Rev. Dr. Delesslyn A. Kennebrew, J.D., M.Div.
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Visionary Strategist Faithful Innovator Inspirational Essayist
Visionary Strategist Faithful Innovator Inspirational Essayist
Salvation and Stilettos Blog
Salvation and Stilettos Blog
Blog
#MyVisionFast: Do you care enough to mourn...fast and pray?
Posted on January 20, 2017 at 9:32 AM |
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BlogFam, Today is the official inauguration date of Donald Trump. And no, I will not go on and on about what his presidency might mean to these United States of America for the next four years. There has been enough of that kind of speculation both well-informed and sometimes misguided, emotional rhetoric since the day of his election back in November 2016. However, I do want to pause and say THANK YOU, LORD for the pivotal and invaluable leadership of President Barack H. Obama and his entire family. I am grateful to have witnessed an African American president in my lifetime and I will be so proud to share this piece of history with my own children one day. But today is the beginning of a new era in American politics and social policy. I honestly do not know exactly how this will all play out but given the person that our President-Elect has shown us and the people with whom he has chosen to surround himself as advisers and cabinet members, I can certainly understand why so many have been in mourning. Actually, I am reminded of one of my favorite people in the Bible, Nehemiah. In Nehemiah Chapter One, Nehemiah asks a question about his home and he his deeply saddened by the report - just as many are deeply saddened by this inauguration; but Nehemiah's response teaches a lesson to us that I believe we would do well to take heed. Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. [Nehemiah 1:2-4] Friends, it really does not matter to me on which side of the political aisle you choose to stand, as a child of the Most High, if we just look with eyes of compassion on this world and the prevalence of crime, poverty, prejudice, injustice, and unrighteous motives, maneuvers, and manipulations, we ALL should be in mourning. We should all be in mourning because in so many ways, America is in "great trouble and disgrace" and her walls of liberty and justice for all are broken down and its gates to secure the inalienable rights of all people in its borders have been burned with the fire of ignorance, hatred, and intolerance. I understand why people are weeping as Nehemiah did for his beloved city, Jerusalem. All you have to do is read the newspaper or scroll down your Facebook timeline, or watch the news and you will see that we are in a state of social, educational, and economic crises. Yet, I am reminded of that great call to action in 2 Chronicles 7 when the Lord speaks to King Solomon after the dedication of the temple: if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. I believe that Nehemiah knew that the very first thing he had to do in spite of his tears, his grief, his mourning, was to fast and pray before the God of heaven. Honestly, perhaps that is what makes me feel somewhat uneasy and definitely disappointed with the believers who critique our president elect so harshly out of their own deep grief and devastation. We can mourn but do we care enough to mourn AND fast and pray? BlogFam, again, it does not matter to me on which side of the political aisle you choose to stand, if you are a child of the Most High, if you also believe that we are in a state of crises, then call a fast and get on your knees. Pray to the God of heaven asking God for your own forgiveness and forgiveness on behalf of this great nation. Turn from your wicked ways, and then be open to receive our healing. I can only imagine the great revolution in our country if EVERY believer committed to doing just that. I offer these next steps, not as an oversimplification of the work it will take to see the shifts we need to bring our nation to prominence and restore the hope of all of its citizens. I offer this a necessary step that must not be skipped as we take action to march, write, vote, speak, legislate, protest, and sing our songs of freedom. Nehemiah wept over the state of Jerusalem in his day. Many of you are weeping over the state of America, today. But I strongly encourage you to follow the example of Nehemiah - and the instructions to King Solomon - and take your mourning one step further to fast and pray. OR do you only care enough to mourn? God Loves You and I Do Too! Blessings, Glory, and Sunshine! Delesslyn |
Heart Problems, Love Solution... #SocialJustice #HumanRights
Posted on October 29, 2016 at 1:19 AM |
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My First Baptism
Posted on June 3, 2016 at 12:05 PM |
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BlogFam - So much has happened since the last time I posted and I thank you for your patience and your prompts. I have two more posts in #theSHIFT series and then we will move on. However, this post is not one of them. LOL! Today, I want to share with you a reflection on my first baptism. YES, I said my FIRST baptism. Let me testify. YES, I have already been to the water. I was baptized by my Father and godfather in the pool of Midway Church of Christ (Holiness) U.S.A. I remember being scared and excited at the same time. I did not know what to expect. I did know that I could not swim and I did not want them to let me go when they dipped me in the water. I knew that this was a special moment. My grandmother made a white baptism gown with a matching hat just for me and at that age, of course, I did not think it was all that cute, but I wore it anyway. I also did not think that I would be standing in the pool decades later baptizing a little girl who was the age I was when I was baptized. On, Tuesday, May 31, I participated in my first baptism. It was the very first time that I put on a white baptism robe and walked down the steps of a baptism pool as an adult for the purpose of baptizing another one of God's children. When pastor first asked me if I wanted to do so a few months prior, I readily said YES! I had dreamed of what it would be like to participate in this holy ordinance of the church and I was not going to let this opportunity pass me by. I said YES! And I was so excited about what this would mean for me and for the girl we knew we were to baptize. I prayed and I fasted to prepare myself to be fully present in the moment. I did not want to miss anything about it and I wanted to be spiritually ready for it. My preparation reminded me of the time I was on schedule to serve Holy Communion for the very first time. I remember being excited yet so humbled that I would have the opportunity to serve the elements representing the body and blood of Christ. The first time I was on the schedule to serve Holy Communion, there was a storm on that Sunday morning and I was driving slowly because I could barely see the road. But I was determined to get to church. I was driving from a longer distance than usual due to me having stayed overnight with family who lived farther than my usual drive. Nevertheless, I was set on pressing my way to church to put on my white gloves and stand behind the table and share this meal in remembrance of Him. Well, I got to church late. Service had not begun but the morning meeting was over and my duties had been reassigned. I totally understood but my heart was broken. I had been looking forward to this moment for so long. The moment came. I missed it. Tears filled my eyes as I quietly sat in worship feeling like I had missed a moment to meet the Lord and experience His glory in a new way. THANK GOD for two services!!! At the end of the first service, the Executive Elder came to me and said that one of the other seasoned ministers said I could take their place at the second service. And my heart filled with JOY again! I was already there. I was already ready. When I stood in that space, I was nervous but I was just overwhelmed with gratitude as I recalled everything I had gone through and was going through at the time. It cost me a lot to stand there and I did not take it for granted. It cost Jesus so much more... I have served Holy Communion many times since then but I will never forget my first time. I will never forget my first baptism. I will never forget the tears that came to my eyes as I sat there listening to the Pastor pray about the significance of this moment in the lives of the two young believers who were getting baptized, our connection to the church universal, and the public witness that baptism represents to all that: "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20) As I approached the baptism pool, I was taking deep breaths and trying to stay calm because I did not want to be out of order in any way. I walked down the steps into the pool. The water was comfortable, just right actually. It was not too cold and it was not too hot. It was just right. Then it was time for the first candidate. She told the pastor her full name and she came into the pool, stood in the center of the pool, and placed her hands across her chest. Pastor had already told me that I could immerse them by myself and he would give the pronouncement. I placed my hand on her back and I covered her nose. Now let me say this. Baptism training was not part of my seminary education. I had no training on how to immerse anyone so I just did what I had experienced when my daddy baptized me and what I had observed in my many, many years of going to church. I placed my hand on her back and covered her nose. Then I heard my cue... We baptize you in the name of the Creator, the Christ, and the Holy Spirit. On cue, I gently immersed my young sister in Christ and brought her up. It was so quick. It was so wonderful. We repeated the same for the second candidate. My friend said I was smiling the whole time. I am glad that my first baptism experience was baptizing two children for their size and for their significance to the kingdom of God. How special it was! Let me add that it was so special, that after the baptism service was over, I was just standing in the pool, smiling and feeling happy and pastor had to tell me it was time to go! "Reverend, I know you are basking in the glory of the water, but it is time to get out so I/we can change!" LOL! TO GOD BE THE GLORY!!! I am pretty sure that I will never forget my first baptism just as I have never forgotten my first time serving Holy Communion. I pray that the Lord will continue to create opportunities for me to participate in the life of the church in these ways. I pray that I will never lose my sense of awe and wonder when I am able to lead and share in these amazing moments of God's grace remembered and revealed. GOD LOVES YOU and I DO TOO! Blessings, Glory, and Sunshine! Delesslyn |
Say AMEN, Somebody! [A City-Wide Revival at a 50 seat Church]
Posted on May 6, 2016 at 1:40 PM |
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#PRAYER for our Youth: #LightItUp [A Recording]
Posted on October 30, 2015 at 9:12 PM |
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Greetings! BlogFam - This is a slight departure from our current series but one that I believe you will appreciate... I was invited to PRAY on the last night of the LIGHT IT UP Prayer Call series. This was a week of prayer for children and youth in light of recent events and all that our children and youth have to face and deal with everyday, everywhere. I pray that this prayer blesses you and I ask that you PLEASE share it with EVERY young person you know that needs to be challenged and encouraged to carry the LIGHT of Christ everywhere they go! LISTEN and BE BLESSED!
THE PRAYER... God of Fire and Light, First we say THANK YOU for
being so good and so kind and for just being the same, yesterday, today, and
forevermore. THANK YOU for calling us together for such a time
as this, to pray and intercede on behalf of children and youth everywhere. I ask you to please forgive us for the many ways
that we have dismissed, disregarded, or diminished the light of Christ that is
available to shine brightly in and through and on all of us. Forgive us Lord and ignite our fire again. God of Fire and Light – I pray that on this night,
we would open our hearts and minds, our ears and our eyes to the many ways that
the darkness of injustice, abuse, violence, hypocrisy and silence pervades and
invades the world…. Our city… our streets… our schools…and even our homes. God of Fire and Light – I pray that on this night
we would avail ourselves to be vessels of your light. You are the light of the world and when we
say YES, we invite you to light a fire in our souls that calls us to be light
bearers everywhere we go. God of Fire and Light – I pray that on tonight we
would recommit ourselves to walk in the light, beautiful light. We recommit ourselves to come where the dew
drops of mercy shine bright. Lord,
please shine all around us by day and by night.
YOU are the light of the world. And on tonight we acknowledge you as the light of
the world. On tonight we choose to walk OUT of the darkness. And from this point on WE will light up your
world!!! IN JESUS' NAME... GOD LOVES YOU and I DO TOO! Blessings, Glory, and Sunshine! Delesslyn Follow Me on Twitter @AudraSunshine or IG @AudraSunshine1 SPECIAL THANK YOU to Rev. Dominique Robinson, M.Div. for the opportunity to pray for our youth during this series hosted by the New Life Presbyterian Church in College Park, GA. She has a big heart for the youth across this nation and I was honored to be apart of her vision! [Twitter @DominiqueAyesha] |
Something is Missing
Posted on June 18, 2015 at 12:10 PM |
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SOMETHING IS MISSING Friends, I know that I have not written a blog
post in a few weeks and I offer no excuses to that end. But today, I could not move through this day
without releasing what is in my head and in my heart. I honestly feel like my head is about to pop
and my heart is about to explode because of all that I am learning, reading,
seeing, hearing, feeling and sensing all around me. And in times like this, I cannot always find
the right words to say. But I am often
reminded in these times of the words of a song I learned as a child… Jesus is
the answer for the world today… Above Him there’s no other… Jesus is the way… If you have some questions in
the corner of your mind, traces of discouragement and peace you cannot find…
Reflections of your past seem to face you every day but this one thing I do
know, Jesus IS THE WAY. And as I write
these words, with tear filled eyes, the story of Lazarus comes to mind…. Do you
remember that moment as the Bible records it?
That moment when Martha meets Jesus on the road and tells Him… Lord, IF
YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE, MY BROTHER WOULD NOT HAVE DIED! That has to be one of the boldest and directly
confrontational and emotional filled moments in the Bible. Who in their right mind would confront Jesus
and basically call Him a slacker because He did NOT show up to heal her brother
when she and her sister asked him to come the first time? Jesus took His sweet time and Lazarus died. AND Martha is hurt, confused, distraught, and
angry that her brother is gone simply because the man who had the power to heal
did NOT show up. Friends, Martha felt like JESUS was the missing
piece in her brother’s struggle and when that piece could have come, but chose
not to come, she had a few choice words to the Lord on the road to Lazarus’
grave. Honestly, I would venture to say
that there are some followers of Jesus Christ who have the same words for all
the confusion and chaos happening all around us and being reported in the news
today. LORD, IF YOU WOULD HAVE BEEN HERE…
Maybe Rachel Dolezal would not be confused about her racial identity, the men
and women in Charleston would still be alive, the police officer would have kept
his knee out of that teenagers back, my dear friend would have been healed from
that deadly disease, and so much more… It is painful and on this moment, I am sad and
hurt and frustrated and upset and feeling helpless BUT I know deep down, very deep down inside that
JESUS IS THE ANSWER FOR THE WORLD TODAY and ABOVE HIM THERE’S NO OTHER, JESUS
IS THE WAY. I believe this. I have to believe this. I have to believe that there is ONE whose
wisdom and power is so far beyond the frailties and fickleness of my humanity
and the humanity of those who are the victims or victimizers, oppressors and
oppressed, the hated and the beloved. I have
to believe that beyond ALL of this, the Savior of the whole world loves and
cares and is still in control. I have to
believe that JESUS is the RESURRECTION and the LIFE that we all need, seek,
long for, and want to experience here and now. Yet, I still want to invoke Martha and say, LORD,
IF YOU HAD BEEN HERE… and even as I
write, my Spirit confirms that the I AM is right here. I hear the Lord saying I AM ALREADY
HERE. I am NOT lost and I am NOT
missing. [Thank You Jesus!] Friends, I plead with you to BE FAITHFUL. Let us BE the hands and feet of JESUS
everywhere and at ALL times. We do not
have any more time to waste on blaming or criticizing or complaining when we have
not been faithful to prayer and Bible Study and coming together as the Beloved
Community to seek liberty and justice for ALL people. The TRUTH is that WE are the ones who are
missing from homes, schools, streets, board meetings, city councils, school boards,
churches, community centers… Our prayers are missing. Our positive energy is missing. Our truth speaking is missing. Our courage is missing. Our hope is missing. Our example is missing. The Light of Christ shining through us is
missing. And while I respect the tenets of other
religious traditions,I am a JESUS follower and I do not want to be found
missing from any place that the Lord would have me or my prayers to go. What about YOU? Are YOU missing? I only ask because, the presence of the Lord
is already HERE… IN JESUS NAME… God Loves You and I Do Too! Delesslyn PLEASE SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS BELOW... |
#FREEFlowFriday: I Will Say NO!
Posted on July 18, 2014 at 12:54 PM |
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Greetings! BlogFam - On last week, I started this #FREEFlowFriday blogging because I realize that there are thoughts that I have and things I want to say that do not necessarily flow with whatever blog series I may currently be writing at the time. There are many times when I just want to write what comes to my mind in the moment simply because I have the urge and the unction to write. So, here we flow again... This has been a very interesting week and NO I will not splurge on all of the details because that would be way too much for this space and frankly, most of it is none of your business! LOL! However, I will say that when I feel stretched and recognized that I am being pulled in different directions based on the will and whim of others who deem that their priorities, emergencies, agendas, and dreams are somehow more important than my own, I step back. YES! I admit it. I will step back from anyone or anything that is pushing or pulling me in a way that is unsettling to my own sense of purpose and peace of mind. I will say NO and give myself permission to refuse to compromise my own sanity. I will say NO and redirect your sense of urgency away from my calendar so as to avoid whatever anxiety you are trying to impose. I will say NO and intentionally choose to embrace my own well-being without any guilt or shame. I advise YOU to do the same. Actually, I have a role model whose life was completely focused on fulfilling God's purpose for His own life to the exclusion of anyone and anything that would distract Him from that purpose. JESUS is/was that kind of man. He models for me the way I must keep the Kingdom of God in mind in EVERY situation and circumstance. I am not called and I am not committed to going along with expending energy to do anything or meet anyone or participate in conversations that take me far beyond the boundaries of God's purpose for my life. I will say NO. And I will say YES. And I am OK with that. I pray that on this #FREEFlowFriday you would take the time to regroup and recommit to whatever purpose God has created you to fulfill. I pray that YOU would have the COURAGE to say NO and to say YES to anyone or anything or any conversation as you seek to remain in the center of the will of God for your own life. GOD LOVES YOU and I DO TOO! Delesslyn FOLLOW ME on Twitter @AudraSunshine or @SpiritedConcept |
#FREEFlowFriday: A Quick Word About #FAMILY
Posted on July 11, 2014 at 12:52 PM |
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Greetings! BlogFam, I just had a feeling that I needed to write.... that I needed to write and share something. And since I have that feeling right now, I decided to follow my gut that I too often ignore when it comes to moments like this. Now, I will not deviate too far from my norm as it relates to this space. I will still reflect on a verse or two and see where the Spirit will lead us... The passage of Scripture that is weighing heavily on my heart in this very moment is this one: GENESIS 50:19-21 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. These verses are at the close of the Book of Genesis. Perhaps I am somewhat "in my feelings" because this is a chapter about family coming together and on this very weekend, I will attend my own family reunion. I do not know how you feel about your family but anyone who knows me, knows I absolutely love my family - immediate and extended. I could not ever imagine living through the mess Joseph's brothers put him through. First of all, my parents would not have let such hatred toward and amongst my siblings exist or get that far. Secondly, though we are spread apart, we like to be all up in each other's business so someone would have known something and would have spread the word that one of us was in a pit. Thirdly, at the very heart of all of our nosey-ness is a truly genuine desire for ALL of us to succeed! I cannot relate to families who fall out and cuss each other out and push each other away or do not speak for decades. I cannot relate and I do not want to ever experience that kind of division in my life from the people who have the same blood. By the GRACE of God, in spite of our disagreements and disappointments, we have always come back together. I know that I can ALWAYS go home and for that I am so very grateful. Friends, I am praying for you on today. As my family is traveling for the biennial family reunion and as I am preparing to greet them and embrace them and laugh with them, I pray that YOU will reach out to someone in your family today. I pray that the family reunions that take place on social media, in person or via a phone call or text, Skype or OoVoo are sweet moments that you will cherish forever. I pray that you will have moments that reunite your family and get you all on track and on a path of love and commitment to each other. I pray that you all would trust GOD and forgive one another. I pray that you would apologize where you have done wrong by your own blood and humbly regain their good graces. I pray that Joseph's blessing upon his family who did the most horrific things and had the worst attitudes towards him... I pray that his blessing would flow from your lips upon your own family... 19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. 21 So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. And I will reassure MY family and speak kindly to MY family.... GOD LOVES YOU and I DO TOO! Delesslyn FOLLOW @AudraSunshine |
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