Church Encouragement

January 15 2024

MLK + Spiritual Freedom

Embracing Spiritual Freedom

In a world filled with constant noise and distractions, finding spiritual freedom has become a profound journey for many. It transcends the boundaries of religious affiliations and beckons individuals to explore the depths of their inner selves.

Spiritual freedom is not about escaping reality; rather, it’s about discovering a profound sense of liberation within one’s own being. It involves breaking free from the shackles of self-doubt, fear, and societal expectations, allowing the spirit to soar unburdened.

This journey often begins with self-reflection and mindfulness. Taking moments of stillness to connect with one’s inner world can unveil the layers of conditioning that inhibit true freedom. Embracing spirituality isn’t confined to a specific set of rituals; it’s a personal exploration that can be expressed through meditation, prayer, or even communing with nature.

Central to spiritual freedom is the acceptance of oneself and others. It involves transcending judgment and embracing the diversity of human experiences. By fostering compassion and understanding, individuals can cultivate an environment where spiritual freedom thrives.

The concept of spiritual freedom also extends beyond the individual to encompass collective consciousness. It’s about creating a world where everyone has the space to express their beliefs without fear of persecution. In this shared freedom, humanity can forge connections that bridge gaps and foster unity.

Ultimately, the pursuit of spiritual freedom is a lifelong journey—a continuous unfolding of self-discovery and connection with the broader tapestry of existence. It is a liberation that transcends the physical realm, providing solace and meaning to those who embark on the path of self-awareness.

In embracing spiritual freedom, individuals find a sanctuary within themselves—a place where the spirit dances freely, unencumbered by the constraints of the external world. It is in this sacred space that true freedom, both spiritually and personally, blossoms.

December 8 2023

Embracing Spiritual Resilience in Times of Transition

When pain becomes a companion on this journey, consider it a messenger inviting you to explore the realms of your spiritual resilience. Share on X

Navigating the Depths: Embracing Spiritual Resilience in Times of Transition

In the profound tapestry of life, transitions can be crucibles of growth and transformation. When pain becomes a companion on this journey, consider it a messenger inviting you to explore the realms of your spiritual resilience.

Acknowledge the Pain: Begin by acknowledging the pain without judgment. It’s a natural part of the human experience and a catalyst for profound spiritual exploration.
Connect with Your Inner Sanctuary: In the midst of chaos, find solace in your inner sanctuary. Whether through meditation, prayer, or contemplative practices, reconnecting with your spiritual core provides a stable foundation.
Embrace Impermanence: Understand that transitions are impermanent, much like the ebb and flow of life. Pain is a passing storm; your spiritual resilience is the unwavering lighthouse guiding you through.
Surrender to the Unknown: Release the need for absolute control. Trust in the wisdom of the universe, acknowledging that even in uncertainty, there is a divine plan unfolding.
Cultivate Compassion: Extend compassion to yourself and others. Recognize that everyone is navigating their unique path, and shared understanding can be a balm for the wounds of transition.
Seek Guidance from Within: Your inner self holds profound wisdom. Through introspection, prayer, or mindful reflection, seek guidance from the divine source within you.
Transmute Pain into Growth: Transform pain into a catalyst for growth. Each challenge is an opportunity to deepen your spiritual understanding, forging resilience and wisdom.

Remember, the journey is not about escaping pain but learning to dance with it. In the tapestry of your spiritual evolution, pain is a thread weaving a story of strength, resilience, and ultimately, transcendence.

November 27 2023

Prayer: Catch On Fire

Catch on Fire

Our God shall come, and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before him… Psalms 50:2-3 Share on X

I pray that this will be a #CatchOnFire type of Sunday for church teams and church leaders all over the world.

It is through our lives that the power of God shines. Once a powerful fire has come in contact with something, it will never be the same. This is the type of change God wants for each of us to experience.

God will set us on fire to be seen so that His power will not only deliver us, but minister the same anointing to someone else.

I pray that the Holy Spirit set us on fire today. Give us a fiery anointing to minister and change the things that need to be changed. In Jesus name, Amen.

Happy Sunday Church Leaders

Inauguration day for President Joe Biden in Washington D.C.

January 20 2021

Inauguration Day Social Media Ideas for Influencers

Please Note: We never recommend mixing politics with business publicly. Endorsing political parties publicly may backfire negatively & leave your followers confused about what you actually stand for. Inauguration Day Social Media Ideas can be used in place of large endorsements.

Strategic ideas to cover the 2021 inauguration include:

Joe Biden’s age:
Born: November 20, 1942 (age 78 years
PITCH: Never Give Up! Its not too late for you to be what God has called you to be.

To everything there is a season. God has not forgotten about you. God doesn’t need TIME nor is He confined to it.

Kamala’s gender & ethnicity
PITCH: There’s a first time for everything. Take the limits off yourself. So what??? if its never been done before. Do it first! Create it first! Build it first!

We can agree to disagree.
Never allow a difference of opinion and or belief system make you act out of character. Two wrongs never create a right. We must learn how to unify as a body of believers. Pray for one another and pray for our leaders.

WHAT A PREGNANT ELEPHANT & PREGNANT DOG CAN TEACH THE CHURCH

June 29 2018

A Pregnant Elephant, A Pregnant Dog & The Church

An elephant and a dog became pregnant at same time. Three months down the line the dog gave birth to six puppies. Six months later the dog was pregnant again, and nine months after that the dog gave birth to yet another dozen puppies. This pattern continued for some time and on the eighteenth month the dog approached the elephant asking her, “Are you sure that you are pregnant? We became pregnant on the same date, and I have given birth three times to a dozen puppies and they have now grown to become big dogs, yet you are still pregnant. Whats going on?”

The elephant replied, “There is something I would like for you to understand. What I am carrying is not a puppy but an elephant. I only give birth to one baby once every two years. When my baby hits the ground, the earth feels it. When my baby crosses the road, human beings stop and watch in admiration, what I carry draws attention. What I’m carrying is mighty and great.”

Don't lose faith when you see others prospering. Your Due Date Is Approaching! Share on X

Don’t lose faith when you see others prospering. Don’t become envious of other people’s achievements. If you haven’t received your own blessings, don’t despair. What you are carrying is being processed, prepared and packaged for a greater impact to the world. Declare to yourself, “My Due Date is Approaching and when my baby hits the surface of the earth, people shall yield in admiration.”

What you are carrying is being processed, prepared and packaged for a greater impact to the world Share on X

10 Things I Wish Every Church Would Bring Back

April 7 2018

10 Old Trends I Wish The Church Would Bring Back

Call me an old soul, but you can’t say I’m stuck in the past. I just wish church leaders would bring these activities back in the church. I clearly have embraced this new world church founded upon artificial intelligence where your RAM and bandwidth have more power than your memory and you still can’t remember your password to Facebook. We should all thank the smart men in cyber space who want to track our every move with cookies that you aren’t able to eat, for without them the 7 million websites you visit while you’re supposed to be working wouldn’t know how to advertise to you on other websites that use those same dog on tracking cookies that you aren’t permitted to eat. Any who. If you’re new here, I’m blissfully ADHD, and it’s never uncommon for me to swerve to the left when writing list posts, so without further ado

10 Things I Wish Every Church Would Bring Back to Our Sunday Morning Experience.

1. Testimony Service

I understand that the church as we know it, doesn’t have the time to allot for a testimonial service, but I still remember the saints would get up and vouch for Jesus. It was so powerful. It’s something about being a witness for the lord. I received so much faith in those moments.

2. Pew Bibles

I know there’s an app for that too, but do you remember grabbing a Bible from the from the back of the pew in front of you? You’d have to share your Bible with your neighbor if they forgot theirs too.

3. Choir Robes

Haaaaa…….I’m laughing at myself as I write this. We need choir robes to come back in style. Everyone doesn’t have fashion sense or common sense, for that matter- when it comes to standing before the congregation well dressed.

4. Church Dinners

I’ll have a leg quarter, with a side of candied yams, creamed corned, green beans, and a cornbread muffin. Please and Thank You

5. Sunday School

I am a promise, I am a possibility. I am a promise with a capital “P”; I can be anything, anything God wants me to be. Enough Said.

6. Tambourines

Music Stops. Hand hits tambourine, feet stomp floor, while folks begin to think of the goodness of JESUS! CHE*RCH

7. Church Fans

I just want one, I need to know they were real.

8. Church Programs

It was kind of neat, reading a “suggested order of service” subject to change due to the Holy Spirit having its own way. The Holy Spirit must have hated our suggestions, we rarely followed in program. It was still neat to read the names of the sick in shut in, upcoming events, statement of faith, and what not.

9. Children in the Church

Maybe not all of them, but unless your church is anointed to handle the youth, they should sit with their parents. Kids aren’t as sensitive to Christ because children’s church is fun not faith filled.

10. Uniforms. Uniforms. Uniforms.

I don’t expect anyone to agree with me on this one, but just like a man or woman in a police uniform, or a serviceman in his or her military uniform demand respect from those they pass; church uniforms earn more respect from its members.

Uniforms are a badge an honor. They clearly state; I am an usher. I am a missionary. I am a deacon. I am a mother. I am a cook. I sing in the choir. I perform with the drill team. I am a praise dancer.

March 6 2017

3 Rock Solid Tips to Prevent Ministry Burnout

Are you experiencing Ministry Burnout?

55k jEveryone has experienced or will experience fatigue, & lack of motivation. You will have your share of plain ole Ministry Burnout at some point in their life. We’re human. We bleed, We Bruise, and if we aren’t careful we might even break under too much pressure. It’s important to know your limits and when it is time for you to take a break to refuel, refresh, and regain your stamina before continuing to serve the body of Christ.

Check your stress levels periodically.

You can gauge your stress levels by measuring your response to certain situations that you would normal handle with professionalism and patience. If you find yourself easily agitated and less likely to pray before you respond you might be experiencing signs of Burnout. Walk away from heated discussions until you can think clearly about what’s actually taking place. Many times, when we have high stress situations in our homes and on our jobs we tend to snap on people we feel can’t retaliate. Unfortunately, church members and volunteers get what’s left over from an already overwhelming day. Walking away, and responding once you’ve had time to think things through is the best approach to handling conflict when stress levels are already at an all time high.

Take regular breaks from serving.

Be your own superhero by reminding yourself, that you must do more than survive, and that there is a call on your life to thrive. Keep it moving by taking much needed breaks. Give yourself a chance to fellowship without the strain of leadership. Spend time with people who respect your calling but honor your friendship, and family time.

Learn to say NO more.

Every idea and or suggestion can’t be implemented all at once. Work strategically within your church. Think about which projects will require your immediate attention and what others can be outsourced or tabled until further discussions,

THE BOTTOM LINE:.

Ministry is a lifestyle change. Just like any other great goal in life, you must stay in constant preparation for that special moment when God chooses to use you for His Glory.

December 31 2016

Church Blues at Christmas?

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, so they say?? But is it really? As we steadily approach the close of yet another year, I am reminded of how many members, friends, family, and love ones, we lost along the way. During the holidays, many people make time to spend with those they love & care about while other people pray that the next couple of weeks come and go very quickly. I am convinced that the race isn’t given to the ones that get there first, or to the ones who get there easy. Life Happens, but you must keep LIVING! The race is given to the FINISHERS.

Today I speak over your life and over your households that the grace of God will keep you and the power of His Spirit will preserve you. God is your strength and your salvation; You will no longer be afraid. God Is your light and your salvation; You will not lose your mind in the storm. You are surrounded by His angels, and nothing will be able to move you from God’s protection. Trust in the keeping power of the Almighty God and remain confident in the everlasting love of the King of Glory.

You have not been rejected by God, You are loved with an everlasting love. God has you covered. Though a thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, You shall not fear; God watches over you and yours. He that keeps you neither sleeps nor slumbers. The Lord remembers His promises and fulfils His covenant to those that FINISH THEIR RACE! Don’t you dare GIVE UP! May the spirit of a finisher rest on your household. Your life is safe, your future is not under threat.

Decree & Declare:
I will exceed all expectations.
I will deliver on destiny’s terms;
I operate in the arena of limitless possibilities,
I have become a wonder to many, and God is my sustenance.
He is my eternal help and source.
I shall want for NOTHING.
My mouth is satisfied with good things.
I will eat of the fat of the land;
I am like a tree planted by the rivers of flowing water, my root is strong in the ground. My leaves are green and fresh. I bring forth my fruit in and out of season.
The earth will yield to me of her increase.
This is a year of Release for Me!
In Jesus Mighty Name, Amen

October 25 2016

B.Slade Drops Musical Response to Church Critics #Conversation

<a href="http://bslade.bandcamp.com/track/conversation">#CONVERSATION by B.Slade</a>

B.Slade Drops Musical Response to Church Critics #Conversation Gospel Artist, formerly known as Tonex responds to critics after ministering at a church this past weekend dressed in attire resembling the likes of Micheal Jackson and Prince.

Before leaving a disgusting comment on this post, I think it’s time we have a real conversation. Most, if not all of what B.Slade sings in this song has profound weight in reality, truth, and exactly what is wrong with the “church” of today. I probably own every CD, DVD, & interview published on B.Slade formerly known as Tonex. He’s a real creative creature, much like the icons he embodies. Anthony Charles Williams II is different no doubt, but what I really think should be divulged is the church’s response to “confessed sins” and or struggles as opposed to the visible yet closeted acts of the church body as a whole. In the words of this eclectic artist, I think it’s time we had a conversation.

What happened in Oakland ?
yeah I heard that Tonex was in
I mean what ever his name…..B.Slade
whatever was at LOVE CENTER

and did you, did you see what he had on ?
I mean did you see what he had on ?
I mean like, how do you even minister
wearing something like that ?

Y’all haters corny with that
“He needs deliverance”
check out your choir stand
They all need deliverance (wild in’)
Attack my character
But Half of y’all Closeted
The last convention I attended was empty nest
my daddy was a pastor
but now he’s in a casket
my momma dead but y’all don’t care
you niggaz need to stop it
now gospel sucks
because ensembles snatched the choir robes
but if I dress like prince & michael I’m a homo
been acting shady since that interview I did with Lexi
I heard B.SLADE was a fag…..FAG

“I became a civilian after so much had happened to me
and uh I just had to step away from everything….. So this is my
first Sunday Morning Service in 7 years.”

I’m still here and I’m on it
and on Facebook they talkin
you sayin that you hate it but
my DMs say you still want it
I still pray for my haters
see you later alligator
I’m anointed with my shoulder pads
and my snatched waist and y’all hate it
I threw my hat off
and they caught it
don’t act new
I’ve been on it
I’m B.Slade all day
ok ok
I think it’s time we had a real conversation
I think it’s time we had a real conversation
Switched up your story since the last convocation
Look in the mirror have a self confrontation

alto’s sleeping with the drummer
now she back at the altar
alto’s sleeping with the bass player
now she back at the altar
Pastors trying to get my number in the lobby right after
you don’t know the price that I paid for my box of Alabastor

Heard “Make Me Over” on the radio station
you heard “Make Me Over” on the radio station
I’m the same dude that wrote them tunes
but you discriminating
I snatched them wigs but you ain’t gonna snatch my salvation

I’m still here and I’m on it
and on Facebook they talkin
you say that you hate it but
my DMs say you still want it
I still pray for my haters
see you later alligator
I’m anointed with my shoulder pads
and my snatched waist and y’all hate it
I threw my hat off
and they caught it
don’t act new
I’ve been on it
I’m B.Slade all day
ok ok
I think it’s time we had a real conversation
I think it’s time we had a real conversation
Switched up your story since the last convocation
Look in the mirror have a self confrontation
ok ok
I think it’s time we had a real conversation
I think it’s time we had a real conversation
I must be that dude if I caused all this conversation
always stay gracious, leave revenge to The Savior
credits
released October 25, 2016
Copyright disclaimer! I do NOT own this song nor the image featured in the video. All rights belong to it’s rightful owner/owner’s. No copyright infringement intended. For promotional purposes only.
All Rights Reserved by BSlade

July 9 2016

7 Ways Your Church Can Respond to Tragedy

Tragedy is never easy to respond to. My gift and or talent on this earth is to speak to the world through influential vessels using a variety of online platforms. I’d like to confess, that there aren’t many situations and or breaking news stories, where I or my team are rendered speechless, idea-less, or campaign-less but in the recent senseless murders circulating on social media, my staff and I are left heart broken to say the least.

I ask that you think through your campaigns, and your social media postings until you understand fully where you stand on the matter. Emotions are high and seem to be escalating very quickly online. I do however, encourage you to use your social influence to educate and unify the people following your brand.

My team and I are here and available to mastermind ways you and your brand can be a voice of reason in lieu of the recent tragedies. Here are some suggestions that have worked in the past for similar situations.

7 Ways Your Church Can Offer Help In Wake of a Tragedy

Provide a safe outlet for people to voice how they feel. This can be at an actual establishment or online live. (Periscope, YouTube Live, & of course Facebook Live)
Donate to the family that has experienced tragedy. (be sure to only donate to reputable organizations or organizers
Educate Young Men about the realities of being a black man in 2016 and what this means for them, if they should be pulled over by law enforcement.
Pull your community together through prayer vigils, & peaceful demonstrations (pick a side so others can choose to stand with you)
Create memorabilia with positive messaging (not memorials or hate speech) wristbands, t-shirts, hats, pens are ways to raise awareness
Look online for other organizations that have implemented a successful movement that aligns with your vision and core belief system. Support larger/smaller initiatives by joining forces with the.
Pray to God for an answer, and pray to God for a change in the judicial systems and the current state of our African American men.

Remember if you aren’t a part of the solution, then you are a part of the problem. Your Silence may frustrate your audience, but not being careful with your words and your posts may offend some people and cause you to lose loyal and faithful followers.

RIP AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile

May God protect and direct each of you in all that you do.

In Prayer,
Portia
(mother to 4 African American Sons, wife to 1 African American man #ThereLivesMatter)

July 8 2016

#AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile

In Response to the recent murders of #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile

Being Human, Is not the Same as a Human Being. #Injustices #GunLaws #PeopleLaws

I hate using the race card, like I hate it when people chalk the power of God up to coincidences, but these senseless murders of our young men publicized in the media recently is not a fluke. There are just more ways/platforms/tools available to the average joe to bring awareness to injustices around the world. My question is not: “Is this really happening? …but more like, “What will you do when it happens to you- when the next victim is in your family- will it be your son or your daughter on the news next?
Being human is not the same as a human being. If you don’t know the difference, chances are you are NOT being human. Share on X
Will I be a target for writing this post? Is this what every great warrior felt like when they became aware that the power to bring about change actually lived within them. The power was in their very own voice, march, protest, freedom of speech, sit in, right to vote, to protect our own, to become fathers to the fatherless, and mothers to the motherless, to turn off the tv and shutdown the snapchats to stop allowing our minds to be poisoned with foolishness. Following trends designed for your destruction. There’s no filter for ignorance, and there’s no hashtag for being dead at 18, 34, 21, 7
There’s no filter for ignorance, & there’s no hashtag for being dead at 18, 34, 21, 7, 4 #philandocastile Share on X

Don’t just share this message, stop just sharing these videos! Let’s Do Something!They are turning our children into slaves and locking them up for free labor. Share on X We can take back our communities — — these are our kids!! Stop letting the world tell us how to raise our kids — if they can’t pray in the schools take your kids out of them! Your tax dollars pay for their education — don’t sleep on this! They are arresting us for whipping our children only so they can discipline them in the system. They are turning our children into slaves and locking them up for free labor. Our water is toxic and our children are being born with more and more birth defects. Move around in groups, don’t let your kids become a target. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile Share on X

Wake Up & Do Something!

Our food is raised on farms, we never see in conditions we would never live in but we eat the food in fine restaurants so that makes it ok. WAKE UP! Start Small, organize my sisters and my brothers I don’t care what your race is: ORGANIZE! Open your house up to your neighbors children, keep your eyes on your streets. Run the crime out and bring the community in. Raise up a new generation of children with respect for the elders and for the life our ancestors fought so hard for us to have. Move around in groups, don’t let your kids become a target. Human Beings are a species, Being Human is a choice. #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile. Share on X

Protect Our sons and our daughters. We’ve become addicts for attention from a world that simply does not care! Stop recording and start reaching!!! Be Human, not a human being.

Being human is not the same as a human being. If you don’t know the difference,
chances are you are NOT being human.

TO BE HUMAN MEANS TO BECOME
Fully awake to life, as a gift from God, a choice to give back every inspiring act investED act within yourself
MOMENTS When your experiences would override your desire for a formal education
YOU GAVE REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES
…….Every lesson learned
every dollar earned……,,
even the stripes on your back
or the times you suffered lack :
was
is
did
does teach you what it is like to be human
to be real
to cry
to laugh
to be too close to insanity
to keep it together when others fall apart
to carry more than your share
to take from others, when you should be giving back
to give to people when you should be receiving or reaping your harvest
to forgive
and exercise the strength to:
heal while hurting
to rejoice….and be thankful
to
embrace the very idea of yourself
as being HUMAN
IS TO KNOW GOD
Revelation #confirmed voices heard inwardly
to be sure you are not alone even when you are the only person in the room.
Human Beings are a species
Being Human is a choice.
I have made mine, will you make yours?

Rest In Peace #AltonSterling #PhilandoCastile & Countless Others who have died at the hands of corrupt law enforcement officers.

June 30 2016

The Gospel in Four Minutes

“The Gospel in Four Minutes” Has Garnered over a million views and 5,000 comments on YouTube. This incredible production uses the art of spoken word with prose, video effects, and dramatic music to drive home the storyline of Jesus the Christ. From the G to the L, this video explains the gospel in four minutes. Amazing word’s put in a simple and easy to understand format. Email, Post and tell the World.

We do not take any credit for making this video I am only posting it here from this YouTube channel.

Dare 2 share ministries has produced this video
http://gospeljourney.com
Email information@dare2share.org for more details.
This video stars Propaganda, check out his Facebook page here:
http://www.facebook.com/Propaganda