The word order has two basic meanings, which are very different. One defintion is to arrange or regulate, in other words, we place things in order. We’ve been talking about that this week – placing our lives and affairs in regulation order. The second defintion for the word is to command. We find this meaning in the words of Jesus, when He issues the order to “Go ye…” in Matthew 28. This was not a suggestion; not just some good idea to fulfill if you have the time. This is a mandate for all believers to “go into all the world preaching the gospel.” read more...

I remember hearing Bishop Tudor Bismarck one year issuing a challenge to t e audience to go home from the morning service and come back that evening with a five year plan for our lives. That was too much for me I couldn’t do it. I was in transition in terms of a job and I didn’t have a clue what the next step was going to be. That assignment challenged me greatly because this wasn’t a university seminar assignment, this was given by a man of God who I knew flowed strongly in the prophetic. read more...

I try not to use this forum as a place to offend people – (if I ever do, I promise you it is not my intent). The reason we chose the name, HeartLife is because after living among and ministering to people in the body of Christ for over forty years now – I came to the realization that you can make a confession of faith in Jesus, you can begin to live the “do’s” and shun the “do-nots” and still not live the abundant life that is promised us by our Lord. Also, you can attend church faithfully, pay tithes, and even work in the church, and still not embrace the benefit package that is found in Psalm 103. read more...

We just celebrated Mother’s Day this past week-end and when I reflect back on being a mother,I have to say, there were many years I would not have qualified for Mother of the Year -I was a much less than perfect Mother. But one thing I realized when everything got crazy and it seemed like all hope was lost, it was time to GET ORDER! Everything, and everybody that ate the table was going to have to come in line with ORDER!  There’s a song, as the kids say, back in the  day called “Order My Stepss”.I don’t know who the writer was, but it is sung  by The Mississippi Mass Chori and it always caught my full attention: read more...

I was looking at something my son posted on FaceBook the other day and I made note of it – the words rang true to me and I feel they are worth passing on. Unfortunately I do not know who to give credit to by name, but I certainly herald them for their wisdom: read more...

Sunday is traditionally the day we celebrate Mother’s Day in this country.  Every Mother has a story, that is filled with storms, that come in to  all of our lives, and to be honest, I’ve had my share.  However, just as there are storms, every Mother also has blue skies, bright sunshine, and beautiful flowers – and I can attest to having more than my share of these. Not only has God blessed me with a wonderful family – four fine sons, four beautiful daughters – but I have four more fine sons and three more beautiful daughters through marriage! So far they have brought forth seventeen grandchildren – who are all healthy and blessed by the grace of God. My cup runneth over… read more...

Last night I looked at the TBN viewing of “The Cross and the Switchblade” in honor of the life of Rev. David Wilkerson who recently lost his life in an automobile crash. What memories it brought back for me. This book was the first Christian book I read after becoming a believer!  The fruit of a life that responded to faith in God got my full attention then and it still does today over forty years later! Rev. David Wilkerson went to New York armed with nothing more than faith in God – and his life is a legacy and tribute to what faith in God and a surrendered heart will do! read more...

Every now and then I listen to some of my favorite musical artists no matter how old the CD is. One of my favorite groups in the whole world is The Brooklyn Tabernacle.  Their songs have spoke to me for years and ministered words of life to my soul. Having heard Pastor Jim Cymbala and reading his books and that of his wife Carol, I feel that I know them and what their church stands for. Having seen their worship videos and seeing them “live” when they came to Chicago, their testimonies reminded me of people that I know here in Chicago – after all we are family! read more...

There are a couple of quotes that are often used to motivate people, one being: “Reach for the stars for even if you miss you’ll land on the moon” – and another one like it, “Reach for the moon for even if you miss you’ll land among the stars”. I’m not sure which is farther, the moon or the stars, but either message is good. It is a good thing for our reach to exceed our grasp. Yet  when we look into the scripture we find that God knows even more about our ability to reach: read more...