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    Challenged to Change
    Challenged to Change
    Challenged to Change
    Ebook143 pages2 hours

    Challenged to Change

    By Cheryl Foster

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    About this ebook

    All great changes have been preceded by chaos or challenges by design to develop healthy, spiritual and positive belief systems. God uses pain to challenge anyone who desires to change and master life skills and principles to develop an excellent attitude. We invite you to apply the disciplines from collaborative, creative and imaginative presentations from Cheryl, educators, a criminal justice officer, a child development specialist, business administrators, editors and spiritual leaders designed to provide a colorful, scenic route for your journey.

    Challenged to change is a journey of perseverance and tenacity designed to guide you through the darkness and voided places back to the presence of love and light for an abundant life. When windows of opportunities are opened we have two choices: either accept God's challenges to become better and follow his path of love and light or ignore and resist his beckon call and live with negative consequences of anger, bitterness and low self-esteem.

    Cheryl Foster leads the way through her transformation process while stressed, stretched and in transition. She acknowledges that life is a gift, but living requires an art form or life skills. She served her church in various leadership capacities and the community as a Christian and public school teacher, HIV caseworker and chemical dependency counselor. She was honored when reverend Alfred Coward requested she join him on the local television program as an advocate for "battered women." This window of opportunity always opens her heart.

    Today, Cheryl travels home with her husband Luther, of twenty-three years, to enjoy precious time with her golden-aged mother and her siblings in Detroit, Michigan. She has resided in Youngstown, Ohio for thirty-one years and enjoys her time with Luther, their daughter and son-in-low, Elder David and Sister Juanita Thompson as well as their four grandchildren, grandson-in-law and three great grandchildren and numerous spiritual sons and daughters, godchildren and two special spiritual granddaughters, during their quiet seasons of life. Presently, she serves as a leader in spiritual and personal growth and development, networking with learning institutions, churches, correction facilities, therapists and businesses offering cutting-edge resources that foster improving the quality and longevity of life.

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherCheryl Foster
    Release dateMar 30, 2015
    ISBN9781311349958
    Challenged to Change

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      Book preview

      Challenged to Change - Cheryl Foster

      CHALLENGED TO CHANGE

      A true story of a victim's journey to victory

      Change your attitude change your life

      CHERYL J. FOSTER, M.A. ASSOCIATE MINISTER

      PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LUTHER FOSTER, JR.

      Lousphotography888@att.net

      Copyright 2015 Cheryl J. Foster

      Smashwords Edition

      Table of Contents

      DEDICATION

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      INTRODUCTION

      CHAPTER 1—CHALLENGED TO LOVE: LOVE IS

      THE MASTER KEY

      CHAPTER 2—CHALLENGED TO LIVE THE

      ABUNDANT LIFE: OBEDIENCE

      IS THE KEY

      CHAPTER 3—CHALLENGED TO TAKE A STEP

      BEYOND: WALK ON BY FAITH

      CHAPTER 4—CHALLENGED TO IMAGINE:

      DREAMS OR NIGHTMARES

      CHAPTER 5—CHALLENGED TO BE RISEN BY

      DECISION: ADVERSITY IS THE

      FATHER OF MENTAL TOUGHNESS

      CHAPTER 6—CHALLENGED TO BELIEVE THIS

      IS A BLESSING: I’M TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

      CHAPTER 7—CHALLENGED TO CHOOSE:

      THERE ARE TWO OF YOU

      CHAPTER 8—CHALLENGED TO CHANGE: FROM

      IMMATURITY TO MATURITY

      CHAPTER 9— CHALLENGED TO CHANGE WHEN

      GOD REVEALS TO HEAL:

      FLIP THE SCRIPT

      CHAPTER 10— CHALLENGED TO CHANGE

      WHEN WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY OPEN: SEE JESUS

      DEDICATION

      I dedicate this book to my Lord God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who I want to please daily.

      St. John 10:10* reads, The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

      I dedicate this book to my faithful, loving husband and soul mate, Luther Foster, Jr., I love you, dear.

      I dedicate this book to the late O’Dell Nelson, my father, whom I love and miss. Dad, thanks for every lesson.

      I dedicate this book to the late, Honorable Bishop Norman L. Wagner, my spiritual father, whom I love and respect.

      I dedicate this book to Suffragan Bishop C. Shawn Tyson, my pastor, and the Calvary Ministries International Church family. Love and thanks to you.

      I dedicate this book to Yvonne D. Wagner, Miss Tel-a-World. Thanks for promoting my books. I honor your memory.

      I dedicate this to everyone who gave written, spoken, and encouraging input, identified by his or her contributions throughout the book.

      *Note: Unless otherwise stated, Biblical references are from the King James Version.

      ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

      Mama Nelson, I love you. I call you blessed. Love, from your oldest child.

      Mom Foster shared her ninety years of wisdom prior to God calling her home. I hold every gem close to my heart.

      Aaron Thomason, my nephew, thanks and love for throwing me a L.I.F.E. line when I was drowning in the sea of adversity. Ebonique, we thank you for lending Aaron to us

      for this season.

      To my daughter, Juanita La Shawn, and granddaughters, Maya Cherie, LaKina, and Loneeka thanks with love.

      My spiritual daughters, Claudette, Hattie, Taunita, Annette, Marnie, and Portia; I thank you for building the team in love.

      Pastor Yvonne Hawkins-Bell, Bishop Harry S. Grayson, Bishop Willie Thornton, Ministers Regina, Nancy, Katrina, Vivian, Ivy, Jewell, Ruby, Belinda, Brenda, Ann, Sarah, and numerous friends who supported me in ministry and L.I.F.E.; your gifts of friendship are priceless.

      Jon Scallia and Dustin Hall, you are sensitive and gifted YSU English instructors and tutors. The YSU Writing Center is a valuable resource for making dreams come true. Thank you.

      Dawson, a very effective and innovative therapist, taught us the Psychology of Intimate Relationships. Thank you for allowing me to participate as a student with skills and experience. The respect will always be mutual.

      Special thanks to a special editor, Shann, my midwife who helped me learn to surrender and labor in an excellent way.

      Attending YSU Metro College Over-Sixty Program has given me the opportunity to bridge the generation gap. Thank You.

      Betty Oliver, you brought me the leopard butterfly, on the right day, at the right time and God only knows how much you impact my life. I love you, Friend.

      Jewell Finley was a champion who has defied all odds. She was an absolute miracle; she always gave God great glory. When we see Jesus, we are looking forward to hearing her testimony about receiving help from the Lord.

      Over one hundred former team members and sponsors have fostered community growth, development, and life to the valley. THANK YOU.

      INTRODUCTION

      Two of the most important dates in your life are the day you are born and the day you discover who you are. Challenged to Change is a life-saver designed for everyone who wants to improve their quality and longevity of life for themselves and others. This book is also for those who feel they are living beneath their privilege and desire to live the life they were meant to live. My hope for you is, after reading this book, you’ll understand that no matter where or who you are right now, when you end your journey, you’ll not only be in a different place, but you’ll be a totally different person.

      As a native of Detroit, Michigan, once known as The Murder Capital of the World, I graduated from the Detroit Public Schools. Life in the city taxed, challenged, and awed me.

      I moved to Ypsilanti, Michigan, and attended Eastern Michigan University. While attending the university, I went through a divorce, became a single parent, and transitioned to remain in Ypsilanti, Michigan, which is a rural environment, quite the contrast from Detroit.

      As a senior in college, one of my male classmates and I were studying Sociology when he said, Cheryl, why don’t we exchange your African Album for my book, The Power of Positive Thinking, by Norman Vincent Peale?

      Sure, why not; I love to read. The impact of this book provided long-term changes and helped me fulfill long-forgotten dreams and goals. Reading the positive-thinking principles eventually led me to change from attending church occasionally to becoming a regular member of an unfamiliar church culture. I was eventually born of the water and spirit. Yes, I am born again!

      My journey started as an immature Christian, moving from victim to victor. This process required me to change my heart and my mind, to refuse to allow Satan to creep into my thought process. I needed to redirect my path and follow Jesus’ footsteps. These first steps were the driving force of my journey. Philippians 1:6* states, Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.

      As long as you are still drawing breath, it’s never too late to change, and you are never too old to accept Jesus and begin your new life in Him. The words of The Serenity Prayer, by Reinhold Niebuhr, have helped me get through many difficult times. I often find myself asking God to give me the ability to make the changes I need to make in order to live the life Jesus wants for me. Sometimes, I need to pray for strength to accept things that I cannot change. Then, of course, there is always the fine line between the two; that’s when I ask God for the wisdom I need in order to live according to His Will.

      I also find comfort in the Bible. Proverbs 3:5-6 is God responding to me in a clear and concise way. I keep this prayer close to my heart and flip to it often to obtain, maintain, and sustain a focused and intentional life with significance. I am not writing this book, but paving the way for us by praying this book into print.

      Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

      CHAPTER 1

      CHALLENGED TO LOVE:

      LOVE IS THE MASTER KEY

      Love is the master key to unlock your purpose in life. Learning to love is a life-long journey, where you’ll learn that walking hand in hand with Jesus makes the walk easier. God is love. When it comes to life and love, there are always questions that pop up. Who am I? Am I lovable, likeable, or tolerable? Can I love others like Jesus loves me? What exactly does love look like? Can I change and make this love part of my life? What does this Godly love cost me? Am I willing to change in order to appreciate God’s love fully?

      I answered the last question with a hearty, Yes! I accept the challenge to love. Remember, whenever you decide to initiate change, you will be tested on your conviction and commitment.

      Approximately eight years ago, during the Women’s Ecclesia Staff meeting, Evangelist Sherri Brogdon so aptly expounded on love as she presented the theme for 2006: A Heart to Serve, Love is the Master Key. This topic was based on Deuteronomy 10:12, And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

      Placing her hand on my shoulder, she looked me in the eye as she spoke. Cheryl, one day God’s going to bless you to work in a ministry of love.

      I shook my head and laughed. Oh, Sherri, I find that hard to believe. Right now, my life is full of haters, and I don’t know how to love someone who is filled with such hate.

      Her words stuck with me though, and I remember pondering in my heart her prophetic utterance.

      One question kept coming up whenever I reflected on her words. Am I a loving, likeable person? I needed to find that answer. I poured through my Bible and God spoke to me through the words found in Matthew 22:37-40. Jesus said unto him, ‘Thou shalt love The Lord Thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law of the prophets.’

      Since the Bible clearly states that God is love and that He commands us to fulfill the Law of Love, I realized that in God’s eyes I am loveable. I may not always deserve His love, but He loves me unconditionally. This law reflects God’s character. As Christians, we mirror His character when we love those who He created in His image. Love provides the foundation of everything good.

      WHAT IS LOVE?

      In order to start on the journey that God has planned for you, it’s important first to understand the meaning of the word love. It’s one of the smaller words in the English language, and yet it is one of

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