Responding to a Strange Situation in Life

Dr. Michael C. Carson, Columnist

You are watching a dark blue star-lit sky with the camera panning down to where you are in life, and a voice (in a Rod Serling dialect) speaks: “Portrait of a person in a strange place in life. Things are not as they should be. Offered for your consideration, you just might be traveling through your Twilight Zone.”

Sometimes you will enter a situation with no rhyme or reason. You are trying to make sense of your situation, but you cannot. You ask yourself: “How did I get into this situation, and how will/should I exit this situation?” secures; He will [your] shield and portion be, As long as life endures.”

Whenever you dwell in the land unsure about what is going on in your life, please immediately begin to praise God! Praise God for your life. No matter what your situation in life, be it wonderful or in need of services, anytime is a great time to praise the Lord! Beloved, just begin praising God in advance for the answer that God will provide for you.

6Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)

As the camera begins panning upward into a dark blue star-lit sky, there is a final commentary for today’s entry (again in Mr. Serling’s voice): “Be not dismayed whate’er betide, God will take care of you.” Despite what the situation looks

Transition

African Methodist Episcopal Church

Fifteenth Episcopal District

Angola Annual Conference like, “please just hold on because your help is coming!” Just enter “The Praise Zone!”

Praising God displays to God your desire to trust God despite what is going on in your life.

I can hear Evangelist Catherine L. Carson proclaim, “God will honor and inhabit your praise!” (Psalm 22:3)

A final thought: Taking up residence in “The Praise Zone” is very intentional. For praise to work in your life, it takes a sincere belief that God wants to bless you. Remember intently the lyrics of “Amazing Grace:” “The Lord has promised good to [you]. His word [your] hope

The Psalmist invites us to: 1Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth. 2Serve the Lord with gladness; come into his presence with singing. 3Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people and the sheep of his pasture. 4Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise. Give thanks to him; bless his name. 5For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever and his faithfulness to all generations. (Psalm 100:1-5)

Not sure what is going on right now in your life? Respond to your situation by praising God. Just believe that God will take care of you.

I’m just saying!

Peace with justice and mercy, be blessed real good, attend worship, and families really do matter.

Dr. Carson can be contacted at refreshingcoach@gmail.com.

Cacuso and completed the I Level at the School of the I and II Levels in Cacuso.

In 1987 – Completed Level III at Colégio do Quéssua.

In 1989 – Contracted the matrimonial link with Dona Domingas Agostinho Francisco Sarmento.

1991 – To fulfill God’s imperative, “Go” is sent to Luanda. In the same year, he enrolled at the Instituto Medio de Saúde Siloé in Cazenga.

1993 – Worked as a primary education teacher in one of the schools in the municipality of Cazenga.

2008-2012 – Completed higher education at Óscar Ribas University in International Relations.

Bishop Silvester Scott Beaman, President of the 15 th Ward

Religious Life

Eulogy

Who can live and never see death? Who can escape the power of Sheol? Selah; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more. Psalm 89:48; 103:16.

The words that make up this compliment are to be carefully thought out, not only mine but all of us present here, the church, friends, colleagues, and relatives of the Reverend Manuel Esteves Sarmento, son of Esteves Manuel Grilo and Maria Gaspar Sampaio, born March 22, 1971, born in Cacuso, Municipality of Cacuso, Province of Malanje.

He began his primary studies in 1977 at the Catholic Mission School in

The Reverend Sarmento, as he was affectionately treated, began his Christian life as a child, in the company of his parents, having been baptized in childhood.

At the age of 12, he joined the central choir of the United Methodist Church of Cacuso.

Due to his talent, dedication, and delivery, he was recommended by the Central Church of Cacuso to attend the theology course. In 1987 pastoral training began in Quéssua.

In 1990, as a student in defense of the church, he was arrested along with the Reverends Abílio Alberto Andrade, Manuel Mateus