Empowerment: Issue #27

MPOWERMENT

A First Church of God Publication | Issue 27

Scrolling with Scripture,

Finding God in an Overstimulated World

Beloved

Beloved, I pray that this article finds you well, and that in this season that is filled with so many opportunities for celebration, you are having a wonderful summer.

I often think about what the summer meant to me as a child and a teenager. For me summer began on June 30th which was the last day of school in NYC. That day was THE DAY and all of us looked forward to it. Long days, warm weather, endless hours of play, time with family and friends, they were the best of days.

As I have grown older, summer has come to mean memorable moments, graduations, family reunions, family vacations, church conventions. Even now, summer is for me a time of connection, an opportunity to renew relationships and to renew myself.

I hope that your plans for the summer include all the things that make memories and that make for gratitude.

I am praying for you.

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Blessings - Bishop

The Bishop Speaks

- Bishop Timothy J. Clarke

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Empowerment Issue #27

Bishop Timothy J. Clarke Executive Publisher & Chief Executive Officer

Brother Edmund Davidson Publisher

Sister Deborah Thompson Editor

Sister Qwinita Bell Contributor

Sister Michelle A. Sutton Contributor

Brother Carlin Armstead Contributor

Sister Villia Davidson Senior Advisor

Attention Want to EMPOWER others?

We are looking for writers, reporters, editors, and graphic artists to spread the Word! Please contact brother Edmund Davidson at edavidson67@gmail.com for more information.

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We value your feedback and encourage you to share your thoughts about the publication. Please email us at edavidson67@gmail.com and let us know!

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Introduce your friends and loved ones to Empowerment, an online publication from First Church of God. Published quarterly, Empowerment delivers words of wisdom, inspirational stories, and advice from members of First Church of God in one lifechanging and easy to read publication. Please share this issue...

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Empowering a people ready to meet the LORD!

If you have a passion of not only writing, but a passion to EMPOWER others then we want to hear from you!

We're looking for writers and poets, authors and scholars and even story tellers!

Please contact Edmund Davidson at edavidson67@gmail.com for more information.

EMPOWERMENT

Scrolling wi Finding God in an Ove

by Carlin A

“Do your best (study) to present yourself to G need to be ashamed and who cor

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2 Timothy 2:15 New K

ith Scripture erstimulated World

Armstead

God as one approved, a worker who does not rrectly handles the word of truth.”

King James Version

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Words like overstimulation, oversaturation, overwhelming, and overexposure may come to mind when we think about balancing the physical, mental, and spiritual elements of our lives in the world of social media.

In today’s fast-paced, tech-driven age, we find ourselves overwhelmed by livestreams, notifications, updates, and distractions. The habit of scrolling often pulls us into an oversaturating flood of overstimulating content, leaving less room for reflection or spiritual connection. So, a question arises out of all the overwhelming busyness surrounding us. How can we remain grounded in God’s Word and maintain a sense of divine peace?

The digital world can be both a blessing and a challenge. On the one hand, technology offers access to Scripture, inspiring devotionals, and online communities that build up faith. On the other hand, it brings constant noise—an endless feed of images, opinions, and comparisons that can cloud our spiritual focus.

where they can reconnect with God’s voice.

Also, consider integrating mindfulness into your scrolling habits. Mindfulness, as defined in the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is: “The practice of maintaining a nonjudgmental state of heightened or complete awareness of one's thoughts, emotions, or experiences on a moment-to-moment basis.”

Instead of mindlessly exposing ourselves to and constantly consuming content, we should approach our digital interactions with purpose and wisdom.

Follow accounts that inspire faith and encourage growth rather than those that encourage negativity. Embrace technology as a tool to deepen your relationship with God, whether through Bible apps, worship playlists, or virtual small group chats that foster community.

Amid the noise, prayer remains a powerful anchor. We should use moments of stillness to pray—not just for guidance but for the ability to discern and understand what truly matters in our digital consumption.

The key lies in intentionality. Finding Asking God to direct our hearts God in an overstimulated world toward His truth, even as the world requires deliberate effort and pulls us in countless directions, is discipline of pausing, reflecting, and prioritizing spiritual practices. We can essential. start by dedicating specific time each Ultimately, finding God in a techday to reading Scripture away from driven culture is about creating devices. Let the Word bring clarity and calm to your mind and soul. This and maintaining balance. It is not about rejecting technology but quiet time becomes a sanctuary — about embracing it wisely. By setting a refuge from the digital domain

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boundaries, establishing spiritual habits, and seeking God’s presence in every moment, digital or not, you can navigate the overstimulation while staying spiritually connected.

So, the next time we find ourselves endlessly scrolling, let us pause.

Reflect. Pray. And remember that in the middle of the noise, God’s peace is scrolling, waiting to remind us of His unwavering love and guidance.

Proverbs 4:25 (NIV)

"Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you."

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Creating Margin for Mom’s Soul

by Michelle Sutton

Matthew 11:28-30 (Living Bible Version) says, “Come to me and I will give you rest; all of you who work so hard beneath a heavy yoke. Wear my yoke, for it fits perfectly, and let me teach you; for I am gentle and humble, and you shall find rest for your souls; for I give you only light burdens.”

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Do you feel overworked, overloaded, or overwhelmed? Then you must be a mom! Working overtime; volunteering for every school committee; finding it hard to say no when asked to be the chairperson of an event at church even though you have a full schedule! Sound familiar?

Many of us experience “Mom Guilt” when we think saying “No" is a sin! However, if we do not learn to release, relax, and retreat, we will be so stressed out that we will not know how to enjoy what Matthew 11 is all about.

else that matters. Sometimes that means getting up early for 10 minutes of stillness. Sometimes it means canceling something to protect my peace. Time is never ‘found,’ it’s claimed.” Encouraging her family and friends to participate in their self-care journey is important too. “I show them what it looks like by living it out loud. I don’t pretend to be okay when I’m not. I share the tools I use; I ask better questions. And most importantly, I give them permission to choose themselves even if taught not to.”

That is why It is so important to live with margin. We have heard the word margin used when describing the edge or border of something, or when talking about making a monetary deposit. However, margin can also mean Free Time or Intentionally Slowing Down; like enjoying time for Self-Care. When was the last time you experienced that?

De’Amber and her partner are expecting a baby in August. She graduated from The Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Art degree in Strategic Communications and works in the demanding world of tech. As a soon to be first-time Mom, De’Amber does not take this special time for granted. She is intentional to alter her self-care options, so it won’t be so routine. “It varies depending on how busy my schedule is for a particular day, It might be rolling my windows down in my car and getting fresh air; it could look like a ‘do nothing day’ where I do whatever I want and that can be absolutely nothing! I love those days!” De’Amber says whatever you choose, Moms deserve the pause. “I have found that taking a moment (or two) during the day to ground myself and focus on the present gives my mind a muchneeded break. I have learned recently that your brain, just like any other part of your body, needs rest as well.”

Danielle Johnson-Curry is an active mom who believes self-care is a necessary part of her daily life. She is a wife and mother, and she and her husband Brandon are raising four incredible sons. Danielle has a career as a dentist. She is also a powerlifter, educator, coach and a woman of depth, faith, and fierce determination. And even as she manages what she calls, her family “structured chaos,” she makes herself a priority.

“I no longer wait for the ‘perfect moment.’ I schedule it like anything

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Another way to create margin is by taking care of your soul. Arla Lyles is an active Mom and grandmother whose fitness routine includes yoga and walking. She is the Coordinator, Facilitator and Coach for the Mothers Matters program through the Action for Children agency. If Arla misses her self-care routine, she says imbalance is possible and stress can build up. “Upon awakening each day, I give thanks and gratitude for all blessings. I honor my ancestors and appreciate our connection. Listening to inspirational music keeps my mind focused on love, healing, and positivity. It is a reminder that I am not alone, and that I am covered.

These are daily meditation and mindfulness practices that ground me and allow me to focus my attention on all that serves my wellbeing.”

Danielle adds, self-care is about taking time for you. Make that choice because you are worth it. “Self-care is soul stewardship. It says, ‘I Matter’ not just in words, but in action.

Sometimes it’s therapy or a massage.

Other times it’s setting boundaries, saying no, or sitting in silence. It’s not selfish, it’s sacred . . . because I have been burnt out, broken under everyone else’s needs. I know what it feels like to pour from a dry cup. Selfcare saved me. It reminded me that my worth is not in my productivity; it is in my presence. If I want to keep building this legacy, I must preserve the vessel - ME!”

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"

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price.

Therefore honor God with your bodies.” do not worry about tomorrow,

"

- Matthew 6:34

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inspiration from the heart

Fully Persuaded

by Alethea Gaddis

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Most of us remember the biblical account of Abraham and Sarah conceiving and bearing a child. Even though she was 90 and he 100 years of age, the Lord promised them a son. Their reality, did not seem to coincide with the promise. Yet we learn that Abraham must have experienced an “ah-ha” moment; a moment of clarity that defined how he would embrace, trust and wait for the promise to be fulfilled. He could have assessed the obvious and become discouraged and doubtful that such a phenomenal promise could ever come to pass. But the Bible says he did not stagger or waver in believing the promise would be birthed. When he assessed the situation, his sight was fixed on El Shaddai, the Almighty Father. His thinking, asking and prayers became one with the promise.

As children we are introduced to the meaning of a promise. Many of us as children in Sunday School, Vacation Bible School or junior church learned a song teaching us that God has the whole world in His hands. As I pen these lines, in my mind’s eye, I can see the Kindergarten classroom that was painted bright yellow, on the second floor of old First Church at Wilson and Fair. My teacher, Sis. Evelyn Poole taught me this song. It was like planting a seed in fertile soil; watered and nurtured to understand just how much God loves me. I can see Sis. Mary Hoag Wade singing this same song in Junior Church which convened in the basement.

She would cup her hands as we

sang, illustrating God’s power to hold everyone, everything and every situation in His hands.

Me. He holds me and you, in His hands. His attention to any of us is not clouded by the circumstances and needs of another. As a child I was amazed and even now, I am awestruck in my feeble attempt to comprehend His care and power to provide every need and even what I desire.

Abraham and Sarah learned that God is munificently able to perform His will in our lives. His resources are abundant and overflowing. Abraham places the promise of a son above any thoughts that would weaken his resolve.

What concerns line your prayer list? Is it the salvation of a loved one? Do you desire healing for a broken relationship or damaged self-esteem? Perhaps you work in a hostile environment or need employment, shelter, transportation, peace or a closer walk with Him. Whatever you are praying for remember the example Abraham leaves us. Therefore you can be very certain and fully persuaded that what seems impossible to you, will never be too hard for God.

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For more information on The Mother’s Cove, contact: Jackie Flemmings, Program Director (614) 302-7600 MothersCove@corgoodlifefoundation.org