These are moments, when we witness the relationships that God kindles within the lives of His people. They remind us, of the promise of our connectionism. Zion will always be relevant because of the relationships built and broken therein. And God still interrupts our proceedings for His Glory.

What was your relationship with God like four years ago, during the last Quadrennial Convention? Have you grown in God since then or abandoned Him? Have you learned to love Him or decided to doubt Him?

–

Rev. Vajaah E. Parker
VCYC President 2006-2010

Monday: Refrain from watching Television
Scripture: Psalm 119: 9-11 (am) 2 Timothy 3:10-17 (am) | Matthew 21:12-17 (pm)
Action: Meditate on understanding and the importance of God’s Word. Read the Bible and exercise in place of watching television.

Tuesday: Refrain from using Cell Phones
(Exceptions: Evangelistic purposes or Emergencies.)
Scripture: Philippians 4:4-7 (am) Colossians 4: 2-6 (am) | Matthew 25:1-13 (pm)
Action: Pray for something or someone that you never have before. Send scriptural text messages to unsaved friends.

Wednesday: Avoid the Internet
(Exceptions: School Work and Emergencies.)
Scripture: II Corinthians 5:11-21 (am) Ephesians 3:14-19 (am) | Luke 22:14-30 (pm)
Action: Pray over your broken relationships. Show the love of God to everyone you encounter. Use the time usually spent on the internet to help someone in need.

Thursday: Refrain from eating food from Sun Up Until Sun Down (6:30am-7:00pm)
Scripture: I Corinthians 6:12-20 (am)Matthew 6: 16-18 (am) | John 13:1-17 (pm)
Action: Ask God to show you those things that you focus on more than Him. Ask Him to remove them. Pray when you are tempted to eat. Exercise!

Friday: Don’t Attend Social Gathering (No movies, clubs, parties, skating, bowling, etc.)
Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:11-16 (am) Isaiah 55: 6-7 (am) | Mark 15:25-38 (pm)
Action: Meditate on making your relationship with God stronger. . Attend a Good Friday service!

Saturday: Avoid “Fast” Food. Refrain from eating at Fast Food restaurants (ex: McDonald’s, Pizza Hut, Wendy’s)
Scripture: Mark 15:40-47 (am) Psalms 92: 1-4 (am) | Psalms 98: 1-6 (pm)
Action: Praise God today by singing songs of praise all day.

Sunday: Attend Worship
Scripture: John 20:1-19 (am) Psalm 66:1-7 (am) Matthew 28:16-20 (am)
Action: Attend a sunrise service. Sit closer to the front of the church. Decide to worship God without concern for what others may think!

DOWNLOAD the Overview, Prayers and Schedule HERE!

There are quite a few things on my 2006-2010 VCYC to do list. I have to write, compile, produce, create, mobilize, communicate and follow through! <== That was a lot of verbs.

Here’s what will happen ASAP:

• I need to check our GMail email account. #Fail
• Add two youth (13-18) who are both young AND young at heart to the planning committee for quad convention. (If that’s you, comment to volunteer).
• Organize a documentary initiative for youth, journeying towards Quad Convention. (An idea I’d love to take credit for but creation value goes to Guy Sanders from LA.)
• Figure out what happened with the innovative Executive Committee initiative concerning Google-Groups that never quite seemed to get finished.
• Mobilize the 5 volunteers from Winter Meeting 2009 who offered themselves to maintain this website. (I haven’t forgotten about you and desperately need your help.)

Whew. Let’s Rock.
Vajaah

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

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

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

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

Check back frequently, we’re going to keep this site full of new posts! We’ll also have Winter Meeting 2009 contest announcements that YOU WILL NOT want to miss. Important information about the Constitutional Convention will be released! This website will be a place where youth of Zion can come and be blessed, chill, learn, interact, read, write, code, etc.!

Tell a friend. Change your statuses. Spread the word. Read the posts! Don’t forget TO COMMENT… You might as well comment on THIS POST, before you forget

Want to write a blog post? Email it to vcycamez@gmail.com Topics are as broad as your interest but will be edited if necessary. Please attach a related image!

Vajaah E. Parker
President 2006-2010

I thought I would miss it but I actually feel liberated! If you have ever contemplated going natural, I would encourage you to do so…it’s worth it! However you must realize, going natural is a journey but it’s worth it! I will keep you informed of my personal journey with going natural.

Also, Chris Rock has a movie scheduled to be released in October called “Good Hair.” Check it out…it’s informative with a comical twist.

Tiffany C. Evans
Corresponding Secretary 2006-2010

For those who may not know, on December 20, 2008 I was involved in a fatal head on collision accident. I sustained several major fractures in my right leg, shattered knee cap, broken arm, and lung damage. I underwent three surgeries to repair broken bones along with my knee cap. I was hospitalized for 14 days then released to go home and rest. This situation was roller coaster for lack of a better word, there are some aspects that I am still processing and dealing with. During my time of recovery, many people tried to discouraged me from living my life. It was suggested by doctors and therapists that I shouldn’t stay in school during the spring semester (my LAST semester of undergraduate). When people spoke to me about the difficulties which faced me they were so somber…admittedly, there were times my spirit was low but I know without a doubt the God that covered me during that FATAL accident would continue to protect and provide. Ok…(trying to regain some composure here)…the God that opened blinded eyes, raised Lazarus from the dead, and provided for the multitudes is STILL in the blessing business. On May 09, 2009, I graduated from the University of Louisville…not only did I graduate but I received honors within my department and was accepted into my graduate program! To God be the glory!

I also would like to offer some encouragement. As a result of my car accident, my personal relationship God has grown immensely. In life we are hit by so tasks and situations that seem unbearable but regardless of that feelings, you must remember the promises of God. He promised never to leave us nor forsake us. If you’ve ever doubted of the power of God, I’m your living proof…God will pull you through! Just trust Him!!!

Tiffany C. Evans
Corresponding Secretary 2006-2010