Testifying Today!

"Praise The Lord, my soul, and forget not His many benefits, who forgives all your sins and heals your diseases" (Psalm 103:2,3 NIV).

1) Praise Him for all He has done, is doing and will do for us simply because He loves us and His mercy endures forever.
2) Don't forget His many benefits--giving us victory over everything the enemy plots against us, gives us favor with men (and women), loves us unconditionally, grants us new mercies every morning, forgives our sins and tosses them into the sea of forgetfulness, gives us chance after chance after chance to get living right for Him, and then He heals all our diseases--either miraculously or through the wisdom He has poured into physicians to accurately diagnose and treat whatever ails us.
3) Live for The Lord, obey His Word, Testify of His goodness and Walk worthy of the calling He has placed upon your life.

He is God and He is Good for He can do nothing else but be Himself!

Deceptive Storm's Blackmailer

I wonder who is blackmailing whom and why?  Find out in the book--you will be surprised!  There are more storms popping up in this book than on the Atlantic Coast!

Understand The Name

There is a name that is highly exalted--a name above all others--a name by which no other can save, deliver, heal, and forgive--that name is Jesus! If there was ever a time for us to call upon Him, that time is now. It is not the time to murmur or complain, but to call upon Him to do what no other can do--speak to the hearts of those who are in authority and make this place a better place--for all who love the Lord and choose to live for Him. Pray for the ungodly, the unlovable, the foolish, and the wise that we may become more like Him every day--learning to love and do all He has required of us.

Great reads under $3.00

If you're looking for something to do--inspire or entertain, look no further.  http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ

Receive The Truth!

"If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus..." (I Timothy 4:6 NIV)

What were the things Paul was referencing to Timothy?

In order to understand this scripture within the context of it being stated, one would have to read from the 1st verse to the end.  But, for the purposes of responding to the question, I'll state this much:   Paul was reminding Timothy of a time to come when seducing, deceiving, ungodly spirits would influence mankind and he wanted Timothy to be on the alert and told him what to watch for. 

Are we at that time in our society where we can see "deceiving spirits and doctrines taught by demons"?

Any doctrine--allegedly used to support Christian faith--that does not align with The Word is a doctrine of demons.  Who are the demons?  Look around you.  Pay attention to what is being taught; especially those things that are contrary to The Word.  We need not get upset with people, but we certainly need to pray for deliverance for those who are being influenced by the demons. 

In Romans 1:26-32--other admonitions and warnings to Christians as to the changing times and demonic influence being used, we see that the time Paul referenced is indeed now.  What are we who know the truth going to do about it?  I don't know about you, but I'm calling on the name of Jesus to reveal truth, expose every demon, remove the blinders from all who have been deceived, and return their hearts to receive truth.  He can and will do all that people allow Him to do.  He will not force people to receive truth, but He will use all who are willing to promote and teach truth of The Word--not political correctness (the doctrine of demons) and it those who promote the truth that Paul is saying is a good minister of Christ Jesus.  Where do you stand?

God Is Still Right!

"There is a way that seems right unto men, but that way leads to death" (Proverbs 16:25 paraphrased)

No matter what men/women do or what office they hold, they are still--men--fallible human beings.

Those men/women are not God and God will not uphold those who proclaim what He has said is wrong to be right.

For anyone who can oppose God and see nothing wrong--be very afraid--of the chaos that is bound to reign. Men/women are fickle and are constantly changing their minds, but God is and always will be a constant in our lives and He shall have the final say.

"If my people, who are called by my name, would humble themselves and pray, and turn from their wicked ways, then would I hear from heaven, forgive their sin and heal the land" (2 Chronicles 7:14 Paraphrased).

Father, in the name of Jesus--hear the cries of those who know You and understand Your ways that are not the ways of man--speak to our hearts and cut away the hardness that we will hear You, and repent, while we yet have a chance. Amen!

When Money Talks (The Romance Novel)

It has come to my attention that perhaps, a number of people have mistaken my romance novel for a financial guide of some sort.  While the book does include "money", the title is indicative of what happens when someone is framed and authorities are led to believe a theft occurred and real culprit is found.  If for any reason, the title misled, I certainly ask your forgiveness.  This novel is about seduction, betrayal, envy and lies.  Watch the book trailer (linked on earlier post on YouTube) and judge for yourself.  I also have taken note that some, did not bother to read "the inside scoop" before purchasing. 

On Amazon.com--reading the inside is imperative to save your valuable time.  It is there for a reason.  Thanks for understanding. 

Mary M. Hall-Rayford

Not By Works!

"For by grace (the free gift of God) are we saved, not of works so no man can boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9 paraphrased).

No matter what people may say, we cannot "earn" our way into heaven by doing good works; however, our good works are an indicator that we are "saved" and of our faith in that salvation (the work of Jesus).

We are not saved because we follow the rules established by man, but by obedience in God's Word--love Him and love others.

Contrary to popular belief (in some settings), baptism does not "save" us.  It is good to be baptized, but some folks have gone into the water a dry devil and come up a wet one. 

Speaking in tongues doesn't save us (although it is good to exercise our prayer language when we are filled with the Holy Spirit); the demons know how to mock us in speaking in tongues and do all manner of evil--perpetrating as a Christian.

No, we are saved because of God's love for us--no other reason--when we accept the sacrifice of His Son--His death, burial, and resurrection.  We cannot earn His favor, but we can accept it and live like we love Him. Hallelujah!

When Money Talks Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TS_kHh8h-60  It's not always about the Benjamins, but betrayal, seduction, and lies!

Deceptive Storm--Free eBook

http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ 

Watch the book trailer YouTube and download the book for free--today only! When you read, don't forget to review!  Thanks!

Heart Surgery!

"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds" (Psalm 147:3)

Has your heart been broken lately?  Is it lying in pieces on the floor or scattered across the nation?

Hearts are such a fragile part of us--both naturally, emotionally, and spiritually.  In the natural, if we don't protect our hearts--our hearts won't function appropriately to pump the blood needed to keep us alive.  When we don't eat right or exercise or don't see doctors on a regular basis, pieces of our hearts can end up in an operating room--discarded for non-use.

If we don't guard our emotions--keep them in check--learn to love us so we'll know when others are capable of love--little bits and pieces of our hearts end up travelling across the nation when we give them away, indiscriminately.  We cannot "fall in love" with everyone we meet and when we try--we open the door for them to use their lying tongues to cut away little pieces here and there until we learn to hate more than to love.

If we don't protect our relationship with God--we allow the enemy to infiltrate and cause us to be delusional--believing any lie he puts forth and then we become depressed and oppressed.

But our God is an awesome God!  He heals and fixes all the hurts, gives us opportunity to correct the abuse of the natural heart, has inspired mankind with knowledge to keep the blood flowing so we can live--in spite of our indiscretions with food and laziness. He opens our eyes to see those who are not good for us or to us and moves them out of our lives and He never leaves us alone--He is always there, no matter what the enemy attempts to get us to believe.  Our God is the only One who can fix a heart--bind the wounds--and keep us walking upright, spiritually, physically, and emotionally.  Enter into His operating room today and be healed in the name of Jesus!

Deceptive Storms Book Trailer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtwuKQu4q9Y  Book Trailer for Deceptive Storms--watch and review!  Thanks!

Resting In Jesus!

There are times when life gets so busy that we cannot think clearly because we're trying to do so much!

Have you ever noticed that the more you attempt to do at one time, the greater the likelihood that mistakes will be made and you'll have to go back and fix things?

There is an old adage that states, "haste makes waste" and it is still relevant today.

I have discovered that if I attempt to do things in a hurry, without taking my time, I'm more prone to mess it up and have to go back and redo it or start all over again.  What I'm trying to do now is to learn how to rest in Jesus, so I can start with a clear mind--no cobwebs, no distractions, and can see clearly everything that must be done before me.  When I finish, I make an attempt to review what I've done so I can assure myself that everything is right; especially since I hate re-doing anything because it is so time consuming.

At any rate--let's try harder to do it right the first time--so we won't have to re-visit anything.  We can do this when we learn to rest in Jesus, trust Him with all our heart, soul, and mind and stop leaning on our own understanding.  Rest in Him and see everything with clarity!

Deceptive Storms "Live"

Deceptive Storms is now available on amazon.com.  http://www.amazon.com/Mary-M.-Hall-Rayford/e/B00BAW31CQ .  If you enjoyed the excerpts, you'll love the book!

Can't Nobody Do You Like Jesus!

Forgetting the obvious grammatical inaccuracy, never a truer statement was ever made.

When we get right down to it, there is absolutely no one who can do for us, through us and to us like Jesus!  Hallelujah!

Forget about all those who profess to be your friends--when the going gets tough--they leave you abandoned, wondering what happened.  Not Jesus!

Even family members jump ship at the slightest roil in a situation--they cannot handle the turbulent waters and they choose the life boats because of a lack of faith--in you and your relationship.  Not Jesus!

When we feel all alone, isolated, miserable and devastated--we can count on Jesus to remind us--we are never alone, never unloved, and we always on His mind!

When we need direction and wise counsel--don't count on people who are just as flawed as you are--take it to The Lord and let Him work it out on your behalf.

Looking at everything that could happen and knowing that we can only trust in the Lord--yeah, can't nobody do us like Jesus!

Deceptive Storms Excerpt 6

When Paul finished talking to the principal, he left his car in the school’s parking lot and decided to take a stroll around the building.  He checked every nook and crevice he thought a student could hide, but he couldn’t find Vernon.  He finally went back to his car and drove towards the bridge where he knew all sorts of things took place.  Sure enough, he spotted Vernon talking with a guy who looked pretty seedy; he sat in the car watching and then decided to take a picture when he saw them make an exchange.   When Paul got out of his car, the guy he didn’t know ran in the other direction.  Vernon looked up to see why the guy ran and saw Paul and readied himself for the lecture, he knew was coming.

“Vernon!  Hold on a minute!  I’ve been looking for you,” Paul told him.

“Yeah, well you found me.  What up?”

“I was just at the school making arrangements for an assembly and I wanted to ask you and some other young people to participate.  I got a chance to talk to Ronald and Stephanie last night, but you left before I could get to you.  So, how about it? Would you be interested in participating?”

“Nah.  I ain’t got time for that assembly crap.  That’s for the nerds—Ronald and Stephanie would be perfect.”

By now Paul was standing directly in front of him and looked at him closely.   Vernon’s eyes were glassy and red.  He refused to look directly at Paul and kept fingering something in his pocket.

“Okay, Vernon.  Since when did a school assembly classify as “crap” and why do you call Ronald and Stephanie nerds?  I thought you all were friends.”

“We was, but you know, things change,” Vernon responded sullenly.  “I don’t need no assembly in school trying to tell me anything.  Those things are always so lame.”

“Look at me, Vernon.  Look at me!” He was close enough to Vernon to reach out and grab him, but he didn’t.  “What is going on with you?  You’re skipping school, your grades are failing, and you’re standing here high as a helium-filled balloon.” 

“Man, I don’t know what you talking about,” Vernon started, but Paul interrupted him.

“Don’t even try to deny it.  I know the symptoms and signs.  Working at the rehab center with kids for the last nine years has taught me a great deal.  I do know how to recognize the signs when someone is using.  So, what are you using?  And like I said, don’t try to deny it.”

Vernon gave him a dirty look and then shrugged his shoulders.  “What’s it to you?  I ain’t bothering you none?”

“What…are…you…using?” Paul repeated, firmly stating each word.

“Okay, okay!  It’s no big deal.  I’m just smoking a little weed, that’s all!” Vernon shouted, angrily.  “Man, get off my back, you not my father.”

“No, I’m not your father.  I came looking for you because I wanted to talk to you before I talked to your father.  And the weed—it is a big deal.  I almost lost my life after smoking some weed—my little indiscretion cost my parents a fortune and me a scholarship.  So, don’t tell me, ‘a little weed is no big deal’.  Any weed at all is a big deal, the sale and use of it is illegal and you are too young to get strung out on it.” He watched him fidgeting with his hand in his pocket.  “What’s in your pocket that has you more interested in it than in what I’m saying?”

“Ain’t none of your business what’s in my pocket!”  Vernon pulled his hand out of his pocket and was clenching his fist.

“Oh, I’m making it my business.  And what’s next…?—I see your balled up fist.  You think you can take me on?”  Now, Paul did grab Vernon by his collar, pushing him back against the pillar of the bridge.

Vernon was choking and couldn’t breathe and he tried to pry Paul’s hands from around his neck, but couldn’t.  Paul relaxed his hold on him, but didn’t completely let him go.

“Now, I’ll ask you again. What’s in your pocket?”

“Come on man.  I told you.  A little weed,” Vernon wheezed his response.

“Pull it out your pocket!”

Vernon hesitated and Paul tightened his grip.

“Okay, okay, here!” Vernon held up the bag in his hand.  What he had was not “a little weed, but enough for him to sell and make some serious money. 

Paul let Vernon go and snatched the bag out of his hand. When he opened it, he discovered 15 tiny zip-lock packets of weed.  He was still blocking Vernon’s escape so he just looked at him disgustedly. 

“Do you know how you’re messing up your life with this garbage? Do you?  I should just throw it in the river, but I really wouldn’t want to destroy the fish.  Not like you’re destroying your life.  And your father—what would he say about this?”

“Man, leave my father out of this.  He’s got enough problems of his own.”

“Vernon, I can’t leave your father out of this.  He has to be told.  Now the question is—who’s going to tell him, me or you?”

“I ain’t telling him nothing and he won’t believe you!”

“He will when I provide him with the evidence.  I took a picture of you and the guy that ran off.  Just what do you think he’ll make of that?”

Now, Vernon was scared.  With his father’s temper and all of that secret stuff going on with him, he knew he was in trouble, but his immaturity and lack of real bravado wouldn’t let him back down.

“Go ahead!  Tell him.  Show him all the pictures you want to.  He’ll listen to me and then blame everything on you.  Try him!”

Deceptive Storms Excerpt 5

Reverend Jenkins pulled his ego up from the basement and grabbed a jacket.  As he picked up his brief case, he smiled.  “Not yet, not yet,” he thought.  “It will be all right, in good time.”  He whistled a low tune as he headed out the door.  Once in his car, he mentally began practicing a humble posture.  He saw himself, with head bowed, eyes riveted on the pastor, nodding in agreement to whatever was going to be said.  He practiced appearing interested in the pastor’s personal life by determining what kinds of questions he wanted to ask and to feign surprise or interest.  This meeting was important.  He had to make the pastor feel comfortable with him in order to get him where he wanted him—out of the church in disgrace—was his plan.  And he had already figured out how to do it.  With a little bit of help, he would soon be the rightful pastor of Christian Faith Ministries, the way it should have been.

He groaned inwardly when he thought about how he had been cheated with the appointment.  He had been warned when the church joined the ecumenical organization that a church appointment was not automatic, simply because someone had been a member of the church.   He knew that most of the congregation had really enjoyed the ministry of the Recinoire’s; he just didn’t think he had to worry about the appointment.  Wrong.  He had misread the entire situation.  That wouldn’t happen again.  He had plans and nothing was going to get in his way.  “Nothing, nothing, nothing,” he muttered aloud.

Pulling into the parking lot, he took a deep breath, rotated his head and neck to relieve the pressure and prepared to play the role of his life.  He turned off the engine, snatched his brief case off the passenger seat and climbed out of the car.  After locking the doors, he walked confidently into the church, ready to plant the seeds of his plan.

****

“Come in,” Cal responded to the knock on his door.  Looking up from his notepad, he waited.  When Reverend Jenkins entered, he rose, came around his desk, with extended hand to greet him.

Reverend Jenkins took the extended hand and shook it warmly, clasping Cal’s wrist in the process.  Smiling, he sat in the chair indicated and sat back expectantly.  Cal retreated to his chair behind the desk and sat contemplatively. 

“Thanks for getting here so soon,” he began.  “Your message seemed a bit urgent, how can I help you?”

“Well now, Pastor, I didn’t really call you because I needed help.  I called to see how I could help you.  It’s been a pretty busy first year, so I figured, you could use a little more help around here.  I’m at your disposal to do whatever it is you need done,” Reverend Jenkins’ smile stretched across the lower half of his face without reaching his eyes.

“I must admit I’m surprised at your generosity.  You know the rumor-mill has it that you were upset with not getting the position here.”

“I was disappointed.  Now that I’ve had a chance to see what you’ve done in just a short period time, I’m relieved that I was not appointed pastor.  I don’t honestly know if I could have accomplished what you have.  At any rate, I do know about the rumors and I decided that it’s time to put them to rest.  I wanted to make sure that at tonight’s meeting there is no doubt in anyone’s mind about where I stand.  I want to see this church grow into everything God intends for it to be.”

“I appreciate your attitude Reverend Jenkins and I welcome your assistance.  At the moment, I don’t have anything specific in mind, but I’m sure something will surface soon.  We have more than enough to do to keep everyone busy.  Did you have anything specific in mind?”

“Well, you know we could stand raising some money around here to develop the surrounding land.  Our young people are pretty talented and I was actually thinking about having them perform a knock-out concert.”

“That’s a splendid idea!” Cal exclaimed.  “I was thinking about something similar.”

“Wonderful!  Perhaps, we should present this idea at the meeting tonight.  You know, in order to prepare a concert the magnitude that I’m thinking about, we’ll need at least a year to get everything in place.”

“That’s fine.  I’ll just add it to my agenda under new business.  I’m glad we had this chance to talk and I look forward to working with you on this.  I’m sure the congregation will be glad to see us on the same page as well.  How’s your son?  Doesn’t he sing with the youth choir?”

“Yeah, Vernon sings with the choir.  He could do a better job with some additional training, but it keeps him involved in the church.  He’d rather play basketball than sing, but I’m working on him.”

“Perhaps, we can utilize him to organize some basketball tournaments.  I’m sure he knows other young men who would be interested in playing.”

“I’m sure he would.  I’ll run that by him when I see him later.  Well, I’ll get going so you can get ready for tonight. Thanks for taking the time to see me.”  He stood and extended his hand, ready to leave.

“Anytime.” 

Cal stood up and shook hands with Reverend Jenkins across his desk.  As Torrance Jenkins walked out the door, Cal felt as though he heard a faint siren.  He went to the window and looked out, but could not see any reason for an emergency.  He stopped and listened again, but heard nothing.  Shaking his head, wondering if he was hearing things, he sat down and took up his notepad.

(excerpts posted in random order, book available very soon!)

And The Beat Goes On! 6/20/13

Archived episode available http://www.blogtalkradio.com/maryandtyrone/2013/06/20/and-the-beat-goes-on

Deceptive Storms Excerpt 4

        Paul Anderson, the greatest athlete known in the community high school, had been awarded all sorts of scholarships to college and had many offers from various colleges.  It was in the spring just before he graduated that things fell apart.  He and some of his buddies had been out celebrating their impending graduation and all of their accomplishments in high school.  When someone pulled out a joint, at first Paul refused—thinking about all he had ahead of him.  After a while, someone dared him to take a drag.  Never one to resist a dare, he accepted the joint and inhaled deeply, sputtering as he coughed.  The other guys laughed at him, but his eyes were smarting and his lungs burning.  He didn’t see anything funny.  The longer he sat, watching them pass the joint, the calmer he became until he finally took another hit.  This time, he didn’t sputter or cough, he just sat back and grinned stupidly.  By the time he got ready to go home, he couldn’t focus.  The world seemed to be moving faster than he was and he was trying to catch up.  He heard laughter faintly, but he couldn’t see who was laughing.  They all appeared to be far away. Finally, he heard someone say, “we gotta take him home.  He can’t drive like that.”  Unfortunately, they didn’t move fast enough. Paul had walked out the door, keys in-hand.  He struggled to get into the car and to get the door open, but he finally got the car started and headed home.  That’s all he remembered of that fateful night.

      When he woke up two months later, he discovered that he had totaled his car and had been in a coma for the last two months.  Doctors confirmed the drugs in his system and he was ticketed for that and his license was suspended since he had a probationary license.    Once he woke up from the coma, he was in rehab for another month, learning to walk all over again.  While there, he experienced first-hand what drugs and alcohol could do to a person and to their families.  There were a number of addicted teens in the rehab, struggling to overcome—their addictions and their family’s disappointments.  While he could sympathize with their plights, he had to deal with his own.  His family wasn’t rich and they incurred an enormous hospital bill for his care and their car insurance rates went through the roof.  He was able to graduate with his classmates, but college had to wait because of the publicized accident and the drugs in his system, scholarships were revoked as were offers from the colleges. 

      He spent a few months in a wheelchair and suffered the agony of watching his parents, deal with his situation.  They didn’t say anything-nothing, and that made it all worse.  He would have understood if they had yelled or screamed at him or even beat him, but they said nothing.  They just looked at him and shook their heads, sadly.  Of course they were glad he was alive, but the thought that their son was on drugs devastated them.  It took him a long time to earn their trust.  But he did.  He never forgot that night and how easily a person could slip into dark behavior.  Fortunately, his disability was not permanent.  With constant therapy and a determination to overcome, he did.  He worked to put himself through college and never again, took life for granted, grateful for the second chance he’d been given; especially after he saw the damage to his car.  Only a miracle kept him from being killed.

         Working to pay for college was a blessing and one he took to heart.  He ended up working for the rehab center where he had been a patient.  He understood the struggles, the temptations, and the desire to get out from under.  His preference was to work specifically with teenagers who were addicted to drugs. He thought that he could better relate to them and when he made a change—to live for Jesus—nothing could convince him otherwise.  Most of the young people were able to relate to him, but then there were a few who thought he was just too straight-laced to understand them.  No matter what he did, he couldn’t get through to these few, but thankfully, there were more he reached than not. 

         It was his work with teens at the rehab center that first got the attention of Pastor Cal.  He had been attending church when Pastor Dee and Pastor Cal arrived in London.  After a few months, he had been approached by Pastor Cal to work with the youth at the church.  Paul had never thought about a call of ministry on his life, but he prayed before giving Pastor Cal an answer and was then shown in the Word and in his spirit, God’s will for his life.  He had completed a course in ministry and had been ordained, ready to do the work.

Deceptive Storms Excerpt 3

When Cal entered his house, he was grateful that there were no lights on upstairs.  That usually meant that D’Cerner had fallen asleep.  He had just hung up his coat and hat when the phone rang.  He grabbed it, but too late.  D’Cerner had picked up the extension in the bedroom.  He hurried up the stairs to intervene in the conversation, but when he walked into the bedroom, he could tell by the look on her face and the tears streaming that she knew.

“Dee, I need to you to listen to me.  I don’t know what someone just told you, but it’s not what you think.”  He sat down beside her and tried to pull her to him, but she resisted and stared at him.

“Dee, say something.”

With a deadly calm, she responded.  “What do you want me to say?  How was the kiss? Was it worth it?  What exactly do you want me to say?”

By the time her last question was asked, her tone had risen several decibels.  She was flushed and breathing hard and Cal was scared.

“Dee, you’re getting upset and you know that could be dangerous for you and the baby.”

“Really? You think I’m getting upset!  I am upset!  How could you?  I thought we had worked this out.  I thought you said you could wait eight months.  ‘I’ve waited over fourteen years, I can wait eight months.’  That’s what you said, but you couldn’t,  you couldn’t!” By now she was crying uncontrollably; her shoulders were trembling and cries were heart-wrenching.  He couldn’t stand it.

He pulled her into his arms and held her even she tried to resist and would not let go until she stopped crying.  When she was totally spent of tears, she got up and went to the bathroom.  When she came out, she had one final blow.

“Get out!  You can either sleep in the den or at Chassida’s.  I really don’t care, but you are not going to sleep in here tonight.”

“Dee, are you serious?  Over a kiss?  It’s not like I slept with the woman?”

She looked at him for a moment and said, “You might as well have.  Trust has been broken and I don’t know if it can be repaired.  Now, get out!”

She laid back down and turned her back on him.  He stepped out of bedroom totally distraught because he had never thought about not sleeping with his wife. As he crept down the stairs, he stopped at the linen closet to retrieve a sheet and blanket.  He thought about going back into the bedroom to get a pillow and then decided not to risk it.  He had seen D’Cerner angry before, but this was more than anger; this was hurt –he saw in her eyes and heard it in her voice. 

He put the sheet on the couch and the blanket and covered himself without getting undressed, but he felt naked—his shortcoming revealed for all to see and he didn’t know how he would proceed from this point.  He tossed and turned and turned and tossed, until eventually, just as the light of dawn was rising, he fell asleep.