The Ministry of Women at the Altar: Pressure Between Spirit & Flesh

By Nederland M. Fulgencio

In this thought-provoking new book, Nederland Fulgencio provides an alternative view of the meaning behind an altar call. We dont have to know why a person walks down to the altar for prayer. We just know that independent of time and space, the altar is a transcendental experience. Tap into the tapestry of your intellect and the spiritual power God has available for you at the altar, where your interconnectedness with God and your earthly experience will be affirmed.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Mar 14, 2014
• ISBN: 9781490825885

Nederland M. Fulgencio

Nederland M. Fulgencio is the author of The Ministry of Women at the Altar: Pressure between Spirit & Flesh. She writes of present-day dealings with the character, action, and thought of passion, set deep within the heart of God, rooted in love and prayer.

Book preview

THE MINISTRY OF

Women

AT THE ALTAR

Pressure between Spirit & Flesh

NEDERLAND M. FULGENCIO

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Copyright © 2014 Nederland M. Fulgencio.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189. All rights reserved.

Scripture taken from the Amplified Bible, Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.

WestBow Press books may be ordered through booksellers or by contacting:

WestBow Press

A Division of Thomas Nelson & Zondervan

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

www.westbowpress.com

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2589-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2590-8 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-2588-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014902569

WestBow Press rev. date: 03/10/2014

Contents

Dedications

Acknowledgements

Preface

Chapter 1: Natural and Spiritual Synergy

Chapter 2: Jewels. Woman. God.

Chapter 3: Noah’s Wife

Chapter 4: Faith: Sarah’s Everyday Experience

Chapter 5: Rebekah: The Abraham Figure

Chapter 6: Rachel and Jacob’s Gut Feelings

Chapter 7: Isaac Newton’s Three Laws of Motion

Chapter 8: Women at the Altar

Dedications

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Papi Bello Jay-to-da-Chuck-Dee-Dunkin’-Nice, Your Loveable Spiritual Giant! Father God, Isaac Newton said, If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. Your Papi Bello’s gigantic spiritual harmony with You became my source of inspiration, giving me the idea for this book, Father God. Thank You for preserving him, his offspring, his legacy in Your Divine Health through the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ, by the Power of the Fire that is Your Holy Spirit’s Presence … Amen!

* * *

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your Brittany, Gabrielle and Justin! Thank You, Father God, for covering my children with the Precious Blood of Your Son Jesus Christ, by the Power of the Fire that is Your Holy Spirit’s Presence!

* * *

Acknowledgements

A very super, special thanks goes to Dilcia and Secundino Fulgencio, my Mom and Dad, my younger brothers, Dino and Gamaliel, my older sister Carmen Mappy, my grandmother Ana F. Carreño, and my grandfather José Carreño El Bate Negro, (que en paz descanse); I love you!

A very special thanks goes to Edward Foggs, Erica Hookfin

Nate B., Katie Diamond and Fatima Al-Mazrui at WestBow Press for your diligence and professionalism in the editing, design, and production of this book.

A very special thanks goes to Alicia, Anna, Barbara, Claudia, Dominique, Enji, Jessica LTL, LenaR, Leslie and Tanya— 2001, 2002, and 2003! Love you!

A very special thanks goes to Minister Sarah Benjamin, For the 700th time, leave it alone! You don’t have to do anything! Love my seminary colleagues Minister Sarah, Minister Courtney, Minister Patricia Caldwell, Pastor Mickey Correa, Pastor Donald Odom, and Pastor Darryl Bloodsaw!

A very special thanks goes to St. Clair O. Davis, William J. Choir Boy Evers, Darryl Gibbs, and Nora Tronto, the nicest, most down- to- earth bosses I have ever worked for. I must also thank William Mills, and these super women of God: Sue Ann Charles, Betty Stephens, Madeline Medero, and Maria Diaz!

A very special thanks goes to Dr. Wilson Perez-Escalante, Rev. Dr. Andy Torres, and Pastor Nancy Torres.

A very special gracias goes to prayerforce4 for helping me stay focused.

Preface

Dear Mr. July 7th,

This book was inspired by your desire to further the evolution of love in my life. To me you represent the epitome of honorable men. Gentlemen like you first revise their harmony with God when responding to a woman the way you did with me, then draw attention to and stand as champions of her spiritual, mental and physical needs—something so fundamental to all disciplines of her life.

I am grateful for your rapport with God at the altar because it became the theme that summarized what I am trying to offer in this book.

You definitely know who you are—and in Christ!

Love,

nederland

:1

* * *

In the beginning God created

the heavens and the earth.

—Genesis 1:1

* * *

The LORD is my light and my salvation;

Whom shall I fear?

The LORD is the strength of my life;

Of whom shall I be afraid?

—Psalm 27:1

* * *

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

—Psalm 46:1

* * *

Therefore, having been justified by faith,

we have peace with God

through our Lord Jesus Christ.

—Romans 5:1

* * *

There is therefore now no condemnation

to those who are in Christ Jesus,

who do not walk according to the flesh,

but according to the Spirit.

—Romans 8:1

* * *

I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that you present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy, acceptable to God,

which is your reasonable service.

—Romans 12:1

* * *

Therefore we also,

since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,

let us lay aside every weight,

and the sin which so easily ensnares us,

and let us run with endurance

the race that is set before us.

—Hebrews 12:1

* * *

:2–3

* * *

Truly I know it is so,

but how can a man be righteous before God?

If one wished to contend with Him,

he could not answer Him

one time out of a thousand.

—Job 9:2–3

* * *

Then the LORD answered me and said:

"Write the vision and make it plain on tablets,

that he may run who reads it.

For the vision is yet for an appointed time;

but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie.

Though it tarries, wait for it;

because it will surely come,

it will not tarry.

—Habakkuk 2:2–3

* * *

Thus says the LORD who made it,

the LORD who formed it to establish it

(the LORD is His name):

"Call to Me, and I will answer you,

and show you great and mighty things,

which you do not know."

—Jeremiah 33:2–3

* * *

When you pass through the waters,

I will be with you;

and through the rivers,

they shall not overflow you.

When you walk through the fire,

you shall not be burned,

nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the LORD your God,

the Holy One of Israel,

your Savior;

I gave Egypt for your ransom,

Ethiopia and Seba in your place.

—Isaiah 43:2–3

* * *

My brethren, count it all joy

when you fall into various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith

produces patience.

—James 1:2–3

* * *

Chapter 1

Natural and Spiritual Synergy

Coming together is a beginning.

Keeping together is progress.

Working together is success.

—Henry Ford

Creation was running smoothly until the love and respect of a woman, her man and their Lord God was beginning to blossom. Then something happened. As the man and the woman were being especially blessed by the Lord God, the connection between them was lost. What caused this breakdown? Where did the disturbance come from?

For a minute, the garden suddenly became wild and chaotic. But the unfortunate, unforeseen set of circumstances was all over in a matter of seconds, for that is all it took God and His team to quickly arrive at the scene in Eden to restore the rhythm of life.

The Lord God was nervous. Adam was the height of His creativity, the masterpiece of His image. He had just finished giving Adam and the woman their marriage license. All three were busy, busy, busy planning the wedding.

The Lord God was excited! They met every day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—like clockwork. The garden of Eden was about to witness its first wedding ever, and it was going to be an event to be remembered for all eternity!

It was almost time for the last and most interesting meal of the day. The Lord God couldn’t wait for them to see this new spot He scouted for the reception. He truly outdid Himself this time.

Adam arrived at the venue. The Lord God asked him, Where is your woman?

Adam replied, She asked to be excused; she got caught up with some last minute wedding details.

Please go get her, Adam, He said.

The Lord God looked around the garden. They were uncharacteristically late. He noticed the unusual silence that permeated the air. Where was the sound of Adam’s laughter? Where was the sound of the woman’s incessant chatter? Usually, Adam whistled as he made his way to the Lord God. And He could tell when the woman was getting ready, because she hummed a note or two. But there was nothing.

Finally, the Lord God called Adam, Where are you?

Before Adam had time to answer, to explain what happened, he and his wife found themselves being escorted out of the comfort of paradise.

Above everything else, guard your heart;

for it is the source of life’s consequences.

—Proverbs 4:23 NIV

According to an article in the Harvard Business Review, people who reject poisonous thoughts of hate but accept and engage in the act of being grateful instantly elevate themselves out of uncomfortable moral, intellectual, and social situations.¹

The Lord God was eager to show Adam how good love felt. Since God is love, and being in the beloved community felt wonderful, He wanted Adam to experience the joy of a love of his very own. By the same token, the Lord God was the first person the woman met before Adam. He was all she knew until He walked her over to him.

It was a very emotional moment for them all, because He prepared her well to be Adam’s companion. He needed to make sure there was a smooth transition when passing love from one heart to another. In order to be part of His realm, they both needed a special pouring of God’s love into their hearts. As a matter of fact, that continuous flow of love was the source of joy that would allow them the full enjoyment of the journey.

For starters, Adam’s loving relationship with the Lord God fueled his heart to pump love, love, and more love to all areas of his being. With this in mind, five senses made up the intimacy that permitted Adam to interact with the Lord God: he could see an other, hear an other, smell an other, taste an other, and touch an other.

Every breath of love Adam took fused him deeper and deeper into the Lord God. He didn’t even have to think about love; it happened naturally. He loved the Lord God very much. Theirs was a love that had no limit. It was a friendship nourished by trust. It was beautiful. It was sweet. Accordingly, it had to be strengthened frequently to be kept from weakening.

Be alert and of sober mind.

Your enemy the devil prowls around

like a roaring lion looking

for someone to devour.

—1 Peter 5:8 NIV

The Serpent could not stand the tender understanding with which the woman acquiesced to the guidance of two leaders, God and then Adam. Conversely, she was fond of her role in their lives. He knew she cherished the detailed memory of her first encounter with the Lord God: seeing the expression on His face, hearing His voice give her the same instructions He gave Adam, tasting the fruits of the garden as He gave her a tour on her way to Adam, smelling the flowers and the vegetables, and the joy of touching the wildlife. All this she thought of as she began penning her vows: I, woman, your suitable helper, bone of your bones, flesh of your flesh, your woman, made for you, (and you for me), take you, Adam, to be my husband, my constant friend, my one and only love. In the presence of the Lord God—whom I love with all my heart for putting us together in His garden—His family, His angels, and all these beautiful animals, I offer you my solemn vow to be your faithful partner in good times and in bad times. I promise to love you, to fully support you, to love you more, and to respect you.

Unbeknownst to her, the Serpent secretly planned on deliberately being hyper-critical, overbearing, and pushy, all to brandish his horns at the worst possible moment. The woman mulled over the animal guest list. Not only were all the animals the Lord God introduced her to invited to the wedding, they were also taking part in the reception festivities. All, except one. The woman did not invite the Serpent, who constantly tormented them.

Nonetheless, the Serpent proceeded with his nefarious scheme. He caused a commotion to get the woman’s attention. Then, with one swipe of a pseudo question, the woman was backed into a corner. She received unwanted input from the unwanted guest and was trapped either way she answered. He lashed her into a fury with his rage.

First, he spoke to her in the state of rest he found her in: calm and placid. A concord and alliance never existed between them. While the woman was always friendly, the Serpent, having been described as more cunning than any beast of the field (Genesis 3:1 NKJV), was always falsehearted. Then, to disturb that rest, he yelled at her, making her run nervous and stressed to her husband, managing to disturb his state of rest as well.

He said to the woman,

"Did God really say,

‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?"

The woman said to the serpent,

"We may eat fruit from the trees

in the garden, but God did say,

‘You must not eat fruit from the tree

that is in the middle of the garden,

and you must not touch it, or you will die.’"

You will not certainly die,

the serpent said to the woman.

"For God knows that when you eat from it

your eyes will be opened,

and you will be like God,

knowing good and evil."

(Genesis 3:1–5 NIV)

Suddenly, her heart started racing. She became lightheaded. She silently fumed at what she thought she heard through the brief exchange. I’ve been lied to all along? She was boiling inside. Love. What love? And that was the point: to block love so that she couldn’t reach out to God in time to sort through what was and wasn’t important. But it was too late. In the heat of the moment, her ability to see love was diminished.

In response to the yelling, the sweet sound of love was drowned out. The unnatural volume in which those harsh words were spoken stressed her out. She wasn’t able to sense God beckon her to pause and come over to Him right away. The fragrance of love made her stomach turn.

Hence, the conversation with the Serpent caused a rift with the Lord God. She now acted strange. When Adam gently touched her elbow, asking her what was wrong, she jerked her arm away. The words were so