Ironically, Burger King was one of the first phrases that I could spell. There was a location near the house where I was living when I was 3 or 4 years old and I would practice on my way to preschool.

When I became a little older, I got excited about the BK Club for Kids. They had a portion of the tray place mat to fill and turn in, after the mazes were played and the characters were colored in. I don’t even remember what the benefits of being a BK Club Kid were, but I was cool and I knew it.

Have you been to Burger King lately? I went today while on a road trip. I ordered a Kid’s Meal with 4 chicken nuggets, apple fries, apple juice and some awkward Playdo fossil maker. Apple fries, were one of the few healthy alternatives to the fast food joint’s grease and calories. I’m glad I cut a couple of calories by passing on the french fries. My diet is haphazard, it’s something I need to work on.

How’s your diet? It’s easy to get caught up in the business of life and to set aside our health. Even though we make it through the day, bad habits always catch up with us!

Remember, our bodies are the temples of God and we can all use some building maintenance. Grab a piece of fruit. Take a walk. Pass on the church fundraiser, fried chicken dinner (don’t forget the donation though) and call the name of Jesus when you’re gobbling down that salad with low fat dressing instead of the buttermilk ranch dressing w/ a side of lettuce.

Vajaah E. Parker
VCYC President 2006-2010

I’m sure that we have all heard of the metamorphosis process that a caterpillar undergoes to become a butterfly. I had heard it numerous times, particularly in elementary school and also in sermons. The process is a popular illustration for spiritual transformation. This past Friday, Dr. Mary Love noted something ridiculously obvious, that I had never considered. She said, “Butterflies can never become caterpillars again. The transformation is complete.”

Wow. That’s the ideal scenario! A complete transformation! That should be our goal! That when we build up the courage to CHANGE and to TURN AWAY, that we maintain the strength, by grace to stay CHANGED. To sin less, not committing the same sin again. That’s our aim. That’s how our lives and the lives of our families, friends and communities are changed. That’s how our culture is changed. Not by us, blending in, but by our complete Godly transformation!

“So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.” (Romans 12:1-2, The Message Bible).

Vajaah E. Parker
VCYC President 2006-2010

Most of us are familiar with the story of Noah and the Ark, either way, take a moment and refresh your memory by reading Genesis 6.

The academic year has started for all of us and I find great encouragement in Noah being able to build the ark. I mean, if Noah can build an ark, I can get through this marking period, semester or year, to the Glory of God! Granted, Noah probably had some help, but so do we. Our greatest laborers are time management and discipline, so employ them well!

Dig a little deeper into getting work done for God by reading about Nehemiah and the Wall (Nehemiah Chapts. 1-7) after you finish reading about Noah and the Ark.

Vajaah E. Parker
VCYC President 2006-2010

Most would consider saying that the bible is sexy, is heretical. I’m not trying to be controversial, I just know that ’stylish’ or ‘attractive’ doesn’t sum up what I’m trying to convey about the New Testament publication that I held today. Perhaps, I just need a thesaurus, but for now… the bible, this bible, is downright, sexy.

Before you impeach and excommunicate me, check out Thomas Nelson’s BibleZine REAL. It is Matthew through Revelations, in a magazine format, with innovative colors, layouts, photography and fonts. The scripture is actually presented in such a way that youth, might just check out the Word of God… DAILY! And if you feel your eyes wandering from the text to other exciting graphics and scenarios, it is still copacetic, because you’ll still be reading the Word, commentary or relevant life applications.

The bottom line is that vCyc ought to be comprised of REAL CHRISTIANS throughout the A.M.E. Zion Church and if you’re a REAL CHRISTIAN then you READ the WORD. So do what you need to do and grab something off the shelves that you might actually enjoy looking at… God speaks, through the Bible. Peep it. Buy it.

Vajaah E. Parker
President 2006-2010