A Highly Favored Holiday
I’m sure many of you are busy preparing for the holidays. Although I am looking forward to this majestic time of year, this will be the first holiday season that all my family members will not be together.
As the children get older, my wife and I are noticing how our family dynamics are changing. We realize that this transformation requires us to make some major adjustments in our thinking and our expectations because we have always emphasized the importance of family. Part of that emphasis has centered on us spending major holidays together. I’m certain many families can relate to the emptiness that Serita and I are feeling. I believe the O’Jays said it best when they sang, “Christmas just ain’t Christmas without the one you love.”
Even though all of us won’t be in each other’s physical company this year, we are very thankful just knowing that we have one other.
It’s likely that some of you are facing similar situations in which you are feeling some type of loss, and thankfulness is far from your mind. Though your loss may be attributed to the death of a loved one, an incarcerated child, a foreclosed home, or termination of employment, all of us at one time or another experience some sort of loss in our lives. And with the holidays fast approaching, those of you who are dealing with a financial loss, may be concerned because Thanksgiving and Christmas will be drastically different than it was three short years ago before our economy took a dive. Despite the fact that we may not like our circumstances, we know that we will have to find a way to make do this holiday season.
In light of all the struggles, shortfalls and hardships that so many people in our local communities and throughout the nation have been going through, I wrote The Memory Quilt, my first Christmas novel. I wrote it because I wanted to share a message that would bring inspiration and optimism during these rough times. I chose to impart this message through a novel, instead of a sermon, because I realize that we sometimes learn to cope with our situations through fictional characters. So, instead of me telling you what you need to improve upon, I thought a more effective message would be relayed in story form, which would hopefully inspire you to reflect on how to apply the message to your own life.
In The Memory Quilt, the main character Lela Edwards is going through a lot of changes that speak to a less than perfect holiday season. Her husband of fifty years has passed; her three daughters live in regions far from the Chicago neighborhood where they were raised; and her favorite granddaughter Darcie, is not spending Christmas with her as she has decided to divorce her husband, which is against Lela’s principles. Lela becomes upset and feels partly responsible for Darcie’s failed marriage because she didn’t follow her own tradition of making Darcie and her husband a quilt to celebrate their union, which is something she has done with each family wedding. As the story unfolds, we find that Lela joins a Bible study group, in which she learns a lot from the life of the Virgin Mary. Mary is favored, but to many around her, her circumstances look hopeless: she’s single and pregnant; her boyfriend is on the verge of issuing a bill of divorce; she travels through the desert in the blazing heat on the back of a camel; she ends up at a barn where she gives birth; she’s forced to put her newborn baby in a manger, which is a trough for feeding cows; and she has to wrap the baby in swaddling cloth, which are milk rags for cows. Though Mary’s situation appeared to be horrible, she was highly favored by God. Through this lesson, Lela learns how Mary’s favor was a result of what she carried internally, and not externally. Through Lela’s journey, we are reminded not to focus our attention on our external circumstances, but the favor of God.
Even though this might not be the best holiday season for you, and it may look as though you’re not highly favored, I want you to know that you are favored because of the Holy Spirit that dwells in you. If you’ve lost your home, your job or a relationship, try not to focus on your losses. Instead, be thankful for what you do have because there are many people who have worse situations than yours. I would like to encourage you to share your thanks by lending a hand to someone in need. Each year, my wife and I find a college student who can’t make it home for the holidays, someone who had a recent loss, or a person in need and we invite him or her to have dinner with us. There are many things you can do to show your appreciation for others. If you know a mom who’s struggling financially, buy her a bag of groceries; if you enjoy baking, consider making cookies for children in the cancer ward, or if you enjoy reading, take an hour out of your day to read to an elderly person in a retirement home who has no visitors.
I’m eager to find out how you plan to give thanks this year. Send me and a comment and let me know. I’d love to hear from you.
A very blessed holiday to you and your families,
Bishop Jakes
I am spending this holiday at home cooking along side my son. This year has been very difficult for myself and my son but I believe that God turning things around for the both of us.
age 23
hey bishop wow harvest week thursday was awesome and the only one my mom and i could attend to lol. anyway i just wanted to ask that you PLEEEASE bring back and keep bringing back the clark sisters to the potter’s until we get tired of them. lol. oh and i don’t know if you know this but Dorinda clark-cole is an awesome preacher. i remember watching her preach in my home state when i was a little girl and would like to see and hear her preach again. will you invite her to come preach at the potter’s house PLEEEEEASE????
thank you for reading this message.
Thank you so much for this post. I have been sober for 14 years, and in that time I have alternately hosted Thanksgiving or Christmas for my family. My mother and father are deceased, and my grandmother is elderly. Family has always been important. My mother was an only child and single parent, so my siblings have laways been close to one another. This year I am hosting Thanksgiving, but thought about canceling due to finances. I too am a single mother of one son who’s in college. However, my family (siblings, in-laws, neices, nephews, and friends) are looking forward to coming to my 2 bedroom apartment, and have volunteered to bring dishes without me asking. That’s huge for me, because I always cook, and provide the entire meal out of gratitude. I am unable to do that this year. Your post has touched me, and made me get back in touch with what’s really important. Family! Thank you, and Happy Thanksgiving!
Mikki
Thank you Bishop…
Happy Thanksgiving!
God Bless you and your family.
Dearest Bishop,
Happy Christmas and a happy new year!
You are a inspiration across the globe, to the young and old.
LOVE from India,
Shyju
Hi Bishop,
I am happy to see you back on the blog again, I realize that you are super busy and am glad to share in what you and Serita will be doing for Thanksgiving. You and Serita are always near and dear to my heart and I pray for you and your family often. I pray that although your holiday will not be the way that it was, you will find pleasure in the way that God has allowed it to be as He ushers you and Serita into a new phase and a new season of your life. It gladdens my heart to know and hear that you are able to spread the Love of God by stretching out your hand to help someone in need during holiday season. I will be celebrating this year thanking God for what I have left and for those who stayed with me more-so than what I don’t have and what is not working right. I appreciate all that you are doing for God, and His kingdom and I am looking forward to the next move that God has in store for you amd the ministry.May God continue to bless and keep you as you seek to operate in a spirit of excellence and integrity. Thank you for being such a great mentor to me and to the many that God has given you!
Amazed by Him,
Wendy Evans
God bless you Bishop Jakes. My name is Mrs. Gernee Rufus and I am a member of the Potters House Church since June 2003. I love and appreciate your ministry, and I delighted and thankful to the Lord that you are my Pastor the Senior Pastor of the Pottershouse. I bless God for you to be an inspiritual to my life. I have grown so much spiritually under your ministry. I thankful to God for using you as an instrument to write the book the Memory Quit. Your book reminds us to thank God always inspite of our external circumstances, and thank him for another day. Afterall, Jesus Christ could have not paid the price for our sins, and decided that He was not going to be crucified on the cross for wretched people like us. Instead, I bless God for sending His only begotten son so that we would not perish, but have everlasing life(John 3:16). This is the ulimate gife itself. In fact God is the Gift Giver, the Giver of Life. I want to personally thank you Bishop for allowing to God use you to write this book the Memory Quitt. The book reminds me to continue to thank on others more than myself which is something I not only speak about, but try to practice and carry out everyday. I will definetly order and purchase this book on-line, and bless someone with this book as a gift for Christmas. Overall, we are blessed and highly favored just as Mary was in the bible inspite of what we go through. As long as we look to God the author and finisher of our faith, we know we have a better tommorrow. Even as Bishop Joseph Garrlington said, “I can see you in the future, and you look much better than you look right now.” I speak this into existance, and believe God for the Impossible. Even though I lost my car, I did not lose myself or mind. I am thankful to God for another year because I could not have made it from my car wreck last year in November, but to God be the the glory, I am still standing and God is still here!
For God can do exceedingly, abunantly, above all we can ever ask or think. Have a blessed and wonderful Thanksgiving and Blessed Christmas. Remember everyone: If we are faithful with a few God will make us ruler over many. Love and Many blessing from Evangelist Gernee Rufus
Hi Bishop’s, I will allways have time to log in and hear from you .just hearing from you bless me .this is also my favorite time of year,the fall time of year take me back home when my grandmother would all way be quilting in that small town of holly springs Miss.when I look at the quilt clip you were showing ,I could’t stop crying.my oldest son which is a truck driver travel all over the world will be with me for thankgivings. and my daughter-inlaw which goes to Pastor Dollar church will be with me, everything will be running smooth at the airport where my husband work ,so he will be with me. I like cooking, it going to be fun, I am very thankfull this year to God be the Glory.bishop this year I have given to needy family cloth, and shoes, some boxes have gone oversea,we love you much,from the william family Happy holidays
Bishop Jakes, thank you for reminding me of things that I seem to forget. Just reading your comments inspires me so much, and remines me how much God loves me. I’m in the process of losing my home, my husband is on drugs at 61 yrs old. No one could have told me that I would be back living with my mom at 60 yrs of age. I do know that everything happens for a reason. Thanksgiving, I have to work. I will not be able to sit down to the table with my children and the rest of my family. I thank God for my job. Thanksgiving is everyday, and every day I thank God for life, pretty good health, strength, being in my right mind, and a job that so many do not have. In other words, I still have my joy.
Thanks Bishop for the wonderful blog. My wife and I want to say Happy Thanksgiving to you, the First Lady, and your family. This year has been an up and down year for us, but we’re thankful we still have our jobs, home, etc. We give God the thanks and glory. My wife lost her grandmother this year, and I lost my day. My family is in another city, so we were not able to make it there to see them. But, we’re going to celebrate this holiday season blessing others, and enjoying one another. I hope to get a chance to read your book, I know it will be a blessing. In this season of thanksgiving, I want to thank God for you. You have been an inspiration to me, and a father figure. My dad wasn’t in my life, but God knows who to put us under. When I came here, I knew I had to be a member of your church, and it’s been a blessing every since. You have inspired my wife and I, but you have shown me what and how a man should be. We are blessed to have you as our pastor, and I pray for you all every day. You do not know how you have changed our lives. I hear people say this and that about you and our church, but please know, we have your back. I might not ever have the chance to tell you face to face, but I love you, and thanks for showing me how to be a spirit filled man, and and a husband. May God bless you all.
Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas
Bishop,
Our family will celebrate this day and “season” of “thanks” at home with our immediate family, what could be considered today a large core family. Over the years It’s been a rarity for us to cook the entire holiday meal. Traditionally, we would bring our favorite dishes to a relatives. And so, this year our welcome dinner mat is out for “whosoever will” even though, we’ve chosen to have dinner at our own home. Our hope is to impress core family connection and build on the foundation during holidays for the children as they grow older.
We’ll invite a young boy close in age as one of our children, over for dinner, who lives in a challenged environment.
The Best of Thanksgiving to your family!
This past Monday, I visited a neighbor whose husband had passed away the night before. As I looked into her eyes and saw her pain, I also felt it. Although it has been nine years since my own husband passed away, I could remember the fear and hopelessness that I had felt. I will be thanking God that He has brought me through so many things in this life and has kept me standing. My joy has returned and I know that God still has a purpose for me. My son will be graduating this year and has signed up for the Marines. Next Thanksgiving will bring about yet another change, but this year I will be thankful that he is here with me. I am thankful that God has given me opportunities through the year to help others, so with that said, I will spend Thanksgiving Day remembering how much that God loves me. I am most thankful for the Blood that Jesus shed for me and His unconditional love. I would like to wish you and your family a happy Thanksgiving and will continue to be thankful for the love and protection that Father God continuously shows you. God Bless. Gloria
Bishop,
Thank you for the encouragement. Next January, I’ll celebrate 49 years as a missionary. The last two have been the hardest. I am currently in the Philippines and have not able to get back to be with my family for the last two years. This is the time of year that I miss them the most. You see, after 34 years, my first wife went home to be with the Lord. My wife, our three daughters and I had spent our lives ministering to the Native American Indians. The following fall, I was part of an Apostolic Asian tour to the Philippines. This was the start of the fulfilling of a prophecy God gave to me 21 years before. Since that trip, God placed the Philippines in my heart. In 2007-2008 two other ministers and myself prayed for over 6300 souls here on the island of Bohol. One of the Brethren went home to be with the Lord last year and this year has been spent building up the Ministry and workers through seminars in different areas here. I see a tremendous hunger for more of God and more of the Anointing of the Holy Ghost. There is a desire to come back to the beginning of the early church so we may learn to move in the anointing, that we may bring our local churches to where they should be IN GOD. God has given me a wonderful woman to be my wife. She was a widow with three children, a 27 year old daughter, married with three children, a 22 year old daughter, and an 18 year old son. They have been a great help in the ministry here. I know there are sacrifices we all must make, but one of the greatest I face is being absent from my family, especially my grandchildren. I have faced many hardship and difficulties in 49 years, but the Lord has always been faithful. I was honored many years ago to be given an Indian Name by a couple of Spirit Filled Elders of the Dakotah Nation. That name is: WAMBDISKA and it means White Eagle. I have found that when an eagle soars far above the storm clouds, manytimes, he is soars alone. My heart’s desire is to be LIKE JESUS. Thanks for your encouragement. You always have a word to bless me. God Continue to use you in HIS SERVICE.
Larry J. Russell
Bishop Jakes for Thanksgiving I will be with my mother who have Alzheimer ’s. Every Thanksgiving I go to be with my mother who can not come to us . It is hard sometimes not haveing my mother mentally, but I thank God I have her physically . Even though my mother is in a nursing home not being able to take her with me I know I can take her to God in prayer. It is a huge transformation not having my mother home for the hoildays and being 40 years old with out my mother to talk to about things. God has been my strength I miss her so much. I miss going to her for the hoildays her cooking dinner and all but if I can be there for a young woman who do not have mother at all is ablessing for me . I do know women my age who do not have their mother at all so I’m very thakful for having my mother. I have took them to go see my mother and they are so happy and so is my mother. Just them seeing my mother brings joy to them . That I’m also thankful for !!!!! So I will pray for women who don’t have their mother physically and mentally.
Thank you so much for sendng your blog to me it was so timely.Because Bishop Jakes I am experinceing what is being said in your blog.I want be able to be with my family,Because of the situation that I am in.So I am left to spend the holidays by myself my life has be a long journey and have been to fight my way through a whole lot of things.But I determine to keep on keeping on to I make it in.Being not able to work is hard.I just finishing graduating from a trade school where I went to get some skills so I can get a job.I went to ATI CAREER TRAINING CENTER.I took a course on BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION TECHNOLOGY and I got a diploma in it.I graduated August 21,2009,I am now going to the Urban League on Lancaster road to finish getting my GED I don’t need but a few more points of getting my GED. I been searching around to different colleges so I can go and get my degree in Business.It been hard because I got so many things that I want to do to better myself.And it seem like Bishop Jake the hard I try the more things come up try to discourage me.I only have limited income that I get monthly.I been going on the internet trying to find me a job so I can make ends meet.I know soon or a later that a door of opportunity will open for me,so I try to keep my mind on positive things that is not always easy when you don’t have enough money to do things that you want to do.I thank God that Bishop Jakes that God have heal me completely that I can do things to better myself.You have no ideal what I been through to make it this far.You preach a sermon last Sunday you come to far to not to touch him.That message was for me.I refused to come this for not to make it on in.I will come out of this Bishop Jakes oh yes I will.Thank you for letting me share my thoughts to you.Please pray for me and my family.I have a sister that have had three strokes she is now in a nusing home she is just 38 years old.It hurt me because I can’t go to see her,because of the situation that I am in but I really have been praying for her and my family that God will save souls in my family.Please Bishop Jake you a Mrs.Serita Jakes join me with prayer that God will save there souls.
Your In Christ Jesus,
Your Sister In Christ Jesus
Miriam J. Cobbs
What a beautiful story, it is a very good way to make you feel that you are not the only one going through.What a awesome book Bishop Jake it going to touch lives and delievered them out of there situation.You Go Bishop Jake another Best Seller!!!! Smile
The Peace Of God Be With You,
Miriam J. Cobbs
Thank you for this message and Happy family day to you.
Thank you for this message and Happy family day to you. I thank God For the Potter’s House and your entire family. I pray that the Lord continues to strengthen you. I wish I could be in service this morning with the church but I will be with you in spirit and truth.
May the Lord bless many lives with this book and I will get a copy of it also.
In the name of father son and the holy spirit bless the Potter’s house, staff, and families in the mighty name of JEsus; I pray and thank you: AmenAmenAmen.
its a great privilege to make a comments on Bishop’s Blog today.In the last 7 to 8 yrs i dont think i v a particular Best Holiday seasons. i dont i can rmber any.. but in all Thanks be to God.that is y 4 this year Holiday seasons i plan to make a it purpose holiday 4me, myfamily and 4 those arround me 4 good in my own little way.God help me. thanks Bishop Jakes 4 being an Encouragar.
segun Nigeria
Well, I plan to spend my holidays with my family: my wife, son, mother, sister (and her kids) and extended church family. There’s other place I’d rather be. Granted I will have to move from house to achieve that goal, nevertheless, it will be well worth it.
So Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours Bishop. Thank you for all you do.
Be blessed!
Bishop Jakes you continue to bless me and so many others with your wisdom and spirit. This Thanksgiving I plan to spend the day with my sons and my family. I thank God for the men and women such as yourself who encourage everyone to keep pressing toward God. Again I thank you..BE Blessed
Tiffany
It is when I have suffered loss that thankfulness is more manifest, though it isn’t always in proportion to what I have.
Bishop thank you for ministering to my life may the good LORD Bless you with the Family.I was asking my self wail I was reading this page of A HIGHLY FAVORED HOLIDAY what must I do to celebrate with someone this Christmas since Im Fanancial broke,but as I was reading I find that money its not the only way to have a good holiday,but your TIME
YOUR Time its more important than any other thing,to spend jus 20mins with someone who is an orphan is very important to them they wil feel loved especialy when its done by a born again somebody that Christ in you comforts them,Lets make Time to visit during this holiday.
this has bless me. wish there were more such as this
PRAISE GOD, THIS BOOK SOUNDS TO BE A WONDERFUL BOOK PRESENTED AT THE RIGHT TIME OF THE YEAR. CHRISTMAS. THE CORRELATION BETWEEN THE LEADING CHARACTER IN THE BOOK AND THE VIRGIN MARY REMINDS ME THAT US WOMEN ARE SO DELICATELY AND INTRICATELY CONNECTED BY THE SAME STITCHES. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE. GODS SPECIAL AND UNIQUE LOVE FOR US WOMEN IS MUCH LIKE WHO HE HIMSELF IS. A VERY SPECIAL AND UNIQUE GOD. I AM THANKFUL THAT A MAN OF GOD HAS ENOUGH SENSITIVITY ABOUT HIS INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SELF THAT GOD CAN USE HIM TO COMPLETELY ADDRESS THE SIMPLE TRUTHS ABOUT WOMEN THAT MAKE US WOMEN AND NOT ONLY THE WOMEN BUT ALL OF GODS CHILDREN. WE AS A FAMILY IN THE KINGDOM OF GOD ARE JOINED TOGETHER BY A DELICATE THREAD CALLED LOVE. THE QUILT REFLECTS THE VARIOUS TEXTURES,COLOURS,SHAPES,AND PATTERNS OF OUR LIVES THAT COLLECTIVELY FORM ONE TRUTH AS GOD SPEAKS TO OUR HEARTS AND SUCH A TRUTH AGAIN SPELLS L-O-V-E. PRAISE GOD FOR OUR BISHOP AND HIS CREATIVE PEACE THAT HE SHARES WITH THE WORLD.
After,being without a car for 5 years and have recently been blessed with a car. I plan to give thanks by driving to a homeless shelter where I once stayed and sponsoring a child’s Christmas. For the last 10 years life has taught me some valuable lessons and giving is oxygen to my soul.
Hi,Bishop Jakes I hope you didn’t eat to much!!!! SMILE.Bishop Jake how is it that you can try to live right yet you feel like you have not accomplish anything. I try so hard not to look at everything negative, but sometime Bishop Jake it is hard to keep focus on what you want to do.Sometime I feel that I am not good enough for certain things, when you been through so much in your life you have a way of making things hard for youself that should be easy. I know what I suppose to do, but instead I don’t feel like fighting for it.I feel Bishop Jake that God has forsaken me, now I see how Jesus felt like when he was on the cross.I find myself sometimes asking why have he forsaken me,as much that I love God I feel that he is not there.I know he allows certain things to happen to us to make us better.But sometimes I just don’t want to suffer any more.you get in a place in life that the small things means will work just as good in your life.That You don’t sweat the big issues you are so glad that you made it through.I feel Bishop Jake that I am to close even though I feel worn out,I got to still hang on in there.Pray for me please,that I have strength in the Lord that to keep on pushing until I make on in.God Bless You Bishop Jake.
Yours In Christ,
Miriam J. Cobbs
Dear Bishop,
I plan to give thanks by doing what I do every morning thanking God for all his blessings. I also be a blessing to others. I call my loved ones on a daily basis. I pray for the world and ask God to guide and bless my day.
Bishop Jakes,
Thank you so much for reminding us of God’s goodness! Finally, I saw the tribute to you on TV One…it was beautiful! This holiday season I thank God for you and your ministry and how it has blessed so many people around the world!
We love you very much!
Be Blessed,
The Fowler-Raggs Family
Bishop,
Life has truly been a journey, but God is still God. Through this holiday season there has been a question placed in my heart. Am I God enough?(An Ironic question God was presenting to me) I can’t help but remember the God He has been. For some reason the issues I have been confronted with, the problems I have contemplated with now appear so inferior to His purpose and will for me and actually seem to whisper that all of our issues, friends and family, are minimal yet an important part of what He wants to accomplish. I sat at a greenlight tonight thinking of the things He has done as well as the times He leaned over and turned his ear to our( just people in general) cries. I wondered why He would even consider to give a sliver of a thought regarding our feelings…But I know without a doubt He loves us. Ultimately at that light I began to hear Him speak and He gave a revealtion that the things we desire-which may be minimal in His sight; we often pursue or apply effort in direct correlation to the manner in which we praise….I saw myself…I saw the the speed and dedication of the effort I applied towards the visions He had given me as an example of the dedication and or effort in which I praised Him. He let me know that the same approach I take towards prasing Him is indeed the same level of effort I apply towards the visions He gives to us. In the same way we praise a God we may have not seen, we work towards a vision we have not seen come to pass. It was almost as if He was saying that by the same willingness that we freely give praise we shall surely dedicate to working the vision He has given us. He is just working with my heart but I know it is for a reason and I just felt I needed to share how He was making me deal with myself to ensure I knew the responsibility of communicatiing the love He has given us all… We love you and agree with you in the name of Jesus…
hello Bishop!
i greet you in the name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ! I am Rachel Montoute, from a little island in the Caribbean called St. Lucia. I gave my life to Jesus a Little over a yr ago and that was best decision i ever made. Though it hasn’t been easy i am not letting go, because He didn’t tell me the road would’ve been easy, but he has promised me that these hardships are just for a season, and He is soon coming to take me to a place He has prepared for me where he will give me eternal joy, peace and rest.Glory and Praise to The Lord God Almighty!
I haven’t read the Christmas novel “THE MEMORY QUILT” yet but from the little you have wrote in this article, i can relate to that.
From the time i became a Christian a lot of the people that i called my friends started moving away, some i had to chase away lol. i became very lonely and even depressed. I am the only Christian in My home and at work. so i was always going to church, worshiping, reading my bible alone.
But the amazing thing is, We tend to forget that God Created us and He knows the kind of persons we are. when i was younger, my step dad wouldn’t allow me to have friends over, so instead i would read books and study encyclopedias etc. So throughout my life, every time i felt lonely i would read. the friends i had around the time i became a Christian were not the friends God wanted me to have, and he knew i needed to spend some time in his word. so he filtered them out so i would feel that hunger to read and of course i found myself doing intensive study of my bible for months.
i was amazed with what i found out in the bible, i mean what answer to any question can you not find in the bible? love, romance, advice, counsels, encouragement, name it!
although God took away all the friends i had. He gave me back 1 and Bishop, this guy replaces all the friends i every had. i didn’t have any friend i could sit and have a Christian conversation, no one to pray with, no one to give me encouragement when im not at church but then from the time this guy walked into my life that has changed . what amazes me even more; he and i are of different Christian denominations, there is an age difference of 9 yrs and we have never had a heated argument/ conflict on religious issues. he and i are like support systems for each other. Bishop everyday I thank God for my Friend!
when God took away my friends, I could’ve sit back and let depression (the devil) take over. But thank God he gave me this habit of reading and researching from childhood. so i chose to read God’s word, to find out what he requires of me, and whilst i was doing that he was making arrangements for my friend to come into my life. Thank You Jesus!
Bishop, It has been quite sometime since we last corresponded, You continue to inspire hope and promise to my often challenged and unstable life. The consequenses of divorce is about to embrace my life and I pray that somehow through Gods mercy and grace we all come through this better than before. Today’s Blog as with every inspirational comments you write is in total and complete touch with troubled America, particularly black America. Bishop you and your family are truly blessed and all of us you reach out to all over the world are truley blessed knowing that God has placed you here among us to minister and encourage those of us facing the difficulties and challenges that is life. Please continue to pray for us, and we shall do the same for you and yours.
we are just getting this new homemissions work started and though its a new work its amazing to see that young people are still hungery for GOD. that they want GOD in their lives. as we give of ourselves to the work of GOD we know that GOD has given the ultimate!!! he layed down his life for our salvation!!! thank u for the work u are doing it encourages us. sorry we are not able to give to ur work but we will pray for ur work and ask u to pray for ours that GOD would lead us to the right building and right people
I can’t begin to tell you just how much your interview on Heaven 600 regarding the book meant to me the Wednesday before Thanksgiviing. I am going through a turmoiltous financial season, or so the enemy would want me to think. I see God working in it but sometimes I forget that He has called me favored, he has made promises in my life and the situations and circumstances surrounding my life that seem to overshadow every aspect of my life. He promised me that I would be the head and not the tail even though In my situation I look lower than a footprint. He promised me that I would prosper eventhough poverty and lack are fighting for best friend in my life. Yes I do tithe. I say God, I tithe, how can my money be so messed up, I help others, how can my money be so messed up. BUT, I REMEMBER how he kept me from April 15th to Aughst 31 without a job. I think about how he always makes sure that I have overtime on my check so that I will only be 300 dollars less than I used to make insted of 500 dollars less. God is AWESOME AND I THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK. YES, I WILL BE PURCHASING A COPY. THANKS AGAIN. SOMETIMES WE NEED TO SEE OUR REMEMBERANCE BEFORE US ABOUT THE GRACE AND MERCY AND GOODNESS OF GOD.
A very Good morning to you Sir,I enjoy reading the Memory Quilt..and yes my family and i are going through some hard financial times ..eg the Bank is giving us a hard time to modify our loan,but we are thankful for your Blessing every day of our life,i have a job and i wife is now working also our children is in school and healty..anyway i will be at work on Christmas day but i am thankful for the job..this year like always i will help someone or a family with a gift what ever that will be ..eg money or toys..once again please pray for us will our loan modify..thank you and may God keep Blessing You.
Greetings Bishop: God has so miraculously brought me through cancer, later I went through a divorce which left me a single parent, however God blessed me to keep my home at that time, Unfortunately I had to get on food stamps but not for long. (Wearing a mink coat & diamonds .. but on food stamps because the ex-husband took all the money out of the bank except $49.00) I was forced to file bankruptcy, my towncar was reposessed, which all led to depression … as I was accustom to a life of luxury, sowing into the House of God along with sowing into the lives of those that were less fortunate. In the midst of my life being turned upside down, God opened doors for my dauther to attend Baylor University for 2 years. I continued to live for God in the midst of it all. Years later, God blessed a gentleman that I admired in high school to find me. I didn’t know that I was his high school sweetheart … of course, we later got married. Two years into the marriage he got ill and we lost our new home, of which a book was birth “Father, I don’t Understand.” Later, he was injured on his job and was on worker’s compensation for 3 years. We kept trusting God as we faithfully listened to your teaching and preaching. God blessed him to go back to work but … before he went back to work, God blessed us with another nice home. We sow faithfully even when funds are short. Nevertheless, God is making us millionaires. God has been using me to tell my husband for the past 8 years that we wiill be millionaires. My question to God was Father, how are You going to make us wealthy … I don’t know how God is going to make us millionaires, I just KNOW that He is going to do it. God spoke it, He will make it good! That’s why I dance and run and praise God the way I do, He is worthy to be praised for His Loving kindness toward us. Thank You Bishop for speaking into our lives weekly and for The Memory Quilt! Graciously, Rev & Prophetess Stenson
Hi! Bishop I just want to take the time and tell you that you inspirer me and I been following your ministry for years. I started writing plays and movies I would love to get the chance to present them to you. I would like to Wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Years.
Hi Bishop,
Happy Holidays (Thanksgiving, CHRISTMAS and the NEW YEAR).
Boy is this my situation with my Marine son who has chosen not to spend the holiday with myself and his brother this year,….what a change. When you have a small family it is a daunting this and the impact is great. As you are transitioning your Mental expectations, can you provide some insight or scriptures to guide through the process?
Thanks!
Thanks for the blog–I always enjoy hearing from you! I hope your Thanksgiving was great! My husband and children, and I have just moved here to Fort Worth this summer, so this is my first year not being with my mother and other family members. My mother has a lot in common of the main character in your Christmas novel. So, it was probably harder for her mostly. I bought her The Memory Quilt to help during this time. Also, it was a pleasure meeting you at the book signing yesterday–such an honor!! May God bless you! We love you! Thanks for allowing God to use you, I have been blessed by your obedience!!!!
Tamika, Fort Worth, TX
Hello Bishop,
I agree with your sentiments about life changing as we get older. Now that I have a family of my own, I can’t hang out with my family like I used to, and when I think that only God knows how long that I will be blessed to have them, it makes me want to spend every second that I can with them. Change is not easy, but we have to push through it!
Speaking of change, I am extremely excited about the expansion of the church. I was telling my husband that it was going to be difficult to be sure that our daughter be involved in activities since we live so far away, and I miss being in the choir. So, I am so excited about the Plano site!!! I love how you continuously step out on faith and make needed changes. It goes to show that you are truly in tune with your babies.
I wish you the best in everything Bishop!
Love ya!
Lisa
God bless you, Bishop and First Lady, Serita. I thank God for the two gifts He has given us, thru you. Your life has been sacrificed in many ways so that God could use you to speak into so many of our lives. It was God thru you, 14 years ago that got me up off the floor. When I go down now, it is in praise and worship to our Lord and Savior for His ultimate sacrafice- His life, and for His goodness that never fails. God bless you.
I will be spending the holidays with my mom,not that I want too,but because my home is under repairs, the contractor rip me off and the eletrician rip me off also.I did not want to burden my mom but I look at this as company for my mom also. My kids have their families also.
Hello Bishop,
I know it is past the official holiday of Thanksgiving, but the word of God says in all things give thanks. This means I can still give thanks today. The loss of my mother (3/14/2008) still seems as if it happened yesterday, but I am still grateful because I had a friend to invite us over and my family contacted me as well. Spending time with my only child over the break gave much joy. We watched movies, went to the mall, ate popcorn, cookies, and drank hot chocolate, yum!! Your idea about visiting nursing homes was a good idea. According to the statistics about the elderly in Fort Worth, TX many will be delighted to get visitors if they have no family members. I’m just thankful that my son and I are in good health. There’s nothing worse than being sick and having no insurance or being in the hopital with no one else to cover expenses at home. I am so grateful for good health, strength, a mind to continue the plans God has gracefully placed in my hands to accomplish, I’m grateful that my child is in good health and in school. I am grateful that God is supplying all my needs and we have food, shelter, and clothing. I pray for the children and families who are homeless, “Lord protect and bless them”. The statistics about the Ft. Worth children was very depressing, I am praying for them and their families. If I am having difficulty with a college degree finding suitable work, just imagine how they will be trying to find work in a growing economy with a high unemployment rate. The sociological factors you mentioned Sunday was devastating, but God has a plan for that city as well as for the families who are affected by such hardship. I have the basic needs and even if I do not, I can’t complain. Like Bishop Noel Jones said during Harvest Week: “When you complain, you give the devil glory. When you praise and worship, you give God the glory.” Everytime I think about complaining, I think about the startling facts that was presented to me on last Sunday 11/29/2009. I could be the one unemployed with No job, no home, no food, no proper attire/clothes, sick, with no education to compete in this cruel world of work, with no one else to turn to like most of those elderly people. “Lord, have mercy.” Sunday was a wake up call for me. I thank God for his mercy, grace, divine protection, divine healing power (omnipotence), divine omnipresence (always being there when I need him most). I thank God for teaching me how to have a better attitude about life. In life, we need to learn how to pull out the positive factors in hardship in order to “Grow in the Dark” and continue working on assignments that God has graced us with. Have a blessed week and I’m praying for all your concerns about the ministry. I understand…….
I thank God for this opportunity to read and comment on your message Bishop. I appreciate what you are saying about shifting focus on our situations and do something good to others like visiting old age homes or hospitals.
I am unemployed but believing God for my job and business wishes. One of your recorded messages that keeps me going state that “it takes time to prepare nice food BUT it is easy to finish it up”. I believe that my seed is germinating and it is about to come out.God bless you tata and your family during this Christmast Time. Prosperous and profound blessings in teaching us more in 2010 upwards. Andile Kese.
good morning bishop,
I just want to say thank you for everything. I cannot express my gratitude. Well since I have been home from the united states army- I try to spend everyday with my mother. We go to the movies and lunch. Thanksgiving is an everyday event for me. god bless you and first lady.
love ya’ll
gaycia
I am a BILLIONAIRE MY FATHER OWN HOUSES AND LAND,I AM A HEIR.I am Multi,Multi, Multi, BILLIONAIRE.The word of God says I shall what I say.Watch me get there Bishop Jakes.Thank you for that Sunday,that confirm what God said.If we are to get out of our sistuation then we must change our mind set about our situation.Thank you Bishop Jakes for being a excellent teacher.I have learn so much about life and so many of my questions have been answer.Thank you MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS SO RICHLY WITH STRENGTH AND POWER TO KEEP ON,TEACHING AND PREACHING THE GOSPEL OF OUR LRD AND JESUS CHRIST.
Your Sister In Christ Jesus,
Miriam J. Cobbs
Bishop,
I watch you all the time on Day star, and my prayer request is if only I could touch Jesus feet , all my problems and worries will disappear. I always beg my Lord to allow me to just hold on to His feet because I know it is the safest place for me, I will be covered up in His blood. I know my marriage will be saved,– my debts will vanish in the air,—my children and husband will be saved,—all the curses that have followed me all my life will be broken,—I will have peace , not as the world gives, but peace that passes all understanding. If only I could touch my Savior’s feet I know I will be a new person. Please Bishop pray for me.
Harriet
Bishop Jakes,
What a blessing it was to read your blog, encouraging us to share our thanks by lending a hand to someone in need. This is exactly what I did prior to reading this blog. What a confirmation. Although I am currently working less hours this year than I was last year, God placed it on my heart to feed senior citizens that were in need for the Thanksgiving Holiday. What a blessing it was to see the smiles on those individuals faces, when they received their meals. I will continue to allow God to use me. Thank you for being a blessing to the world.
Hoooo Praise He the LORD ye people,the blood washed of the LORD lets praise him!!!
yu know writing too fast sometimes lets you make mistake, but anyway i’ll praise the LORD thats what am ganno do.
Praise the LORD JESUS CHRIST, Bishop how are you today? i pray that you are in the joy of the HOLY GHOST, its my privilage to be here right now making this comment.
Ahhh Bishop you know i’v receive some of your tapes from some brathern of mine here in JAMAICA and i jsut got the need,the need to say to GOD thanks for the anoienting thats up on you to deliver such bless word to my ears, i tell you sir my life as so been change, the teachings that the LORD as given you, ah teaching like the following:- THE BLESSING OF ABRAHAM.. THE HOUSE OF PRAYER…DONT TRY THIS ON YOUR OWN…GOD NEVER MENT FOR YOU TO LOUSE, i tell you sir some day when the LORD will alow me to come to the US. i’ll come visit you sir.
I bless the LORD for you sir and for the insprirationg that the LORD as given to you, and that you will and shell blessed in your ministry, both you Bishop and sis. serita Jakes.
so be blessed in the work that your continually doing for the LORD JESUS CHRIST.
AMEN and AMEN.
Bro Anthony Cl;arke :jamaica.
I just finished the “The Memory Quilt”. After, I picked it up, I couldn’t put it down. Great book, it kept me from page to page wanting to know what would happen next. Bishop Jakes, you have done it again, God bless the works of your hands.
Hello Bishop,
Just on Nov. 14, 2009 we lost our pop’s. He was 69 years old. We laid him to rest on the 21st. After the services and all the visiting stopped, and when my brother went back to Houston, I wondered about the Thanksgiving Holiday. At first it really did’nt feel like Thanksgiving, even though I was thankful for so many things. My dad was a Pastor of a small COGIC church. He loved the lord and I know he is in glory with our mom. It was just different. I have a loving wife of 20 years who has help me cope with all of this who also lost her father last Nov. 2008. We have 2 wonderful boys who are now 14 and 16 years old. Being thankful was not the issue. It was dealing with the loss itself. Yoy see Bishop, we had just moved out of our home in Duncanville to move in with my dad. We really did not know how bad off he was until he unexpectedly died. It really throw me and my family for a loop. What do we do now. What we did to help us through all of this was come to the thanksgiving service. It was for me my out. It was my families escape to praise and worship. We were once members at TPH, but have moved on, but I knew where to take my family to release a praise to God. That day we spent Thanksgiving with my wifes family. We had a blast. The whole day was a blessing. Thank you Bishop Jakes. Alot of churches were not opened on Thanksgiving, and you blessed so many people because of Harvest week and the Thanksgiving service.
Hello Bishop! I am a member of the Potters House for about 5 yrs and I am a “empty-nester” and am now trying to find out what to do with the next half…..What you have preached all this summer and shared on this blog is really appreciated and helps me to know that I am not alone!!!!! Thank you!
Hi bishop, Christmas is coming up, but I want be Sharing with any one, my son will be out of town, husband will be working at the airport, my grandchildren will be with there parent,playing around with stuff that dont last, I am going to try to stay warm and exercise a lot , and eat healthy.some memories I dont like to reminise on. because they were bad time , and there was good time, my mother live in Chicago for 20 year away from her children she couldn’t afford to take care of us so granddaddy raise us.she work for Jewish people in Chicago, and they would send a christmas box every year,every year we will be waiting on the christmas box,it wasn’t the box we wanted, we just wanted mother to be with us and to hold us.thank be to God she is still living,little did I know that blessing of giving and sharing had been pass on to me. Happy, Happy, Happy, Hanukkah to the Jake’s
Family, from Pastor Gloria, and Minister Arnold Williams God Bless,we love you much
This time of year is especially exciting for me. Being a Jewish believer in Jesus, I celebrate both Christmas and Hannukah! I encourage all believers to celebrate both holidays. Jesus celebrated Hannukah! Why can’t all believers? If you want to learn more about praising God in a more meaningful way, log on to joyrestored.com to see how. There you can learn about my book, “Revolutionary Praise.” God bless you all at this time of year!
Hi Bishop
This is totally of the subject. I am from Cape town, South Africa. Since I excepted the Lord as my Saviour(Some years ago), the Spirit of God allowed me to watch your dvd’s(kind of like an introduction to you). I have connected with you in such a way(Spirit Realm) that whenever you minister via a dvd that the Holy Spirit led me to buy I sensed my Heavenly Father speaking. My spirit recognizes what happens and it feels I can jump out of my skin. I dont just buy any dvd about you, unless the Holy Spirit leads me to do so. I dont know how to explain it but I hear what is in your heart and I recognize it. I have not once had such an experience with any minister here in South Africa. I myself do not understand it, but what I do realize is that somehow I’m connected to you and your ministry.
I have alot to say, but it is not the place for it. I trust you understand what I am trying to say.
Love
Brent
Hi there Bishop.
As I read and listened to this, it sent a chill trhough my spine. I’ve always loved Christmas time, but seemed to never be able to hit this time of the year in the manner I thought I should have. I realise now that it is I’ve always been expecting to receive.
I’ll get the book and allow it to guide me even further into giving during this Christmas time.
I thank you for allowing God to use you so precisely to speak into my life.
With love,
Rowan,
Cape Town South Africa
Bishop Jakes just want to thank you for reminding me and maybe other believers out there that Christmas is not all about gifts. But the birth of our savior. Through what the enemy trys to throw are way. God has his own way of letting us know that he is still god. And God alone. I may not have much but what i do have is all i need. Jesus Christ, My son and husband. Keep our reservation in prayer. Whiteriver, Arizona. So Blessed and Highly Favored!! CDMC.