Category: Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – God Ain’t No Punk!

Shhhh – Don’t tell nobody, but I like scary movies! Carrie, Poltergeist, Freddy Krueger, and Tales from the Crypt, are just to name a few that I was introduced to at an early age. Back then they all completely scared the pants off me as a kid! As I got older I guess I adopted some sick level of appreciation for them. It’s mere mindless entertainment right? But are they really?

Photo Credit – retrocrush.com

Two Saturdays ago I watched a modern day horror flick and noticed that my spirit was not in agreement! Hadn’t seen one in years! I was feeding on something that didn’t sit well and became totally uncomfortable and quite offended actually!

Photo Credit – theodesseyonline.com

Has anyone else but me taken notice that these types of movies make God appear to be of no effect? There is usually a trend in many movies of terror. When the dark spiritual antagonist is discovered, characters in the films always call on a preacher, priest or reverend to cast out and fight this enemy. Of course the devil is always portrayed as incredibly powerful, all mighty, and basically undefeatable! While the characters of faith pray, wave their cross or crucifix, splashes around some holy water only to be overtaken and completely overthrown! 

Photo Credit – seriouslystrangehorror.tumblr.com

Well the devil is a liar! The God I serve is NO PUNK! He’s no doormat or passive powerless being incapable of being King!

Photo Credit – pinterest.com

He’s the Alpha & Omega; Beginning and the end! He has all power in his hands mighty enough to cast out any enemy who tries to wreak havoc where he does not belong! He is Ruler, Healer, Provider, Protecter, one who can resurrect the dead, create the entire universe and declare Himself “The Great I Am!” Shall I say more! I could but I know you get the picture for sure!

If I were on the other side of Faith that would be extremely intimidating! The question would be “How the heck am I ever going to declare victory when He already proclaimed He Wins!!

So I declare publicly in my RealBoldTruth that I am delivered from these types of films. I never realized before the impact that these movies could have on my spirit. I have grown so much in Christ since the last time I watched a scary movie and it became clear quickly that I just can’t partake anymore. I no longer care to upset my soul with this level of nonsense and can find other means of entertainment for real!

Pray you all are having a blessed Sunday and remember, our God Ain’t No Punk!!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – The Assembly

I love Sundays! Probably my next favorite day of the week after Fridays for obvious reasons!!

Sundays are serene, a day I can dictate and choose to use as my heart so pleases! Good old Rest and Relaxation is my goal on this day; of course after I come home from Church!

For many, church attendance is optional, not truly a necessity and feels more like a chore. After giving our employer that 9-5 Monday-Friday and Saturdays are used for what we can’t do during the week, Sunday is the day that a great deal choose to sleep in and keep for themselves. Then there are those who have been hurt by the Church and have determined that attendance is just not for them. Watching an on-line or televised inspirational special is good enough. Not to mention convenient and all many are willing to give!

Personally, I completely understand all of these examples. I am a very busy lady! A mother, wife, full time employee, daughter, friend, writer and a multitude of other titles and hats I’ve been blessed to wear. It all gets done someway and some how. Furthermore, I understand church hurt far too well. It stings and offends the soul oftentimes beyond repair if wisdom is not sought in these sensitive cases.

But the RealBoldTruth in the matter is that our Lord and Savior, the precious Heavenly  Father clearly instructs that gathering with the saints of God is not an option. He wants us to regardless if the enemy has tricked us into thinking going is not such a big deal.  Well, it is!

Photo Credit – betheexample.com
Hebrews 10:25 instructs us as Believers to get together for Worship and Instruction. Some may argue this interpretation but sounds like Church to me! Especially when I read this passage in the Amplified Version.

Photo Credit – heartlight.org
By ignoring this direction and remaining secluded in our reverence to Christ
we deny ourselves and others many blessings. They include extended knowledge, fellowship, opportunities to give (not just finances) and times to receive.

I don’t know about you but there are times when I lie in bed on Sunday mornings and my physical logic just don’t feel like being bothered! It’s that same feeling I get when my brain says go to the gym but my body don’t want to cooperate! When my spirit gets the final say, I drag my flesh into doing what it doesn’t feel like doing.  By the time my workout ends, I feel like I can conquer the world! No matter if people around me think, “What in creation is she doing???”

I get this same sense of uphoria after I leave church. My spirit has been touched and edified. I was able to hug or encourage someone who came in discouraged. I find out about a new event that my family or children can benefit from. I meet new friends that add so much value to my life and I pray that I do the same in return. Unexpected blessings occur periodically that I certainly would not have been able to receive if I choose to stay home consistently. Networking connections present themselves and beyond. My soul is charged like a battery until I join the assembly again. There’s nothing like it!

I don’t have to stress the understatement that life can be excruciating at times. The society of others who share our common faith makes our challenges a lot easier to handle. I wish I could say that we don’t have to be guarded in a sense when it comes to us “Church Folk”, but the enemy is who he is amongst humans who will never be flawless! 

Develop a gift of discernment when it comes to picking a church and how close you get to those in it. My motto is chew the meat and spit out the bones! That’s the practice of hearing from your spirit man what is for you and what is not! Unfortunately, the devil will walk right up in the building! He will take a seat to continue to cause confusion amongst the saints and the world who watches our conduct.

Photo Credit – drawception.com
Although we have little to no control over this, there are still less devils in church than in the world! There is safety, protection and strength in the body of Christ overall and real benefits for attending. 

Regardless of what you decide to do with this gentle reminder, know that it’s a fact, as believers,  we need each other to survive.

Happy Sunday!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – God Be Big!


#GODbeBIG… what does that mean? God is Big! My response is yes. Yes, He is. #GODbeBIG is more than a statement; it is a proclamation that expresses ones submission to GOD’s deity. 

It means “Do You!” Do what You said You would do; Be who Your Word says You are! Do whatever it takes to live out the truths of Your Word in my Life…Do You! 

image compliments of Lorisprayercloset.com
In a perfect world these truths only include scriptures like, “…the LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom.” ‭‭Deuteronomy‬ ‭28:13‬ ‭


Also ‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭10:22‬ … 

These are scriptures that primarily causes our hearts to feel good about what we are getting from GOD. 

What about the truths that chisel away at the nastiness of our hearts and help us to look more like God? Scriptures like “Repent of your wickedness and pray to the Lord. (Acts of the Apostles‬ ‭8:22‬.)

 “So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.”

Also consider ‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:6‬, or “If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.”‭‭ 


And 1John‬ ‭1:10‬ ‭


Let God, not only be Big in the good things that happen in, through and around us, but GOD be BIG enough to cause our flesh to take notice of lukewarm and cold areas of our heart. Let Your WORD encourage and convict us to submit and repent. 


With this proclamation we take God out of the Box, relinquishing our desire to be in control and allow Him to take his rightful place in our hearts and our lives!


Keturahduncan.com
Keturah Duncan is a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through song, praise and worship. She has multiple songs recorded professionally and has worked with a plethora of known Gospel artists. Please be blessed by her ministry by listening below and visit her website for additional information.
#GodBeBig

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – Growing Up in God

As the physical body matures, there are certain aspects of our beings that max out and reach their greatest height of development. Once this occurs, the inevitable change that takes place thereafter is simply called aging. Many try to alter and slow down the course of getting older, but that feat just can’t be won!

As believers in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, there is a growth process that we actually have the power of influencing. This navigation resides in the realm of our Spiritual nature and we have complete control in how advanced we want to become.

As brand new believers, we are as delicate as a new born babe. More likely to be vulnerable and dependent on others like our Pastors, Evangelists, Teachers and other ministry gifts to assist in our development. There is so much to learn and embrace in order to experience a true growth-spurt! 

Whether in the natural or spirit, growing is always accompanied by levels of pain. We must stretch, shift, and shed in order to enlarge. This expansion sometimes does not feel good and can be extremely painful! Nearly like a baby going through a difficult teething period! When we face the need to surpass our current level of spiritual maturity, we do have a choice. We can endure the process in Faith knowing that we will be better in Him as a result, or we can remained stunted and never experience all that He has for us.

I know countless people who have been saved for many years who have chosen to remain infantile spiritually. Outwardly, they are as grown as the common adult, but remain as juvenile as a new born Christian in the things of God. They shout, worship, praise and perform a host of religious acts all while choosing to shun the spiritual maturing process.


I have been a devout believer for some 15+ years now. As the Lord has move me from one edifice to another exposing me to much deeper revelations in Him, I have experienced the conviction of needing to grow up!! Doing so is the true way to leave my past where it belongs, being content in every phase of life, handling difficult relationships, becoming a giver, evolve in the gifts he’s blessed me with and so much more. I have decided that I’m tired of reaping the same results and running from every thing that challenges, grieves and causes discomfort. It’s time to literally hold The Lord at his every word for my stubbornness is not beneficial!


Are you a believer that has stopped growing? You can assess yourself if you still are consumed by your past, have a heart filled with doubt, look down on yourself, can’t love or forgive, have a hard time letting others in, feel as if you have arrived, have become unteachable, are filled with a sense of spiritual arrogance, and are judgmental of others. This list is far from being all-inclusive!

God wants us to always be ready for a refreshing from Him! It’s not his intention for our feet to remain planted and stuck in the same place we were when we first let him into our hearts! There is so much more but it’s our choice to receive!


No it won’t be easy, but the end result of His pruning and elevation process is much more beautiful than any state we decide to stay stuck in.
Make a decision today to grow up to your next level in God and watch him REALLY bless your life!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – The Cherry Picker

Like many, I simply love summer! Mostly because of the ripeness it provides in fruit! Bing cherries are my very favorite and I have a time at the local farmers market rummaging through baskets of them to assure I pick out nothing but the the best. 

Last summer I visited an orchard with my family. It was my first time and I felt so child-like while racing with my son down the isles of purposely planted trees. Eyeing the fruit of each and deciding which was worthy of selection and deposit into our wooden basket. I also could not help but to notice those that fell to the ground, were pushed off by the way-side as their bruises shimmered in the sunshine accenting signs of unworthiness.

Like a careful fruit selector, so are some believers when it comes to mounting issues in our lives. We give some to God and keep others discarded away in the crevices of our bruised and bleeding souls. We “Cherry Pick” and select which problems we feel and want God to handle while we retain, ignore, bury and discard others that our level of faith has not trusted our Savior to completely deliver us from. 

Maybe we’ve been in it so long that we gave up hope for change, or we just don’t believe that matters actually can. So we endure hidden and secret pains that have contaminated and rotted away at the core of our spirits.

Jesus Christ says Cast all your cares on him! This is the totality of Him sacrificing His life for ours. He died and paid the cost for EVERY matter that concerns us. He did not pick and choose! He wants it All!!

There is no statement more true than; “Nothing is too big for our God!”

What problems are you facing today that you have “Cherry Picked”?

Is it your finances?

Your relationships?

Your health?

The pain from your past?

Your concerns for the future?

Your deferred dream?

Whatever it may be, Consider how long it’s been in your possession. Has anything really changed?

Offer it up to your Lord and Savior and let him REALLY handle it!  It’s the reason why He came, lived, died and rose again! He’s more than able!

Have a blessed Sunday!


(He Wants It All – The Jonses)

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – Be Ye Ever Ready

Last month my employer sent me away on business travel. I’m not very fond of leaving my family for extended periods of time. My husband had just returned home after his job sent him away for a week two days before I was to leave for Wilmington NC. 

All I could think of was business all day long non-stop! Breakfast, meetings, lunch, more meetings, dinner meetings and business happy hour!! I can’t put on professional “Game Face” but for so long! I’m not a very good extended hob-nobber by far! I have to eventually take the facade off, breath and just be myself!

This trip however turned out to be a Pleasant surprise! God used me to minister to one of his son’s and three of his daughters during my short two day stay! 

My boss asked if I wanted to rent a car to get around or just take an Uber. I declined the rental. While on my flight I wondered if I had made the wrong choice. Little did I know at the time, I had made a God choice!

My taxi driver that transported me to my hotel shared with me her financial struggles. I felt moved to leave her a healthy tip. She was overwhelmed and so very grateful!

The following morning I called for another Taxi to take me to the office. A man arrived and as soon as I opened the door I noticed a bible laying very close to the driver’s seat. I instantly opened up conversation with him and learned that he was trying to learn about God, was going through a very difficult period in his life and was unsure if he was indeed saved. The Lord used me to pray with him and lead him to salvation before I got out the car.

I was to meet several high level business associates that morning. The first was a facility CEO. As I sat in her office I felt the presence of God and knew that she was a believer. During lunch I took a chance and opened up to her about my faith. We talked about Christ nearly the entire time.

That evening was not filled with business meetings and I was so grateful! I took a cab to the beach and treated myself to dinner. I decided to take an Uber back and got a lovely young lady who was still in college. We talked the entire time and God used me to encourage her on some decisions regarding her future endeavors. She was extremely receptive and such a pleasure to talk to.

Finally, my driver who arrived to transport me back to the airport was a woman several years younger than me. She was playing gospel music in the car and of course I sparked conversation based on that. What followed shocked me beyond my expectations! She opened up about a testimony that I certainly would not have matched with my natural eye by the way she looked! We praised God the entire ride! Before I left her, God used me to lay hands on her to declare healing, prayed with her and exchange contact information.

As I sat in the airport waiting for my flight, with my spirit reminiscing on all my encounters, it was clear to me that God sent me all the way to Wilmington, NC to minister to four of his precious children. Glory to His Name! What a complete Holy Ghost set up and honor!!

My soul was stirred up in prayer the entire time so I was ready! My spiritual ear was tender to the urging of my Father to speak to these strangers about his goodness.

Has God ever used you in unpredictable places before?

As children of The Most High God, we must be ever ready when he calls us to be representatives of Him. You just will never know who you will meet and the incredible stories behind those faces! It’s never about us, but Him and Him alone.

Have a blessed Sunday and be ye ever ready!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – You Spoiled Brat!!

Gosh, you’re such a little brat!
Did That title get your attention? Good that’s what I was hoping for!
If you are a parent in any way who loves and wants nothing but the best for your children, I’m sure you’ve had moments when you sat back and looked at them knowing you helped create some spoiled little monsters! Without regrets of course!

I’m raising a toddler full time right now. A little boy that has me completely wrapped around his little life! Because of deficiencies in my own childhood I tend to go slightly overboard at times with provision for him. He has quickly grown accustomed to expecting and demanding what he wants naturally! Most of the time it’s a pleasure for me to give. But I also have learned when to pump the breaks and slow down, for his good and mine!

Sometimes he quickly forgets my sacrifices and makes references like I’ve never done a thing for him ever! I know this is just a tactic he has learned to try and get his way, but he has managed to hurt my little feelings at least once or twice in this regard over the years! If this is what I get at 4, I certainly won’t rush 14 and 24!!! Yeah, I think I can wait for that!!
As children of the Most High God, do our lives and behaviors sometimes mimic a child throwing temper tantrums and pouting because we can’t have our way when we want it?

When we consider our Heavenly Father, do we sometimes hurt his feelings by quickly forgetting what he has done for us? You know this to be true if you start acting out in unbelief, start doubting your faith-walk, question the vision he’s given you and begin to complain about your current circumstances. 

I was recently convicted of this child-like temperament just this past week. Loathing what seems to me and by my natural eye that my life is going no-where as of lates. Self-pity, comparing myself to others and forgetting what He’s done for me in the past. 


This revelation had me quickly confessing in prayer “Abba Father, please forgive my self-centered ways! I praise you for all you’ve done and know that you still have great plans for me. I shall be still and patient. I”ll wait on you because I trust you. Amen!”

Can you relate to this? If so, don’t beat yourself up for you are not alone! Our Heavenly Father knows each and everyone of his children and he knows we will get side tracked at times and get impatient with His process. But we do tend to grieve Him when we forget what He’s done and the promises of His word. 

They are our ever present reminders that say:
He will supply our needs..-Phillipians 4:19

He has plans for us..-Jeremiah 20:11

Ask and you shall receive ; seek and you shall find…-Matthew 7:7

He shall never leave or forsake us..-Hebrews 13:5

He came so that we may have an abundant life..-John 10:10

His promises don’t come back void..-2nd Corinthians 1:20

So join me today and:

Don’t complain – for life could be far worse!
Don’t pout – for you have many reasons to smile and are truly blessed!

Don’t throw tantrums – because it’s his perfect timing as a Parent and he knows what’s best for each and every one of us.

Don’t compare yourself to another – You are unique, wonderfully made, precious and matchless in His eye sight.
Those things alone are enough to be grateful for! 

Thank goodness for His everlasting Grace and Mercy!! He forever holds an eternal sweet spot in his heart for us, even through our periodic bratty ways!

Have a blessed Sunday!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – Power In A Name

I don’t think I have ever felt the need to find out the true meaning of my name. It just never dawned on me until I was challenged to find out. As I was reading Leadership – The I am….Way, the book I wrote my first review on, it instructed me to find out! 

http://therealliferealtalk.com/2016/04/20/book-review-leadership-the-i-am-way/

Chanel  (pronounced – Shanell like the French Designer) means Canal, Channel, Pipe. At first I was far from impressed but then reached further to get additional clarity on what those things meant.

Canal – a passageway used to link or connect small vessels into larger territories.

Channel – An accessible frequency used to direct, transmit and communicate.

Pipe – A connector used to assure and maintain continual flow.

A light bulb in my spirit suddenly illuminated my soul! What revelation on those things my Savior has predestined me to be!!! I’ve been called to be a Conduit for Christ!

Understanding what names mean is more essential than we can perceive. I don’t think many parents understand the significance when they are naming their children these days. In a quest to be unique, the element of substance is removed which is really unfortunate!

The name of Jesus is matchless! Full of power, hope, life, peace, acceptance, joy, redemption, restoration…..I don’t have enough words to share on His name but I trust you get the picture!

When I consider and call on the Name of Jesus, I know through him I am redeemed, set free from the destruction of my past, an over-comer, a conqueror, appointed, strong, healed and everything else contrary to the lies I entertained from the enemy for the 1st half of my life! Such Power in That Name indeed! Hallelujah I’m free!

Do you know what your name means? Please share ! Also with one word what does the name of Jesus means to you?

#jesus #powerinthename #namemeaning

Death, Self Empowerment, Soulful Sunday, Spiritual Awareness

Soulful Sunday – The Day Nor The Hour

  

Do you feel or have you ever felt invincible? Nearly convinced that tomorrow WILL indeed come? I have, especially in my youthful years! We make plans, promises and work towards our purpose. All the while taking for granted that each day we rise and find ourselves still alive, is a blessing outside of anything we could ever control.

  

Truth of the matter is, the scripture says we die daily. (1 Corinthians 15:31) Each day that we are blessed to wake up, we are a day closer to the moment when we do not.

It’s a very difficult reality that many of us suppress. We typically don’t think about this until someone we know takes their last breath.

  

This past Wednesday felt heavy, dark and gloomy. Our world lost yet another iconic legend and it hurts. I was also informed within the same hour about the untimely death of a 16 year old young lady at a local school only 10 minutes from my home. Her mother dropped her off in the morning only to see her lifeless body in a morgue that evening. She was beaten by some other girls her age over a boy. According to details, both deaths appear to be incredibly premature.

PRINCE – June 7, 1958-April 21, 2016

Although My heart truly hurts, my spirit reminds me that no man knows the day or the hour when we will take our own last breath. That’s just a fact we can’t change. This holds true for the famous and not so famous alike.

Amy Joyner – RIP April 21,2016

So how are we living in the now knowing this reality? Do we simply mourn over those we have lost for a time then return to our lives as if our day is guaranteed to be eyons away?

I’m not suggesting to have a mind set fixed on death indefinitely. Even scripture says there is a time for everything. (Ecclesiastes 3:1-8) We should not live in a constant panic but reflection on how we are living. Are we making the best of our time with family friends our gifts and destiny are the questions and true wake up call.

Most importantly, the Word says every knee shall bow before God – (Romans 14:11) That excludes no one! So people can choose to be Non-Believers or represent the Gospel half hearted. What ever the choice, one day we all will close our eyes on this side of life and enter a new one to face that God and our Heavenly Father is indeed REAL! Make the most of your NOW, without forgetting that our day too shall come.

  

Rest In Peace to all the greats, not so greats and mankind in general. For peace is what I wish for all because life is indeed very difficult at times. From the human heart, It’s almost understandable that many would question a Heavenly Father’s existence when we are confronted regularly with burdens, tragedy and tremendous loss. But He too faced the same and left his Word to remind us of such.

Stay blessed and encouraged; this day and always!

  
#prince

#amyjoyner