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rise up

The True Test Of Character

by Corine Channell January 21, 2023

written by Corine Channell

We are all pretty adamant about certain things in our lives, even really small things. For instance, I do NOT like Hazelnut coffee creamer. At all. No. No. No. And if it was the ONLY creamer in the house, I would not drink coffee. THAT is pretty adamant, considering my coffee addiction. Silly too, I suppose. But I really don’t like hazelnut creamer and my friends and family KNOW this.

What about bigger issues? I stand pretty easily and defiantly for some small thing like coffee creamer, but will I stand for something I believe in that is WAY bigger and of much more significance? Will I sit down and shut up so I don’t make “waves”. Will I run and hide, and hope it all just goes away. Will I run for the hills because I am just a chicken at heart. It is not about being better or more superior. It is just about being true to YOURSELF.

DOING THE RIGHT THING MATTERS

What if there is no one to clap for your right choice or good deed? What if it never goes down in history that YOU took a stand for whatever it was you took a stand for? You DIDN’T sit, or hide, or run – you STOOD. But, no one knew. Does it still matter? DOES IT MATTER? That is a million dollar question with a priceless answer. YES. It DOES matter. It will matter to YOU, when you try to sleep at night, or when you look at yourself in the mirror, or when you try to teach someone younger than yourself the do’s and don’ts of this world. It WILL matter somewhere down the lineup of generations.

Proverbs 21:21 says: “Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” In the Greek translation the word pursue means to chase with significant effort, so giving it your all! Who wouldn’t want to find life, prosperity and honor – wow. THAT is the result of doing the right thing.

Even if no one on earth is watching, it is still NOT a free ticket to do whatever you want when you want. Sometimes my fallen human nature feels like it’s going to win – like I’m 99% doomed. BUT then I have seen my 1% rise up and do the right thing against all odds . I remember that our presence here on this planet is connected to SO many other humans – whether family, or friends, or school, or jobs, or careers. So if you really think your decisions will NEVER affect one other human being, you MIGHT be from Mars.

WHAT IS TRUE CHARACTER

Character is also being true to your moral qualities and your core beliefs. The whole 99% statistic always hovering over me has often made me feel I should just give in. Except that the 1% left is MUCH tougher, more resilient, more determined, and stronger than the 99%. Whatttttt? How is this possible? Because that 1% is my CORE! It’s The Who of who I am. Because my core is Jesus! He far exceeds my own human weakness and fragility and sin. When I am weak, He is strong – these words are TRUE! (cue happy dance with much rejoicing). Maybe that’s the childlike joy found in the simple words, “Yes, Jesus loves me! Little ones to Him belong – they are weak, but He is strong!”

Be true to what you believe in. Stand up even if the rest of the world is sitting down – or hiding – or running. Trust me, SOMEONE else out there is just waiting for someone to be courageous and to really take a stand. “Let your yay be yay, and your nay be nay.” (Matthew 5:37) Remember we live in a fallen world with a culture that changes by the day and strays from truth, honor, purity, vow keeping, and being true to your word. The only way to combat that attack of the 99% is having the most important 1%.

My mother always said great gifts don’t mean great character. Fancy on the outside doesn’t prove purity on the inside. Character is everything – what we do when no one is looking, and it is the hardest battle you will ever fight, as you war with your own self. “Fall down seven times, stand up eight.” (Quote from old Japanese proverb) Perhaps you feel you have fallen many more times than seven – perhaps 375405 times – get back up. Start again. Reactivate your core. Every single morning provides us with a clean slate to get it right in a world gone wrong.

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‘God’s Not Dead’ Franchise Reveals Upcoming 5th Movie

by Rhoda Gayle September 16, 2022

written by Rhoda Gayle

“God’s Not Dead” franchise announces their upcoming 5^th movie titled “God’s Not Dead: Rise Up.”

“God’s Not Dead”

In 2014, the movie “God’s Not Dead” launched the franchise and amazed Hollywood by opening in the Top 4. The film remains the sixth highest-grossing Christian film of all time with a domestic gross of $60 million. Since the success of the first movie, the franchise released three more movies that also became huge hits.

Today, producer and actor David A.R. White announces that they are gearing up for the fifth movie of the franchise. The story is about a pastor who runs for public office against an unbelieving politician.

“This is a new chapter in the ‘God’s Not Dead’ franchise, and we can’t wait to share this with all the fans,” David said. “I’m still humbled, eight years later, that this type of movie and this message resonates with so many people. The legacy and impact of ‘God’s Not Dead’ is undeniable, and I’m so proud and honored to be a part of this movement.”

Photo Courtesy: God’s Not Dead

Upcoming 5th Movie

Others who will also star in the upcoming movie are Dean Cain, Isaiah Washington, Cory Oliver, Ray Wise, and Brad Heller. The production will begin later this year in South Carolina and is scheduled for release in 2023.

“I’ve been drawn to faith and family projects, like ‘God’s Not Dead,’ since my son was born. I wanted to be able to bring him to work with me and have him walk away with a positive and uplifting message,” actor Dean said. “I’m blessed to come back and be a part of the ‘God’s Not Dead’ legacy – it’s such a moving message and challenge to audiences to get them thinking about the difference they can make in their communities and country.”

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Reference: Christian Headlines

September 16, 2022 0 comments

Articles

Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi Encourages Fans With Her Angelic Voice Amid Pandemic

by Christel Berns July 2, 2020

written by Christel Berns

The reigning Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi sang her own rendition of Andra Day’s “Rise Up” to encourage the world amid the global pandemic and it’s beautiful.

Zozibini Tunzi was crowned as the 68th Miss Universe on the 8th of last December in Atlanta, Georgia. She is also known as the Miss Universe who broke the beauty stereotypes.

“I have been very vocal about my mission to break beauty stereotypes. I believe in inclusion and representation in every shape and form,” she revealed in an Instagram post.

Moreover, during the Q&A part of the Miss Universe Finalist, she said in her closing statement, “I grew up in a world where a woman who looks like me, with my kind of skin, and my kind of hair is never considered to be beautiful. And I think that it is time that that stops today. I want children to look at me and see my face. And I want them to see their faces reflected in mine. Thank you”

Zozibini Tunzi, Inspiring Women

Since then, the reigning Miss Universe has been inspiring a lot of women. And today, she continues to inspire a lot of people, especially during this pandemic crisis. Everybody would agree that Zozibini well-deserved that crown.

In a recent post from IG, surprisingly, she posted a video of herself singing. We often see her on the runway, doing photoshoots, and interviews. But this time, she’s singing!

The Miss Universe 2019 captioned, “We will rise up! It may seem and look bleak but it’s not over. We can and we will rise up!”

Zozibini wanted to encourage the people around the world today amidst the global pandemic.

Also, she shared in a previous post how she’s praying “that in this time of uncertainty” everyone will “find peace and solace.”

In her recent video, many praised her angelic voice. Not only is she beautiful and smart but talented as well.

Miss Universe 2018 1st runner up Tamaryn Green commented, “Wow Queen, a breath of fresh air a voice of hope ❤????Beautiful.”

And a fan was surprised that Zozibini could sing. “I’m sitting here with my mouth dropped, I had no idea you sang! ????” IG user ameikalouis.mwtt2020 said.

Indeed, Miss Universe Zozibini Tunzi has a beautiful voice!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zozibini Tunzi (@zozitunzi) on Jul 1, 2020 at 11:58am PDT

July 2, 2020 0 comments

Articles

Crossing Over Into Resurrection

by Paula R. Bryant April 20, 2019

written by Paula R. Bryant

Resurrection Sunday is coming! Do you feel the hope it brings, or are you struggling to believe there is hope for you? Think of resurrection as crossing over from old to new. Transition. God is the master of change. He sent His Son Jesus to die on the Cross and rise again, so that we could rise out of darkness and cross over into a new day—the day we accept Jesus, and in our everyday lives for the rest of our lives.

What transitions are you coming through? When you think of them, remember Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Remember that because He crossed over, you can too. A new day can be yours.

Becoming New

The road to resurrection can be daunting. It challenges us to see beyond our doubts and fears and move into God’s promise and purpose. Jesus was challenged before He went to the Cross—His path to resurrection. He went to Gethsemane “deeply distressed” while Judas set his plan to betray Him in motion (see Matthew 26:36–37 and John 13:21–30). Jesus prayed so earnestly that His sweat “became like great drops of blood falling to the ground.” (Luke 22:44).

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, know that Jesus sympathizes with your weaknesses. He was tempted like you and me, but without sin (see Hebrews 4:15). When He got up from agonizing prayer, He walked all the way down that road; He was tried, tortured, and crucified, knowing that He would cross over and rise again in power (see John 2:18–22).

No matter what you’re facing, you can know that you’ll come all the way through. How do I know this? When you gave your life to Jesus, you were born again. Everything became new (see 2 Corinthians 5:17).

Do you remember the day when Jesus set you free? When your thoughts and desires changed? When you suddenly couldn’t wait to read the Bible or go to Bible study? When I got saved, I was a smoker. But after giving my life to the Lord, the desire for cigarettes left me. I was amazed; I knew I hadn’t been able to stop smoking in my own power. Jesus is real.

The Same: Yesterday, Today, & Forever

Let’s go deeper. Millions of people around the world celebrate Resurrection Sunday / Easter, but I see it as the perfect marriage of old and new. The completion of Old Covenant shadows by the coming of New Covenant promises in Jesus Christ. Truly, this blessed season is about crossing over.

It is the time to remember that Jesus, our Passover Lamb (see 1 Corinthians 5:7), has delivered all who believe in Him out of the hands of our enemy, the devil. Jesus is the fulfillment of the “lamb without spot and blemish” chosen by each household in Exodus 12:1–28. When the Israelites applied the blood of that pure, innocent lamb to their lintel and doorposts, God caused the death angel to “pass over” their households during the final plague in Egypt when every firstborn died (see Exodus 12:12–13).

Just as surely as God used Moses to deliver the Israelites out of Pharaoh’s cruel reign, Jesus leads you and me out of the tyrannical rule of our enemy. You see, both then and now, the blood of the “sacrificial lamb” sets us free from bondage. We cross over and come into a new beginning, the first day of the rest of our lives (see Exodus 12:1–8).

Matthew 26 tells us how Jesus shared a Passover meal (called a Seder) with the disciples, and on the same night was betrayed and arrested. When the sun came up, it was still Passover. How so? The Hebrew day begins at evening according to Genesis 1:1–5. So, Passover began that night and ended the next evening. Jesus died on the cross on Passover at the “ninth hour” (see Matthew 27:46–50), which was at 3:00 p.m. on the modern, twelve-hour clock. History proves He is our Passover Lamb.

The Bible also tells us that when Jesus breathed His last breath, “the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” (Matthew 27:51) Jesus, our High Priest, completed and fulfilled the Old Covenant priesthood. Because He shed His blood once for all, the blood of lambs, goats, and other sacrifices was no longer necessary (see Hebrews 9:11–15).

Jesus Has Set You Free!

As we celebrate Resurrection Sunday, remember that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, He not only birthed the New Covenant—He shed His blood so that you could be forgiven, healed, delivered, and restored to a right relationship with the Father. There is POWER in the blood of Jesus! It doesn’t matter if the road to your victory looks a little dark and you can’t see everything ahead. Because of Jesus, the enemy of your soul can no longer control you.

Hebrews 2:14–15 says, “Since, therefore, [these His] children share in flesh and blood [in the physical nature of human beings], He [Himself] in a similar manner partook of the same [nature], that by [going through] death He might bring to nought and make of no effect him who had the power of death—that is, the devil—and also that He might deliver and completely set free all those who through the [haunting] fear of death were held in bondage throughout the whole course of their lives.”

If you’re going through a difficult transition, remember Jesus! As a child of God—the master of change—you can cross over into resurrection: a new day of grace, hope, and power. I encourage you, starting today, to think about everything God has done for you. Record it in your journal and thank Him for all His benefits (see Psalm 103:1–5). Instead of looking down, look up! See the One who was foreshadowed in the Old Covenant; Whose death, burial, and resurrection birthed the New Covenant; and Whose love and power have set you free. You’ll see your transitions in a new light.

Yes, Resurrection Sunday is upon us, and Jesus is here for you right now. I pray to the Father in His wonderful Name that you would see and experience the Lord in a new way. May He shine the light of resurrection in your heart and give you hope for better tomorrows. I thank Him for causing you to rise, by the power of His blood, and cross over into all He has for you. Amen.

“Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17)

April 20, 2019 0 comments

Articles

Be Your Own Hero

by Corine Channell January 3, 2019

written by Corine Channell

Once upon a time in a kingdom far away – or not really far away at all – there was a fair damsel in distress. There was also a fire breathing dragon holding that damsel captive to her fear.

We ALL live in some kind of a kingdom. We just may or may not have ever had to face a dragon. Our kingdom may be decked out with fancy art portraits, scrumptious desserts in the refrigerator, and there may even be a crystal clear pool to swim in out past a beautiful redwood deck. It may just be an upstairs un-air-conditioned apartment over neighbors who bang on their ceiling all day long. Wherever you call home and even if that is the street, it is the place you return to at the end of a day.

Home SHOULD be a refuge, where the welcome mat is always rolled out for your return. Home should be comfortable, where you can laugh as loud as you want and people enjoy the sound of your laughter. Home is where you go to escape the demands of a crazy merciless world. Home has a longing we come imbedded with – like a GPS chip – that always has us looking to find our way there. Home should be the place you sleep the best because you feel the safest. Home represents security and safety. Home is defined as: “a protected refuge”.

Sadly, though, many kingdoms have dragons lurking in the shadows.

I wish I could assure you that there are no fire breathing dragons in any of these kingdoms; that no dragon will ever come out from under your bed to scare you, or breathe a fiery breath over you in the dark. No one should ever have to try to figure out in the dark how to stay clear of a fire breathing dragon.

What I CAN tell you is how to watch for dragons, how to keep them from increasing in their size, and how to begin to banish them from your kingdom should one show up. I hope to show you how to begin to save yourself and how to be your own sword-wielding hero. The word “wielding” means you handle your tool or weapon effectively (take THAT you dragon!)

Like any heroic knight protecting the fair damsel in distress, you too can have great power in your own kingdom, as you protect its most priceless, precious treasure – YOURSELF!

Part of slaying dragons is exposing them! Picture yourself on a balcony in a high tower with brave knights or princesses throwing open their door to the night sky, and taking back their kingdoms. It means no more lies, no more secrets, and no more fear.

Why do people feel ashamed? Forgotten. Lost. Hopeless. Maybe even suicidal. Because they don’t feel free to tell the truth! Because they fear judgment! You are not going to tell someone your deepest, darkest ugly secret if you think they will reject you. You are not going to tell your family. Or your relatives. Or your church. Or a boss. Or anybody that you are pretty sure will cast you aside. Whether intentionally or not, you can be made to feel that it is NOT okay to tell the truth. Strangely, you can be the victim but be made to feel like the abuse done TO you was somehow YOUR fault.

So you carry your secret.

Your dragon accompanies you to the secret chamber of your soul. And no one knows. But the secret will eat you alive from the inside out. It never goes away. Ever. This then carries into every crook and cranny of your life, and into the small things that you never share. No one knows you check under your bed for monsters, or that you are afraid of the dark, or horrified of spiders, or being stuck on high bridges. And then it carries into larger things like hiding your mates’ secrets to protect them or your kids’ secrets. Your life becomes shrouded in lies.

We teach by example that the truth is too painful, and too much to bear. It may not be intentional, and certainly not done out of malice or cruel intent. It is just learned behavior, all born from that fire breathing dragon of (and here is his name) Abuse. And on and on it goes from generation to generation.

BUT somewhere down through the ages there WILL arise heroes to rescue those locked away in their own private dark dungeons, and to protect generations to come (remember – the hero in this story is NOT the fire-breathing dragon)!

For our one brave dragon slayer the long, unanswered question from way back then till now, has always been – WHY didn’t they tell? Why did they carry that secret so long? Why did they allow that dragon to keep standing there, mocking them? Keep it a secret and maybe it will go away! It is easier to just pretend the secret wasn’t there, or that it was somehow the fault of the carrier of the secret.

Trust betrayed destroys you as a person and it changes who you will become. In order to ever find your way back to some place of innocence (before it was stolen), you must see the abuse as the powerful dragon that it is – that has breathed its fire down on you for so long – and you must slaughter it.

A fire-breathing dragon could come in any shape, or form, or vibe. They could show up just once, or they could take up residency. They are after what they want, and how they get it is irrelevant to them. BUT if someone IS coming at you more than once, they are going to most likely be smoother. It is kind of the terrorist mentality of lying in wait for the right time for the attack, no matter how long it takes. The dragon will always start out by being nice. Of course – you catch flies with honey. Or candy. Or a few bucks. Or new toys. Or sadly, just that little bit of attention every human craves. Who would think a hug is any more than just a hug? It so should NOT be any more than what it is.

Dragons generally don’t walk in the room and announce their presence. Oh, eventually they will show off their firepower, but first they want you to trust them.

If it happens, you need to speak up – the very FIRST time. There is no hoping it was a figment of your imagination, a bad dream, or a fluke event – if it happened once, once is TOO much. TELL SOMEONE. The problem in this taboo subject is, mostly this happens to children who simply do not know how to even tell someone, or how to protect themselves, or how to help themselves. Fleeting moments of the years before the abuse actually started, often went unnoticed and with no warning of impending doom. It is someone stronger than you taking what they want, when they want it, and then not paying any attention to you until they want more.

With any kind of abuse – you can be triggered right back to that moment by a familiar setting. The kicker is that somehow it can all get twisted to where you think it was YOUR fault! You have to excuse yourself for having been naïve, or for being afraid for your life, or for covering for someone else, or for simply being a child who didn’t understand what was going on.

There IS hope, and it comes from breaking the silence! Fire-breathing dragons need banished from our kingdoms!

Somewhere there has to be a hero to ride in and save the day, and more times than not it will have to be the actual ONE who needs saving!

Picture what you think it would look like for a knight in shining armor to come in on a white horse to save you. Would he make a lot of noise, pushing all enemies out of his way? Charging in to save the day, wielding his sword in defiance? IF we would break the silence the dragon wants to keep us in, yes – we could be our own knights in shining armor!

At the end of the day, who wants to save you more than YOU?

If a dragon has chased you down – it is time to SCREAM out! Go tell someone! Make a lot of noise! Silence gives the dragon power to grow – like blowing up a balloon. Your silence inflates it to grow to unspeakable heights. Our dragon slayer grew up thinking these subjects were not discussable, that no one wanted to know the truth, that no one really cared anyways, and that truth destroys. Sadly when they finally tried to tell, they were made to believe it was their fault, so to this day they still hide things. It is a hidden fear that if someone knows the truth and that literally can mean ANY truth, they will be rejected
or judged. Gee, wonder where that thought process came from.

All secrets do is breed more secrets!

Truth is meant to set you free, not make you a meal for a dragon.

The ugly dragon of abuse rules and governs one’s opinion of their own self. It destroys relationships. It spits its poisonous venom all over things you hold dear. It huffs and puffs – until one day there comes that moment – maybe it is brief BUT it is long enough for you to lift up your head that hangs down, look the dragon square in the eye – and say ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

It is when the child inside of you, long beaten down, finally stands up on the inside! You know, the moment you acknowledge it and face it, it begins to immediately start to lose its power over you. The guilt and the shame was NEVER yours to carry but the more you carried around and kept the abuse a secret, it was like it fueled the fire in the dragon. It inflated his ego.

There finally comes that day when you are just DONE.

Maybe you have tried for years to just get a frail whisper up from your soul. Maybe you tried to scream and nothing came out. There may be no rhyme or reason why all of a sudden a rush of reckless COURAGE comes reeling out of your broken soul, and you take that first step to coming back to life.

Dragons want you to believe you are less than, that you are weak, that you don’t have a voice, that you don’t deserve pure love, that you are the wad of gum on the bottom of a shoe. Dragons are bullies. They prey on those who have not yet had time to become strong – particularly children. Children need to be defended, protected, cherished, and when adults fail them, I have come to learn and believe the child WILL rise up in defense of him or herself.

It may take years but there WILL come a day when the voice of that inner child who was abused WILL scream! Finally! NO MORE! That inner child will finally have the strength and the courage to stand up for themselves. What they could not do in early years, will now come to the forefront.

The first step to becoming a dragon slayer is to admit there WAS a dragon!

Stop trying to hide it. This just feeds it and makes it stronger, and then it will NEVER go away. You need to literally say things like this out loud: Yes I was molested! Yes I was bullied! Yes I was abused! Yes I was raped! Yes I wanted to kill myself! Yes. Yes. Yes. This should immediately light a fire in your heart to begin to stand your ground. Hold your head up, even just a little and scream out – IT WASN’T MY FAULT!

Stand up for yourself! Someone abused you? How was that ever your fault? Someone bullied you? How was that ever your fault? Someone raped you? How was that ever your fault? Someone molested you? How was that ever your fault? Time to take back your life. Even if it is in bits and pieces and shattered, it’s YOUR LIFE! Take a deep breath and reclaim what is rightfully yours.

If you don’t feel like you have any other person in the world that cares, then YOU care! YOU be your own hero! You can SO do this! I am telling you, you CAN! Be your own fan club! Be your own cheerleader! NO DRAGON DESERVES TO HAVE THAT KIND OF POWER OVER YOU! Doesn’t it make you mad to think of someone overpowering you? Aren’t you tired of carrying the secret? Aren’t you tired of being made to feel you could have/should have done something?

Aren’t you tired of that dragon being what has defined WHO you have become?

So, Repeat after me – NO MORE! I am brave. I am beautiful. I am not living in EXILE anymore. I have no shame. I am throwing off my tattered, dirty clothes and putting on some royal robes. Oh yeah, and maybe a tiara. Then I shall fearlessly go stand out on my balcony! I am a dungeon dweller NO MORE! OFF WITH YOUR HEAD, DRAGON! You shall rule me no more. I fear you no more. I don’t give you any more of my time, my heart, my self-esteem, and my memories. I banish you to outer darkness! No more dragons hiding in the corners of MY Kingdom .

Once it is exposed, it can be done away with! No.More.Secrets.

Oh thou brave dragon slayer, if this is YOU– whether you are 17 or 29 or 52 this is YOUR moment to shine! This is your moment to take back what was stolen from you! This is your moment to end the torment! This is your moment to be the king or queen of your own kingdom!

Many of us are dragon slayers and there are MANY more waiting in the wings to get their swords polished! For the sake of yourself AND generations to come, there are kingdoms to save, dragons to be banished, lives to be reclaimed, and futures to be lived in peace.

Remember: You are your own hero, and at the end of the day, no one wants to save YOU more than YOU!

January 3, 2019 0 comments