The God in Me Salutes the God in You!
“I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well”
Psalm 139: 14
Namaste is a Sanskrit word that has been translated in a number of ways. It basically means, “The God in me
salutes the God in you.” It is a recognition that the real beauty in life lies within each of us. We are a gift from God!
However in our uncertain volatile 21st century, it is easy to forget that when we were knitted together in our
mother’s womb, being formed in the image of God, we were wired fearfully and wonderfully for generosity. God’s
generous nature is imprinted upon our souls, so that when we see hunger, injustice or inequality around the world
or around the block, we make the intentional decision to serve wholeheartedly not just to meet a need in our spare
time.
My Sorors, as we approach our National Convention, under the leadership of our illustrious National President, Dr.
Paulette Walker in our 102nd year of sisterhood and service, let us continue to reach beyond the superficial barriers
of race, class and gender to serve a global community devotedly bonded each other. Let us treat each other and
all people with love, honor and respect.
Remember beloved, all Sorors Matter, our Sisterhood Matters and our Service Matters! The God in me salutes the
God in you!
By the grace of God,
Soror Vashti Murphy McKenzie
National Chaplain
P RAYER C ALENDAR
D ELTA S IGMA T HETA C HAPLAIN C OUNCIL
Sun
Mon
1
5
Tue
2
6
Wed
1
7
Thu
2
3
Prayer
Courage
Hebrews 13:1
1 Cor. 13:4-8
Colossians 4:2
2 Timothy 1:7
8
9
10 DANIEL FAST 11
Leadership
Consistency
Friendship
Deut. 6:5
Philippians 4:7-9
Colossians 1:9
1 Cor. 15:58
Romans 12:10
13
14
Health
Protection
Psalm 34:3
3 John 2
19
20
15
17 DANIEL FAST 18
Love
Joy
1 Cor. 12:27-28
Eccl. 4:9-12
Proverbs 28:6
John 13:34-35
Psalm 16:9
22
Knowledge
Romans 15:13
Matthew 18:20
Proverbs 15:14
Psalm 150:1-6
Col. 3:23-24
Wisdom
Fellowship
Praise &
Worship
Psalm 80:19
Service
Unity
21
27
16
Praise &
Revival
Administration
Peace
26
4
Love
Peace
Praise &
Worship
DANIEL FAST
Sat
Sisterhood
Honoring God
12
Fri
28
23
Traveling
Mercies
Genesis 28:15
29
24
25
Wellness
Cooperation
Empower
3 John 1:2
Ephesians 4:3
2 Cor. 12:9
30
31
Patience
Stamina
Understanding
Rest
Restore
Romans 12:12
Hebrews 12:2-3
Proverbs 2:2-5
Matt. 11:28-30
Psalms 23:3
Do you!
FORTITUDE
When was the last time you ever talked about fortitude? Fortitude is our ability to confront fear, pain and danger. Has anything happened to derail
your penchant
to things
face uncertainty
and that
intimidation?
There
are some
in this world
are meant for you to do, yet you keep waiting for others to do it, deny your God-given assignment,
run in the opposite direction or wither in disappointment.
Fortitude can be called strength, but it is more than strength. Fortitude can be called courage, but it is more than that. Fortitude has been described as
always
and
reasonable.
you by
have
means
are willing
to put yourself
in danger,The
but story
it doesisnot
mean
you seek
I came reasoned
across this
story
the otherIf day
thefortitude,
writingsitof
L. B.you
Cowman’s
“streams
in the desert.”
about
a king
who danger
went tofor
his
danger's sake.
beautiful garden early one morning. He discovered that everything was withered and dying. He inquired of those left in the garden what
happened.
St. Thomas Aquinas ranked fortitude as the third of the cardinal virtues, because it serves prudence and justice, the higher virtues. Fortitude is the
virtue that allows us to overcome fear and to remain steady in the face of obstacles. Prudence and justice are the virtues through which we decide
The
treetosaid
it wasFortitude
tired ofgives
life and
determined
toget
dieitbecause
it moral
was not
tall andgives
beautiful
the pine
tree.
The right.
pine Physical
tree wasfortitude
grieved
whatoak
needs
be done.
us the
strength to
done and
fortitude
us the like
strength
to get
it done
in
its
spirit
because
it
is
cold
and
could
not
bear
grapes.
The
grapevine
was
determined
to
throw
its
life
away
because
it
could
not
stand
erect
gives us the strength to get it done through pain, poverty, hardship and the threat of death.
and produce fruit as large as peaches. The peach tree quit because its flower were not as sweet as a geranium. The geranium fretted because
it
was notistall
fragrant
like
the lilac. or rashness, "rushing in where angels fear to tread." Indeed, part of the virtue of fortitude according to
Fortitude
not and
stupid.
It is not
foolhardiness
one author is the "curbing of recklessness." Putting our bodies or lives in danger, when it is not necessary, is not fortitude but foolishness.
The story was repeated by every tree and flower in the garden. No one was happy about who they were or what they were created to be.
Each wanted
to be
something
elseface
andofwhen
thatpain,
failed
quit, gave
up,threat
threw
the towel,
determined
wither
because
they
Physical
fortitude
is courage
in the
physical
hardship
or the
of in
death.
Emotional
fortitudeto
is die
the and
ability
to actaway
justlyall
or rightly
in the
face
of scandal,
shame,else.
opposition
or sound
discouragement.
emotional fortitude, according to the book, “Execution: the discipline of getting things
couldn’t
be someone
Hmmm,
familiar toAnd
anyone.
done” is the most important fortitude for a leader who is expected to execute the strategies necessary to provide direction for a business or
institution.
“Emotional
fortitude,”
writes and
the author
courage
toking
accept
points of
are opposite
oflittle
yours.flower
Emotional
The
king found
a violet
with a bright
happy Bossidy,
face still“gives
left inyou
thethe
garden.
The
rejoiced,
atview
leastthat
he had
one brave
in the
fortitude
helps
you
to
deal
with
conflict
and
the
confidence
to
encourage
and
accept
challenges
in-group
settings.
Emotional
fortitude
enables
you to
middle of discouragement.
deal with your own weaknesses, to be firm with people who aren’t performing, and to handle the ambiguity inherent in fast-moving, complex
organizations.”
Without
strong
an organization,
or institution
not be
to face him.
realityThe
when
people
don’t speak
The king wanted
to know
howemotional
the violetfortitude,
was so positive
with all group
the negative
thingswill
going
onable
all around
violet
responded
– ‘I
honestly
and
its
leaders
won’t
have
the
confidence
to
uncover
and
resolve
conflicts
or
give
and
take
honest
criticism?”
know I am small, yet I thought if you wanted an oak, pine or peach tree, lilac or geranium, you would have planted one. Since I knew that
you wanted a violet, I’m determined to be the best little violet I can be.
The internal mind set and skill necessary to do these things is emotional fortitude. If you’re going to survive in this world, you will need to find fortitude
and find it right now. Got fortitude?
The choice is yours, you can spend your time in God’s garden wanting to be like someone else or try to produce oranges when you were
created
produce
zucchini
until
you there
become
thatlive
you’re
ready
give up,landscapes…It
quit or die onis the
vine. Or…
you
As muchto
chaos
as there
is in the
world,
is a so
lot frustrated
of chaos inand
the disappointed
places where we
and on
our to
relational
important
to know
can
determine
to
be
the
best
person
God
created
you
to
be.
how to stand firm and when to stand firm, to make sure you maintain your own emotional fortitude.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way, after you have done all – stand.
This is the not by my will but thy will be done living. The desires of your heart are what God desires for your life. The best thing you can
do
is be
the bestour
you.
People
are doinglet’s
lotsengage
of things
everyday
one cansisterhood
be better at
you
than you.
Nostand
one firm
in God’s
family
can do it as
As we
approach
national
convention,
in the
work ofbut
ourno
illustrious
with
fortitude.
Let’s
with our
National
well as you.
do you!
President,
Dr. So,
Paulette
Walker, National Executive Committee, National Executive Board and Past National Presidents to proceed with confidence,
dissipate chaos and eliminate confusion.
Let’s cover
our leadership
followship in prayer using our spiritual disciplines in the days and weeks ahead. We were founded on Christian
Bishop
Vashti
Murphy and
McKenzie
principles. Chaplain
Let’s not leave God out of our National Convention but ASK FOR DIVINE FAVOR!
National
Soror Vashti Murphy McKenzie
National Chaplain
Unison Prayers
Prayer 1
Lord, we come to you today with all our plans held in abeyance. We look to you to guide us through the day your way without following our
habitual practices and plans. We trust you to navigate us in the way we should go because your ways are not our ways just as your thoughts
are dissimilar to ours.
Have your way Lord of our lives. Accomplish your purpose in our lives according to your timetable. In Jesus name, Amen.
Prayer 2
Eternal God, today is the day to share our thanks and praise of you with others. We are glad to tell of your greatness. We are glad to declare
to all, today and every day of your mighty acts and glorious splendor.
We bless your name for it is by your mercy, our sins are forgiven. It is by your grace, we are saved. It is by your love, we are accepted. It is by
your peace that surpasses all understanding, that we remain calm in the midst of chaos. It is by your power, that the impossible happens
every day. Thank you Lord, there is nothing impossible for you...not just today but every day! In Jesus name, Amen.
Prayer 3
All night, all day angels watching over me my Lord! Hope of my present and future, I thank you for my experiences today and look with great
anticipation for the wonders of tomorrow.
In the morning, I praise you for new mercies, and in the evening, I thank you for grace. Thank you for the high positive moments, and thank
you for standing with me as storm clouds gathered. I can't help but thank you for your presence and care in the deepest struggles of my life.
May the experiences of today produce in me the deepening of my faith, strengthening of my love and affirmation of my Divine purpose.
Thank you for every good and perfect gift and the favor you shared with me that was so undeserved.
In the name of Jesus, grant me perfect peace and perfect rest tonight while we wait patiently for your promises to be fulfilled, Amen.
Prayer 4
Fountain of life, we thank you for the gift of another day. Forgive us of our sins of omission –the things we didn’t do and should have done.
Forgive us for the sins of commission- the sins we did that so easily beset us.
Help us today to offer thanks to you, not in pious gestures or empty words, but by living faithfully to your call to serve. Enable us to bear the
fruit of thankfulness by serving others. Empower us to reach beyond our comfort zones to build community with those around us. Help us to
willingly accept the love and friendship of others.
We know that you are with us and for us every day. In Jesus name, we offer this prayer, Amen.
Soror Vashti Murphy McKenzie
National Chaplain
Daniel Fast
The Daniel Fast is modeled after the spiritual practices of Daniel. Basically, the Daniel fast is to eat only what come from the ground that have not been
refined or processed. The fast does not stand alone, it is a part of a larger spiritual practice that includes regular and consistent prayer.
In Daniel 10, we learn that Daniel received a revelation that he did not understand until he had fasted for 21 days. On the 24th day he had the vision of
a man who explained the revelation to him. For 21 days Daniel “ate no choice food.” This practice probably goes back to when He, with Shadrach,
Meshach and Abednego, came to live in Babylon and refused to eat the king’s food. He requested only vegetables and water. “At the end of the ten
days they looked healthier and better nourished than any of the young men who ate the royal food. So the guard took away their choice food and the
wine they were to drink and gave them vegetables instead. “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature
and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds” (Daniel 1:15-17).
Daniel exercised spiritual discipline by denying the body “pleasant food” so he could have deeper spiritual understanding. Daniel distinguished himself
from among his peers because “an excellent spirit was in him.” It is this excellence of spirit we desire as we pursue a stronger relationship with God in
fasting and prayer.
Daniel’s faithfulness in prayer is another demonstration of his commitment to spiritual discipline. In Daniel 6, where we learn about Daniel in the lions’
den, it is clear that Daniel was steadfast in prayer under the most difficult of circumstances. Though King Darius had signed an injunction that said
whoever prayed to another besides himself would be thrown into the lions’ den, Daniel continued his practice of praying 3 times a day: “Now when
Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a
day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (Daniel 6:10).
During a Daniel Fast, we pray 3 times a day, like Daniel. I usually pray at 6 a.m. 12 noon and 6 p.m. In addition to fasting and prayer, we must also
abstain from anything that would personally distract us from our purposes in the fast (e.g. television, internet, hanging out, idle conversations, gossip
etc.). Isaiah 58 makes it clear that fasting does not absolve us from responsibilities of love, kindness and justice.
Remember, we eat these:
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole Grains
Nuts and Seeds
Legumes (I call ‘em beans)
Healthy Oils
Water (some folk drink herbal teas without stimulants)
Herbs, Spices, vinegar (some folk avoid this and use citrus juices with oils on their salads)
Vegetable juice – take care with the acidity of tomato juice (this is a fruit, isn’t it?)
Fruit juice in moderation – consider the sugar content and take care with the acidity in citrus. Consider restricting fruit juices altogether.
Water
Be careful of dietary restrictions and medication requirements before you start any fast. Consult your doctor before starting a fast or changing your diet.
In such cases, there maybe something you can eliminate from your daily eating regimen such as white flour, refined sugar, sodas, bread or deserts as a
sacrifice.
Soror Vashti Murphy McKenzie, National Chaplain