PAIN TO PURPOSE

We're repping for the kingdom in the city. Speaking life into the youth, can you feel me? We're bridging again. We're bridging the gap. None of them know that God comes first.

We're bridging the gap. We're bridging again. All right, everyone. Congratulations to Way Forest for your most definite win today. You are listening to another show, Bridging the Gap with Minister Dwayne Kennedy.

And I'm Ellen Forbes. And today we have in the studio, we have Cherise Martin Davenport. Y'all, give her one of those claps. Amen. Hallelujah.

Amen. Wayne Forrest did good today, right? Yeah, they got a great double overtime. I think they were 12 and two. I haven't been following, but you know.

But listen, thank you, God, for all those tuning in to us today, either via Facebook. You can go to likethetriad.com and also, you know, 103.5, 1340, 1400, and all those amazing radio stations that the Truth Network has. Shout out to the Truth Network. Amen. Amen.

So, um, Again, our guest today, Mrs. Cherise Martin Davenport, is in the studio with us. And today we are going to talk about passion. Came to purpose. Sharise, first of all, how are you doing today?

I'm doing good. How are you? Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome. And you know, We're gonna act like we don't know each other, but you know, we talk on a daily basis. I mean, probably a couple of times a day.

This is my homegirl, you guys. This is my friend. This is my sister in Christ. And just, she's just an amazing person. And today is gonna be one of these days.

We're going to dig into some testimonies, but of course, we're going to always make sure that we're going to give the glory and the honor to God. Hallelujah. Yeah. Hallelujah. Hallelujah.

So, um, Cherise, why do you Think I wanted you on the show? Let me just ask that. I know I just threw that out of the air, out of the air. Why do you think I wanted you on the show? Because I am a living testimony.

Amen. Amen. And I know, you know, the word speaks that we all are. You know, we're all letters. We talked about that last week.

We're all letters. Was that last week? If you tuned in, that was last week. Yeah, we touched spaces on that. A written letter, yeah.

Yeah, we're all written letters.

So, you know, if it's a testimony or what you're going through, what does your letter say? But today we're talking about pain to purpose. Hallelujah. Pain to purpose. And I know, you know, all of our listeners have.

endure some pain. And um You know, am I safe to say, Cherise, that you have, excuse me, Dr. Davenport, I do have to give you shouts out to that because she doesn't like to wear that. But, you know, she worked hard. She earned that, huh?

Yeah, she earned that. Give it up for, you know. I appreciate it. I keep that one in my suitcase. But, you know, is it, is it.

Is it safe to say that, you know, The pain Everybody goes through pain, but sometimes our pain looks different. Absolutely, absolutely. I'm not even going to sit here and lie and say, I don't wake up in pain every day because I do. But it's not what you do, it's how you deal with it. Amen.

And so I deal with my pain differently. You know, I lost my daughter to cancer in 2016. And it's been tough. It's tough every day, you know, waking up every day without your child. You know, nothing is never going to be the same.

You just got to learn how to do things differently. Mm-hmm. And so instead of Staying in that dark place, and I was in a very dark place for a long time, and last year. God said no, no more. Right.

This is not. You. You know, and you know, we say he's never gonna put anything on us than more than we can bear, but sometimes y'all's a little difficult, it's a little tough, especially when you lose a child. And so I had time to talk. Talk to him through my hurt and pain.

Amen. And I started my foundation. And so I took all that. Hurt and pain, put it in a bowl, mixed it up, and said, What am I going to do with it? Am I going to stay in here and feel sorry for myself?

I'm going to take this hurt and pain and be a blessing to other people.

So I'm being a blessing to other people. This is how I grieve today. This is how I deal with my pain by being a blessing to others. Right, right. And Minister Kennedy, I know um You know, me, you and I have talked many times about, you know, our trials and um things that we're going through.

And you know, do you want to share a little bit about Um some of the pain. That you're saying, because I can say your pain is different.

Well, yeah, you know, all of us, you know what? This is the funny thing about pain, tribulation.

Something that Would affect me might not affect you, and vice versa. But it's still. Pain, it's still struggle, it's still tribulation. Right. And when I went through my situation, it was more or less.

Uh I found out that pain, struggle is a part of The process. The struggle is part of God's plan. See, we want God's plan without. The tribulations and the struggles and the frustrations. You know, it's just a part of life.

Now, I tell people this. Because you know we know we know God is in control of everything. of everything. Jesus said that the rain falls on The just as well as the unjust. That's right.

And he gave an example of that. In other words, good things. Happen to bad people. Good things happen to good people. Bad things happen.

You know, I mean, it's just a universal thing. The rain is going to fall.

Somebody's going to go through something.

So that is the foundation of life. Right. And then, us as Christians, we got this old adversary always trying to stick his head up. You know what I'm saying? But then we also have God.

working stuff out of us. Right. You know, see, so we can't be in a place like the children of Israel. We can't be in a place like the children of Israel complaining about our struggles. Like you said.

You got to get up, you know, you got to come to that point where you're like, you know, am I going to stay or am I going to get up? I don't know what that feel like. But I do know what getting up is. I do know what, you know, me saying, I'm not going to stay in this situation. I know what that's about.

We go through so much stuff in life in general, but I love Jesus. Jesus said, listen. In the world, you will have tribulation. He said, but guess what? I overcame it all.

Right. Absolutely. You know what I'm saying? So that's what we got to hold on to, sis.

So, I mean, you know, all of our pains is different, all of our struggles are different. Right. Struggle is a part Of God's plan for our lives. And we can't figure that out. I mean, you know, God, His wisdom is beyond ours.

Right. We can't figure it out. We don't understand. I don't know. I'm gonna tell you, you know, I don't know.

Because sometimes I feel like. Whew, okay, I'm getting back up. I'm all right. You know what I'm saying? Just when you, you know, wipe a little sweat off your neck and your forehead, and then you feel like you're about to get down again.

Here you're about to get hit down again. And I know you know what I'm talking about: getting hit multiple times on top of things, on top of things.

So, you know, that's that's a little synopsis what we're going to talk about today. We're going to go to a little break. And um and we're gonna um Play a couple of games and 32 is what I was saying. 32.

Okay, gotcha, gotcha, gotcha, gotcha. You know, brother, you gotta know that about me, brother, man. We here playing, having a good time in the Lord. And, you know, this is what Bridging the Gap is all about. Today, we're talking about pain to purpose.

So, Mrs. Davenport, the reason why you're on this show is because, you know, we know each other's pain. We feel it. But we're here to help others so they won't wallow in it. You know, however, we can do it, we can give them a word, you know, give them some encouragement so they won't waddle into.

In this pain, because, like you said, everybody's pain is different, everybody's struggle is different. And, you know, Bridging the Gap is all about, you know, connecting the church back to the streets.

Sometimes when you talk to people in the streets, What do they say? We'll know their pain. Absolutely. You know, sometimes people go to The other side, or you know, to gangs because they feel like no one understands them. Because they feel like, you know, let's say religious people or church folk.

Don't get them.

So we're here today to bridge that gap, to let you know we understand. Like we have all been on our backs looking up at the sky. And the Bible tells us: put no confidence in the flesh. And I stand on that. But we can put confidence in the Spirit of God that is in people.

Absolutely. You know, we can believe in God. And I think a lot of times we shy away from that because. Like we pointed out, we don't know it all. Right.

But one thing for sure, God does.

Now, when most people get into these situations, they fall back away from God. Right. Instead of going to him. I love the scripture. It says that the righteous man falls seven times and pick himself up when a fool would fall right into damnation.

And the thing about that scripture is what made the man righteous, what made him righteous was the fact that he never gave up. He never stayed down. You know, yeah, he got a hurt, boom, he went through. But he got back up. He said, you know what, I'm not going to go out like this.

He got back up. And I think that's the process in life that Christ wants to see in us striving and continually to go and move on in a better direction. And I feel wholeheartedly that this is a start. But we're moving the church into a better direction. Amen.

It's going to be all about God in here. All about God. And we'll talk about that in a little bit. But, you know, it's going to be all about the truth. Even when it hurts in here.

Amen. Even when it hurts.

So, you know, that's what Bridging the Gap is about. That's why you're here, Sister Davenport, to help give a word.

So, we're going to go to a break. And Minister Kenny is going to play some good old gospel hip. No, not some old, but some gospel hip-hop music. Play gospel hip-hop. Yes.

Hip hospo. Wait, man, what? Say that. That's a friend of mine, St. Q.

St. Q, he calls it hip-hop. He just, yeah, he replaced it. He placed the gospel with, he placed the G with the H and he called it hip hospel. Hip hospel.

Okay, I'm going to try that. Yeah, yeah, but that's what it's about. Hey, we just out here sharing the gospel. Hey, man, we'll be right back. This is Acts 20, 24 in 2024.

True commentary with Stu Emerson, author of the book, First Words of Jesus. On his way to certain imprisonment and certain martyrdom, the Apostle Paul says these words: None of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear unto myself, that I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God. See, we don't know what awaits us this year. We know Jesus Christ, though, and we know He is with us. We know that His joy is our strength and His gospel is our message.

Hey, grab a verse and make it your New Year's verse and share it with everyone. Let's keep the Word of God and the joy of the Lord as our New Year's resolution. Acts 2024 in 2024. Fruit commentary with Stu Emerson, author of the book First Words of Jesus. Available now in bookstores, or go online to firstwordsofjesus.com.

Ah! We're repping for the kingdom in the city Speaking life into the youth, can you feel me? We're bridging again, we're bridging again, yeah. Yeah, the mysteries that are the church and the bird Let them know that God comes first. All these spirits we don't Oh.

Use by you down the body.

Now look at my son, it's bringing me joy Way that you looking at me made me feel like I won the award Feel your breath when they press and record In the booth, we just song on the court With these verses, I'm going to war I'm the state for you, call me your boy I just wanna be used by my father Cause the point is to show them for our I just feel like the time is upon us We the children in need of his guidance I don't need no AP to live in this timing Like it's shady Tell my lady I'm here to the grave Put me in like I play for the brave Behold him, feel this with your own hand. Share your glory in no man. Leave my heart wide open. Tell me when the wall was closing. Stand on the top, see it all bitter when I stand on the rocks, see it all clear.

Yeah, my pops told me about a parbearer. Who can open casks? He a soul stellar. When you look at my jeans, you can't compare them. Cause the spirit of God gave me raw dental.

Had boys in me, only God filled em. Never thought he'd ever put a cross at them. I wanna be used by you. Wanna be used by you. Oh, I was it.

I'm yours. Mm. Yeah. Lord, I want to thank you. Amen, amen.

I want to be used by you, Lord. You know, that's one of them things we ask for. Yes, we ask for it. But we want the plan without the struggle. Right.

Be careful what we ask for. I tell you. Hey, we got a caller on line one. Carla, are you there? I am here.

Hallelujah. Hey, Carla. How are you? You got something to share with us? I'm doing great.

How are you? Wonderful. We're just blessing the Lord and we just appreciate. You got a family member here, huh? Yes, I do.

My daughter. Oh, come on, somebody. All right.

Well, hey, mama. Hello, Mama. How are you? I'm doing fine. Yeah.

I want kids. You look beautiful and you're doing a great job. Thank you, mom. Thank you so much. I love you.

I just want to let you know this show is so inspirational to people, and they really need to say this now, these baby homies. Oh, wow. Thank you. And I heard love in the background. Thank you.

You got over here blushing now. Yeah. This is the only person on earth that would get me to be quiet. I know the feeling. Hey, Pookie.

Hey. I love you. We love y'all. Y'all keep up a good job. Amen.

Appreciate you. Thanks for calling. Thank you. Love y'all. See y'all soon.

Intervas. Amen, amen. Yes, only I'm blushing. Y'all know that's the only we talked about in the show previously, um, previous shows. Like, um, well, I guess I'm gonna ask you: do you have N's and U's on your report card?

Oh, so long. I can't remember. Oh, shoot. I'll never forget. We didn't have that.

I don't know if we even had that.

Well, now I was getting remote. Yeah, that's the new age. I think I got that. I'm not even going to tell my age. It's been so long.

I got them. I got 'em. And um the lady the um the the amazing woman that just got off the line that's the only one that was You know, get me to be quiet. Amen. Thank you.

Oh, you was one of them talkers, huh? I was a talker. I'm still a talker. Mama and my husband be like, just give me the keys. And, you know, we'd be at the church.

They'd be like, just give me the keys and we'll just go sit in the car. I'm a talker. I'm a talker. But hey, back to the subject at hand, I'm going to tell you something. You know, this is one of those serious.

conversations that most Christians, because, you know, the prosperity message, I remember I was there when the prosperity message came to life. Right. And, you know, everything was about blessings and blessings and blessings on top of blessings. And, you know, no one was standfasting in the gospel and all of that stuff. And I just, you know, Romans, Romans 5, 3, I want to read a little bit of that because this is.

This is what the Bible says. about tribulation. about trials, about hard times. about things that we go through. It says, we glory In tribulation.

Because tribulation work is patience. and patients experience and experience hope. And hope maketh not ashamed of the trials that we go through. See, a lot of times we are ashamed that we're going through some things. But listen to what that said.

That said, we glory. That word in the Greek. Glory. We boast in it. We boasting, kind of, we boasting in our trials and tribulations.

This is what the Bible tells us in us. We're boasting this. Man, listen, I'm standing on this. Listen, yeah, it happened. It's sad.

It's tragic. Right. I'm boasting in it. God is good. I'm still gonna claim.

Man, listen, that's some deep stuff right there. It is, it is, it is. And then, you know, 1 Peter 5:10. It says but. The God of all grace, who have called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus.

After that, ye have suffered a while. Make you perfect, established, Strengthen and settle you.

So that means, hey, we're going to. As long as you have breath. We're going to go through some trials and tribulations. We're going to go through some pain. And it was something you were saying earlier about, you know, um how it look how um You know, you you know that pain feels.

But I was also thinking about, you know, um Insects. Uh uh um a caterpillar. goes through that. that metamorphose period.

Now, I have never been a caterpillar. I don't know how that feels, but I'm pretty sure it hurts. I'm pretty sure, you know, the eating. bloating yourself to what four or five times your size Making yourself into some type of cocoon or some type of hovering around you and your big body is inside this cocoon. for um an amount of time.

Then it's not over. It's not over. Then you got to get out. You got to come out of it.

So that pain and suffering that that caterpillar was going through. um to to to make itself into a beautiful butterfly. You know, that reminds us of what we're going through. Although the pain and the suffering that we're going through, look at the beauty. That's coming out of it.

The sufferings, the sufferings and things that we go through. cannot Compare To the joy that's coming. Oh, you know, and a lot of times, a lot of times we get stuck in what we see. You know, that's why we can't live by what we see. Right.

I'm be honest, sometimes I struggle. Yeah, oh, yeah. I struggle. The human side of me struggle. And you know.

And it was meant for me to be here today because whoo! It's not easy doing God's work. It's not easy staying in His path doing the things that He has for you because. The enemy is always coming at you. And you know.

I'm sitting here today, and I needed to be here today because I was in a bad place yesterday. You know, I was in a bad place. And even as people that's walking that path with God, we still be tested and we still be attacked. We still get attacked all the time. All the time.

And we have to keep The joy of God in our hearts because how the enemy is so busy. But I'm sitting here today in my suit and heels, but yesterday I was in handcuffs because of somebody else's negligence. Come on, talk about it.

Somebody else's negligence. Come on, talk about it.

And I mean, just the adversary. Yes, that's the best. That's the only job the adversary has. It's to just to walk to, there, and fro, to and fro. Yes.

And it broke my spirit. It broke my spirit yesterday. It put me in a place where I had to say, God, you have me doing this, but sometimes I wonder why. Yeah. I wonder why.

And it just put me in a place to where I broke down and I cried. You know, I cried. It's not easy. People just don't know what we live. And go through every day trying to do what God has for us to do.

It's not easy, God, for it, though. It's not easy. Yes, and I thank you. Scripture points out, you know, it's okay, it's okay. to question God.

It's okay to ask him questions. He thrives on that. And I love it. I love it how he takes the time. Because the Bible says, though the Lord is ha high, Yet he has respect unto the lowly.

Listen, he went through what we went through. He's not far from what we went through, he knows what we went through. See, so it's easy to go to him. And see, we have him as our big brother. Going to the father, like, listen, Lord, listen, I believe that he's going to the father just like that.

Right, Lord, look at Dwayne now. Right now, you see, you see, he's going, come on, come on, father, send him some strength, daddy, daddy. My husband always, like, who are you talking to? I'm having my conversation out loud with God because he always said, babe, who are you in that? talking to I said as long as I don't answer myself back I'm all right and you know what I was being nosy the other day I pulled into I was being nosy I pulled into a restaurant drive-through Yeah.

I was feeling super nosy. And there was a guy, there was a guy, you know, a street guy, he was just sitting over there having a big conversation with nobody. And I wanted to hear, I was like, what is he? You know, I want to hear what he had to say. Right.

So I wrote my window down and got a little closer. I wanted to hear this conversation. But the point, the point I'm trying to make, God want, because, yeah, I was being known. I'm like, is he talking some sense? Or he just got just crazy, crazy.

But that's how we get sometimes. That's how we get. We have to be that way sometimes. I look at the conversation with God and Job. I look at the conversation with God and Elijah.

I look at those conversations. I like studying the book. You know, I look at the conversations with God, Jesus, and Paul. I mean, these are conversations that we learn from. And then the scripture, the scripture that says, because I dissect this book, the scripture that says, Come, he says, come to me.

Come to me. He's ready to answer our questions. Right. And it's just like, wow, Lord. Wow, he's he's really there for us.

Now In the flesh. You can't see that. Right. But when you build your spirit on him, Man, I tell you, he answers you. Absolutely.

He gives you strength in your soul. Right. Look at the activities of the angels. The Bible says they ascend. and descend.

Absolutely. They ascend. And these sins.

So what guess what? They're already here. Yes. If we look at Jacob's situation, They got the prayer to take up to God. And coming down, the adversary tried to stop that prayer.

That answered prayer. You know what I'm saying? Listen, we got to talk to God. Prayer is our biggest enemy, and we don't even use it. And I try to use it as best as I can.

Yes, I'm not afraid. Yeah, I fall on my face in a minute. I don't care if you can anybody. I don't care where I'm at. Me and my husband hold hands.

We say I pray all. Even if we're eating a snack, we're going to eat a snack, we're going to say our prayer first. You know, that's the relationship I have with God, and I'm not ashamed. I mean, I started shouting in the grocery store just by saying thanking Him because something might not seem big to you. I know.

What this is when I did that live with this particular doll I was looking for for my daughter to honor my daughter, and I broke down in Walmart and I had everybody crying because they don't know the meaning. Yeah. He had this one particular dog just for me. And I wasn't going there looking for it. But when I went there, I said, I know I'm not gonna find this dog.

And there it was, just one of them. And I praised him. You know, you know, it's stuff like that that people don't realize. God is very, I remember, and I recall, this is my early salvation walking with the Lord. And I was living in Minnesota, Minnesota cold.

I don't know if you ever experienced Minnesota cold. Minnesota cold be like, it would be like 40 degrees below zero wind chill. I don't like this cold. I don't like no cake. I don't like cold, no cake.

And I didn't have a car at the time. I wasn't bad, it was just me, myself, and the Lord, right? And I was like, okay, Lord. I got enough to make it back. From my job.

But I might have to walk. Mm. Minnesota code. Wow. And I and I and I just knew And as literal as this is.

I just knew that God was giving it. Bless me.

Soon as I came out of my house, A little couple dollars was lighting right there on the thing, so I catch that bus so I can get, you know what I'm saying? I mean, it's the simplistic things that God is, He's so interested in our lives. Right. You know, and we've been looking for Him for this, this, and that, but I'm gonna tell you something. He wants to get involved in every detail of our lives.

Can you say that again for the people in the back? Hallelujah. I tell you. Can you say that again? Because some people be, you know.

Um These last, what, four or five years, the manifesting and the fasting, and all those are great and biblical. I also want you to point that. Please say that again. It's the little thing. Yeah.

It is the little things. We are sitting up here in our journals, beginning of the year in our journals. I want that $50 million and. What about those things that God bless? Hey, hello, you opened your eyes.

Praise God for opening your eyes. Thank you, God, for right. It's not always monetary. It is not, it could be health. Amen.

You know, that that um things that the things that we see and don't see. Yeah. Just giving us the strength to go on without a child. Right. It's a story.

Yeah, it's a story in the book of Acts. I forget what this guy named. The Bible says he was a great man. He was a righteous man. And this is what he asked for.

He said, I'm not sure. I can't tell you where it's at. You have to go look it up for yourself. And I always say, please go study, go find this, prove it. You know what I mean?

But the man said, this is what the man said. He said, I just need enough. To take care of mine. You know, that was this whole concept. I don't need more and I don't need less.

I just need enough to take care of mine. And see, This is the day and age that we live in. We live in this popcorn microwave society when everybody wants to get rich quick or die trying and they forget the whole concept about just being. Satisfied. Right.

The whole scripture is about being satisfied. The children of Israel. Just weren't satisfied. They was complaining about Everything. And sometimes you just got to be satisfied.

I mean, you know, I don't have everything that I want to have, but I have everything that I need. And Christ is the center of all of that. Right? Yes. I just thank him for I look back at where I was a two years ago.

I couldn't Be this. I wouldn't even get up out of my bed and put on no clothes. Hallelujah. I asked for him to take me. I asked for him, why are you allowing me to keep living?

Why are you allowing me to open up my eyes every day when you t The most precious thing, hallelujah, is gone. And I'm sitting here today. can come out feeling good about me. Being able to talk to other people when I knew where I was. I was in a dark place where could nobody help me.

Him. Hallelujah. I got in a place so dark that I didn't care for my husband, the rest of my kids, the grandkids, nobody else matter to me. And he allowed me to get in that deep, dark hole to show me I got. Chill.

Amen. All you got to do is just let me take your hand and let me guide you. Man, that's a testimony because people haven't experienced that. But you know what? People are going to experience that because this is just me, I'm not no prophet.

But I believe these days in 24, it's gonna get so rough, you know, just because of current events, just because of what the Bible speaks on, you know. But I tell you, when you stand on his word, but what you're talking about, that was the conversation that Elisha had with God. God, kill me. I'm done. I'm ready to go.

Right. Hop out. See, so and this is why scripture is so relevant to me. Because like I said, I study the word, I study the the person of Christ, right? And I see some things that are said.

That a writer wouldn't write. Mm-hmm. Even the scripture when Jesus said, I go to prepare a place for you. And then his goodness. Because this is in scripture.

His goodness, his good character said. And if it wasn't so, I wouldn't tell you that. You know what I mean? I'm saying a writer wouldn't think to write that. Right.

That came out of Christ's mouth. He said, I'm going to prepare a place for you. But his goodness and righteousness had to tell us. He said, listen, and if it wasn't true, I wouldn't tell you that. Absolutely.

Man, God is something else, man. Yeah. Yeah. Man, I'm sorry, but God. Y'all always said Jesus was that poet, man.

I tell you, Yahweh was like, oh. I can't imagine. Since I went back, I went back to see if that was actually in the manuscripts. You know what I mean? You actually did the research.

Yes. Yes. Yeah. Right. And it's just so, so, so great.

I guess these, we're going to go to this break right now. Yes, yes. And we'll be right back on Patrick again. There is something about a name. We all have one.

My name is Peculia. Very odd, but kind of cool.

Sometimes I tell people my name is Isabella. It sounds Latin.

Well, when I had a baby, I I was asked what would I name the baby. I said if it's a boy, I have to think about it. But if it's a girl, it's definitely going to be Chantel. That's French. How about the Virgin Mary?

She knew when her baby was going to be born, who the father was. And the gender. Mary had it made.

So, Mary, what is your baby's name? She said, His name is Jesus. Boy, what a name. I wonder how much did he weigh? This is Eldo Peculio La Goreta Sprinkle with your words of inspiration.

God bless you. This is WPOL 278BM Winston Salem and W273DH High Point. No revenge for the kingdom in the city. Being life into the youth, can you feel me? We're bridging the gap.

We're bridging the gap. Yeah, the streets and other churches No, they got those first converts. Yes, and amen. Amen. We are back.

Ooh, so Cherise, let's talk about it. Let's talk for a little bit. Tell me. About your nonprofit organization. All right.

Hey, everybody.

So, my nonprofit is Smiley Sweets Foundation. And it's in honor of my daughter that I lost to cancer back in 2016. And what the Smiley Sweets Foundation does is we bless. Young kids and guide their families in low-income, high-crime areas. You know, we let them know that their environment does not define who they are as a person.

and that they can do anything and be anything that they want. And we have different Programs. We have the Fish for Tish program and the Fish for Tish program is the program that we teach the kids how to fish and we supply all the fishing rods and tackle boxes and everything like that. And we're working on another program to add to that called Survival Cooking. And that's gonna be coming later on this year.

We have the Smiley's Boutique, and the Smiley's Boutique is where we do makeovers for young ladies. And build up their self-esteem. And I have cooking classes and different classes there. Definitely need a kid. Yes.

I have the business success program where I work with kids and teach them how to do resumes. look for job applications, show them how to dress for success. And I also work with the parents as well, teaching them how to work with finances and how to save money. Amen. And then if they need any clothes for interviews and stuff like that, and then they can come and help me help build their resumes and put in job applications in our computer program.

And then we have less guns and more fun, and that's for our young men: podcasting, photography, um, working with a stand-up, wild media. And so, we're just working in different aspects to show these kids that they can be anything that they want to be, that their environment does not define who they are as a person. Amen. And that's beautiful. I know you get great joy out of that.

I do. You know, you know, that's that's what you call instant gratification, too. Yes, because you can see it in the kids' life and all of that stuff. I mean, right now, today, I remember my childhood when, excuse me for saying, but I remember when the white man used to come get me, take me fishing, come and get me, take me camping. You'll never forget it, right?

And in the hood, in the hood, you know. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. But I remember that. That's implanted in my brain. Right.

My dad used to come, and this is a powerful thing. My pops, he wasn't around when I was young. But one thing he did, he used to come get me every summer. Take me on road trips. I started saying, Man, it's more than just my little hood.

Right, absolutely. You know, yeah, you hear that. People, go take some something, go grab some of these kids and take them out the hood. Yeah, take just take them somewhere, give them a new experience. Yes, yes, get permission from their parents.

Definitely need permission. And in some cases, hey, if you can take the parents with them, too. But the point I'm trying to make is that a lot of people are stuck in the hood. Back in, what is it? 2000, I think it was 16, 15, Winston, and I think it's still the way the same way now.

It not too much changed, but Winston-Salem was known for, they were number two, number two and number three. And If you were born in poverty here, you died in poverty. It's probably the same. Yeah. I'm pretty sure it's the same.

And you know what? The only two. that was leading that. was two Indian reservations. Wow.

What? Yeah. And I was like, you know, because I come, I moved here from Minnesota, and I was like, come on, that can't be true.

So, you know, like, I like to study. I started doing some research on it, and I was like, man, this is true. Wow. And that's why Smally Sweets Foundation. We take them out of that environment.

So, you know, my establishment is in a nice Neighborhood, I will call one of the rich sides of Winston-Salem, and so what I do is I take those kids out of their environment and bring them into that establishment to show them that they can have and do anything that they want to do. That's that's a gratification. I'm telling you, listen, listen, even bring them. They want those. I'm saying this because I've seen it firsthand.

Okay, um, those children want to come to Sunday school, they want to come to Bible study, they want to come to church.

So, that is an amazing job. What she's doing, she's taking them out of that out of that area. and exposing them to Um Amazing people. Spiritual guidance. Yes.

God blessed me to have my foundation inside of a church. Amen. And what's the best way of guiding kids by also giving them spiritual guidance? Hallelujah. And they, I mean, them kids.

That's a win-win. Oh, it just do something to my joy knowing that I took that hurt and pain. and put it into something positive. And it's amazing because last year was the first year that my daughter's anniversary of her passing came and I didn't even know it. Because I was at the church working on the foundation and people calling me, asking me, Are you okay?

I'm like, why? Today is, and I didn't even know that that was that day because I was just so blessed and full of joy working with these different programs with the kids. And I said, Lord, I thank you. I'm in a different place now. That I forgot that that day was her anniversary because God had me in a different place.

Mm-hmm. That's awesome.

So it just feels good. That is awesome. It's kind of like you just you turned it all around. And I think that's that's what we need to do in almost every aspect of our life. We have to turn it around.

Right. Like it's always a struggle for me just to move and you know, because you know, I had a fall. And they said I posted them paralyzed for life and all this, all this stuff. But it was real painful just to move around. I just refused.

I'm kind of stubborn like that. I refuse just to sit around. And so I make my, I force myself to do stuff. Absolutely. Absolutely.

But you know, when we're talking about, you know, children in these low, I'm just going to say under-resourced areas. I'm going to say it like that because I know we're tired of hearing low income poverty. You know, I'm going to speak some other stuff. Like, we're going to have to, you know, up and coming because we're going to have to change the narrative. for these um for these areas But these children, you know um What they see is what they see.

And I'm glad that they're able to see some different things. You know, Smiley Suites and other organizations are really doing great. Great work. to make a change in that area. And you know, what what is needed is, you know, you we got to get the city and other officials behind these things because we do we have to listen, Yeah.

I know you woke up this morning and saw a twelve-year-old has been shot. You know, I know you've seen a 17-year-old brother took matters into his own hands to take care of a bully that his sister was his sister kept getting from what I'm understanding, his sister kept getting bullied in school. Both of them. Oh, they were both getting bullied in school. And he took matters into his own hands because no one was listening to him.

We have to change this. We have to change this. Now, you know, they can work on you know the people up there can and Washington can work on you know guns and you know, but we have to change their thinking. We got to change what they see. We have to change the the people that are the these outside influences And if they see These things on these videos, and these, and they're listening to these songs, but then they don't see.

a a a a m a male is a elder. you know a male as um you know a male that a pastor that can talk to him I'm not talking about the women because we know the women, you know, we got the women going, you know, we got the women, but we need some men. I will say this. working in one of those areas for over a year. I learnt a lot.

Even as adults, we can learn from children. Don't ever think we're adults. We know it all. These kids can teach us something, and these kids have taught me a lot. They just need somebody to listen and they need to have a safe place as well.

As we can speak freely, they need to know my voice can be heard too. And that's where Ting Talk comes in with Smiley Sweets Foundation, where these kids' voices can be heard, where they can speak on things. And I remember when I did my first Ting Talk and I asked them, and these are kids 13 through 18. I said, Tell me, what is it differently that you would like to see in your community? And see, they call me Miss Juicy.

So you'll never hear my name as Sharice. They call me Miss Juicy. And they said, Well, Miss Juicy. We just want our parents to get out of bed. We just want our parents to mm.

Get out and do something. We just want our parents to get along because when they're fighting, they expect us to fight. These are kids speaking on this. And then We can be so judgmental when we don't know. Oh god, everybody was so terrified of me being in that neighborhood.

Because I'm not from Winston, but everybody bought on uh, and then people say, Well, I see you on Facebook, you're brave. I'm scared to go over there. Why are you scared of your own people? Why? I big I go over there Stay over there one, two o'clock, do movie night out there in the community.

And guess what? When people know you love them, they're gonna respect you and take care of you. I can go over there with no worries. And all they need you to do is love on them. It makes me feel good.

I'm not a seasonal person. And what I mean by a seasonal person is, I just don't go over there during Christmas. I just don't go over there when it's school to pass out book bags. I'm over there year-round.

So when I step out, They might remember the person that came, Chris, oh, that's the lady who gave out the bikes, but they know who I am. They come, they hug me. Miss Jusican, we go with you.

So I'm a year-round. I'm not a seasonal person. I'm in these kids' life. As long as God allows me to keep doing this, I'm going to do it. And that's what makes me feel good, knowing these kids know who I am because of the love and care that I'm showing them.

Amen. See, that's why I appreciate Ellen because I remember at the award show and how firm you were with your speech and the award that you gave. Because, you know, we need to honor people that are doing this. Amen. And this is why the scripture says, don't be worrying, well, Dawn, because a lot of people aren't getting acknowledged.

And we don't do it for the acknowledgement. Right. But man, I tell you, to get a good pat on the back, to know that your work. It feels good. I'm not going to lie, it feels good knowing that people know you love and care about somebody outside of yourself.

But let me say this, though. That award that was done in 2023 is a long time coming. I remember dealing with Cherise. Oh, this had to be maybe what? Oh, we're telling our age.

It had to be, I don't know. It had to be. Oh, it was over 12 years ago. I think it was gonna pop in by itself too. Eight 2008 around 2008.

Okay, okay, okay.

Okay, so I knew it was a um, I remember the conversation, Miss Chelsea. She was one of the first I met here in Winston.

So it's been a long time. It is, I think it was before 2008, though. We're gonna tell our age, though, we're gonna leave it alone. Yeah, we tell our age. But you know, I remember I was her DJ.

Um she asked me to DJ at I think it was the Grove, or it was a place in a housing community in Greensboro. I said, okay. And she was doing things for a sickle cell foundation.

So she has, she's not new to this. No, she's not new to this. It was just a different name then.

So when she was doing this uh this Christmas event, I'm going to tell you, it was an event I'll never forget. She had. Kids, I mean, it was so many kids and families lined up for food and gifts, and you know. And she had polo. Was it Rafflon Polo?

shirts and jackets.

Now you now this ain't no USPA from Walmart. My son had to teach me that was that's not the thing. I thought, hey, I thought USPA was the same thing, but not. But USPA, she did not have that. She had a Ralph Lauren.

She had lee jeans. Oh, uh, it was something else. But anyway, she had a lot of items for these kids. And she still do it to this day. 20-some years.

Mm-hmm. So, you know, she's not new to this. And, you know, it was a great thing to honor you. You definitely deserved it. And, you know, going back to the scripture.

I got I gotta, you know, tie everything back in. Hold on. because of your pain, even though you did not experience that pain, let's say 20 years ago, let's talk about 20 years ago, you were not experiencing that pain, but your purpose was to reach those children. And through your pain now. you look at reaching them a different way.

Unstoppable. I'm like a freight train. I'm unstoppable. Nobody's going to stop me. For doing and blessing those kids.

Nobody. I don't care if you say that's the worst neighborhood in this city. I'm going. Right, right. And we just praise God for you.

We're thankful for you. Thank you. Today on Bridging the Gap, we're talking about, if you're just tuning in, we're talking about pain to purpose. You know, your pain. And I know it hurts, it stings.

Oh, it has it to your knees. But there's purpose in that pain. There's purpose. And listen, I'm even talking about that arthritis pain. I am.

There's a purpose to that as well, you know? Um, maybe there's something that we need to do. Maybe you might need to get some things looked at. There's a purpose in it.

So we're here today to motivate you, to get you to understand we know, we understand. We understand, but the church, and I'm saying the church as a whole. Because that's what we're doing. We're coming from different backgrounds. You're my sister in Christ, but we're coming from different backgrounds, and we're a church and whole.

We understand, we love you, and we're here to help you.

So we're going to go to a break. And we'll be right back.

So let's For the kingdom in the city life into the youth, can you feel me? When it's the candidate, when it's the candidate. Yeah, the mysteries that are the church of the old Got those first. Conversion again, yeah. Conversion again, yeah.

Conversion again, yeah, minus again, yeah. Ain't no softness in here, ain't no losses in here. Demons all disappear. Like Peter, I be showing no fear. Look at Richard, no mic times and off with the zero meat.

Made by 3,000 for heat. Hundreds and thousands more sleep. I believe it's better bow to the Lord. He and your power imitations get their barbar nowadays. People wanna make a ball type of gods.

I chuckle, felt a laugh. Moses, Whitney, keep down the staff. Magicians felt the wrath. Everybody wanna trap in their songs, but I take a different path. Ready, Christian, said he's spinning ammunition.

Pay attention, better listen. I'm giving the difference on the track, on my boat. Let's get back, know the work, and I'm not. Strap when we Definition never can stop. Hobie Roda with my hand to the sky, that will work better high.

Cause I'll go and I ride with the saints by my side. Hobie Roda style. Demonstration of a gangster higher, higher. No. I know.

Wow, hi. I'm out. Williams Christian Supply has been the Viemont's hometown Christian up the hit talking bout this holy gang No GD, no gut, no crib Tried that thing, it didn't work Tried that rap, it doesn't fit Virus ain't touching this My protect that does exist Bring Christ right to the core See the plan that he has in store Read, give, give, ask, and pray cycle all of my day Oh Lord, guide my way Increase my gang to increase my faith Help me to hear what you say Time for what I talk on that track on my foes Let's get back And one stretch when you Mm. Definition of a gangsta definition of a gangster with my head to the sky, there will run high. Cause I roll and I ride with the saints by my side.

Hobie roller. Definition never gangsta. Hold me roller. Definition of a gangster. Higher.

Right. Right. Alright. Wow, ow. Hey, yay, yay.

That's Rob Sinky. Look him up on itunes. Rob Sinq. Oh, okay, yeah. You've been playing a lot of Cube.

We ain't Cu. If you can hear us, you need to come on down here and show us some love. You got to bless us here in the studio while we. Oh, he's ready. He ready.

Oh, come on. We just got to set it up for him. Yeah. So we're here with Cherise Davenport and we're just, we're bobbing our heads to some. Let me say it right.

Hospo hip-hop. Hip-hospel. That's Rob. He coming with that. Hospo.

Hip-hip-hip. Hospel. Hip Hospel. Yeah. I've been saying it wrong.

Okay. Hip hospel.

We've been rolling and rolling and jamming to the songs. Today we talk about pain to purpose and who else better to be on here live than you know the amazing Cherise. Miss Juice says Davenport. And y'all would gotta know, Miss Juicy, that was from her childhood. You know, she and look, I met her mom and she said she had like, what, like, two strands of hair?

Juicy baby and had like two strands of hair. My mama put the biggest bow. The biggest boat. And that's why everybody's like, oh, she's so juicy.

So that's where my name comes from, Juicy.

So we got Miss Juicy in the studio listening to the Hospital, hip-hop, hip-hop, hospital. Hip-hop. Yes, and I love it. I need them parties. Listen.

Like, that just messed me up just trying to say that. Hospel. I'm going to get that right. I'm going to get that right. Gospel, gospel, hip-hop.

Gospel. I'm going to just keep it. I'm going to keep it.

Okay, gospel hip-hop. But we are talking about pain to purpose. And, you know, I just wanted to, you know, say this before we. Kind of close off this segment. My favorite scripture.

1 Corinthians 2 and 9. Eyes have not seen and ears have not heard. What the Lord has for you. to the what the Lord has coming and what has done for you.

So even though you have this pain and you have purpose behind that pain, just know that, you know, you just got to keep going. Amen. Because, you know, no one knows. That walk that you're gonna walk. Did you know?

Six years ago. That you will be picking yourself up like this No, I did not. And look at you. Amen. Look at you.

Did you know yesterday The the the the people that you're touching today. You didn't know. But you knew that you had to get in here, right? I knew I had a purpose. Yes, you knew you had a purpose.

And you know, that's what we're talking about. You know, that that sometimes, you know, that pain, like I said, I know it hurts. But we just have to sometimes Um just keep going. Because we, there, there's something that God has for all of us. All those that love Him, all those that call Him His.

Like, God is mine. You know, all those that love and cherish Him.

So, you know, that's what we're talking about today. Of course, Bridging the Gap, we're always talking about how we can connect. the um the church to the street so I wanted you to briefly tell me what you were telling me earlier about, you know, what can we do? to uh help you in your ministry while you connecting the church back to the street. Jess.

Keep allowing the kids to have their own voices. A lot of kids don't attend churches. because of their background, their parents. No. But the kids that I'm dealing with, their parents are allowing them to have their own voice saying, Mom, I want to go to church.

So we go over there in these communities and we get these kids and bring them to church. And I feel like the kids will more kids will get involved with church if their own voices can be heard. You'll be amazed. She's she's witnessed. How these kids look forward.

They're calling me before I even get out of bed. Is the church man coming over here, Miss Juicy? I'm like, yeah, at the same time, nothing changed. They're excited about church, man. and how we can get the church into these communities.

We have to let Certain things have been going on for so years, times have changed. You can't still do things 20 years ago. You know, you ain't never had a church with kids and you want to keep it like that. You can't do that no more. If you want things on the news to stop happening the way they're happening, you got to allow these kids to be in a safe place and their voices to be heard.

And the best way you can do it is with spiritual guidance. They can't get that out on the street seeing the things they're seeing, but they can come into these church walls and get it for themselves, not put on them, but let them find God their way. And by letting them, by letting their voices be heard, and by letting them come into the church and see. What the church has for them. And that's what I love the church that I'm in because.

You understand the word, right? I mean. I'm gonna be honest. I thank God that I have a connection and relationship that I have with Him because a lot of times people not. In church or stop going to church because of God, they stopped going to church because of the people inside the church.

And I thank God that I have the relationship I have with God because it's not about the people inside the church, it's about what. The relationship that me and God has. And so, and we need to let these kids. Experience those same types of relationships.

Well, they need to see that the church is here inside of us. You know, it's not, the church is not all about a building as well. Oh, yeah. You know, they need to see us day in, day out, every day, not just Sunday, not just Wednesday. This is how we live, this is how a Christian walks.

This is how a Christian loves. This is a Christian showing the fruits of the spirit, all the fruits of the spirit, not just when it's convenient. You know, so they need to see that, see that every single day. And you're absolutely right. But they also see when people.

CRITICIZE The person. That's walking with Christ when they do something wrong.

So they see a lot. That's why we have to allow them to have their voice and see things on their own because when you say you're a Christian, you're so easy to be judged. And we have to teach these kids that don't worry about what man or woman says. You go for church for you. Hear the Lord's word.

Because that's why a lot of. of my parents are not in church. Not because of God, it's because of folks.

So we have to come in a different direction with the children because, see, their parents are set.

Well, no, I'm not going back to another church. People did this, people did that, but we don't want to put that off on the children.

So I tell my kids. People are gonna be people, but God ain't gonna never change.

So, you go to church for God, not for the lady up in the front that you feel mean, don't like you. You go for God, that word, that word stays the same.

Okay. Cherise, thank you so much for coming. Thank you so much for coming today. I'm going to give you this time to give your shout outs and just whatever you want to say.

So, thank you. First of all, I want to thank God for waking me up and allowing me to be here, and you two inviting me to this wonderful. wonderful safe place to speak on things and continue doing it. And God continue to bless both of y'all. Thank you.

I could Nice friend Jason. And I know you're going to have him on the show sometime soon because he's awesome. And we're going to be doing some things together. But I also want to thank. My church.

Mm-hmm. And the reason why I want to say I thank my church is because It was a time I never would have stepped foot in another church because of how people. treated me. But when I found a relationship with God for myself and not for people. Right.

You can't stop me from going to the church that God has me to go to. Right. So I want to thank God for putting that in my heart to say, Don't worry about man, you need to focus on me. Hallelujah. And so that's where I'm at today.

And so man can't tell me what I can't do when God telling me what I'm going to do.

So I just want to thank Him for that and thank Him for all it's too many people like you. I just want to thank Him for all the wonderful people that He removed, hurt me, that was unworthy for me, that He made me strong to focus and realize what's good and worthy in all the people He has in my life today.

So that's all I want to say. Thank you, Lord. That's beautiful. Amen. God, it's good.

Oh, yes. My husband is a part of that. I seen everybody he has in my life. I said it's too many. That's why I say everybody.

And my husband is God and my husband.

So everybody in my life, my husband is right in there. Everybody in my life. Amen. Well, of course, you know, I'm Ellen Forrest. We definitely are, this is what we do.

We're bridging that gap. I definitely want to give a shout out to my family. To my amazing husband, my daughter, my mom, all my other children, all my grandchildren, you guys, and FCC. I got geared up to FCC. And, you know, just thank you, Minister Candy, for allowing us to have a platform.

And, like she said, a safe space. Safe space, yeah. That's important. Yes, it is important. That is really important.

And I'm going to tell you, I'm going to tell you, I can't take. Anyway credit for anything. I I throw it back on uh Pastor, um Pastor Stu Efferson Jr., Pastor Mike Calbone, because those are the gentlemen that are allowing this to happen because it is a safe place. You know, we have a Devotions every morning. And one of my things is like, okay, Lord, because we go through so much.

Right. So I learned it just to pray for Lord, just give me some clear, clear ocean sailing. Right. You know, but we also know that. What makes a good sailor It's not sailing on calm storms, but it's sailing on them rough waters.

Right. And that's what makes a good sailor.

So we just appreciate that. You learn real quick, too. You learn real quick. Especially when you got it. You got to learn it.

Man, them rough waters get you. That's a test of that favor, boy. That's a test. But you guys, this is another episode of Bridging the Gap. We're going to play some music.

We'll be right back. Yeah. Jason, we love you.

So, what's your verse for the new year? Mine is Acts 20, 24 in 2024. Commentary with Stu Efferson, author of the book, First Words of Jesus. On his way to certain imprisonment and certain martyrdom, the Apostle Paul says these words: None of these things move me, neither do I count my life dear unto myself, that I may finish my course with joy and the ministry which I have received of the Lord Jesus to testify the gospel of the grace of God. See, we don't know what awaits us this year.

We know Jesus Christ, though, and we know He is with us. We know that His joy is our strength and His gospel is our message. Hey, grab a verse and make it your New Year's verse and share it with everyone. Let's keep the Word of God and the joy of the Lord as our New Year's resolution. Acts 20:24 in 2024.

Fruit commentary with Stu Emerson, author of the book First Words of Jesus. Available now in bookstores, or go online to firstwordsofjesus.com. The weapons started. The kingdom in the city life until the Yo, can you feel me? Yeah, we're fresh and again, yeah.

Yeah, we're fresh and again, yeah. We're brushing again, yeah. Yeah Let them know they got those first ones. They calling me controversial. I don't know why, I'm just telling the truth.

And your abyss. Yeah. Kindo made it. They're indoctrinating kids with lies. It's just evil in disguise.

They say that it's love, but they lie. They say that they're girls, but they're guys. Or they say they have no gender. From guy sports to girls, but they're winners. From now on, I identify as a ninja turtle.

Where's Master Splinter?

Somebody asked me, Should they pray to Mary for intercession? I pray to a Rosary for a blessing. I'll answer truthfully. Here's the lesson. Look, first off, there's no queen in heaven.

That's not biblical, it's a deception. We are all equal whenever we get caught up. And if the sun is inside of you, then you pray straight to the apostle. I'm done with the church lies. I'm done with you, religious guys, with no spiritual eyes.

The word says the Lord will appear in his temple.

So why you look at the sky instead of looking inside? But Isaiah, why do you laugh? Jesus is not what hip-hop was made for. But my music is brought thousands to the kingdom.

Well, I guess that should stop though, because you said something, huh? Time and time again, I got people up in my DMs. Oh, comfortable with sin, trying to see if I'ma give in. Oh, I expose the masons.

Now they wanna say that I'm a mason. Trying to come after a son of God. They don't even know their palms forsaken. No, keep your peace. Keep your patience, keep it love.

That's what the Lord keeps telling me. Lift them off, cuss them out. You a thug. That's what the devil keeps telling. See, it's a spiritual battle, but I brought my sword, got my armor, got my Lord.

Yeah, I know that it's critical when every individual doesn't realize that Satan knows this time is short. You celebrate in Halloween, but call it Hallelujah night. Complete buffoonery. You dress like a demon, walking inside the church. You look like a fool to me.

I don't dress up every day. I'm a believer. I put on my garments of praise, then it's followed a leader. All these picking holidays going on like a fever. When I work for Ishtar, it turned to Easter.

They're telling me to be Christ-like, but they don't even know what Christ's like. I realized once I started reading my Bible that their Christ isn't even what Christ's like. Not even that, but it's not something that Christ like. All this compromising isn't what Christ like. This prosperity gospel, well, they don't bring up sinner repetitions in church.

Probably got Christ-like. They're calling me controversial. They calling me controversial. They calling me controversial. They calling me controversial.

Jesus was controversial. Paul was controversial. Elijah was controversial. Yeah. Telling the truth is controversial.

Hold up. One more thing. One thing. Always saved is not a thing. I don't care about the scholar in his theology.

God said judging by the fruit, not by a degree. Too many lying pastors are top tier. Motivating speeches about your great life here. Look, if we're supposed to be so comfortable, why would the word say to work at your salvation with fear? Too many comfortable in their sins.

Too many lies have been told to Christians. Look, the Lord has said to many, depart from me. That won't be to the world, that'll be Christians. And in the country with Sleekly Joe, they keep trying to hush you. Gas at an all-time high, how can I trust you?

But honestly, he's teaching us a great tactic. Anything go wrong in your life, just blame Russia. They're calling me controversial. They calling me controversial. They calling me controversial.

They're calling me controversial. Jesus was controversial. Paul was controversial. Elijah was controversial. Telling the truth is controversial.

They calling me controversial. They're calling me controversial. They're calling me controversial. How to be cursed. Your birthday.

Jesus was controversial Paul was controversial Elijah was controversial God first, that part of your commandments up in my heart by home. Say less, say less, crave more, praise. It's a double-edged soul when we raise one more. God first, huh? Say less, say less.

It's a double-edged soul when we raise one. We in the session with God, this feeling be sublime. It's right to fire, get me in mind to stay focused and shift it. Gotta posture my heart and listen. Make sure my Lord name gets lifted.

Plenty, plenty, seconds be wasted on flexibility dice. I'm a card on God and like though I let the thunderbank pick up my brother with no operation of a crank. Why you wall with the devil mine? Yeah, they stay next gen. The line we next in.

You to go. That made me feel more when I was less than back then. We were never nothing till you stepped in my I'm steady pressing Damn for God there ain't no off days like ain't such thing as Saturday He paid our debt so we can bear food. I call that Apple Pay. Spirit's leading Jesus.

I point you. find a matter way with the sword of the spirit every serpent we decap God first, God first, that part of your commandments up in my heart. Say less, say less, pray more, it's a double-edged sword when we rage war. God first, God first, counting your commandments up in my heart, my heart. Say less, say less, pray more.

It's a double-edged sword when we rage war. Last is first versus last, I ain't capping with you. If you ain't living with you, rap, I ain't rapping with you. Living the evil life, keep a demon legal right. If you ain't reading right, spend it eating right.

It's ride cloud, it's like cloud. You know the vibe, I'm grateful to be alive, God. You know, I'm Uncle Dude, keep a couple scriptures with me. And when I come to you, I keep the kids. Them healers with me.

Forget your demon time. I'm on this Jesus time. I'm on this kingdom of time. Represent for me and mine. Say less, say less, better pray more.

Cause it's a double less song when I wish war. Go first, everything come after that. He flipped my whole life around. Acrobat, this is wire. Each and every bar.

Gotta show the devil who Jesus said that you are. I am spirit filled, I am filled with the Holy Ghost. The devil is a lie, long nose like Pedro. I gotta pray the sun, not the flag made for Tokyo. I stayed.

And them horns matter at the rodeo. I wage you are stumping on the devil's playground. Hey, first, I ain't got time to. Play rhyme, hallelujah, I'm a bus Greyhound, knees to the floor, bar. I stayed down God first.

How do your commandments up in my heart? Say less, pray more. Pray, it's a double-edged sword when we rage war. God first, pray more, pray. It's a double-edged sword when we rage war.

Yeah, we fighting demons' face up like Yoko. I was way seed, drowning in a rule of my cow. When I screamed, I knew there was a war cry. In my dreams, I saw Jesus breaking soul ties. Like rip, rip, don't talk like zip-zip, but lift it up.

Jesus name we lifting up like Lift lift like this, that pressure. Better feel your heart beat and get fit, fit. Knocking limbs off of demons, like you better. Lay hands on the sick till they all here. Cast the devil and the demon out with no fear.

I don't need a worldly fix, cause my guns here. I can't wait to get to heaven like we all here. Lay hands on the sick till they all here. Catch the devil and the demon out with no fear. I don't need a worldly fix, cause my guns here.

I can't wait to get to heaven like we all here. Father, them souls is waiting outside. I had to go outside for those who outside. I pray you touch you deep inside. I want your outside.

But God, you said it's about that time. Father, you saved my life like you have all my time. It was waiting outside. I had to go outside. For those who have I pray he touched you deep inside.

I once was outside, but God, you said it's about that time. Father, you saved my life like you have all my time. I are Oh, my God. Spirit haunting might Jesus you have all my life like Even when it's hard sometimes, feel like falling off in sight. Or feel I don't wanna try to remember who's on my side.

So, God, I thank you, Lord. For family, thank you, Lord. Your Trinity, thank you, Lord. Your hand on me, I thank you, Lord. I praise those who outside can't get enough and they ask for more.

Yeah, I pray through lost souls, you're the only one they asking for. Like for the who? News that you will be my love too. Ooh, ooh, do you a marry good too? Ooh, ooh.

Not your word. That's pretty light. Blues, I thank you, Jesus, cause you my girlfriend. Go outside for those who outside. I pray you touch you deep inside.

I want you as outside. But God, you said it's about that time. Father, you saved my life like you have all my time. It was waiting outside. Yeah.

Oh sad. Too outside, I pray you touch you deep inside. I once was outside, but God, you said it's about that time. Father, you saved my life like you have all my time. Romania, I was out of Mike don't Cheese guy.

So now I'm fighting for love Mm. From my father above, so I ask God every day to give me strength. Cause Jesus, when I fight, the devil's trying to take my sins. Matter what he trying, got his through my eye. On my knees, I'ma fight.

He just by my side now. Praise take away Jesus is the name break your chains Holy Spirit Every stain every day, I will praise his name till I'm in the grave. Never play with his by my eye. I think I'm so. I had to go outside.

But those who outside, I pray you touch you deep inside. I want you as outside. God, you said it's about that time, Father. You saved my life like you have home. My time was late outside.

I had to go outside for those. Outside, I pray he touched you deep inside. I once was outside, but God, you said it's about that time. Father, you saved my life like you have all my time. Yeah, listen to every listener upon this right now.

Whoever's listening right now, I'm here to tell you that Jesus loves you. Jesus has a plan for your life. He loves you so much that he went outside the box. He went outside of his spiritual realm into the physical to become a human and show you what life is. You can defeat the dirty devil and get to his gates.

So, I'm here to tell you right now to go outside, not only physically, but spiritually and mentally, for you to go outside the box of what you want for yourself, and for you to want what Jesus has for you. I'm here to tell you in the mighty name of Jesus that no action has gone unseen. And for you to go outside and preach that word in the mighty name of Jesus. Father, this soul is waiting outside. I had to go outside for those who are outside.

I pray you touch you deep inside. I once was outside. But God, you said it's about that time. Father, you saved my life like you have. Oh my.

Time it was raining outside. I had to go outside for those who were outside. I pray he touched you deep inside. I once was outside, but God, you said it's about that time. Father, you saved my life like you have all my time, yeah.

Nobody wants to strike out, but it's batter up.

Well everybody trying to get their status up. The pressures of the world, it's like we have to front. I was stunting too and Callie up in that caddy truck. But the big corporations probably cracking up Cause vanity is so expensive, you could add it up See dudes will spend they rent money at the club And girls will drop racks on plastic jugs in a fatter butt. I see patrons still pouring Never been out the country but you wanna ride foreign And though you no longer on the block every morning I can see your mind state never made it off the corner I say try to focus on what's important Learn to state your claim and credit the sources Learn to separate the truth from a falsehood Don't just let life take its course, go take some courses I know it's hard to stay focused when post-traumatic stress symptoms surface any moment.

Make it past 25 is what I was hoping hard to let it go like frozen. I don't wanna build a snowman. I'm from where selling drugs is a rite of passage. We pack house parties like Forget a Fire has it. People out here dying and we just dying laughing, disregarding feelings even though that stuff kinda matters.

You see, I'm just barely crawling out. Too many blunts, too many girls for me to talk about. Too many bad moves for me to write a song about. My heart was cold and stiff, I was hoping someone could saw me out. It's crazy out here, you'll have to pardon us.

Speeding down the highway to hell on a party bus. Truth and evil inhumanities and all of us affects us to the core, but in my heart, it's more obvious. Beloved black man, who distorted your vision? Is it them images you see on television? Is it your homies either dead or in prison?

Got you thinking God's kingdom is a white man's religion? My dear white man, who distorted your vision? I could understand why you so defensive. But it's never personal when I talk about racism, the sin of oppression left us all victims. See, I believe the king came for us.

Killed by his own people, then rose again as the Lord. But all that spiritual talk is just sounding like some noise when there's no water in Flint and no jobs in Detroit. See who was Jesus to my people up the street? McDonald's, KFC, Burger King, we gotta eat. There ain't no Whole Foods, but the liquor store is full.

And my favorite song says it goes perfectly with some weed. See how we supposed to understand God's promise. They throw the Bible at us, but don't talk about our problems. Rich or die trying that was everybody's mantra Give a poor man money But don't teach them economics.

So when they tell them crime pays, it's like, why not? And after you make that first stack, it's like, why stop? I know it may lead to a cell or a pine box. Blind person supposed to watch their own blind spots. My dear Democrat, who distorted your vision?

I feel your vibe, I can see you protesting. But sometimes it don't match with the way that I see you living.

So I wonder if it's real or if it's just for the election. My dear conservative, who distorted your vision? I know you love God and say you claim Christian, but you never even mentioned the corrupt social system.

So we don't need your theology, we just want you to listen. See blind spots, everybody has them.

Some of us don't know the four walls that we've been trapped in. Don't wanna know God, we just wanna rely on the pastor. As a result, we confuse passion with compassion. Like I understand tragedy and abortion, but some parts of the world are Child should never be born in. I believe in God's word.

But how we gonna enforce it? When everybody's vision is distorted, man. My dear brother. Who distorted your vision? You don't even know how to ask for what you missing For example's a man who set you up from the beginning Now you grown and it's affecting the way you treating our women My dear sister say who distorted your vision?

Don't forget you were made in God's image. The moment. We live sight, the more we just keep sinning. It's too late to say that we was just kidding. Listen.

Will you walk alongside me while I'm on this road? And put me on to the things that I may not have known? Will you come alongside me while I'm in this life? Or will you stand aside and judge when I don't seem to get it right? This world is dark and it gets colder than the winter's night.

But when I share in someone else's story, then it gives me life. I wanna bring a different light. I think about my homies from the block who've never had a boss that's black or a friend that's white. I just wanna open our eyes. The more I look around, the more I realize we're blind.

I'm out my comfort zone like how ignorant was I? Whoever said what you don't know can't hurt you. That's a lie. That's a lie. This is for anyone that's felt like the victim.

For the men, women, and children trying to figure out this system. What we call foolishness, God may just call wisdom.

So may he grant his 2020 vision to our blind spots. Blind spots. Blind spots. You're listening to Bridging the Gap.

Now you shall see only a poor reflection. as in a mirror. But then we shall see face to face.

Now I know in part. but then I shall know wholly. even as I am fully known. First off, praise to the Most High. Glory is you and you are the ruler.

It's in you that my hope lies. Coke. No lie, no right, I don't play both sides. Been sold out with the windows down, truth music blowing out the whip so loud to repent when I rode by Got over money, my click if you with it I know when you ride out The whole world finna die out Why hide now? Fourth down and a fourth, no time out Not in no upper room, do what you come to do, we ain't gonna hide out.

I ain't here to punish you. Jesus is coming soon. Hate it alive. Yeah. You gonna find out AC is saying, Well, the only reason you were because you were afraid of him.

But I believe in hell. Was 100% real when I was still a pop tier chasing males, straight raising hell. Preparing to be real, but literally fake. I sip with a cheat male. Pretending to eat stake, I live with a cheap field.

Pretending to be great, tell everything great. Never been to the top, but I seen the bottom.

Well, at least I seen what I think is bottom. But we all believe that we'd have seen it all until we meet somebody from beneath the bottom. And the things we wind up about daily, they don't even see as problems. Honestly, with all I've been seeing, it's kinda hard not to. Think that we the problem.

Hold up, wait, let it breathe, hold up, wait, let it breathe, hold up, wait, let it breathe, hold out, wait, okay, come on in the air. If you know it's the only time we against the word, don't we not even know the line, don't let all of us no shot. We roll for the DO to the D, the elite photo no not to play. Hit the B code for the days of the police, no touch cheers again. today.

If I wasn't trying to be cool Food on top of my plate, but that's not my plate.

So I'ma get back in my tone. Try to level through the crap they be on. I know the dealer and the thief both need Jesus, but it's so dang hard. Nobody selling that crack to my folk, trying to get them back in that hole feeling like I'm in This battle belongs to the cats that are actively out here. matters after what matters the most.

Hold up. Quick, dead brew. Hold up, wait, let it pray, hold up, wait, let it pray, hold up, wait, okay. Here in praise, I'm in love, take no time. We against the mind, oh we learn to buck.

Surrender to the night of the lambos, no shine. We're taking the words that they speak. This is it, yeah. Tell him what this girl tell me was this girl.