December 28, 2023 • 51 mins
Imagine finding hope in the most challenging moments of your life, and transforming that hope into a purpose that reaches beyond yourself. That's exactly what my double cousin, Natalie Smalley, did. In a time of intense personal struggle, Natalie discovered the profound difference faith and an in-depth study of the Bible can make. Together, we dive deep into the spiritual discipline of Bible study, focusing on the powerful message in 1 Corinthians 2:6-9, revealing God’s plans for us all, no matter our pasts. Natalie's inspiring journey of healing, and her father's words, “don’t live beneath your privileges” sparked a transformative power in her prayer and study life.
Natalie Smalley's book I Have Breast Cancer, Now What?: A Cancer Support Tool which is mentioned in this episode.
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· Website: www.hangingoutwithjesuspodcast.com
· @hangingoutwithjesuspodcast (Instagram)
· @themeprojectacademy (Pinterest)
· support@themeprojectacademy.com (for comments)
· www.goodreads.com/lyvitabrooks
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Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:08):
Welcome to Hanging Out with Jesus Podcast, where we
equip the saints for ministryby bringing you tips, interviews
, inspiration and information onhow to live intentionally and
daily in Christ.
For more resources, includingyour free newsletter, visit
HangingOutWithJesusPodcastcom orclick the link in the show
(00:31):
notes.
Hi, I'm LaVita Brooks.
Author, bible teacher, founderof the Meep Project Academy and
your host.
Thanks for supporting thisministry and writing and
commenting on the blog andwhatever podcast platform you
are listening to, because thenit makes us feel more like a
(00:53):
conversation.
If this is your first timelistening in, welcome.
This is episode 91.
Saints, I'm hanging out withJesus on a mini sabbatical.
This is one of my favoriteeffort.
So, from the past, I'minterviewing my double cousin,
(01:14):
natalie Smalling, and we aretalking about 1 Corinthians, and
God has a plan for each one ofour lives, regardless of what
we've been through.
Now on to the episode.
(01:34):
Let's pray, my father and I, wecome to you in the blessed name
of our Lord and Savior, jesusChrist.
Thank you, dear Lord God, forallowing us to get together.
My cousin and I can cometogether and give you praise and
honor and glory, but also withthe saints of hanging out with
(01:55):
Jesus podcast.
What a blessing, dear Lord, god, thank you for this opportunity
to do this.
We pray that everyone thatlistens in on this conversation
that they are built up in Christand that they continue to grow
in the wisdom and knowledge andunderstanding of who you are and
(02:17):
find themselves in you.
For, in Jesus name, we pray formuch thanksgiving.
Amen, amen, amen.
Well, saints, I know you heardme say my cousin is online, but
I just want you all to know mydouble, double, double, double,
double.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
That's right.
Double, double, what is it?
Two sisters say it.
Two sisters, Mary, two brothers.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Brothers, that's literally, literally, yes, yes,
yes, so we're double cousins oneWest Coast, one East Coast,
that's right.
So I'd like to introduce mycousin, Natalie Smalley.
Natalie, tell everybody this isyour first time on the podcast.
Tell everybody who you are.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Well, I was expressing to my dear cousin
Levita that I wear a variety ofhats.
So I'm going to say that I am awife, a mother, I am a minister
, I am a television exec and Iam an author.
God has been good and he'sopened up doors that I never
(03:31):
expected to open in my life.
So I wear a variety of hats andsome people call me mom, some
people call me wife and honey,others call me minister nat, and
I hear a variety of things andI'm just humbled by all that God
has done in my life.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Because he has done some amazing things.
You have an awesome testimony,you know, just a blessing of
healing and growth and all thatgood stuff already on your life,
and maybe we get theopportunity to talk about that.
I don't know Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
I'm open.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
God's saying to you.
All know, on this podcast I maystart with one thing but I may
end with another, but whateverit is, we know that God has got
it and he has a message for eachand every one of us.
So let's get started with.
You know, saints, now we'redoing 1 Corinthians, so we are
(04:37):
now in the second chapter, andour spiritual discipline that
we're focusing on this year isBible study.
So I'm going to read and I hopeyou have your Bibles I'm going
to read chapter two, verse sixto nine.
Now, before this episode,episode 50, we are talking about
(05:00):
and I have Revan Anthony Wilsonon, we're actually talking
about all of chapter two, justin case you want to go back, but
this one, we have somethingspecific the Lord has been
touching my heart about on inverse, in chapter two, verse 69.
(05:21):
So you know I'm going to bereading from the ESV, the
English standard version, okay,so.
So let's get started.
First, corinthians, chapter two, verse 69.
Yet, among the mature, we doimpart wisdom, although it is
not a wisdom of this age or ofthe rulers of this age, who are
(05:45):
doomed to pass away, but weimpart a secret in hidden wisdom
of God, which God decreedbefore the ages of our glory.
None of the rulers of this ageunderstood this, for if they had
, they would not have crucifiedthe Lord of glory.
But, as it is written, what noeye has seen, nor ear heard, nor
(06:09):
the heart of man imagined whatGod has prepared for those who
love him.
And, nellie, this is the firsttime you read that, oh no.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
No, not at all.
Especially that ninth verse,especially I feel like I grew up
with it.
I feel like I grew up with itand I must say, I believe, just
to impress upon the congregationyou know my dad, you're a great
uncle.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
I'm going to say May he rest in heaven.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yes bless his heart, bishop.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Matthew, read the text.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I'm going to say that's a scripture that he
recited over and over again andI really believe it penetrated
my heart, because it just talksabout the blessing that's over
and beyond, and that's what heused to tell us Don't live, you
know you're living beneath yourprivileges.
Don't live beneath yourprivileges, and those privileges
are outlined in the Word of God.
(07:09):
And so to understand that Godhas prepared even greater than
we can imagine, than we can seeor feel or take in it's powerful
.
And that is something to spur uson in our relationship with the
Lord.
You know, whether it be in ourprayer life, in our Bible study
life, there is just so much morethan what we see in front of us
(07:34):
.
And if you can, if you cangrasp that in a spiritual realm,
that's dynamic.
We hear it in the physicalworld all the time.
You know, for people that areunder, those that are under
privilege, and it's like youknow, my husband works with a
lot of foster, foster young menthat have been in foster care
(07:55):
and wards of the state, etcetera, and so often they don't
see beyond that circumstance ofabandonment, et cetera.
But, man, if they can just geta glimpse of the ability to get
out in the world and communityand and take in the arts or take
in an athletic event, take in aworship experience, you know,
(08:20):
all of those things you takethat, take those in and that
allows you to see, oh, wow,there's more, there's a higher
place, so much more so if youapply that on the spiritual
realm, oh, my goodness.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
And I like it, but with two things I want to say.
So, in other words, christiansdo not have a glass ceiling.
Right, you know how the worldturns, you can only get.
But so high in thisorganization, you can only get.
You know, you have to be a manto get here, you have to be a
(08:53):
woman to get here, you have tobe this.
But in Christ there is no glass, there is no.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
There is no.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
We are here on this earth, but we're also in Christ
spiritually, so we really do nothave to worry about that, that
glass ceiling.
When you're in Christ, theimpossibilities are possible,
right.
It's just that you don't knowwhat they really are.
(09:23):
Yeah, mine hasn't come to thatpoint, okay.
So I really, lord, you reallythat really could happen.
You know what I was saying.
Oh Lord, I didn't even knowthat existed, because I'm
telling you, when it comes tothe podcast, I didn't know there
(09:46):
was such a thing, didn't evenno clue.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
The doors that opened are amazing, but you know what
LaVita?
It doesn't.
I'm of the inclination, I guessI would say that it doesn't
come without sacrifice, itdoesn't come without obedience,
obedience and seeking God.
(10:12):
I might even say just you know,there's a song about chasing
after us.
I think we have to chase afterhim on some levels.
And all that, and what I mean bythat is we just have to really
be those people that arecommitted to walking in the
spirit and not in the flesh.
And when you're walking in thespirit of God and you're
(10:33):
allowing him when you like,literally from your heart,
allowing him to take your life,if that is your petition, you
know that song open the eyes ofmy heart.
I want to see you, god, and ifyou position yourself that way,
it is amazing where God willtake your feet, where the path
(10:55):
that he'll allow you to walk on.
But it doesn't come easy.
You know another thing my dadused to say like you know, god
didn't promise us a bed of ease,and I'm telling you I've been
through some things.
Just like you mentioned, even inyour own life, and sometimes,
when we're going through, thehardest thing is to say God,
(11:19):
will you get glory out of this?
But that is what he requires.
I think that's what he invitesus to do, as those that love him
, to still say to God be theglory, get glory in this thing,
get glory in this thing.
Another scripture that comes tomind is in everything give
(11:40):
thanks, because this is the willof God through Christ Jesus, in
everything.
It doesn't always feel good, itdoesn't always look good,
sometimes it just lingers andextends itself, but in
everything give thanks.
And it's amazing of when wetake the posture of true
obedience to God.
Not perfection I'm not perfectby any means but my core heart,
(12:06):
my core heart is to honor God,to please God, to love him, to
be what he desires of me to be,and in the midst of my storms
and my battles, etc.
He is still working and movingand it amazes me.
It amazes me, it amazes me tosee God move.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Oh, yeah, and you know, and all of this, god has a
plan.
Yes, yes, you know, every timeI think about creation, God
didn't just show up and say yo,that void and stuff over there
put that thing together.
(12:50):
So yeah, and why don't you putsome trees?
Yeah, yeah, okay, and I'mthinking about no, no, no, no,
he showed up with a plan.
Yes, because, if you look, Imean, who would have thought of
coming up with the sun and themoon?
You know what I'm saying.
(13:10):
Yes, I mean the way it was justput together.
He had to have a plan.
He had to know that if LaVita'sgoing to show up, he had to
make a man or a woman.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Yes, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
So he had a plan, and his plan consisted of each one
of us, and his plan consisted ofthe Word of God becoming flesh,
so that eventually we could beat this state in our lives, but
we can pick up our Bible.
You know what I'm saying.
(13:48):
We're not the ones in thebeginning, because that wasn't
our destiny trying to start youknow everybody to understand who
Jesus Christ is.
No, no, no, that wasn't ourmission.
Our mission is right here.
And when I look at what God hasprepared for those who love him
, that means he has a plan.
(14:09):
He has prepared something forus, and each one of us have a
mission, a mission in life, ajourney that we're going to have
to go through in order tofulfill the things that God has
placed on our heart.
(14:29):
And when I think about all thathe's planned, all that he's put
together, that amazes me tooNandly.
That just blows my mind that ifwe're still here, there's more
to be done.
Because, like, okay, becauseyou, you know, like a Matthew
(14:51):
has passed.
I still say he's up theresleeping with the Lord, like I
think my mom's sleeping with theLord, and every once in a while
I say Lord, could you wake up?
Just tell her.
I say hey, or something youknow what I'm saying.
You know, you know, because Ikeep thinking.
You know they go to sleep andyou know when it comes time for
that rapture, everybody's goingto be showing up.
(15:12):
So but that's that's.
You know, that's Lovita.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
Oh, but oh Well, you know what Lovita I when it's
interesting, when you gave thispassage of scripture, and I had
always looked at it as what Godpromises while we're here on
earth.
But it really is twofold.
(15:37):
You know, when we, when we'vetalked with one another, what I
really recognize and what jumpsout is at me is the idea of it
being twofold, and by that Imean you know this hope, this
passage and I'm sure you wentinto it with your prior guests
more but it is Paul's salutationand greeting right To the
(15:58):
church of Corinth and in themiddle of that, with everything
that they have going on, tellingthem and trying to encourage
them and pull them out of that.
You know all the division that'sbeen going on, all the
immorality, et cetera, andtelling them, you know, or
encouraging them, in fact, inhis greeting, that eyes haven't
seen, you haven't seen or heard,it hasn't even entered the
(16:19):
heart of man and woman and boyand girl, what God has in store
for us.
Okay, so that's literally to me, as he's speaking to these, to
this church, you know,encouraging them that God is
greater, he has greater.
Those things are in place andyou know that speaks to what
(16:40):
you're talking about the plan.
But you know we also can'tnegate the idea of what Jesus
said to his disciples.
You know, I go to prepare aplace for you, oh, and if I go
and prepare a place I'll comeagain.
You know where I am.
There, you may be also.
So it is.
I think it is a scripture ofhope for us as we are living in
(17:04):
this world that we are living in.
But it is also a scripture thatcan speak to the hope of John
3.16,.
Oh yeah, for God so loved theworld that he gave his only
begotten Son that whosoeverbelieve that penance should not
perish but have everlastingEverlasting.
And that is the hope, you knowwhen you go to the home going
services of so many.
(17:25):
You know that is the theme, thehope that we believers have.
It goes back to believing inwho this Jesus Christ is.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
It goes back to believing and walking in faith
and in obedience.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Yes it does, yes it does, andthat hope is what we hold on to.
Yes, everyone has a beginningand an ending, everyone has a
path, and even when you thinkabout God's plan for Jesus
(18:07):
Christ and I really wanted tosay himself in the flesh- Uh-huh
, uh-huh.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
I understand you, you understand you understand
himself in the flesh?
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Yes, it was.
He had a plan, he had abeginning and he had an ending.
And so often we think about aperson's ending as being a sad
event, but it really isn't.
It just meant that theycompleted their task.
(18:39):
Yes, we're not looking at whatthey actually did, we're just
looking at the fact that theyhad a task placed on their life
and it's completed.
Now, how they completed it no,no, no, no.
We don't know the heart of man,but we do know that it's
completed.
And when you know one of thethings Paul said follow me as I
(19:03):
follow Christ.
So if we're following Christand we're looking at his plan
that has been laid out righthere in front of us, we know
that the number one thing is toglorify God and spend time with
God.
Yes, Because that's what he did.
I mean, he did other stuff, butthose two things, I mean you
(19:24):
can just pull them out.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
That was just overshadows everything.
So if our lives are to glorifyGod and spend time with him,
then that's something we need todo and we need to take it
seriously.
Yes, because in that spendingtime, I'm pretty sure Jesus
found out.
You know, listen, son, you'reabout to go into what's?
(19:56):
The guy named Pontius Pilate.
Is it Pontius Pilate?
No, no, no, not.
Pontius Judas, judas, judas isabout to show you out.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
It's a bit.
Yeah, he's about to show you.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
I'm just letting you know.
So get ready.
So I'm only going to give yousome warning about different
things.
So, just spending time with theLord, you get the opportunity
to know your mission, what yournext steps are.
(20:34):
And as believers in Christ,since we don't have a glass
ceiling, we often think, ok, Iwant 1,000 customers come
through the door before 3o'clock today.
We don't have to worry aboutthat.
We say, lord, you know what Ineed, this is your business.
(20:55):
You know that tomorrow I need$80,000 in order to cover the
account I only had the day inthe morning.
I'm putting my trust in you andwe have to come to that part
(21:15):
and what we realize, that whatGod has prepared for us.
Yes, we can make, we have achoice.
Yes, we have a choice.
So, if God has given us A butwe like B, better we go B way.
Yes, we're gonna get theconsequences of B.
(21:38):
But God is always trying to pullus back to-.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
He's faithful.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
He is faithful.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
He is so faithful.
I have a friend and I think outof every conversation we've had
, 90, 97.5, that's what comesout of her mouth, see, and I
mean and this is a woman who'sgone through so much but I
sometimes believe that God hasput her in my life and for me
(22:08):
it's been a lot of health issuesover the last several years and
to hear her constantly say thatGod is faithful, god is
faithful, god is faithful.
But I'm also reminded of whatwe have also heard over the
years from my dad and our unclesKeep the faith, keep the faith.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
That's it, you know.
Keep the faith.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
God is faithful and keep the faith, it's a circle.
Faith comes by here.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
We hear about it.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
We hear about it it all goes back to what you're
saying.
So even when we're encouragingourselves, being mindful of the
fact that God is faithful, itcomes by the word of God.
You know, prayer is a big partof my life, as you have
mentioned and stated over yourpodcasts.
(22:59):
Even you talk about prayer alot and I always pray scripture
because that is what encourages.
That doesn't allow you to gointo yourself, that allows you
when you're praying scripture,and it's literally from the word
of God that you are right inthere.
You know, god is my refuge, heis my strength.
(23:21):
I might not feel that way,going back to that again,
everything give thanks.
Might not feel it, but the wordstill says God is my refuge,
god is my strength.
My expectation is of you, god,so you move.
In the midst of all our trials,our weighty situations, being
(23:41):
encouraged through the word ofGod is powerful and that's what
I know, that's what's gotten methrough.
So to have hope through thescripture is amazing.
To have hope through thescripture is what pulls us up
out of our dark places and outof those decisions that we've
(24:02):
made on our own when we've notapplied God's wisdom.
We're dealing with our ownwisdom, our own flesh.
You know it is truly the wordof God that can pull us back in
and take us higher and allow usto have hope.
You know, when you say, when youcan really buy into and lean
(24:25):
into that idea that eyes havenot seen and ears have not heard
, wow, god has this great thingin store for me.
You know, in the midst of apandemic and lack and loss, I
can still count on this God, ohmy goodness, yes, and we need
the word of God in this time Ithink of.
(24:46):
I keep asking the Lord in allhonesty okay, how are we?
What are you up to God?
How are we in this?
Because when you go back to myI'm gonna say my generation, we
were sitting in Sunday schoolclasses and youth groups and
Bible studies and you know HYPUand BY all those youths that
(25:10):
really embraced us and I believewe are seeing some of those
things and it looks different,maybe today.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
There are.
You know, what comes to mind isthe Mavericks group, and they
just join in that wholemultitude of young people
singing, gathering around.
You have that.
But what I'm really focusing inon in this moment is the idea
of what the word is saying andhow that encourages us and pulls
(25:43):
us and gives us hope that weneed in the midst of our storms.
A simple thing that the Lord ismy shepherd.
I shall not want, I shall notwant and you might be in a
physical state of lack, but toconfess that is what is
encouraging and what is heapingon top of your faith account, if
(26:06):
I can call it that.
That's what's heaping on typeof your faith account.
I know this and that is goingon, but, lord, you are my
shepherd.
I shall not want Going backagain.
You know you are my refuge, youare my strength.
The Lord is my light.
You know, and when I'm in aplace of darkness just being
reminded of those things andjust constantly, you know,
(26:30):
reminding ourselves that he hasgreat in store for us and it's
in that spiritual realm.
It's that spiritual realm so itcomes in the form of peace when
you're going through a crazyscenario, peace that's holding
you together when everythingelse around you seems to be
falling apart, and even yourmind.
(26:51):
You know, in your mind.
You're confused in your mind attimes because of, maybe,
heaviness that's constantly atyou.
It's just good to be able tocall on a God that hears and
answers prayer and to challengehim by his own word.
This is what your word says.
(27:12):
I'm standing on this.
This is my expectation.
I love that verse.
My expectation is of you,because in your word.
You said you would never leaveme or forsake me.
I don't see you, I don't feel,it's not in my feelings, but
come on, god, you know.
So it is a faith walk.
It is a faith walk.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
But it's one that you can call him on for sure.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, and that youknow what you're talking about
is the spiritual discipline ofBible study, bible reading yes,
meditation, silence, because yougotta be silent in order to
hear the word of God.
And, nellie, I know youprobably don't know, but I've
(27:55):
put out in the same you arefamiliar with this that we have
a 21 day challenge, doing justwhat we're talking about.
I came across that, oh, you did.
I did come across that.
I'm checking you out.
Ha ha, ha ha.
Well, you are taking scripture,just like Nellie said, you're
(28:16):
taking scripture, you're readingit and there's a focus verse.
But, as you know, I've beensaying, in 2021, how I believe
God has.
He's pulling the saints outinto ministry and into business
and in a way that is powerful.
There's a lot of us that feelthat we are on a part of God's
(28:40):
plan.
We don't have the ability orwe're scared, or that's just not
me, that couldn't be calling meto do that.
And then I know I have friendswho say well, I think God said
I'm supposed to be doing this.
No, I think it's this.
No, no, maybe it's this.
Maybe it should Listen.
(29:01):
Pick one thing, whatever Godhas called, pick one thing and
do it.
Just do it.
God has a plan and if you'reafraid now, if you're afraid,
all that means is adversariestrying to hold you back Just do
it.
So this 21 day challenge isbasically to take the word of
(29:23):
God and allow you and the Lordto spend time together, just
together, in His word.
Focus on that, and if you havea business or a ministry, it's
also applicable to you.
Because now, listen, take your30 minutes.
(29:44):
Some of you can take more than30 minutes, and if you had to
take less than 30, take the timein your life, block it out.
Make it consistent for 21 daysand just take the word of God
and be with your Savior and Lord, holy Spirit and God.
(30:05):
Just be with Him.
Just be with Him because he's atrial and God, all three of one
, and I just know they all threewanted everybody oh, you talk
to one everybody showing up.
You know what I'm saying, youknow?
what I'm saying and showing upin a very powerful way.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Yes, you know, every once in a while I'll go back to
Genesis.
You talked about God and how hehad a plan.
I'll go back to Genesis andjust read those days of creation
and when you go back to that itis dynamic, it's powerful just
(30:43):
to go through and really seewhat he did, how he put it into
place, how he spoke it intoplace, and it's just dynamic.
That whole reading to take in.
And how often, you know, a lotof times I think we take what we
know and we just keep movingthrough life because we know
(31:04):
it's there, it's there.
But every once in a while to goback and just take the time to
literally read through that andsee what he did and how he
showed up, it will move you, itwill impress you.
Yes, it will impress you.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
And the love.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
It will tie you into the scripture of today.
Yes, yes, it all ties in to thefact that he is such an awesome
God.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
He is and, like I was saying, the love the God made
us in His image.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
We are breathing in and out.
He breathed His breath in us.
Do you understand what I'msaying?
Yes, yes, we're breathing Hisbreath.
Yes, that always amazes me.
Yes, absolutely, it's wild.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
You know, and the cousin to that, the cousin to
that is reminding ourselves, nomatter what's going on, that we
are in fact fearfully andwonderfully made, from the
youngest to the oldest, from theinsider and the outsider,
wherever you fit in.
We are fearfully andwonderfully made and God loves
(32:29):
us.
He loves us, he loves us.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Amen, hallelujah.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Thank you God.
Speaker 1 (32:34):
So what God has prepared for those who love him.
That's the, that's the listen,Saints, that's the key, right
there.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
Amen, we are part of his plan.
And one way we know that we'repart of his plan because he said
because he loves, you know hehas prepared stuff for those he
love.
Yes, don't don't take forgranted the gifts and talents
that God has given you.
Don't do that.
(33:07):
And the icing on the cake yes,no, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
The ice I'm just saying the icing on the cake is
when we love him back.
Yes, yes, I think of the wordsof that song.
I love you, jesus, I worshipand adore you.
I love you more than anything.
That's a dynamic relationshipwhen you have a God is the lover
(33:32):
of your soul and you love himback.
I think, there's nothing thatwe can't accomplish, nothing
that we can, like you talkedabout, be impossible.
Is anything impossible for God?
Is anything you know no, and youhave to be reminded that and
(33:52):
that and encouraged through that, because this world is brutal.
Speaker 1 (33:58):
Oh yes.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
This world is brutal, but but, but, god, but, god,
but God but.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
God, but God, that's what I say.
With the gifts and the talentsthat he's giving us, you give
that back to him.
He's going to bring theincrease.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
He gave it to you right.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
He gave it to you, he's going to bring the increase
.
Think about your brain.
That's a whole half the stuffyou're not even using.
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Look, that's some real science there.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
Yes, you know what I'm saying but, but, but, what
God has put in there he canamplify.
But if we never spend the timewith him to allow him to amplify
God, come on.
And if we don't allow him to usethe gifts as as he has, god has
(34:56):
a way of of taking somethingsimple like writing, because of
both authors you know we maystart off with.
It was the first time thatJimmy ate that apple.
Okay, and one writer will takethat apple to turn it into food.
(35:17):
Another one would take thatapple and turn it into some kind
of poetry.
Another, one will take it into achild story and in the midst of
all that, you can have 15different poets, authors,
thrillers you know, you knowwhat I'm saying, right, right,
and each one is writing in aunique and special.
(35:37):
God has a way of taking a gift,just a gift, highlighting it so
that it hit this person one wayand that person another.
It's written just for thisperson, but this person get a
piece of it.
That person might say I'm okay,you know, you know what I'm
(35:57):
saying, it's just perspective.
Speaker 2 (35:59):
Yes oh, perspective and point of view Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (36:04):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
So I just, you know what, nellie, this was.
This was a blessing, you know,because my whole thing is about.
It's about planning.
We got, we have to, god plannedMatter of fact.
Eternity, I believe, is planned, isn't it?
I believe so.
Yes, I mean it has to be,because we're going there, right
(36:29):
, the Rapture, right, the guyhas something.
I mean God didn't laid out thiswhole plan here.
I mean, we don't knoweverything, there's still some
mysteries, and that's theexciting part, that's the that's
really the exciting part, youknow.
But I mean he got all laid outand all we gotta do show up.
Speaker 2 (36:50):
That's right.
Have faith, have faith andbelieve, have faith and believe
that's it.
What are you about?
Speaker 1 (36:59):
So cause what's on your radar plans for 2022?
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Oh, my goodness, you know, I still just, I just want
to be available.
I think that's my heart desirejust to be available to God.
I have seen him move in suchawesome ways in my own life
already, so I am amazed at whathe can do in the future.
(37:25):
You know, I don't know if I cando a quick wrap of what that is
really cooking my chest formany.
Yeah, I mean a two time breastcancer diagnosis in 2013 and
then again in 2016.
And that journey alone wasdaunting, it was overwhelming.
(37:49):
It was that, oh Lord, what ishappening?
You know, here I am runningprayer ministry in church and
now I have to step into thatplace and really really step
into those, those legs and armsof prayer and my onesie and
really make it happen in my ownlife and put faith in action.
And I mentioned earlier aboutGod, you be glorified.
(38:12):
That really was a sincereprayer of my heart.
Each time I didn't know howthat was going to look and I
didn't say it easily, I didn'tconfess that easily to the Lord,
but I just I knew.
When you talk about a plan, Ihad to know in the back of my
mind, based on everything I knowof who God is.
My expectation was of him.
(38:33):
So I still gave that.
After healing from the firstdiagnosis and going through a
mastectomy and reconstructionand and expanders and all those
things, doctors visits, back andforth and a couple of surgeries
, thinking everything was over,and then to be hit again with a
different type of cancer, adifferent type of breast cancer,
(38:54):
and be right back at that sameplace.
I remember sitting down in mydining area one day and just
saying God, come on now.
You know this is really from myheart, yeah, but still, man,
you, you'd be glorified in this.
And when am I going to see that?
When am I going to see theglory part of going through this
(39:15):
?
Well, fast forward years beyondthat, eight years, whatever
later, and in this past year anda half, two years alone, I've
written my one book, which is Ihave breast cancer.
Now what?
And it's a breath, it's asupport, it's a support, support
tool for those with breastcancer and my husband who really
(39:35):
pushed what's the name of?
Speaker 1 (39:37):
the book.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
Again, I have breast cancer.
Okay Now, what a breast cancersupport tool.
And I'm telling you it just.
It just outlines my journey andwhat I went through, and beyond
that I am.
Now I joined this support groupcalled Cancer Support Community
(39:59):
and I am now on that board.
So I was from being a memberwho was receiving support and
the support group and taking innutritional, you know,
influences and ways to buildyour body back up and and just
talking with women who otherwomen who spoke my same language
.
And now I move from member toboard of director where I'm
(40:25):
trying to pull in people andespecially people in the black
community, because we aredisproportionately affected by
cancer.
And I find myself in this placeand I'm saying Lord, and I'm
talking about donors that bringin thousands of dollars etc.
I don't, I mean I'm doing okay,but I'm not.
(40:45):
I'm not in that place, but I'mmoving among.
God is just opening up doorsand allowing me to see, see life
from a different perspective,to be on a different side, to go
into places where I'm notfearful of jumping in and asking
you know, can, can you help?
(41:07):
How can you support?
Nor am I fearful of saying, hey, come on and grab some support,
let us lock arms, and God hasgiven us all these resources.
You know, my family by churchis a great source of support.
But he allowed me to step outinto a greater diversity and a
(41:29):
greater group of people.
But we had that one thing incommon of hearing you have
breast cancer.
But I mean, it's taken me intothe midst of all kinds of people
who are, who are just bound bythat commonality.
And just to see him moving inthose areas.
Another area really quickalways wanted to be involved in
(41:49):
voiceover work and in my early20s, after graduating from
college, I got involved with alocal radio station and I was up
yeah, I was about to have myown show and all of this and the
things changed on me and theprogramming got purchased in
time.
You know, my opportunity wentout the window, put it like this
(42:11):
.
So I think over the yearsthat's something I always kind
of wanted to do and aspire andget back to.
And I remember, you know, say,25 plus years later I'm sharing
this with a co worker.
Just, we're talking aboutdesires of our heart, things
like that.
I literally, lavita, literally,walked into my office one day
and I had a note that said haveyou heard of KPFK 90.7 FM?
(42:33):
The host is looking for apartner to assist him with the
show.
You should give a call.
The deal is, I'm like what?
Because I've always wanted toget back into radio.
I never thought I'd get thatopportunity or voiceover, that
type of thing.
And so here I call, I reach out, I send in what my passion is
(42:56):
and what background I do have init the fact that I had taken a
refresher course because aftergoing through breast cancer, I'm
telling you, I had a new leaseon life and I was out there, you
know going for it.
Speaker 1 (43:08):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (43:11):
You look into life.
Let me tell you, when I askedthis the host I said I'm sure
you have a lot of people thathave responded to your request.
He goes to you and anothergentleman and he's not the one
for this job.
Wow, and that's how I'm there.
So every other Sunday I amthere and I'm just joining him
(43:34):
and it's giving me opportunityto perfect the craft and be a
self critical person.
Speaker 1 (43:41):
You know it's like you're my own voice.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
I mean, it's just the door that God has opened and
it's many years later, but I'veseen it come to pass.
I've seen it come to pass, youknow, I've been asked.
Going back to the board ofdirectors, I've been asked to be
on boards before and I wouldalways hesitate.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
It's like I don't know what do I have to offer?
Speaker 2 (44:01):
Let me tell you I'm on the ground running with this
Because I have taken the burden,I've taken the horrible, I've
taken the bad of of diagnosisand I find, and I have been able
to see it turn around for good,god, god took that thing and he
has turned it around for good.
I see the good coming out of itand so I'm telling you, we
(44:25):
never know.
Speaker 1 (44:26):
We keep thinking that our trials and tribulations are
awful and hard and yes, andjust unfair.
And why would God put usthrough something like that?
It's just suffering, butthere's a yeah, but there is
actually light at the end of thetunnel.
There is something more to this.
(44:48):
Our suffering is not a game.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I like to think of it , yeah, and I don't even think
of it all as him putting usthrough.
But just, I know, I know the, Iknow he it is said that he
doesn't, he allows it or it'swhat he allows in the midst of
what we're going through,because there's so often I don't
know why, lovita, I always getconcerned about when we go
(45:12):
through so much.
I've heard even in my journey,I wonder people will come with
me.
I want well, why would God putthat on you?
Why would God do that to you?
And I'm like, yeah, I just wantto be careful in and how I'm
looking at this and wording this.
And when I don't have all thoseanswers, I just go before God
and I say, okay, you're will bedone.
Please, father, god, lead andGod and direct me.
(45:33):
You be glorified and I had totake this from a brother that I
have a lot of respect for.
The devil horrified, the devilhorrified and God glorified,
devil horrified, but be allowed.
Yes, yes, yes, you know, beallowing that God does in the
midst of these things.
You know there's so much.
You know you talk aboutmiscreeds you talk about.
(45:55):
You talk about what is beingallowed versus what is put on us
At the end of the day, stillgoing back to that and
everything, giving thanks.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (46:06):
Because this is the will of God.
Speaker 1 (46:09):
Yes, through Christ Jesus, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
And somehow he shows up for his people he shows up in
the midst of our suffering, inthe midst of your chronic
suffering.
He still shows up, and everytime I get that glimpse of
sunshine in my life, I get a daythat is just even a moment,
that is just going well, andthat I can feel love and the
(46:33):
grace of God moving.
I am always saying God, thankyou.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
Thank you, lola.
You're right.
You know, while you weretalking, I was thinking about
the person who says we live in aworld of sin, mm-hmm, therefore
we're going to go through stuffPeriod, and I think that has
been causing.
That causes us a lot ofheadache and that that might be
(47:01):
the wrong word, but that causesus a lot of confusion, I hear
you, I'm with you, I am so withyou.
You understand.
So when we get into because youknow I've been through two
different pneumonias I shinglesyou know what I'm saying.
My shingles went into nervedamage so oh gosh.
(47:21):
So when I look at it on theother end, you know I don't have
it now, but on this end I hadto remind myself that you know,
because sometimes we think thatas Christians, nothing's
supposed to happen to us, right,right, you know what I'm saying
.
Speaker 2 (47:39):
Cuz we're.
Speaker 1 (47:39):
God.
How dare you sickness come overhere?
You know what I'm saying.
But we live in a world of sin.
But we are to be an example.
We're to be an example.
God's God has it.
Like you said, god has allowedus a certain path and mission in
which to take and, and in that,in the direction of getting to
(48:02):
him, come in fulfilling thatmission.
There's some things that aregonna become.
They're gonna start shootingour way.
We don't know what they are we,they just gonna come out what.
But we got to stay focused inthe word of God.
We got to keep our eye focus onwho our God is sovereign he is.
(48:24):
But if we never if we never readacross that, or if we never
hear that or if we never embraceit, and I mean anything.
We got to put a much of theword of God in us as the world
has been throwing it out.
You know that's right.
So if you like 50 years old,you got 50 years of the world.
(48:44):
You need to start, you know,really getting to know who God
is.
This is a blessing, you know,I'm saying this is a blessing,
god.
What God has prepared for thosewho love him.
Well, now that, I just want anylast words for close out.
Speaker 2 (49:06):
You know, I just I thank you for this opportunity
and I I believe that we comefrom great legacy and it just,
oh, we do emerged yeah, yeah,yeah, I urge today.
I think that there have justbeen seeds that have been
planted in us From our and asfar as our families go, great
(49:26):
seeds and I'm not saying that ina puff, puffed up way, but
maybe I am because we knowbetter than be puffed up.
Speaker 1 (49:42):
Yes, I understand it.
No, I understand yes.
Speaker 2 (49:46):
Yes, I just you know, I just thank God for his grace,
his mercy, his love, hiskindness, and I am open.
I don't want to live beneath myprivileges, so I am open to
keeping the faith.
I am open to understanding thatthat God is faithful.
I am open to understanding thatI don't know everything.
(50:07):
Give God all the glory, oh, andI just allow him the
flexibility to move.
We have the opportunity forchoice, you know.
We have the opportunity forJoyce for choice.
God is able to step in and anddo Abundantly.
Above all we ask or think, buthe is a gentleman, I hear my
(50:28):
friend saying that he is agentleman oh he just has it just
Extended.
Speaker 1 (50:33):
You know, this gift will you receive it, and and
that's where, where he that'swhere he leaves it, that's where
he lives it, that's it and it's, and it is our choice.
Right to follow him or not.
How gracious a God is that.
Yes that he's not Manipulativeor demanding right, just just
(50:56):
loving, yes, you know, and it'sa love that many of us don't
know.
We can't comprehend that love,and that is just an awesome kind
of love that needs to be.
What God has prepared for thosewho love him is awesome.
(51:18):
Oh, hey, man, so until we meetagain on the airways
intentionally and damn, hang outwith you, natalie, let's close
it out, all right, hello, oh.
Welcome to Hanging Out with Jesus Podcast, where we
equip the saints for ministryby bringing you tips, interviews
, inspiration and information onhow to live intentionally and
daily in Christ.
For more resources, includingyour free newsletter, visit
HangingOutWithJesusPodcastcom orclick the link in the show
(00:31):
notes.
Hi, I'm LaVita Brooks.
Author, bible teacher, founderof the Meep Project Academy and
your host.
Thanks for supporting thisministry and writing and
commenting on the blog andwhatever podcast platform you
are listening to, because thenit makes us feel more like a
(00:53):
conversation.
If this is your first timelistening in, welcome.
This is episode 91.
Saints, I'm hanging out withJesus on a mini sabbatical.
This is one of my favoriteeffort.
So, from the past, I'minterviewing my double cousin,
(01:14):
natalie Smalling, and we aretalking about 1 Corinthians, and
God has a plan for each one ofour lives, regardless of what
we've been through.
Now on to the episode.
(01:34):
Let's pray, my father and I, wecome to you in the blessed name
of our Lord and Savior, jesusChrist.
Thank you, dear Lord God, forallowing us to get together.
My cousin and I can cometogether and give you praise and
honor and glory, but also withthe saints of hanging out with
(01:55):
Jesus podcast.
What a blessing, dear Lord, god, thank you for this opportunity
to do this.
We pray that everyone thatlistens in on this conversation
that they are built up in Christand that they continue to grow
in the wisdom and knowledge andunderstanding of who you are and
(02:17):
find themselves in you.
For, in Jesus name, we pray formuch thanksgiving.
Amen, amen, amen.
Well, saints, I know you heardme say my cousin is online, but
I just want you all to know mydouble, double, double, double,
double.
Speaker 2 (02:35):
That's right.
Double, double, what is it?
Two sisters say it.
Two sisters, Mary, two brothers.
Speaker 1 (02:45):
Brothers, that's literally, literally, yes, yes,
yes, so we're double cousins oneWest Coast, one East Coast,
that's right.
So I'd like to introduce mycousin, Natalie Smalley.
Natalie, tell everybody this isyour first time on the podcast.
Tell everybody who you are.
Speaker 2 (03:08):
Well, I was expressing to my dear cousin
Levita that I wear a variety ofhats.
So I'm going to say that I am awife, a mother, I am a minister
, I am a television exec and Iam an author.
God has been good and he'sopened up doors that I never
(03:31):
expected to open in my life.
So I wear a variety of hats andsome people call me mom, some
people call me wife and honey,others call me minister nat, and
I hear a variety of things andI'm just humbled by all that God
has done in my life.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Because he has done some amazing things.
You have an awesome testimony,you know, just a blessing of
healing and growth and all thatgood stuff already on your life,
and maybe we get theopportunity to talk about that.
I don't know Absolutely.
Speaker 2 (04:11):
I'm open.
That's what I'm saying.
Speaker 1 (04:15):
God's saying to you.
All know, on this podcast I maystart with one thing but I may
end with another, but whateverit is, we know that God has got
it and he has a message for eachand every one of us.
So let's get started with.
You know, saints, now we'redoing 1 Corinthians, so we are
(04:37):
now in the second chapter, andour spiritual discipline that
we're focusing on this year isBible study.
So I'm going to read and I hopeyou have your Bibles I'm going
to read chapter two, verse sixto nine.
Now, before this episode,episode 50, we are talking about
(05:00):
and I have Revan Anthony Wilsonon, we're actually talking
about all of chapter two, justin case you want to go back, but
this one, we have somethingspecific the Lord has been
touching my heart about on inverse, in chapter two, verse 69.
(05:21):
So you know I'm going to bereading from the ESV, the
English standard version, okay,so.
So let's get started.
First, corinthians, chapter two, verse 69.
Yet, among the mature, we doimpart wisdom, although it is
not a wisdom of this age or ofthe rulers of this age, who are
(05:45):
doomed to pass away, but weimpart a secret in hidden wisdom
of God, which God decreedbefore the ages of our glory.
None of the rulers of this ageunderstood this, for if they had
, they would not have crucifiedthe Lord of glory.
But, as it is written, what noeye has seen, nor ear heard, nor
(06:09):
the heart of man imagined whatGod has prepared for those who
love him.
And, nellie, this is the firsttime you read that, oh no.
Speaker 2 (06:20):
No, not at all.
Especially that ninth verse,especially I feel like I grew up
with it.
I feel like I grew up with itand I must say, I believe, just
to impress upon the congregationyou know my dad, you're a great
uncle.
Speaker 1 (06:40):
I'm going to say May he rest in heaven.
Speaker 2 (06:44):
Yes bless his heart, bishop.
Speaker 1 (06:45):
Matthew, read the text.
Speaker 2 (06:47):
I'm going to say that's a scripture that he
recited over and over again andI really believe it penetrated
my heart, because it just talksabout the blessing that's over
and beyond, and that's what heused to tell us Don't live, you
know you're living beneath yourprivileges.
Don't live beneath yourprivileges, and those privileges
are outlined in the Word of God.
(07:09):
And so to understand that Godhas prepared even greater than
we can imagine, than we can seeor feel or take in it's powerful
.
And that is something to spur uson in our relationship with the
Lord.
You know, whether it be in ourprayer life, in our Bible study
life, there is just so much morethan what we see in front of us
(07:34):
.
And if you can, if you cangrasp that in a spiritual realm,
that's dynamic.
We hear it in the physicalworld all the time.
You know, for people that areunder, those that are under
privilege, and it's like youknow, my husband works with a
lot of foster, foster young menthat have been in foster care
(07:55):
and wards of the state, etcetera, and so often they don't
see beyond that circumstance ofabandonment, et cetera.
But, man, if they can just geta glimpse of the ability to get
out in the world and communityand and take in the arts or take
in an athletic event, take in aworship experience, you know,
(08:20):
all of those things you takethat, take those in and that
allows you to see, oh, wow,there's more, there's a higher
place, so much more so if youapply that on the spiritual
realm, oh, my goodness.
Speaker 1 (08:32):
And I like it, but with two things I want to say.
So, in other words, christiansdo not have a glass ceiling.
Right, you know how the worldturns, you can only get.
But so high in thisorganization, you can only get.
You know, you have to be a manto get here, you have to be a
(08:53):
woman to get here, you have tobe this.
But in Christ there is no glass, there is no.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
There is no.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
We are here on this earth, but we're also in Christ
spiritually, so we really do nothave to worry about that, that
glass ceiling.
When you're in Christ, theimpossibilities are possible,
right.
It's just that you don't knowwhat they really are.
(09:23):
Yeah, mine hasn't come to thatpoint, okay.
So I really, lord, you reallythat really could happen.
You know what I was saying.
Oh Lord, I didn't even knowthat existed, because I'm
telling you, when it comes tothe podcast, I didn't know there
(09:46):
was such a thing, didn't evenno clue.
Speaker 2 (09:50):
The doors that opened are amazing, but you know what
LaVita?
It doesn't.
I'm of the inclination, I guessI would say that it doesn't
come without sacrifice, itdoesn't come without obedience,
obedience and seeking God.
(10:12):
I might even say just you know,there's a song about chasing
after us.
I think we have to chase afterhim on some levels.
And all that, and what I mean bythat is we just have to really
be those people that arecommitted to walking in the
spirit and not in the flesh.
And when you're walking in thespirit of God and you're
(10:33):
allowing him when you like,literally from your heart,
allowing him to take your life,if that is your petition, you
know that song open the eyes ofmy heart.
I want to see you, god, and ifyou position yourself that way,
it is amazing where God willtake your feet, where the path
(10:55):
that he'll allow you to walk on.
But it doesn't come easy.
You know another thing my dadused to say like you know, god
didn't promise us a bed of ease,and I'm telling you I've been
through some things.
Just like you mentioned, even inyour own life, and sometimes,
when we're going through, thehardest thing is to say God,
(11:19):
will you get glory out of this?
But that is what he requires.
I think that's what he invitesus to do, as those that love him
, to still say to God be theglory, get glory in this thing,
get glory in this thing.
Another scripture that comes tomind is in everything give
(11:40):
thanks, because this is the willof God through Christ Jesus, in
everything.
It doesn't always feel good, itdoesn't always look good,
sometimes it just lingers andextends itself, but in
everything give thanks.
And it's amazing of when wetake the posture of true
obedience to God.
Not perfection I'm not perfectby any means but my core heart,
(12:06):
my core heart is to honor God,to please God, to love him, to
be what he desires of me to be,and in the midst of my storms
and my battles, etc.
He is still working and movingand it amazes me.
It amazes me, it amazes me tosee God move.
Speaker 1 (12:29):
Oh, yeah, and you know, and all of this, god has a
plan.
Yes, yes, you know, every timeI think about creation, God
didn't just show up and say yo,that void and stuff over there
put that thing together.
(12:50):
So yeah, and why don't you putsome trees?
Yeah, yeah, okay, and I'mthinking about no, no, no, no,
he showed up with a plan.
Yes, because, if you look, Imean, who would have thought of
coming up with the sun and themoon?
You know what I'm saying.
(13:10):
Yes, I mean the way it was justput together.
He had to have a plan.
He had to know that if LaVita'sgoing to show up, he had to
make a man or a woman.
Speaker 2 (13:26):
Yes, absolutely.
Speaker 1 (13:27):
So he had a plan, and his plan consisted of each one
of us, and his plan consisted ofthe Word of God becoming flesh,
so that eventually we could beat this state in our lives, but
we can pick up our Bible.
You know what I'm saying.
(13:48):
We're not the ones in thebeginning, because that wasn't
our destiny trying to start youknow everybody to understand who
Jesus Christ is.
No, no, no, that wasn't ourmission.
Our mission is right here.
And when I look at what God hasprepared for those who love him
, that means he has a plan.
(14:09):
He has prepared something forus, and each one of us have a
mission, a mission in life, ajourney that we're going to have
to go through in order tofulfill the things that God has
placed on our heart.
(14:29):
And when I think about all thathe's planned, all that he's put
together, that amazes me tooNandly.
That just blows my mind that ifwe're still here, there's more
to be done.
Because, like, okay, becauseyou, you know, like a Matthew
(14:51):
has passed.
I still say he's up theresleeping with the Lord, like I
think my mom's sleeping with theLord, and every once in a while
I say Lord, could you wake up?
Just tell her.
I say hey, or something youknow what I'm saying.
You know, you know, because Ikeep thinking.
You know they go to sleep andyou know when it comes time for
that rapture, everybody's goingto be showing up.
(15:12):
So but that's that's.
You know, that's Lovita.
Speaker 2 (15:17):
Oh, but oh Well, you know what Lovita I when it's
interesting, when you gave thispassage of scripture, and I had
always looked at it as what Godpromises while we're here on
earth.
But it really is twofold.
(15:37):
You know, when we, when we'vetalked with one another, what I
really recognize and what jumpsout is at me is the idea of it
being twofold, and by that Imean you know this hope, this
passage and I'm sure you wentinto it with your prior guests
more but it is Paul's salutationand greeting right To the
(15:58):
church of Corinth and in themiddle of that, with everything
that they have going on, tellingthem and trying to encourage
them and pull them out of that.
You know all the division that'sbeen going on, all the
immorality, et cetera, andtelling them, you know, or
encouraging them, in fact, inhis greeting, that eyes haven't
seen, you haven't seen or heard,it hasn't even entered the
(16:19):
heart of man and woman and boyand girl, what God has in store
for us.
Okay, so that's literally to me, as he's speaking to these, to
this church, you know,encouraging them that God is
greater, he has greater.
Those things are in place andyou know that speaks to what
(16:40):
you're talking about the plan.
But you know we also can'tnegate the idea of what Jesus
said to his disciples.
You know, I go to prepare aplace for you, oh, and if I go
and prepare a place I'll comeagain.
You know where I am.
There, you may be also.
So it is.
I think it is a scripture ofhope for us as we are living in
(17:04):
this world that we are living in.
But it is also a scripture thatcan speak to the hope of John
3.16,.
Oh yeah, for God so loved theworld that he gave his only
begotten Son that whosoeverbelieve that penance should not
perish but have everlastingEverlasting.
And that is the hope, you knowwhen you go to the home going
services of so many.
(17:25):
You know that is the theme, thehope that we believers have.
It goes back to believing inwho this Jesus Christ is.
Speaker 1 (17:34):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (17:35):
It goes back to believing and walking in faith
and in obedience.
Speaker 1 (17:41):
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm.
Yes it does, yes it does, andthat hope is what we hold on to.
Yes, everyone has a beginningand an ending, everyone has a
path, and even when you thinkabout God's plan for Jesus
(18:07):
Christ and I really wanted tosay himself in the flesh- Uh-huh
, uh-huh.
Speaker 2 (18:14):
I understand you, you understand you understand
himself in the flesh?
Speaker 1 (18:18):
Yes, it was.
He had a plan, he had abeginning and he had an ending.
And so often we think about aperson's ending as being a sad
event, but it really isn't.
It just meant that theycompleted their task.
(18:39):
Yes, we're not looking at whatthey actually did, we're just
looking at the fact that theyhad a task placed on their life
and it's completed.
Now, how they completed it no,no, no, no.
We don't know the heart of man,but we do know that it's
completed.
And when you know one of thethings Paul said follow me as I
(19:03):
follow Christ.
So if we're following Christand we're looking at his plan
that has been laid out righthere in front of us, we know
that the number one thing is toglorify God and spend time with
God.
Yes, Because that's what he did.
I mean, he did other stuff, butthose two things, I mean you
(19:24):
can just pull them out.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
Right.
Speaker 1 (19:29):
That was just overshadows everything.
So if our lives are to glorifyGod and spend time with him,
then that's something we need todo and we need to take it
seriously.
Yes, because in that spendingtime, I'm pretty sure Jesus
found out.
You know, listen, son, you'reabout to go into what's?
(19:56):
The guy named Pontius Pilate.
Is it Pontius Pilate?
No, no, no, not.
Pontius Judas, judas, judas isabout to show you out.
Speaker 2 (20:10):
It's a bit.
Yeah, he's about to show you.
Speaker 1 (20:13):
I'm just letting you know.
So get ready.
So I'm only going to give yousome warning about different
things.
So, just spending time with theLord, you get the opportunity
to know your mission, what yournext steps are.
(20:34):
And as believers in Christ,since we don't have a glass
ceiling, we often think, ok, Iwant 1,000 customers come
through the door before 3o'clock today.
We don't have to worry aboutthat.
We say, lord, you know what Ineed, this is your business.
(20:55):
You know that tomorrow I need$80,000 in order to cover the
account I only had the day inthe morning.
I'm putting my trust in you andwe have to come to that part
(21:15):
and what we realize, that whatGod has prepared for us.
Yes, we can make, we have achoice.
Yes, we have a choice.
So, if God has given us A butwe like B, better we go B way.
Yes, we're gonna get theconsequences of B.
(21:38):
But God is always trying to pullus back to-.
Speaker 2 (21:43):
He's faithful.
Speaker 1 (21:44):
He is faithful.
Speaker 2 (21:45):
He is so faithful.
I have a friend and I think outof every conversation we've had
, 90, 97.5, that's what comesout of her mouth, see, and I
mean and this is a woman who'sgone through so much but I
sometimes believe that God hasput her in my life and for me
(22:08):
it's been a lot of health issuesover the last several years and
to hear her constantly say thatGod is faithful, god is
faithful, god is faithful.
But I'm also reminded of whatwe have also heard over the
years from my dad and our unclesKeep the faith, keep the faith.
Speaker 1 (22:30):
That's it, you know.
Keep the faith.
Speaker 2 (22:32):
God is faithful and keep the faith, it's a circle.
Faith comes by here.
Speaker 1 (22:37):
We hear about it.
Speaker 2 (22:37):
We hear about it it all goes back to what you're
saying.
So even when we're encouragingourselves, being mindful of the
fact that God is faithful, itcomes by the word of God.
You know, prayer is a big partof my life, as you have
mentioned and stated over yourpodcasts.
(22:59):
Even you talk about prayer alot and I always pray scripture
because that is what encourages.
That doesn't allow you to gointo yourself, that allows you
when you're praying scripture,and it's literally from the word
of God that you are right inthere.
You know, god is my refuge, heis my strength.
(23:21):
I might not feel that way,going back to that again,
everything give thanks.
Might not feel it, but the wordstill says God is my refuge,
god is my strength.
My expectation is of you, god,so you move.
In the midst of all our trials,our weighty situations, being
(23:41):
encouraged through the word ofGod is powerful and that's what
I know, that's what's gotten methrough.
So to have hope through thescripture is amazing.
To have hope through thescripture is what pulls us up
out of our dark places and outof those decisions that we've
(24:02):
made on our own when we've notapplied God's wisdom.
We're dealing with our ownwisdom, our own flesh.
You know it is truly the wordof God that can pull us back in
and take us higher and allow usto have hope.
You know, when you say, when youcan really buy into and lean
(24:25):
into that idea that eyes havenot seen and ears have not heard
, wow, god has this great thingin store for me.
You know, in the midst of apandemic and lack and loss, I
can still count on this God, ohmy goodness, yes, and we need
the word of God in this time Ithink of.
(24:46):
I keep asking the Lord in allhonesty okay, how are we?
What are you up to God?
How are we in this?
Because when you go back to myI'm gonna say my generation, we
were sitting in Sunday schoolclasses and youth groups and
Bible studies and you know HYPUand BY all those youths that
(25:10):
really embraced us and I believewe are seeing some of those
things and it looks different,maybe today.
Speaker 1 (25:17):
Yeah.
Speaker 2 (25:19):
There are.
You know, what comes to mind isthe Mavericks group, and they
just join in that wholemultitude of young people
singing, gathering around.
You have that.
But what I'm really focusing inon in this moment is the idea
of what the word is saying andhow that encourages us and pulls
(25:43):
us and gives us hope that weneed in the midst of our storms.
A simple thing that the Lord ismy shepherd.
I shall not want, I shall notwant and you might be in a
physical state of lack, but toconfess that is what is
encouraging and what is heapingon top of your faith account, if
(26:06):
I can call it that.
That's what's heaping on typeof your faith account.
I know this and that is goingon, but, lord, you are my
shepherd.
I shall not want Going backagain.
You know you are my refuge, youare my strength.
The Lord is my light.
You know, and when I'm in aplace of darkness just being
reminded of those things andjust constantly, you know,
(26:30):
reminding ourselves that he hasgreat in store for us and it's
in that spiritual realm.
It's that spiritual realm so itcomes in the form of peace when
you're going through a crazyscenario, peace that's holding
you together when everythingelse around you seems to be
falling apart, and even yourmind.
(26:51):
You know, in your mind.
You're confused in your mind attimes because of, maybe,
heaviness that's constantly atyou.
It's just good to be able tocall on a God that hears and
answers prayer and to challengehim by his own word.
This is what your word says.
(27:12):
I'm standing on this.
This is my expectation.
I love that verse.
My expectation is of you,because in your word.
You said you would never leaveme or forsake me.
I don't see you, I don't feel,it's not in my feelings, but
come on, god, you know.
So it is a faith walk.
It is a faith walk.
Speaker 1 (27:32):
But it's one that you can call him on for sure.
Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, and that youknow what you're talking about
is the spiritual discipline ofBible study, bible reading yes,
meditation, silence, because yougotta be silent in order to
hear the word of God.
And, nellie, I know youprobably don't know, but I've
(27:55):
put out in the same you arefamiliar with this that we have
a 21 day challenge, doing justwhat we're talking about.
I came across that, oh, you did.
I did come across that.
I'm checking you out.
Ha ha, ha ha.
Well, you are taking scripture,just like Nellie said, you're
(28:16):
taking scripture, you're readingit and there's a focus verse.
But, as you know, I've beensaying, in 2021, how I believe
God has.
He's pulling the saints outinto ministry and into business
and in a way that is powerful.
There's a lot of us that feelthat we are on a part of God's
(28:40):
plan.
We don't have the ability orwe're scared, or that's just not
me, that couldn't be calling meto do that.
And then I know I have friendswho say well, I think God said
I'm supposed to be doing this.
No, I think it's this.
No, no, maybe it's this.
Maybe it should Listen.
(29:01):
Pick one thing, whatever Godhas called, pick one thing and
do it.
Just do it.
God has a plan and if you'reafraid now, if you're afraid,
all that means is adversariestrying to hold you back Just do
it.
So this 21 day challenge isbasically to take the word of
(29:23):
God and allow you and the Lordto spend time together, just
together, in His word.
Focus on that, and if you havea business or a ministry, it's
also applicable to you.
Because now, listen, take your30 minutes.
(29:44):
Some of you can take more than30 minutes, and if you had to
take less than 30, take the timein your life, block it out.
Make it consistent for 21 daysand just take the word of God
and be with your Savior and Lord, holy Spirit and God.
(30:05):
Just be with Him.
Just be with Him because he's atrial and God, all three of one
, and I just know they all threewanted everybody oh, you talk
to one everybody showing up.
You know what I'm saying, youknow?
what I'm saying and showing upin a very powerful way.
Speaker 2 (30:23):
Yes, you know, every once in a while I'll go back to
Genesis.
You talked about God and how hehad a plan.
I'll go back to Genesis andjust read those days of creation
and when you go back to that itis dynamic, it's powerful just
(30:43):
to go through and really seewhat he did, how he put it into
place, how he spoke it intoplace, and it's just dynamic.
That whole reading to take in.
And how often, you know, a lotof times I think we take what we
know and we just keep movingthrough life because we know
(31:04):
it's there, it's there.
But every once in a while to goback and just take the time to
literally read through that andsee what he did and how he
showed up, it will move you, itwill impress you.
Yes, it will impress you.
Speaker 1 (31:21):
And the love.
Speaker 2 (31:23):
It will tie you into the scripture of today.
Yes, yes, it all ties in to thefact that he is such an awesome
God.
Speaker 1 (31:32):
He is and, like I was saying, the love the God made
us in His image.
Speaker 2 (31:39):
Yes.
Speaker 1 (31:42):
We are breathing in and out.
He breathed His breath in us.
Do you understand what I'msaying?
Yes, yes, we're breathing Hisbreath.
Yes, that always amazes me.
Yes, absolutely, it's wild.
Speaker 2 (32:03):
You know, and the cousin to that, the cousin to
that is reminding ourselves, nomatter what's going on, that we
are in fact fearfully andwonderfully made, from the
youngest to the oldest, from theinsider and the outsider,
wherever you fit in.
We are fearfully andwonderfully made and God loves
(32:29):
us.
He loves us, he loves us.
Speaker 1 (32:32):
Amen, hallelujah.
Speaker 2 (32:34):
Thank you God.
Speaker 1 (32:34):
So what God has prepared for those who love him.
That's the, that's the listen,Saints, that's the key, right
there.
Speaker 2 (32:45):
Amen.
Speaker 1 (32:46):
Amen, we are part of his plan.
And one way we know that we'repart of his plan because he said
because he loves, you know hehas prepared stuff for those he
love.
Yes, don't don't take forgranted the gifts and talents
that God has given you.
Don't do that.
(33:07):
And the icing on the cake yes,no, go ahead.
Speaker 2 (33:11):
The ice I'm just saying the icing on the cake is
when we love him back.
Yes, yes, I think of the wordsof that song.
I love you, jesus, I worshipand adore you.
I love you more than anything.
That's a dynamic relationshipwhen you have a God is the lover
(33:32):
of your soul and you love himback.
I think, there's nothing thatwe can't accomplish, nothing
that we can, like you talkedabout, be impossible.
Is anything impossible for God?
Is anything you know no, and youhave to be reminded that and
(33:52):
that and encouraged through that, because this world is brutal.
Speaker 1 (33:58):
Oh yes.
Speaker 2 (33:59):
This world is brutal, but but, but, god, but, god,
but God but.
Speaker 1 (34:05):
God, but God, that's what I say.
With the gifts and the talentsthat he's giving us, you give
that back to him.
He's going to bring theincrease.
Speaker 2 (34:16):
He gave it to you right.
Speaker 1 (34:18):
He gave it to you, he's going to bring the increase
.
Think about your brain.
That's a whole half the stuffyou're not even using.
You know what I'm saying.
Speaker 2 (34:31):
Look, that's some real science there.
Speaker 1 (34:33):
Yes, you know what I'm saying but, but, but, what
God has put in there he canamplify.
But if we never spend the timewith him to allow him to amplify
God, come on.
And if we don't allow him to usethe gifts as as he has, god has
(34:56):
a way of of taking somethingsimple like writing, because of
both authors you know we maystart off with.
It was the first time thatJimmy ate that apple.
Okay, and one writer will takethat apple to turn it into food.
(35:17):
Another one would take thatapple and turn it into some kind
of poetry.
Another, one will take it into achild story and in the midst of
all that, you can have 15different poets, authors,
thrillers you know, you knowwhat I'm saying, right, right,
and each one is writing in aunique and special.
(35:37):
God has a way of taking a gift,just a gift, highlighting it so
that it hit this person one wayand that person another.
It's written just for thisperson, but this person get a
piece of it.
That person might say I'm okay,you know, you know what I'm
(35:57):
saying, it's just perspective.
Speaker 2 (35:59):
Yes oh, perspective and point of view Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (36:04):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
Absolutely.
Speaker 1 (36:05):
So I just, you know what, nellie, this was.
This was a blessing, you know,because my whole thing is about.
It's about planning.
We got, we have to, god plannedMatter of fact.
Eternity, I believe, is planned, isn't it?
I believe so.
Yes, I mean it has to be,because we're going there, right
(36:29):
, the Rapture, right, the guyhas something.
I mean God didn't laid out thiswhole plan here.
I mean, we don't knoweverything, there's still some
mysteries, and that's theexciting part, that's the that's
really the exciting part, youknow.
But I mean he got all laid outand all we gotta do show up.
Speaker 2 (36:50):
That's right.
Have faith, have faith andbelieve, have faith and believe
that's it.
What are you about?
Speaker 1 (36:59):
So cause what's on your radar plans for 2022?
Speaker 2 (37:03):
Oh, my goodness, you know, I still just, I just want
to be available.
I think that's my heart desirejust to be available to God.
I have seen him move in suchawesome ways in my own life
already, so I am amazed at whathe can do in the future.
(37:25):
You know, I don't know if I cando a quick wrap of what that is
really cooking my chest formany.
Yeah, I mean a two time breastcancer diagnosis in 2013 and
then again in 2016.
And that journey alone wasdaunting, it was overwhelming.
(37:49):
It was that, oh Lord, what ishappening?
You know, here I am runningprayer ministry in church and
now I have to step into thatplace and really really step
into those, those legs and armsof prayer and my onesie and
really make it happen in my ownlife and put faith in action.
And I mentioned earlier aboutGod, you be glorified.
(38:12):
That really was a sincereprayer of my heart.
Each time I didn't know howthat was going to look and I
didn't say it easily, I didn'tconfess that easily to the Lord,
but I just I knew.
When you talk about a plan, Ihad to know in the back of my
mind, based on everything I knowof who God is.
My expectation was of him.
(38:33):
So I still gave that.
After healing from the firstdiagnosis and going through a
mastectomy and reconstructionand and expanders and all those
things, doctors visits, back andforth and a couple of surgeries
, thinking everything was over,and then to be hit again with a
different type of cancer, adifferent type of breast cancer,
(38:54):
and be right back at that sameplace.
I remember sitting down in mydining area one day and just
saying God, come on now.
You know this is really from myheart, yeah, but still, man,
you, you'd be glorified in this.
And when am I going to see that?
When am I going to see theglory part of going through this
(39:15):
?
Well, fast forward years beyondthat, eight years, whatever
later, and in this past year anda half, two years alone, I've
written my one book, which is Ihave breast cancer.
Now what?
And it's a breath, it's asupport, it's a support, support
tool for those with breastcancer and my husband who really
(39:35):
pushed what's the name of?
Speaker 1 (39:37):
the book.
Speaker 2 (39:37):
Again, I have breast cancer.
Okay Now, what a breast cancersupport tool.
And I'm telling you it just.
It just outlines my journey andwhat I went through, and beyond
that I am.
Now I joined this support groupcalled Cancer Support Community
(39:59):
and I am now on that board.
So I was from being a memberwho was receiving support and
the support group and taking innutritional, you know,
influences and ways to buildyour body back up and and just
talking with women who otherwomen who spoke my same language
.
And now I move from member toboard of director where I'm
(40:25):
trying to pull in people andespecially people in the black
community, because we aredisproportionately affected by
cancer.
And I find myself in this placeand I'm saying Lord, and I'm
talking about donors that bringin thousands of dollars etc.
I don't, I mean I'm doing okay,but I'm not.
(40:45):
I'm not in that place, but I'mmoving among.
God is just opening up doorsand allowing me to see, see life
from a different perspective,to be on a different side, to go
into places where I'm notfearful of jumping in and asking
you know, can, can you help?
(41:07):
How can you support?
Nor am I fearful of saying, hey, come on and grab some support,
let us lock arms, and God hasgiven us all these resources.
You know, my family by churchis a great source of support.
But he allowed me to step outinto a greater diversity and a
(41:29):
greater group of people.
But we had that one thing incommon of hearing you have
breast cancer.
But I mean, it's taken me intothe midst of all kinds of people
who are, who are just bound bythat commonality.
And just to see him moving inthose areas.
Another area really quickalways wanted to be involved in
(41:49):
voiceover work and in my early20s, after graduating from
college, I got involved with alocal radio station and I was up
yeah, I was about to have myown show and all of this and the
things changed on me and theprogramming got purchased in
time.
You know, my opportunity wentout the window, put it like this
(42:11):
.
So I think over the yearsthat's something I always kind
of wanted to do and aspire andget back to.
And I remember, you know, say,25 plus years later I'm sharing
this with a co worker.
Just, we're talking aboutdesires of our heart, things
like that.
I literally, lavita, literally,walked into my office one day
and I had a note that said haveyou heard of KPFK 90.7 FM?
(42:33):
The host is looking for apartner to assist him with the
show.
You should give a call.
The deal is, I'm like what?
Because I've always wanted toget back into radio.
I never thought I'd get thatopportunity or voiceover, that
type of thing.
And so here I call, I reach out, I send in what my passion is
(42:56):
and what background I do have init the fact that I had taken a
refresher course because aftergoing through breast cancer, I'm
telling you, I had a new leaseon life and I was out there, you
know going for it.
Speaker 1 (43:08):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (43:11):
You look into life.
Let me tell you, when I askedthis the host I said I'm sure
you have a lot of people thathave responded to your request.
He goes to you and anothergentleman and he's not the one
for this job.
Wow, and that's how I'm there.
So every other Sunday I amthere and I'm just joining him
(43:34):
and it's giving me opportunityto perfect the craft and be a
self critical person.
Speaker 1 (43:41):
You know it's like you're my own voice.
Speaker 2 (43:44):
I mean, it's just the door that God has opened and
it's many years later, but I'veseen it come to pass.
I've seen it come to pass, youknow, I've been asked.
Going back to the board ofdirectors, I've been asked to be
on boards before and I wouldalways hesitate.
Speaker 1 (43:59):
It's like I don't know what do I have to offer?
Speaker 2 (44:01):
Let me tell you I'm on the ground running with this
Because I have taken the burden,I've taken the horrible, I've
taken the bad of of diagnosisand I find, and I have been able
to see it turn around for good,god, god took that thing and he
has turned it around for good.
I see the good coming out of itand so I'm telling you, we
(44:25):
never know.
Speaker 1 (44:26):
We keep thinking that our trials and tribulations are
awful and hard and yes, andjust unfair.
And why would God put usthrough something like that?
It's just suffering, butthere's a yeah, but there is
actually light at the end of thetunnel.
There is something more to this.
(44:48):
Our suffering is not a game.
Speaker 2 (44:50):
I like to think of it , yeah, and I don't even think
of it all as him putting usthrough.
But just, I know, I know the, Iknow he it is said that he
doesn't, he allows it or it'swhat he allows in the midst of
what we're going through,because there's so often I don't
know why, lovita, I always getconcerned about when we go
(45:12):
through so much.
I've heard even in my journey,I wonder people will come with
me.
I want well, why would God putthat on you?
Why would God do that to you?
And I'm like, yeah, I just wantto be careful in and how I'm
looking at this and wording this.
And when I don't have all thoseanswers, I just go before God
and I say, okay, you're will bedone.
Please, father, god, lead andGod and direct me.
(45:33):
You be glorified and I had totake this from a brother that I
have a lot of respect for.
The devil horrified, the devilhorrified and God glorified,
devil horrified, but be allowed.
Yes, yes, yes, you know, beallowing that God does in the
midst of these things.
You know there's so much.
You know you talk aboutmiscreeds you talk about.
(45:55):
You talk about what is beingallowed versus what is put on us
At the end of the day, stillgoing back to that and
everything, giving thanks.
Speaker 1 (46:06):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (46:06):
Because this is the will of God.
Speaker 1 (46:09):
Yes, through Christ Jesus, yes, yes.
Speaker 2 (46:12):
And somehow he shows up for his people he shows up in
the midst of our suffering, inthe midst of your chronic
suffering.
He still shows up, and everytime I get that glimpse of
sunshine in my life, I get a daythat is just even a moment,
that is just going well, andthat I can feel love and the
(46:33):
grace of God moving.
I am always saying God, thankyou.
Speaker 1 (46:37):
Thank you, lola.
You're right.
You know, while you weretalking, I was thinking about
the person who says we live in aworld of sin, mm-hmm, therefore
we're going to go through stuffPeriod, and I think that has
been causing.
That causes us a lot ofheadache and that that might be
(47:01):
the wrong word, but that causesus a lot of confusion, I hear
you, I'm with you, I am so withyou.
You understand.
So when we get into because youknow I've been through two
different pneumonias I shinglesyou know what I'm saying.
My shingles went into nervedamage so oh gosh.
(47:21):
So when I look at it on theother end, you know I don't have
it now, but on this end I hadto remind myself that you know,
because sometimes we think thatas Christians, nothing's
supposed to happen to us, right,right, you know what I'm saying
.
Speaker 2 (47:39):
Cuz we're.
Speaker 1 (47:39):
God.
How dare you sickness come overhere?
You know what I'm saying.
But we live in a world of sin.
But we are to be an example.
We're to be an example.
God's God has it.
Like you said, god has allowedus a certain path and mission in
which to take and, and in that,in the direction of getting to
(48:02):
him, come in fulfilling thatmission.
There's some things that aregonna become.
They're gonna start shootingour way.
We don't know what they are we,they just gonna come out what.
But we got to stay focused inthe word of God.
We got to keep our eye focus onwho our God is sovereign he is.
(48:24):
But if we never if we never readacross that, or if we never
hear that or if we never embraceit, and I mean anything.
We got to put a much of theword of God in us as the world
has been throwing it out.
You know that's right.
So if you like 50 years old,you got 50 years of the world.
(48:44):
You need to start, you know,really getting to know who God
is.
This is a blessing, you know,I'm saying this is a blessing,
god.
What God has prepared for thosewho love him.
Well, now that, I just want anylast words for close out.
Speaker 2 (49:06):
You know, I just I thank you for this opportunity
and I I believe that we comefrom great legacy and it just,
oh, we do emerged yeah, yeah,yeah, I urge today.
I think that there have justbeen seeds that have been
planted in us From our and asfar as our families go, great
(49:26):
seeds and I'm not saying that ina puff, puffed up way, but
maybe I am because we knowbetter than be puffed up.
Speaker 1 (49:42):
Yes, I understand it.
No, I understand yes.
Speaker 2 (49:46):
Yes, I just you know, I just thank God for his grace,
his mercy, his love, hiskindness, and I am open.
I don't want to live beneath myprivileges, so I am open to
keeping the faith.
I am open to understanding thatthat God is faithful.
I am open to understanding thatI don't know everything.
(50:07):
Give God all the glory, oh, andI just allow him the
flexibility to move.
We have the opportunity forchoice, you know.
We have the opportunity forJoyce for choice.
God is able to step in and anddo Abundantly.
Above all we ask or think, buthe is a gentleman, I hear my
(50:28):
friend saying that he is agentleman oh he just has it just
Extended.
Speaker 1 (50:33):
You know, this gift will you receive it, and and
that's where, where he that'swhere he leaves it, that's where
he lives it, that's it and it's, and it is our choice.
Right to follow him or not.
How gracious a God is that.
Yes that he's not Manipulativeor demanding right, just just
(50:56):
loving, yes, you know, and it'sa love that many of us don't
know.
We can't comprehend that love,and that is just an awesome kind
of love that needs to be.
What God has prepared for thosewho love him is awesome.
(51:18):
Oh, hey, man, so until we meetagain on the airways
intentionally and damn, hang outwith you, natalie, let's close
it out, all right, hello, oh.
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