No, Not One!

You Are Responsible For You

     A belated Happy New Year to all my brothers and sisters in Christ! You woke up today. Hallelujah! You have been given another chance. The only reason God has awakened you for another day is that your work here on earth is not yet finished. We have much to accomplish! Isn’t this exciting!

     It’s time for Revival: Come Alive 2025 – You Were Made For More

Stand Up and Take A Stand for Jesus

     Stop what you are doing and listen. Google AI Overview says that time is of the essence: “In a contractual context, "time is of the essence" means that the timely performance of obligations is crucial, and any delay can lead to a breach of contract, potentially allowing the other party to terminate the agreement.”

     Please don't be late for this very important date! Sunday, May 25, 2025 COME ALIVE 2025: physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. You were made for more. Return to church. Be honest with yourself. Go forward. Ask for help. They can assist you on this journey. You are not alone! I'm going back, too.

     Yes, the church is full of hypocrites. We all share that guilt at one time or another. Don't let what someone said to you in the past dictate your future. I won't. As a chief sinner- broken, battered, and limping- I am returning. It's not about them; it's about me and my personal relationship with Jesus.

     He is the only one who can heal your brokenness, restore your heart and soul, and provide you with the joy that has been missing from your life. Give Jesus a chance to show you His grace, mercy, and love. What if this is your last opportunity to get right with God? Are you really willing to put this off until 'later'? It is your choice.

     Already there? Great! Join ‘The Draft’ (see Appendix B). It's time to stand up and take a stand for what you believe in. Don't wait to meet God face-to-face to hear, 'So, what have you been doing?' Encourage all of God's children to return to church. Every person you meet is another opportunity to bring revival into their life and your country. Together, let's train a generation in every Christian church across America and around the world to serve Christ Jesus. Let them stand for God and country unapologetically as a way of life.

     Join a community of like-minded individuals and participate in fun scavenger hunts for the elusive cornflower. Bring your family closer together while instilling your beliefs and values. Teach proudly about the freedom on which this country was founded.

     Encourage positive self-esteem through fellowship and active church participation. Believe in the power of prayer and embrace your personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Fellowship together and support one another. That makes God smile!

     Put forth your best effort for the next 100 days until Labor Day weekend. Ultimately, you are responsible for your own walk with Jesus. One day, you will stand before the Lord to give an account for your life, and you will stand alone. You may be married on earth, but you aren’t married in heaven. There, you serve and worship God only. 

     You know what they say right before every flight: put the oxygen mask on yourself first. That is the only way to ensure that you can help others. Then, on Sunday, August 31, 2025, graduate from your old self and step out - onward, Christian soldiers. After you have battled the sin in your life, you can start inviting others to be trained to battle the sin in their lives. We all rise together.

It’s time for Restoration: Breathe Life 2025 – Onward Christian Soldiers

Step Out In Faith - Bring The Broken Home

     Start preparing now. It’s time to demonstrate to God what we are capable of. There’s still time to shine!

     Did you use to follow God when you were younger? Backsliders? No problem. You got there once before; you can find your way back. Start with repenting. Then get your act together. The first person this will benefit is you. The easiest way is to surround yourself with other like-minded Christians in a community of sorts. We can help each other. Please ask for help.

     Nothing upsets me more than seeing people enter the church like sheep. The pastor greets them, saying, “Hello, how are you?” They all reply, “F-F-F-Fiiiinnnne,” just like sheep, one after the other. Why do we say that when it’s so obviously not true? We are only hurting ourselves. We need to ask for the specific help that we need. 

     I can say this because I pretended to be fine. I didn’t want anyone to know how I really lived and how people treated me. It was embarrassing and made me feel like less of a person. Bite the bullet. You’ve done it before. People can be disappointing, but God is anything but.

     Unsure who God is? Never visited a church? Don’t know where to begin? Look around you. You must know someone who is Christian. Ask them where they go and what they like most about that church. Search for local churches on your phone. You can do this. 

     Remember how much effort you would put into locating any and every form of sin for your pleasure over the weekend. Well, good that you learned those skills for something positive. Reach out. You found what you were looking for then; you can find a church, even if it’s just to get started. Ask God to lead you to the right church at this moment in your life so you can grow closer to Him. I believe that God answers all prayers that bring you closer to Him. I can hear my grandmother now reminding me that whenever I faced an obstacle, you have not because you ask not.

     I would love to make a declaration for all the ladies at Arising Women. I, Miss Bess, hereby declare:

     I do declare that I have not only been redeemed, but I have put in the hard work of fasting to humble myself before the Lord. Every tear I cry from this point on will be for all the broken to be brought home: Agnostics, Atheists, Backsliding Christians, Buddhists, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, all people of all faiths. Together, we can break the chain that binds us to this world, forming one that leads to heaven, so we can all rise together. Jesus loves all of us!

     I do declare that we will train to go out and retrieve God’s children who have been broken and can’t make it home on their own. Some will just need an invitation to return; a sign that they are loved, wanted, and needed in the Community of Christ. Others will require more. We will need to commit to reaching out and carrying those to the cross if they can’t walk on their own. 

     I do declare that four friends loved enough to bring the paralyzed man to Jesus, cut a hole in the roof, and lower him down to be healed. The verse says that it was the faith of the friends that caused Jesus to heal the man, not the faith of the man himself. Why? Because your closest friends will influence you to become like them. Not enough friends? There are plenty of people at church who could use another one. The Lord’s motto is the more the merrier!

     I do declare that when you seek Jesus with all your heart during the day, His Father God will meet you in your dreams at night. Your imagination will enable you to see the possibilities that could be yours if you choose the narrow path. There will be pain as you carve sin out of this life; sin is the weight that pulls you back.

     I do declare that it is the desire of my heart to reach out to a professional website builder because so many churches signed up on my website to put up a sign for the Summer Revival Training that my site couldn’t accommodate them all. The ‘No, Not One!” APP needs to be created so every Christian can log in every time they speak to someone about Jesus and put another gold star by their name.

     I do declare that each gold star will become a jewel in your crown in heaven that you get to lay at the feet of the Lord when you arrive to show Him you have been faithful. Help bring someone to Christ and put their name on a jewel; store that in your Treasures for Heaven Chest. Accumulate an endless amount of riches. Now that’s priceless!

     I do declare that by September 1st, 2025, Labor Day, we will embark on the most important journey of our lives by heading out on our Great Commission. This Labor Day won’t just be about having a day off to BBQ. We seek all things to reveal their true meaning. This holiday is about balancing work, rest, and play in your life. You can read all about the best way to do that in " The Bible " and watch a short video on PBS. They even offer lesson plans. 

Youtube.comwww.youtube.com/watch?v=KY_L8--kNB0

     I do declare 2025 to be the year that we Make Jesus Great Again! Amen.

I chose to attend many Calvary Chapel churches in my day. They present the Word verse by verse, book by book. You can read ahead and prepare yourself for the upcoming week. They encourage reading the Bible in one-year or two-year intervals. If you can’t get out to attend a church, you could certainly locate one or more on the radio. I have enjoyed too many preachers on the radio to list them all. Different insights make you think.

     When I started my last Bible study two years ago, I chose to listen to Pastor Joe Focht from Calvary Chapel in Philadelphia. I began in Genesis and listened to every service he preached, one by one. I made notes in my Bible. I find his approach of combining history, geography, and current-day application of the scriptures both interesting and informative. His teachings have shaped me without his ever knowing. Although we have never met face-to-face, I have spent hundreds of hours with him personally. If you ever get a chance to visit there, tell him Miss Bess sent you and says hello.

     No Calvary Chapel is close by. My sister’s friend Ed went to The Vineyard church. He loved his church and he loved the Lord. He is with Him in glory now. I visited one in Cape Coral, where I worked in the kitchen and served on the Food Truck with wonderful people. They actually serve breakfast for all attendees before each service.

     I was born and raised in American Baptist Churches. They had a magical place called Camp Lebanon that hosted retreats where you ate, slept, and breathed the Lord. I would love to attend a Christian camp again. I met a lot of truly great people there from all over.

     My old boss, Barbara, adores her Episcopal church and cannot see herself worshipping anywhere else. She treasures the rich tradition and history she participates in through The Seasons of The Church. The Procession, Vestments, and Altar make her feel closer to Christ. You can tell she’s connected because she serves Jesus daily by serving others. They will know you are Christians by your love, which shines through her.

     We are all different. We all learn differently. We all worship differently. We may speak different languages. We attend different Christian churches, where the leaders are responsible for preaching the 10 Commandments as God’s law. Are you aware that God’s blood flows through your veins, and His name is written in your very DNA. Check my website to see how.

     God made humanity for worship. Keep in mind that the kind of music you listen to creates positive or negative emotions as it flows around you. When you turn that station on, you allow that presence into your home.

     Here’s another problem I see. Back in grade school, it was easy to make friends; then by high school, you were busy dating, getting a job, and possibly raising a family. During that time, people move away, they change names, and you lose touch. By the time you are close to or in retirement, it is even harder to make new friends. Some of your old friends have probably died already. 

     Life in the world gets complicated. You mistake wants for needs. You commit to everything, unable to say no to anyone for anything. You need to work two jobs just to survive. There may not be time for family, let alone friends. Then others may no longer see the need. Some have been damaged so much that they feel it is safer to go through life on their own. I’m right there with you. Your church should be the place where you have a limitless amount of possibilities for friendship. You may make friends with someone 10 or 20 years older or younger than you.

     Now, my friend Steve has never been able to find a church where he feels comfortable and welcome. I’m not sure if that’s due to his insecurities or if people’s reactions to something he said or did contributed to that feeling. We often don’t project the vibe we think we do. It can be tough when you are excited to attend a new church, only to walk away feeling invisible.

     Don’t have a Bible? At the end of the service, when they invite people to come down to the front for prayer, go. Get prayer. We could all use the blessing. It’s free! (Ask them to pray for me, too; I sure could use it.) Then tell them that you don’t have a Bible, and believe me, they will find one for you.      You won’t leave empty-handed; and if you do, you email Miss Bess. I want to get you a Bible, and I want to get that church extra Bibles as well. Everyone should have access to the Word of God.

     Remember to thank them. You can do that best every week by showing up and fellowshipping with them. People aren’t mind readers[SN1] ; we all need to be a little more transparent. 

     Men, do not leave without introducing yourself to the pastor and asking when the men’s group meets. You owe that to yourself. Spend time getting to know these men. Godly men can be forged by other godly men all seeking God’s Will for themselves and their families. These men study to lead. Work to make yourself worthy of leading your family and loving your wife. Think you can’t? That’s why you need to know when the men’s group meets. These men struggle with the same issues you do. Women are complicated. Get to know these men.  See what has worked in the past for them. Be honest. Support each other.

     In the months ahead, try to find two or three good accountability partners. These people need to be grounded in the word. You are entrusting them to help guide your soul. You may confide your deepest secrets in them. Do your best to meet with them at least once a week and call each other regularly. The better you know one another, the quicker you can prevent each other from going astray. Learn to keep one another in check, with grace, or however you men do it. Play nice, lift each other up, and thrive in life.

     Ladies, look into the children’s ministry. If you have children, drop them off there, and when you pick them up, get to know their new friends’ parents. Ask for playdates. You may need an emergency sitter one day. Support each other. 

     No children? GREAT! Look into the children’s ministry. They sure could use some help. Raising children is absolutely exhausting mentally, physically, and in Every other way you can think of. Get free training now. Gain hands-on experience.

     Welcome, fellow seniors. You have survived this long, which means you hold a plethora of knowledge to share with every generation younger than you. Pick one. Pick two. You have the time. You possess skills they can’t learn any other way. They need to be taught. So, teach- don’t just point and complain.

     They have no idea how we lived. Invest in these young ladies. Tell them what worked for you and what didn’t. Both are good to know. Model how to dress and how to present yourself. How else do you expect them to learn? Lift them up. Don’t tear them down. We had training.

     Let all that sink in. I’ll go deeper into all this later. For now, head to the kitchen. Time to refill the cup. 

     I think you’re ready for some breakfast. Somebody special is making “something special.” They must have gotten the secret recipe from my grandmother.

     I would like to take a moment of silence to remind everyone of the following verse on what happens to an unbeliever. This is absolutely horrifying. This is what we all deserve for our sin. We need to give everyone an opportunity at least once in their lifetime to repent.

     In the NKJV Romans 1:18-32 says, “God’s Wrath on Unrighteousness: For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.”

     As you remove sin from your life, you start to feel happiness and joy. All the work you are doing on yourself allows you to stop looking at others. When we compare ourselves to others, we become critical of their actions and defensive of our own. We are all more critical than we realize. 

     As the anger subsides, you start to feel a sense of peace. Here, you can truly forgive for the first time. Not only can you let go of trying to control others, but you can also subdue your flesh and control your own actions. This is a real win-win situation. 

     Now, when you call on God, you already know He’s there. You check in with God before you go or do anything. This helps you find the narrow path and stay on it.

     It’s the realization that you weren’t on the right path yourself and where you could have ended up that still has me shaking in my boots. Knowing you have finally found your way allows you to worship God with gratitude and humility. This is when the chain to this world breaks and falls to the ground. Your weight is lifted, and you feel elated all the time. You can’t wait to share that feeling with others. You have been delivered.

     Now, instead of being mad at what people did to you, you can focus on the sadness you cause Christ. This is where and when we all become equal. We receive compassion for humanity, something we could never provide for ourselves.

     I have a plaque with a simpler version:

     I have spent most of my life trying to avoid conflict. I have allowed myself to be bent like Gumby while striving to keep the peace. I have tried to lay low and fit in. What have I learned? Not only did it hurt, but it was unnecessary- completely fruitless.

     Compromise is merely a waste of time. It distracts you from God and His will for your life. It creates confusion about your stance among others. Compromise undermines your witness. That makes the devil smile.

     Now I see not fitting in with this world as a compliment. Why do we always chase after the things that harm us? We know what to do. It’s the application of that knowledge that doesn’t come easily. You didn’t slide into that sin overnight; you are not going to slide out overnight either. Start now.

     God gave Moses the Ten Commandments when He was leading His people, the Israelites out of captivity.