“Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end.” “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?” The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God.”“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.” Then the angel left her.

A miracle is an extraordinary welcome event that is not explicable by natural laws and therefore is considered the work of a Divine agency. When miracles occur we have ‘found favor with God.’

God’s grace is unmerited, undeserved favor, and God’s divine enablement in a particular situation. Favor is God’s approval, support, advancement or…I like this one, overgenerous preferential treatment!There are times when God just favors us. We do not deserve it; we’ve not labored for it.  We’ve just been chosen, as Mary and Elizabeth were, to demonstrate God’s glory for a particular purpose or role in the earth. In this case to birth the Messiah and his forerunner John the baptizer.

We ask Mary’s question at times in the form of excuses (we would say reasons) of why God can’t do His work through us, “How can this be?”  ”I’m too old (or too young). I’m a woman. I don’t have the education. I don’t have the money.  I don’t know the right people,” and the list goes on.

With favor the answer is always the same: Only by the power of the Holy Spirit. For nothing is impossible with God.  It’s impossible for you, but not for God!

So stop looking at yourself, your limitations and your lack of resources and accept the Word of God as it has been given and say like Mary, “Be it unto me according to Your Word.”

As an artist, I am always inspired by how other artists choose to tell a story that will bring insight, laughter, and liberty to those who see and hear it.  The artistry is one of the unique things that separates Woman Come Forth from other conferences and events with which I have been involved (kudos Faith & Laura!).  The interweaving of the spoken Word of God, the performing and visual arts, prayer and healing exercises that restore the broken, and God’s people lavishing His love on one another is simply breathtaking! The most obvious display of this for me was the aerial dancer, bound high and tied up in cloths that represented the challenges of our lives - unwrapping herself in a God-trusting free-fall and soaring through air as Kathleen Carnali powerfully sang, “Be prepared to live like you’ve never lived before, leave the past behind you, you were meant to soar…Just Live!”

As a speaker, the most impacting point is when women come through the ‘tomb’ after having surrendered their ‘graveclothes’ issue and they head toward us (the speakers) as we serve them communion.  There is such a sense of release, relief and pure joy and peace on many of their faces.  Women come through that tomb having left the pain of many disappointments and regrets behind.  The shedding of their tears reflects the shedding of the past and a desire to move forward into the future God has planned for them.  At times it is difficult for me to even offer the words ‘this is the body of Christ broken for you,’ amidst holding back my own tears.

As a woman who desires to deeply experience the height, breadth, depth and width of God’s love for me, this entire gathering from behind the scenes discussions and prayers, to the culmination of the event has set a standard for me of how God wants to express His love for His people.  At every turn, from the beautiful venue, to men in tux giving out red roses, on through the engaging experience and final celebration; I experience the sumptuously rich and luxurious love of God! and I hold it in my heart and spirit…until next time.

And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, saying, This month shall be unto you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you. Exodus 12:1-2

The Israelites suffered 400 years according to the will of God at the hands of the Egyptians, who had once embraced and fed them under Joseph.Generations later Moses, a Jewish boy adopted by a Pharaohs’ daughter, broke away from the privilege of royalty to deliver his people from slavery. “Let My people go that they may worship and serve Me,” was the Word of the Lord through Moses. Pharaoh refused. Plague after plague was leashed out on Egypt, but the heart of Pharaoh grew harder and harder.  Water to blood, frogs, flies, lice and locust infestations, diseased livestock, thunder and hail, darkness and boils infecting man and beast.  Still Pharaoh would not let them go.

Finally, God announced that at midnight He would slay the first-born of all Egypt; man and beast.  He instructed Moses that each Israelite family spread the blood of a lamb on the doorpost of their home so the angel of death would pass over their home. Familiar story.

But right before the Children of Israel executed the plan that led to their ultimate deliverance from Egypt; God made this statement. “This month shall be unto you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you.” Not only am I going to save your family, and bring you out of bondage; but  I’m going re-arrange time for you. You will no longer count time from the events of your past. This is a New Beginning. Your first celebration will be deliverance!

The New Beginning didn’t start AFTER the first-born of Egypt were slain.  It didn’t start once they left Egypt and passed through the Red Sea.  It didn’t start when they set foot on the Promised Land.  The New Beginning started when God declared it! fully knowing that all those events would follow.

Timing is in God’s hand.  Daniel declared God ‘changes the times and the seasons.’ (Daniel 2:21) Solomon echoed that He has ‘made everything beautiful in His time.’  (Ecc. 3:11) David made it personal, ‘My times are in Thy hand.’ (Psalm 31:15)  

Is God declaring a New Beginning for you today?

…There was a certain royal official whose son lay sick at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had arrived in Galilee from Judea, he went to him and begged him to come and heal his son, who was close to death. “Unless you people see miraculous signs and wonders,” Jesus told him, “you will never believe.” The royal official said, “Sir, come down before my child dies.”Jesus replied, “You may go. Your son will live.”  The man took Jesus at his word and departed. While he was still on the way, his servants met him with the news that his boy was living. When he inquired as to the time when his son got better, they said to him, “The fever left him yesterday at the seventh hour.” Then the father realized that this was the exact time at which Jesus had said to him, “Your son will live.” So he and all his household believed. John 4:46-53

This nobleman, desperate to see his son well, cried out for Jesus to COME to his home to heal him, but Jesus did not COME at his request. Just like He eventually did with Lazarus and his sisters, Jesus put the man on a little journey of faith in between His word, “Your son will live, “ and the manifestation of that promise in this nobleman’s life.

What was he feeling on his way home?  His request was that Jesus COME with him. Why wouldn’t Jesus just do it the way he’d asked?  How could he be sure that Jesus’ Word was good?  What if he arrived back home and his son was still sick, would there be time enough to go back and get Jesus? or would it be too late? The man took Jesus at his word and departed.

When did the miracle occur? The Scripture said it was the exact time at which Jesus said, “Your son will live.” It was also at the time when the man believed and acted on the Word he had heard.

When the wine was gone, Jesus’ mother said to him, “They have no more wine. Dear woman, why do you involve me?… My time has not yet come…”Jesus said to the servants, “Fill the jars with water”; so they filled them to the brim…the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now.” This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed at Cana in Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.  -Excerpts John 2:1-11

Teachers have extrapolated all kinds of meaning to this passage: the arrival of the Kingdom of God in the person of Christ, the timing of His revelation as the Son of God, the importunity of His mother to reveal His identity for the sake of saving the family’s reputation at this critical social event, the metaphor of wine representing Christ filling the place with up to 180 gallons of joy and celebration, etc.

Today I want to look at the fact that the master of the banquet was so taken by the quality of the wine that had arrived so late in the evening, remarking that the host had ’saved the best till now.’ This reminded me of Jesus’ admonition to the disciples to be ready to forsake all that they had to follow Him, and ultimately receive an earthly and heavenly inheritance.  At the end he explained, “for many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.”  (Matt 19:29-30)

I thought of the lyrics to the old song, “Just when I thought our chance had passed, you go and save the best for last.”It is not over for you!

Last month our encouragement was, that whatever your season; it will change.  Today, no matter what your age, station in life, how long you’ve been on the shelf or how discouraged you might be…continue to refine yourself with the water of the Word of God.  Let Him turn your water into wine (joy).  Then be ready to be presented to a master by the Master. Let God reveal His glory through you! Folks may be expecting the cheaper wine, but the Lord has saved the best till now!

While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease. Genesis 8:22

The Lord re-populated the earth through Noah after the flood that punished the wickedness of the human race: killing all but Noah’s family and the animals on the ark. God had created the moon and stars, light and day in the beginning, (Gen.1:14) but destroyed the earth and its inhabitants - demonstrating His power by suspending nature’s course.

Noah, the chosen deliverer, was promised in Gen 8:21-22, that the Lord would not again curse the earth nor destroy all its living creatures.  From then on, there would be sowing and reaping, day and night, and seasons as long as the earth endures.

Seasons are each of the four divisions of the year marked by particular weather patterns and daylight hours resulting from earth’s changing position with regard to the sun; also defined as a fixed period for a particular event; or a proper or suitable time. Solomon refers to seasons in the figurative sense and writes that everything has a season, that there is a time associated with every purpose under heaven, and that God makes all things beautiful in His time.  Ecc. 3: 1-11

At times we feel, particularly in seasons of trial, winter or drought, that we will never get out of that period, that we will sow and never reap: that things will never change.  But the purpose of seasons is change, growth, and ultimately fruitfulness.  We have dates associated with when spring or summer arrives, but sometimes the weather conditions do not agree with the stated time - so it is with our lives.  Our conditions change with our position and relationship to the SON!

The miracle is, that He is the one who decrees when one season is finished and we’re moving on to the next, as Daniel so profoundly states:”Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.  He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. Daniel 2:21-22

So whatever season you may be in, prepare.  It is certain to change.

I have experienced Cincinnati’s political process much more than I desired over the last year, so I was not at all anxious about visiting our Senator on Capital Hill. Cincinnati has worked feverishly over the last five years to displace the poor and rid itself of its homeless population. Recently they have taken steps to remove Social Services from within the Downtown, the West End and Over-The-Rhine areas by claiming that the concentration of these services increases crime and reduces property values, amongst other complaints.

We were asked to represent Cincinnati as a coalition from this week’s “Mobilization to End Poverty Conference.” I was not prepared, nor did I pack clothing for visiting dignitaries. So imagine my wonder when it was announced that we would not only visit Capitol Hill, but our Senators as well. The group of forty Ohioans began to choose who should speak when we arrive. Naturally, I was volunteered! Though I am never really at a loss for words I had no intention of volunteering myself.  Since my boss was one of those offering my name, I did not dare decline. A true Toastmaster never turns down an opportunity for an impromptu speech!

We chose four representatives to visit Senator George Voinovich and four to see Senator Sherrod Brown. I was chosen to share real life experiences of individuals from poverty in Cincinnati.  I put on my game face and became excited about the challenge.  My enthusiasm was dampened by the absence of the Senators upon arriving at their office. They were replaced by their aids. It was not surprising, just disappointing, and there wasn’t room to fit our entire delegation in one room.

The aids were pretty well informed, especially Senator Sherrod Brown’s, as they enlightened us to the Senator’s views after listening intently to our concerns.  It was an experience we will remember and now we are prepared if the need arises again. It is pretty easy to get into your representative’s office,  although you may not get to meet with them face to face. It is said that persistence wrecks the resistance; which is what we will need if we are to fulfill President Obama’s agenda on reducing domestic and global poverty.

I felt prompted a while ago to write about miracles…I’m not exactly sure why.  Perhaps it’s because we don’t see many in this day and age. Or maybe it’s because in this time of crisis we need to experience miracles!

A miracle is defined as a surprising and welcome event that is not explainable by natural or scientific laws and is therefore considered to be the work of a Divine agency. From Latin miraculum ‘object of wonder.

‘The first time the word ‘miracle’ is mentioned in Scripture is when God commissions Moses to tell Pharaoh that He will deliver Israel out of his hand. God commands Moses, “When Pharaoh says to you, ‘Perform a miracle,’ then say to Aaron ‘Take your staff and throw it down before Pharaoh and it will become a snake.” Ex. 7:9 (NIV)

God explained to Moses in Exodus 4:8 that this miracle would for the purpose of giving a sign, or evidence of God’s power to Pharaoh; who did not believe or respond to the LORD.  Unfortunately, the heathen are not the only ones who seek signs because they do not believe in God’s power.In Mark 8:11-12, Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and Sadducees for tempting Him by asking for signs. ‘Religious leaders’ should be the ones who believe; but they wanted proof that Jesus Christ really was who He said He was, and could do what He said He could do! Jesus told them, “I’m not giving you a sign.” Sometimes He says that to us. He wants us to BELIEVE and show the world signs of His power!

When God decides to perform a miracle through us or for us, it is meant to be a sign that challenges and hopefully changes unbelief!

In case you didn’t know, 2005-2007 Ohio poverty rate in comparison to the US was:

• Overall:     Ohio  13.2%     US 13.3%
• Children:     Ohio 18.5%     US 18.3%
• Seniors 65+: Ohio  8.4%     US 9.9%

Ohio ranks 30th in US States in terms of it’s poverty rate with 1st having the lowest rate of poverty, and 51st having the highest. Other statistics about Ohio:

• Health Care: 10.7% of Ohio’s population does not have health insurance.
• Education: 10.3% of Ohio’s population between ages 25 and 34 have not graduated from high school.
• Food Security: 1,287,349 people received food stamps in Ohio in January,  2008
• Unemployment: Ohio’s unemployment rate was 9.7% in March, 2009, compared to the US rate of 8.5%

This doesn’t have to be so, but changes are required of each and every community member if it is going to improve. In the words of President Obama who spoke to us via satellite, “…We’re going to have to mobilize our society, not just to cut poverty, but to prevent more people from slipping into poverty…we’ve got a lot of work to do economically in this country to bring about a more just and fair economy.”

Each day we discussed the need to tackle the issues of poverty as a primary initiative. We focused on our congressional leaders and the people of our country taking a stand for the rights of the poor.

Many panels discussions emphasized our biblical mandate as Christians to be at the forefront fighting for the rights of the poor.  In President Obama’s first session of the 111th Congress he proposed H. CON. RES. 102 (House Concurrent Resolution 102)“ Expressing that the United States has a moral responsibility to meet the needs of those persons groups, and communities that are impoverished, disadvantaged, or otherwise in poverty.” Declaring a reduction of poverty to half of what it is today by 2020. Yes, 10 years to reduce poverty by 50% with tangible metrics and measures to bring it to pass. In order to do so we have to tackle health care, race, immigration, peace, the environment, the economy, social justice, and organize communities to name a few of the pieces to the puzzle.

Those present from various denominations all agreed that more must be done by ‘people of faith.’ Several highlights of the conference included messages by Dr. John Perkins, Dr. Vincent Hardin, Rich Sterns President of World Vision, Dr. Freddie Haynes III, Dr. Vashti McKenzie, Rep. John Lewis to name a few.

Doug & Christie Devin are the founders of “ (HUF)” whom we met today in Milton, Pennsylvania.  HUF has a wonderful recycling company and thrift store to name just two of the endeavors launched in just 4 short years. The recycling facility is small in size but extensive in scope. They are capable of recycling plastics, paper, cardboard, computers, televisions, appliances, clothing, batteries, ink cartridges, and I may be leaving a few items out!

They resell the Freon and copper from air conditioning units. They have youth and community service where remanded teens and adults work on equipment or in the warehouse. HUF also employs 18 full and part-time personnel. They have a classroom and certified trainers teaching life skills development.

HUF’s thrift store only sells the best of the best clothing without any snags or blemishes. The items are hung neatly on hangers and they plan the sales schedule seasonally in conjunction with Wal-Mart’s schedule. HUF repairs donated automobiles to give them to people who need to use them specifically to obtain and commute to work. Milton, PA is a rural community and work is hard to find. Transportation is crucial to get around and jobs are often found in surrounding neighborhoods which may be in excess of 30 – 45 minute.

HUF helps elderly homeowners with needed upgrades on their homes. Doug and his board are planning to purchase a building to provide the community of Milton Pennsylvania with an emergency shelter so that runaway teens, battered women, and men who are homeless can have a temporary place to stay to get back on their feet. They do all this on a mere $650,000 budget. The exciting and remarkable thing about “Hand Up Foundation” is that 85% of their budget is from revenue from their businesses, or as we in the non-profit world would call them ‘social enterprises.’ Yes, revenue not just donations. So in this economically strapped time in which giving is down, HUF has found a way to profit and not just stay afloat but to prosper in their quest to serve the less fortunate and disenfranchised. Now this epitomizes the scripture, “blessed to be a blessing!” Genesis 12:1-3