2016 has been a whirlwind of a busy year as we have published and marketed our book, ONE GOD, Two Voices. Now is the time to step back and enjoy the blessed holiday of Christmas .  Voice II – Sue – just participated in her church’s cantata: “Almost There” (created by Michel W. Smith, Wes King, Bradley Knight, and Luke Gambill). We would like to share some of the narrative that accompanied the musical selections:

“The child in Mary’s womb was the Word that made the worlds. He was the God who spoke . . . and the universe was.”

“In the beginning in our perfect paradise, man fell. It could have all ended that day, but God gave a promise – a Christmas promise. Emmanuel with you in your loss, your doubt, and your disappointment.”

“The Word made flesh, who stepped out of everywhere, into an insignificant somewhere, into a virgin’s womb, into a stable in Bethlehem, to save a fallen world that He so loved. He stepped out of His everywhere into your somewhere. He is the quiet voice calling you. You are not alone – God is with you.”

“Emmanuel, God with us, the Creator of all things becomes a child. He is closer than your heartbeat. He is the Prince of Peace, Mighty God, Emmanuel.”

Likewise, Voice l was highly blessed and delighted as she watched The Potter’s House Christian Academy, including her grand daughter, Saniyah, perform at their school’s second annual cantata. Students from ages three right up to twelfth grade displayed an array of talents and Christmas favorites including, “Happy Birthday Jesus” (Brooklyn Tabernacle Choirs’ version); “Now Behold The Lamb” (Kirk Franklin’s version); and the Grand Finale of , “Merry Christmas, Jesus (There is no Christmas Without You)”. That version by John P. Kee definitely put the icing on the birthday cake, and it was truly all for JESUS.” GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST!”

This is why Christmas is so much more than presents, food, bowl games, and parties. God sought us to save us, unworthy as we are . . . and we are so grateful. God bless you and yours.

Deidre and Sue

(clipartpanda.com)

Cue the orchestra: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!”

Really!!!

We feel your pain as you attempt to continue to teach, reach benchmarks, give quizzes; maybe even a final test during this festive time of year. Your students’ attention is probably elsewhere (they are sometimes literally “off the chain!”), and you are feeling the frustration of moving forward in this type of situation. In the midst of all the teacher expectations, we know you are planning holiday gatherings, shopping, buying and wrapping gifts, baking, and maybe – just for fun – picking up antibiotics for the third time because somebody else in the family is down with another illness. Too many things to do and not enough time to get them all done. How do we choose which of them gets our time and attention?

During our years in the classroom, we tried to make time to reflect on the important elements of this season. Daily devotions, meaningful music, an advent candle, and family time seemed to settle the hectic pace and give us the stability we needed. This holiday – Christmas – was the moment in history that brought our Savior to the earth. God as a baby; an incredible thought! He deserved each of our prayers, thanks, and time. When we managed to fit Him into our day, everyone benefited. Love absorbed into our hearts was able to overflow to colleagues, students, their families, and our loved ones.

So our message to you in this blog post is just this: make sure you give yourself time to reflect on the meaning of this season and soak up the blessings. Emmanuel – God with us – is about to be born in a stable!

God bless,

Deidre and Sue

 On this Thanksgiving week, the Voices are thankful for many things, and one of them is You! By You we mean all those people who have contributed to our book ministry by stopping to talk to us when we exhibit, buying a book, taking a business card/book mark to check out our work later online, or simply giving us an encouraging word. We are in the business of doing God’s work through our words and appearances, but human support is very important to us. During this season of giving thanks, we are so thankful for the opportunity to meet you and reach out to encourage others to be the Salt & Light for Him. Please don’t forget that You are and continue to be an important part of this ministry and for that we are so grateful, first to God and then, of course, to You.

“I thank my God every time I remember you.” Philippians 1:3

Election 2016 is now history! Do you feel horrified, happy, or helpless? Regardless of how any of us feels, it is obvious the American people have spoken that they want a radical change. Now that the election is over, it is time for the people of God to become even more vigilant in their prayer lives by continuing to pray for our nation and our president-elect, Donald Trump, who could be called the “People’s President.”

Many individuals, including some who claim to be Christians, are in the streets protesting. True, it is their right, but “why?” In our opinion, everyone needs to get off the streets and move on, looking up to the author and finisher of our Faith! God is, was, and will always be in charge. Scriptures declare that it is God who sets up and takes down those who rule over the people: “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.” Romans 13:1

As Christians, we should not disrespect the office of President, regardless of who occupies it because God has told us to pray for all leadership. I Timothy 2:1-2 tells us “I urge you, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession, and thanksgiving be made of all people – for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” Imagine the difference it would make if people who believed in the power of prayer would actually pray for our leaders – our President, Congress, governors, and local officials.

Radio personality, Laura Ingraham, said that when Trump won, it demonstrated a “rebuke or reviling of the current establishment,” and that Trump seems like a common sense measure to many who voted for him. In our opinion, that is a point worth noting. More noteworthy, Deidre’s pastor, Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin, preached an awesome sermon entitled, “God Has Spoken, Y’all Better Listen.” That couldn’t be more true, so if you feel  you are in a stuck place, check it out and repent. We believe that God is in control, and TRUST in Him, encouraging you to do the same. Join us in praying for our nation, its leaders, and citizens as we attempt to put the pieces back together and heal.

Deidre and Sue

(PrayAmerica FB post)

Our blog post today reminds Deidre and I of two chapters in our book – Chapter XI which is entitled “Shame on You,” and Chapter VII which we called “We Agree to Disagree.” In the first, we described how social media, advertisements, videos, movies, and computers constantly flaunt so many negative things that they impact the minds of our children in a derogatory way. In the other chapter, we explained how sometimes we disagree over certain topics and realize that we have to remain true to who we are and move on, while retaining our friendship and love for each other.

What could have brought these two chapters to mind? Probably what is on many other people’s minds as well – the upcoming election! We would like to remind those of you who are Christian that we need to be praying and asking God how to vote before we actually go to the polls. I’m sure we realize that our choices are “less to none.” Whether it is a candidate who lies, steals, cheats, and refuses to follow security precautions or one who evades paying taxes, is said to have befriended the Russian government, or openly refuses to support our democratic process, we have to choose. However, we as Christians must be fully informed and decisive before we cast the final vote.

This is a time where we see daily how many are doing or approving of “what is right in their own eyes.” We used Proverbs 21:2 to illustrate this: “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the heart.” Another scripture from Ch. XI is “. . . For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn away from the truth . . .” 2 Timothy 4:2-4  For Christians, our truth is found in the Bible, for as Pastor Rick Warren has said, “A lie doesn’t become truth, wrong doesn’t become right, and evil doesn’t become good, just because it’s accepted by a majority.”

This is a difficult time for many Americans. We know that our country has been going in the wrong direction for a long time and we want to leave our children a better legacy. God will listen to our prayers for our nation and will give us the President we deserve. We have to trust Him more today than ever before. Proverbs 3:5-8 says it all: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”

The time has come for those who call themselves Christian to act like it and pray for this country, our leaders, and citizens. If we are not willing to do so, then shame on us!

Deidre and Sue – The Two Voices