Author: LovingGodWithExcellence

I am a minister, speaker, and creative individual passionate about learning, experiencing and expressing God at the highest levels, and sharing the love of God with others. My devotion is expressed through my faith, family and communities of love throughout the globe. I enjoy the opportunity to explore the intersection of innovation, creativity, faith and personal transformation. I have authored two books, and working on several others including a new book on grace.
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Side with God’s Afflicted People.

Even thou wast as one of them.”—Obadiah 1:11.

ROTHERLY kindness was due from Edom to Israel in the time of need, but instead thereof, the men of Esau made common cause with Israel’s foes. Special stress in the sentence before us is laid upon the word thou; as when Caesar cried to Brutus, “and thou Brutus”; a bad action may be all the worse, because of the person who has committed it. When we sin, who are the chosen favorites of heaven, we sin with an emphasis; ours is a crying offence, because we are so peculiarly indulged. If an angel should lay his hand upon us when we are doing evil, he need not use any other rebuke than the question, “What thou? What dost thou here?” Much forgiven, much delivered, much instructed, much enriched, much blessed, shall we dare to put forth our hand unto evil? God forbid!

A few minutes of confession may be beneficial to thee, gentle reader, this morning. Hast thou never been as the wicked? At an evening party certain men laughed at uncleanness, and the joke was not altogether offensive to thine ear, even thou wast as one of them. When hard things were spoken concerning the ways of God, thou wast bashfully silent; and so, to on-lookers, thou wast as one of them. When worldlings were bartering in the market, and driving hard bargains, wast thou not as one of them? When they were pursuing vanity with a hunter’s foot, wert thou not as greedy for gain as they were? Could any difference be discerned between thee and them? Is there any difference?

Here we come to close quarters. Be honest with thine own soul, and make sure that thou art a new creature in Christ Jesus; but when this is sure, walk jealously, lest any should again be able to say, “Even thou wast as one of them.” Thou wouldst not desire to share their eternal doom, why then be like them here? Come not thou into their secret, lest thou come into their ruin. Side with the afflicted people of God, and not with the world.

C. H. Spurgeon

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Faithfulness and Strength- A Winning Combination

I will bow down toward your holy temple and will praise your name for your unfailing love and your faithfulness,

for you have so exalted your solemn decree that it surpasses your fame. Psalm 138:2 NIV

prayer-on-my-knees4

                                                                       “Tell me I pray thee wherein thy great strength lieth.”—Judges 16:6.

HERE lies the secret strength of faith? It lies in the food it feeds on; for faith studies what the promise is—an emanation of divine grace, an overflowing of the great heart of God; and faith says, “My God could not have given this promise, except from love and grace; therefore it is quite certain His Word will be fulfilled.” Then faith thinketh, “Who gave this promise?” It considereth not so much its greatness, as, “Who is the author of it?” She remembers that it is God who cannot lie—God omnipotent, God immutable; and therefore concludeth that the promise must be fulfilled; and forward she advances in this firm conviction.

She remembereth, why the promise was given,—namely, for God’s glory, and she feels perfectly sure that God’s glory is safe, that He will never stain His own escutcheon (shield), nor mar the luster of His own crown; and therefore the promise must and will stand. Then faith also considereth the amazing work of Christ as being a clear proof of the Father’s intention to fulfill His word. “He that spared not His own Son, but freely delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?”

Moreover faith looks back upon the past, for her battles have strengthened her, and her victories have given her courage. She remembers that God never has failed her; nay, that He never did once fail any of His children. She recollecteth times of great peril, when deliverance came; hours of awful need, when as her day her strength was found, and she cries, “No, I never will be led to think that He can change and leave His servant now. Hitherto the Lord hath helped me, and He will help me still.” Thus faith views each promise in its connection with the promise-giver, and, because she does so, can with assurance say, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life!” C.H. Spurgeon

God’s Faithfulness and Strength, truly a winning combination.  Rejoice in this knowledge.

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Introducing Jesus. Yeah!

Introducing Jesus. Yeah!

In the Fantastic Four storyline, the character called The Human Torch has the ability to burn like fire, emitting heat and light. When he is ready to use his superhuman ability, he says in a loud voice “Flame On.”

Well, our Savior is the Light, the true light of the world. His Light banishes the darkness. It simply has to flee, because the Savior’s light glows with a brilliance; a power that conquer death, disease, pain, fear, and suffering. It counteracts the ravages of sin. And get this, His light, which he gives us, provides you and I the opportunity to be Light carriers, just like him.

But only if we say yes to him, then we get to “Flame On” and show our light (this amazing gift) to the world, which desperately need to see the Savior’s light.  [And we need to shine our lights today.  There is a war going on within the hearts and souls of man.  The darkness is trying to take us out.  That’s why we need to show the light of Christ.  The world needs to know Jesus is who is said he is. The world needs to know Christ loves them, and that eternal and abundant life awaits them, if they allow him to “Flame On“. ]

Yes, Christ is the Light of the World.    Introducing Jesus. Yeah! Jesus

Adapted from June 18, 2015 post on the A More Excellent Way Ministries Worldwide, Inc. Facebook page. Introducing Jesus Yeah! Series created by Michael A. White.  Editorial content provided by Denise L. White

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Covenant Transporters

I was just about to enter the expressway off I-64 between Barboursville and Milton West Virginia, when I spotted a semi from the “Covenant Transport” Company.  Now, I’ve seen these trucks before, but today the words “Covenant, and Transport” hit me.  A covenant is an agreement, or a guarantee between two parties, which specifies, if certain conditions are met those involved will receive whatever is defined in the agreement. In some cases, this is monetary. As I drove behind the semi, there was an ad which read “Drivers Needed.”

Covenant, Transport and Drivers Needed.   You and I are transporters of the covenant God made with mankind through our Savior.  Jesus said if we abide in Him, as He abides in the Father, we would be recipients of the covenant.   The Holy Spirit’s residency in the believer’s life is a prime example of what our blessed Savior placed in the covenant.  As a result, there is an opportunity for us to experience abundant life.  And not just abundance, but also anointing power to restore, rebuild, and realign lives.  As long as we are here, it is our sacred assignment to transport (a condition of the covenant), the precious cargo of the Holy Spirit to nourish, educate, guide, motivate, and care for those hurting and loss among us.

I noted the “Drivers Needed” ad on the back of the semi as a call to action.  More of us are needed to become transporters.   So every day, seek to transport behind enemy lines, courage, peace (Shalom), justice, mercy, grace, righteousness, forgiveness and love.   We, all need someone from time to time to lift us up out of despair and confusion; to stand in the gap until our hearts can transport the covenant ourselves.

Ready to sign up?  Applications are available for Covenant Transporters.

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Covenant Transporters- A epilogue

As I composed the post “Covenant Transporters“, I heard “someone needs this; someone needs this, someone needs this.” I did not expect that minutes later (literally after posting the blog), a conversation with a family member facing a serious challenge would center on being a Covenant Transporter.
After reading the post to them, there came a soft sigh, and then the words, “Oh. my God. I’ve got chills.”   I replied, “I knew there had to be a reason why those particular words (Covenant, Transporter, Drivers Needed) resonated so deeply.”  It was no accident I saw that semi.  No coincidence, I was urged to write this post.

The Holy Spirit is always at work preparing us to transport.  As Covenant Transporters, it is our job to respond, because you just never know who the recipient will be, or how soon the message needs to be delivered.

It was a beautiful, sunny day. The blue skies had just enough clouds to make it picture perfect.  Amid this, a message of hope and comfort was prepared and transported by an unknowing Covenant Transporter.

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A Loving Savior

Awaken by the Holy Spirit to share these meditations by C. H. Spurgeon with you.  I am on a course to move forward with more decisiveness and purpose when compelled by His Spirit. I am honored to be a very, very humble servant.  So in recognition of my position as a child of God, and understanding the need to be responsive and obedient I present their beautiful message (written in Old English).  I suspect someone, within this small circle of faith needs them as much as I did.  As you read them, and may His loving Spirit guide you today in all truth, justice, power and love.  Blessings.

He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom.”—Isaiah 40:11.

HO is He of whom such gracious words are spoken? He is THE GOOD SHEPHERD. Why doth He carry the lambs in His bosom? Because He hath a tender heart, and any weakness at once melts His heart. The sighs, the ignorance, the feebleness of the little ones of His flock draw forth His compassion. It is His office, as a faithful High Priest, to consider the weak. Besides, He purchased them with blood, they are His property: He must and will care for that which cost Him so dear. Then He is responsible for each lamb, bound by covenant engagements not to lose one. Moreover, they are all a part of His glory and reward.
But how may we understand the expression, “He will carry them”? Sometimes He carries them by not permitting them to endure much trial. Providence deals tenderly with them. Often they are “carried” by being filled with an unusual degree of love, so that they bear up and stand fast. Though their knowledge may not be deep, they have great sweetness in what they do know. Frequently He “carries” them by giving them a very simple faith, which takes the promise just as it stands, and believingly runs with every trouble straight to Jesus. The simplicity of their faith gives them an unusual degree of confidence, which carries them above the world.
“He carries the lambs in His bosom.” Here is boundless affection. Would He put them in His bosom if He did not love them much? Here is tender nearness: so near are they, that they could not possibly be nearer. Here is hallowed familiarity: there are precious love-passages between Christ and His weak ones. Here is perfect safety: in His bosom who can hurt them? They must hurt the Shepherd first. Here is perfect rest and sweetest comfort. Surely we are not sufficiently sensible of the infinite tenderness of Jesus!

“Joint heirs with Christ.”—Romans 8:17.

HE boundless realms of His Father’s universe are Christ’s by prescriptive right. As “heir of all things,” He is the sole proprietor of the vast creation of God, and He has admitted us to claim the whole as ours, by virtue of that deed of joint-heir-ship which the Lord hath ratified with His chosen people. The golden streets of paradise, the pearly gates, the river of life, the transcendent bliss, and the unutterable glory, are, by our blessed Lord, made over to us for our everlasting possession. All that He has He shares with His people. The crown royal He has placed upon the head of His Church, appointing her a kingdom, and calling her sons a royal priesthood, a generation of priests and kings. He uncrowned Himself that we might have a coronation of glory; He would not sit upon His own throne until He had procured a place upon it for all who overcome by His blood. Crown the head and the whole body shares the honour. Behold here the reward of every Christian conqueror! Christ’s throne, crown, sceptre, palace, treasure, robes, heritage, are yours. Far superior to the jealousy, selfishness, and greed, which admit of no participation of their advantages, Christ deems His happiness completed by His people sharing it. “The glory which thou gavest me have I given them.” “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” The smiles of His Father are all the sweeter to Him, because His people share them. The honours of His kingdom are more pleasing, because His people appear with Him in glory. More valuable to Him are His conquests, since they have taught His people to overcome. He delights in His throne, because on it there is a place for them. He rejoices in His royal robes, since over them His skirts are spread. He delights the more in His joy, because He calls them to enter into it.

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Verse of the Day

Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:

1 Peter 1:18-19 KJV

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Ebb and Flow

The passage from winter to the approaching spring over recent years has always been a bit of challenge for me.  My internal soul clock counted the days until March 17th with some trepidation.  After all the hustle and bustle of Christmas, New Years and the onslaught of so many birthdays (mine as well), I had to face the harsh reality of the loss of a son.  Winter’s cold blast seemed to reflect, with pin point accuracy how this day typically impacts me.  It’s like a proverbial ton of bricks coming down with enough power to wipe out an army.  Orange sadness would creep in and I would walk once again into the valley of the shadows of death.  That’s how it was!

This year, I made a firm commitment that it would be different.  This year, with the inevitable ebb and flow of the holidays and birthdays, along with our blistering weather seem to mimic the shock and despair many feel when facing a loss,  I resolved not to experience this day with sadness.  Instead I would reclaimed it, and replace the sorrow and loss with something other than orange sadness and gray skies.  Oh, I acknowledged missing our beloved Shawn. However, those priceless memories of laughter, and love which his life represented, not only for me, but also for countless family and friends would be colored differently.  As I posted our son’s photo on Facebook, and tried diligently to thank each and every person who commented, I marveled at the amazing responses. Their thoughts, remembrances, and prayers, both past and present seemed in step with mine own.  A new, transforming ebb and flow emerged, and continued well into the evening.

Yesterday, I awoke with profound gratitude, and a song in my heart for our son and for his legacy.  Sunlight broke across the gray horizon, as I tenderly shared with a small group, what this today had become.  I had colored the day with the bright SON-LIGHT of God’s love and grace, instead of green.  This one particular ebb and flow is now filled with something more, LOVE.

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A Mother’s Tears

I tried not to write this post, but God kept prodding me to get it down.  Why this was such a challenge will become apparent.

Saturday, we attended the funeral of our pastor’s niece who died suddenly last Monday.   It’s hard enough to witness the salty sorrowful tears of hearts broken by pain and lost. But even more, when those tears flowed from a mother who had loved, nurtured, taught and protected her child.  A mother’s tears, filled with the reality of emptiness, separation, no more tomorrows, no more celebrations, no more joys, only memories is difficult.

I am reminded of the verse from Hebrews 13:5, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.”  God told us that even in our darkest moments, when words fail, that His love is wrapped up in those tears.  His covenant promise to always be there, despite the oceans of tears, searing heartaches and unimaginable pain is captured in His word.  Embedded in this promise is the divine guarantee that His love never fails.  A mother’s tears also holds this promise the blessed assurance that “Life has no sorrow that heaven cannot cure.”

I, too, was one of those mothers whose life was shattered by the lost of a child.  I am also a testament to the words of Hebrews 13, wherein God kept His promise to never leave, nor forsake. As we comforted the family, particularly this mother, my (our) prayer is that as she walks through the valley; and as each daytime and nighttime tear falls, she will experience fully God’s hand loving, supporting and holding sacred every one of her precious Mother’s tears.  Just as He did with me.

In memory of April Michelle Haley