th after the screening of producer Terrance Tykeem's film Touched. If you are a parent, grandparent, mentor or survivor of child sexual abuse, I highly encourage you to attend. The screening is in Hyattsville, MD at Busboys and Poets. Terrance Tykeem and I will both be receiving the Unsung Heroes Award this weekend in Baltimore from Sisters Involving Sisters Inc. for our work in the community to bring awareness to child sexual abuse. This month is National Child Abuse Awareness Month. Are you aware? Do you know the signs? Please respond to me via this message if you would like to attend. The film will air on Network TV later this year.

 

My motto is a, "extra caution beats watching a child go through a lifetime of redeeming self-esteem, shedding shame and seeking healing." 

 

 

 

 

Happy Anniversary

Good Morning,

 

It is with a grateful heart that I share with you that today is Get Your JOY In The Morning's seventh anniversary. It is only by God's grace and mercy. Get Your JOY In The Morning has evolved over the years and continues to do so. It started as a devotional, then a book, then a company. And now the writing is evolving too. I am producing/directing our first documentary film under Divine Voice Entertainment on a living legend, Sylvia Traymore Morrison with special appearances by several veterans of comedy. Laughter is very therapeutic for the soul. There will be more film projects to come. I am also working on a stage play. While in a place of despair I wrote a poem which God said would be a stage play to help address family relationships. The word says that God is not a man that He should lie so indeed the stage play is coming along. God is continuing to work. I want to say thank you and bless you to those who have been supportive over the years. I pray that you will continue to support as Get Your JOY In The Morning goes forward.

 

Service with Love,

 

-Joy

Without Today

John 12:24-25

 

24Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. 25He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.

 

 

Eight years ago today, my life changed. If it had not been for the call I received from the doctors saying I would be dead in a matter of hours, do you know Get Your JOY In The Morning would not exist? That includes the devotional ministry, the books, the authors I've been blessed to mentor, fighting/educating to stop child sexual abuse, the role with Divine Voice Magazine/Divine Voice Publishing, the documentary film I am directing/producing. This does not include the lives Jesus allowed me to touch, including yours. I bless God for the time I nearly died. Without it, I would not have lived. God brought me to the point of death, so that His purpose in me could arise.  As Pastor Anderson said, "I met my fish," referring to his preaching on Jonah. The seven year anniversary of Get Your JOY In The Morning the devotional ministry is coming up at the end of this month.  Without today, Get Your JOY In The Morning would not have been birthed that next year. The full story is in the introduction of my book, Get Your JOY In The Morning. Get Your (J)esus (O)n (Y)ou!

 

 

 

There Are Many Facets...

Matthew 26:35

 

35"Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.

 

God had been showing me this for a few days. Jesus had shared a very hard fact with the disciples which they were not ready to hear. He told them they would be made to stumble because of Him. However, Jesus gave them GOOD News. He told them, "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee." Jesus already told them He would forgive them for the betrayal. And each of them insisted they wouldn't do what Jesus said they would. How can you tell the Savior who knows all things what you will and won't do? He knows you better than you know you. How many people have told you upfront that you would betray them and in so many words that they would forgive you? Hard pill to swallow right? Well what exactly does it mean to betray someone? Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines betray as: 1) to lead astray: esp. seduce;  2) to deliver to an enemy;  3) abandon; 4) to prove unfaithful to; 5) to reveal unintentionally; also: show, indicate.

 

There are many facets of betrayal. How many have betrayed you based on the definition? How many have you betrayed? While you cannot speak for the actions done to you, you can speak to what you have done. Did you betray because you knew you would be forgiven? Or did you betray not thinking about it? Does already knowing you will be forgiven make it right? No. But we do it everyday with Jesus. How many others do we do this to? Our relationship with Christ is also reflective of our relationship with others.

 

Jesus knows you better than you know you. Are you thanking Jesus for the grace you receive? You know Jesus loves you. What about those who you betray? Are you thanking Jesus for the grace He provides in their hearts to forgive you too? Not because they stand to gain but because they love you.

 

Photos below of the thirty pieces of silver used to deliver Jesus to an enemy. And Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane with the disciples asleep in the background from my trip to TBN's Holy Land Experience

 

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Here's the Final Link w/Video of the Story from WUSA*9

Good Afternoon,

 

Here is the final link with video on the story from WUSA*9. Parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, mentors, teachers, babysitters, I URGE you to watch this video for the safety of the children you've been entrusted with. And for survivors, please know there is hope and life after abuse. You can still get help.

 

 

http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/survivors-of-childhood-sexual-abuse/61962692

If You Missed Last Night's Broadcast on WUSA*9

Good Afternoon Everyone,

 

I hope you are having a productive day. If you missed last night's segment on WUSA*9 or are out of the viewing area, please see the link below for the story on  the WUSA*9 website. Please feel free to share with family and friends. It's an important subject that will not go away. It's a necessary conversation to help save the life of a child whom you impact.  http://www.wusa9.com/news/local/survivors-of-childhood-sexual-abuse/61962692

 

 

Blessings to you,

 

-Joy