God Will Take Care of You

Matthew 6:25-26 (KJV)
25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment

26 Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?



After reading the headline, "LA man upset over job kills wife, 5 kids, himself," I was stirred to share this previously published post with you this week:


One Iowa winter morning, I looked out of my living room window and as far as my natural eye could see, ice and snow blanketed the earth. It was February, and it had snowed every week since Thanksgiving. As I stood there thinking about my upcoming schedule, the possibility of having to cancel an engagement due to the weather, the five extra pounds that have lingered since the holidays and the status of some relationships, I noticed a bird flying near the bush outside of my neighbors’ window. Not all birds migrate, as these resident black birds make daily visits to a bird feeder under my window.

While drivers and walkers are slipping and sliding, the birds navigated through the winds, rain and snow. They still had a song to sing as God’s hands in the earth supply provisions.

As I continued to gaze out of the window, I considered this act of nature and the verse within Matthew 6, “take no thought for your life.” We often struggle with casting all of our cares on God (I Peter 5:5; Psalm 55:22) when we are in the midst of the winds and rains of deadlines, financial lack, personal struggles and worries. Sometimes we have to ask ourselves, “Am I not much better than the birds?”

Today, I thank God for allowing me to behold the fowls of the air. Even in this physical and personal storm, God sent a reminder that He is still Jehovah Jirah, my provider, and is in control of my life!

People of God, do not be weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). Stay encouraged and continue to walk in your blessings!

ADS

Do you shine?

Today I had the opportunity to discuss the soundtrack of the black experience in America with about 100+ workers at a corporation in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. I shared various songs that have been sung on our journey, and chose to end with the song, “The Little Light of Mine.” “Even on my job,” is the verse I had the group sing in unison. As I thought about the presentation, I considered how we must all work to be light in this very dark world.

As this week ends, consider the following:

As I look around my home, my community and my world, I see many challenges.
I must determine if I am the problem or if I am the solution.
I must choose to be light in the darkness.

Continue to walk in your blessings,

ADS

Help Us Help Our Chidren

On Tuesday, President Barack Obama called on all Americans to "embody the spirit of service" and "to find meaning in something greater than themselves." Members of the Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. are answering this call through our various efforts, which includes raising money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Johnson County.

Because we love the kids, we are participating in the BBBS Bowl For Kids’ Sake on Friday, Feb. 21. We might throw a few gutter balls, but we trust that our efforts will aid the organization in providing much-needed services to children in our community.

We know that money is tight, but your donation of $5 or $10 will help us reach our contribution goal of $500. Who knows? Your donation may help prepare the 56th President of the United States of America!

To make your online donation, please visit the following link:

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=296576&lis=1&kntae296576=9D628840F93640309E4AE24ABBB23921&supId=244417705!

(For the past two years I have donated via this site and it is safe. Please be sure to print out your receipt for tax purposes.)

For more information on the event, visit http://www.extension.iastate.edu/johnson/bbbs/

Celebrating a New Day,

Arlecia D. Simmons, Member
Iowa City-Cedar Rapids Chapter
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.

Strengthen Your Hand

Proverbs 10:4
“He becometh poor that dealeth with a slack hand: but the hand of the diligent maketh rich.”

I’ve been misunderstood most of my life, so nowadays it doesn’t bother me when friends and loved ones don’t understand some of my decisions. For example, while the world around me is texting their lives away, I have only recently embraced the mobile phone technology. I am the first to admit that I am a late adopter of technology. I probably will not own a Blackberry or PDA until they're sold at the checkout counter at Wal-Mart or Kmart, and they are being sold for $19.99. I didn’t get an iPod until I received one as a Christmas gift.

Some people may view my purchasing decisions as strange, but they work for my budget. I know, it is shameful that I ask people to call me after 7 p.m. (CST) when my unlimited minutes start and to only text me when there is an emergency. You know, like if you’re kidnapped or stuck in a ditch. In my opinion, all other matters can be handled via e-mail or my home phone. Yes, I actually still have a home phone and a great FICO score.

This week, I share this with you because it is an example of the diligence I attempt in my financial affairs. Like millions of Americans, I have watched my food bill soar and my retirement account dwindle as our country and other nations experience recession. Yes, I know some Christians are not participating in the recession; however, the world around us is participating and we are guilty by association. Because of these things, I cannot manage my affairs with a slack hand.

To date, have you been slack with your financial affairs? Are there cuts that you need to make to weather this financial storm?

I’ve never been one to follow the crowd, so I’ll tell you in a minute when I can’t afford to do something. Can you? Are you still heading out to lunch during the week when you know that you could buy more meals at the grocery store?

Don’t be slack, be honest.

No one else knows your financial situation but you.

Don’t allow co-workers, friends, or loved ones to put more on you than you can bear. I know it is easier said than done, but “no” is still in the English vocabulary.

Just recently, I was in a group meeting and someone suggested going out to dinner that with group gratuity would have amounted to around $25. While a few people did not agree, I suggested a potluck. Yes, I know some potlucks can be unlucky, but this was a group of sistahs! Even if some of us could only be trusted with drinks and store-bought desserts, there were enough of us to furnish the entrées and side dishes. Hey, it is what Suze Orman advises. (Suze’s new book is available as a free download at www. Oprah.com until Jan. 15, 2009)

Whether you are spending too much time or too much money, know today that if you are dealing with a slack hand you will experience lack in some area of your life. This week, paste this Proverb on your wallet, debit card, or next to your credit cards.
Now, don’t use this Proverb as your excuse to keep passing the offering basket at church; rather, consider its richness the next time you consider making that purchase that will leave you emotionally, nutritionally, spiritually or financially broke.

Continue to walk in your blessings,

A.D.Simmons

Which F-word Will You Choose?

Happy New Year All!

This week, I was reminded that when God used His prophets they did not always deliver lengthy monologues, but they simply asked straightforward questions and offered simple declarations.

Yesterday, as the flight I traveled on experienced turbulence, here is what thus saith the LORD:
“FAITH and FEAR cannot operate in the same space.”

There's no need to provide examples or scenarios this week, as you already know where this Word applies in your life. This year, I pray that God will anoint you for every blessing and challenge that you will face.

I'm claiming everything that's mine in 2009!

Arlecia