Daily Walking, Working, and Winning by God's Word by Rev. Dr. Alvin C. Hathaway Sr.

During this shaken economic period with prices escalating beyond the average family's ability to keep pace. We need to have an anchor in our lives. It is comforting to know that God's word never fails and His promises are true.

Spend quality time in God's word, it will give you strength to go on in a midst of uncertainty and turmoil.

As our attention turns to Good Friday and the Passion experience of Jesus Christ, I am mindful that God has made each one of us individually and collectively.

We are walking miracles!

In our genetic make-up is the laminin structure. This structure is the building block for each tissue in our body.

A picture of this essential element is posted in the blog.

What is amazing is that the element is in the shape of a cross.

Theologically, and Biblically the structure for the salvation of humankind is the cross.

I shouldn't have to write anymore. Everyone should be saying, "Praise the Lord."

To all my friends who extended well wishes on my birthday, thank you. Your love and concern made the day exceptional indeed. As you now it was Palm Sunday, and I preached a sermon entitled, "A King is Coming!" Zechariah 9: 9 - 13 and Luke 19: 28 - 40.

When times may seem dark and trouble is at your door, you can be assured that "A King is coming and the King has one more move." Which is interpreted that Jesus cannot be defeated, He will always win in the end.

After service, I visited an assisted living facility with the St. Luke's Ministry of our church. We shared song, a preached word, and communion with the residents there.

After that my family shared in a dinner together, I walked through the neighborhood with my nephews ages 12 & 11 showing them what scouts look for when hiking.

The most important gifts I received were the many expressions of love throughout the day.

I thank my God for each one of you.

Be Blessed and Continue to be a Blessing!

As the Christian world focuses upon Palm Sunday and its pageantry. As we begin Holy Week, we cannot lose sight of our call to help people in need: the last, the least, and the lost. Can you imagine the economic pressure on people who look at us and think we have plenty? Struggling to make it cause everyone to be a target for assistance and places people at odds with one another. However, we are called to help those in need. One of the areas of need I have discovered is the disconnect people have with the system and the technology that is so readily in use. People who need assistance have been bounced around by the system that they feel no one care about their situation. The danger is that none of us are able to be case managers for the needs of all the people we encounter. I believe we can be a source of encouragement, a listening ear, and a referral source to cut through the red tape.

I had a person come by my office periodically asking for $10 - $13 to help him to fill his prescription. I have a personal creed that says once, twice, but never thrice. The person didn't know that he had passed his limit. When I told him not to ask me for money; he apologized and left. So unfortunate that he didn't see me as a person but as a resource for funds. If he had taken the time to develop a relationship based upon mutual interests, he may have found that I could have directed him to a source to address his needs.

The best source of help for any person is to direct them to God in prayer.

When our government talks about cutting services, it affects each one of us. When our government talks about raising taxes, it affects each one of us. It might be a misstatement when it is said that government is for the people. However, it is true when they say that it is a government by the people. The ability to tax its citizens, corporations, and business causes government to happen.

It appears that government has turned against the people when you look at the array of services that are being cut at every level of government: local, state and national.

Today is the day that the federal government looks to get its tax dollars from the people of America.

Render unto Caesar in a scriptural context, means in our day - pay your taxes!

The first duty of any mother or father is to be a living testimony for your children. It is a bad preacher who does not begin their ministry at home. To teach our children is a personal duty; we cannot delegate it to Sunday School or Public School teachers. These can assist, but not replace the responsibility that parents have to teach their children in the home. Parental teaching is a natural duty - who is fit to look after the child's well being than the ones who brought the child into the world? To neglect to talk to and to train your child is shirking the most important responsibility in the world. Family religion is necessary for the nation, for the family itself and for the church of God. The family is the building block of our society. It is a pleasant duty to talk about God, life and love with your children. It is a parent's time to talk about the goodness of the Lord. Don't talk at, but talk with your children.

Given all the news of this day, it appears to be much to worry about. The news from Japan only gets worse. The news of war American is involved in all over the world leads to destruction. The economy is showing no signs of recovery for whose boats are suck at the bottom. Violence goes unabated and its next victim may be someone you know.

Still the word of God comes to us to be strong and very courageous because God is with us. News and events are only temporary. God is eternal. Each battle we fight provides for God another victory to win. In these tough economy times, I have been able to give and save. Why? I keep my attention on Him, and His word commands me to be strong and very courageous.

Be strong in my faith and courageous as I confront the many battles of the day. I must admit that Satan is busy. Nevertheless, I am aware of his devices. I have committed myself to God and therefore, I can resist the devil, his imps and all of his tricks and traps.

God’s strength and courage are available to you this morning.

One of the most important traits to obtain is wisdom. Wisdom is the compass by which we are to steer across the trackless waste of life; without it, we are derelict vessels, the sport of winds and waves. A person will sorely injure their feet among the thorns of life is they don't choose their steps with utmost caution. If, trained by the Great Teacher, we follow where He leads, we shall find that which is good. Even in darkness the stars will shine. Where can wisdom be found? Wisdom is found in one's trust in the Lord and listening to divine inspiration. Just ask the Lord to walk with you through life's garden and its wilderness. He will walk with you and talk with you and tell you that you are His own.

It will help you understand the role of a wounded healer. It will also help you to understand why you are justified by God's love.

It will also help you share your testimony of what God has done for you in your life.

The danger of self is its desire to place everything under its dominion. The danger of flesh is that it is always creating space for its desires and wants.

Ofttimes, what one controls, desires and wants to become occupies the center of your being. It puts those things in front of God.

As we begin a new week from tomorrow worship service, is Jesus the center of your joy?

This is the tension in today's world. To ensure that you put nothing in front of, or in place of God.

Satan slips various things into our center. Our responsibility is to commit our self to God and to resist the Devil, his tricks and his devices.

Fill up on Spiritual food tomorrow, so that it becomes your nourishment over the coming week.

As the political leadership negotiates the level of pain to place upon the people with threats of a government shutdown; those in the faith can rest assured that the last word is not with them, but it's with God.

I pray for a sense of reason within the Republican and Democratic leadership. One Congressman informed me that the "Tea Party" crowd has come to Washington with one goal in mind to hamper the progress being made, to embarrass the President, and to cut all areas they deem are entitlements to the poor.

There is a new level of mean spiritedness.

For example, the proposed cuts to The Head Start program will mean that the program our church is responsible for will have to endure a 22% cut. That will mean possibly releasing six people and serving 34 fewer children.

With bombing going on in Libya, Afghanistan, and Iraq, our priorities are out of whack.

Nevertheless, I convinced that God's will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

I'm so glad that He found me. I'm so glad that I opened the door of my heart to Him.

Have you every experienced a knock at the door of your heart?

Sweet is the season of spring: the long and dreary winter helps us to appreciate its genial warmth, and its promise of summer enhances its present delights.

It is refreshing to experience the blossoming tulips and daffodils of our spirits emerging from their beds within the earth. Our hearts are made merry with the delicious notes of gratitude, far more melodious than the singing of birds. Our spirits are reassured with the comfort of peace.

So sweet is the cooing of turtledoves our souls come alive seeking the love that only comes from God. Spring beckons us with a refreshing invitation that heeds the communion of our souls and feels the tenderness of Jesus' call. Yes, it's springtime and my chilly heart become revived with the dawn of a new season in the Lord.

Properly done, liturgical dancing expresses in the moment the deep spiritual essence of one's relationship with God.

Improperly done, dancing can be a distraction to one who is seeking to enter a spiritual relationship.

I have witnessed both modes. However, I must admit, I have witnessed dance properly done, more often than not.

The younger people of our generation express their spirituality through movement. The older of our generation expresses their spirituality through meditation. It is not either/or; it is really both/ and.

Liturgical dance has a place in the menu of worship experiences. It can release the mind, body and spirit to experience a wholesome relationship with God.

Listening to the birds sing this morning caused me to reflect upon this scripture. How does gossip begin? It begins with a thought told to someone and reported to others. I remember my mother would say, "loose lips sink ships."

This scripture reminds us to keep thoughts and words to yourself. Speak words that heal, instead of words that hurt. Think thoughts that are lovely and pure, not thoughts that dark and dreary.

First, your attitude improves when you think and say positive things. Second, others will not be able to attribute negativity to you.