February 2022 Newsletter
A Message from Pastor Ronald McCray
Blessings to each of you! We have officially made it to the second month of the new year and God has been doing some amazing things! As we are preparing to embark into our consecration for the month of February, I want to encourage you to stay focused! As we talked about during our Watch Night Service "Don't Lose Your Focus" coming from Genesis 19:24-26. We must remain focused and in pursuit of what God has called and commissioned us to do. Just like Lot, we are in a place that is trying to distract us from Him. The key in not falling for the distractions that come is to OBEY WHAT HE SAYS! It is through your act of obedience that brings about favor and divine resources. Obey when it's easy, Obey when it's hard. Just OBEY, and watch God do some amazing things in your life. Trust His plan, He knows what He's doing! Pastor Ronald R. McCrayLead Pastor, TODCIn - Person Services Have Begun!
by Talisha Smith
This month we began to have in- person service on Sunday Nights at 5PM. God has been meeting us in a mighty way every night! Our new members were able to receive their membership certificates. We have had some members join in these past few weeks and others that have come under watch care and we've seen souls be saved. We are looking forward to what God is going to do next through Tower of Deliverance! 
21 Days of Consecration OverviewThe 21 Days of Consecration is designed to help us grow in our relationship with God and become better in body, mind, soul, and spirit. It includes a partial fast, daily prayer, scripture readings and exercise. “Partial” fast means that we will eliminate some common things from our daily diet but will have generous options available. We have provided a list of foods to eat and foods to avoid during the fast.***If you have any known medical conditions or think you have a medical condition, consult your doctor before beginning the fast. ***Who Is the Consecration For?Any Adults over the age of 18 and children under the age of 18 as directed by their household. We are asking that adults fast from certain foods for 21 days and fasting from social media for one week. Youth in 6th – 12th grade is requested to fast from social media for one week and as directed by household.Fasting from Social MediaAs part of our 21 Days of Consecration, we are fasting from social media. Social media is not bad in and of itself; it is rather the way it is used that makes it good or bad.
One of the reasons we are fasting from social media for a time is because statistics show that people spend at least 2.5 hours per day on social media. During this time of consecration, we want to focus in on God, and take time for self-examination, study of God’s Word and the other disciplines included in our consecration fast. Our Pastors have shared with us that we are fasting for a cause – we can use the time we would have spent on social media connecting with God in prayer and connecting with our families. Additionally, social media, while it can be used for good, is notorious for spreading negative and ungodly images, messaging, videos and more. During our 21 Days of Consecration, we really want to focus on things that are positive, uplifting, and godly.
We are asking everyone participating in the fast, both adults and youth, to refrain from using social media that is not related to work or schoolwork for seven days – from Sunday, February 13th at midnight to Sunday, February 20th at 12:00 (noon).Consecration Schedule
Consecration and Prayer Schedule – February 2022The Fast will begin on February 6th at 12:00am (midnight) and ends on February 27th at 4pm***Except for Sunday’s***Fast hours will be as follows: Monday-Friday: 12:00am (midnight) until 3pmSaturday’s 12am (midnight until 12noon**Week 2 (February 13th-Feburary 20th) will be an absolute fasting from all social media outlets for the entire week**
Consecration - Foods to Eat:
All foods may be eaten raw, steamed, grilled, or sautéed (in light, very small amount of oil) and you may add seasonings.All Fruits: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Some examples are apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, and watermelon.All Vegetables: These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced, or canned. Some examples are artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, and popcorn with no butter. (You may eat veggie burgers. May contain egg whites, etc. – that's okay).All Whole Grains: Some examples are whole wheat, brown rice, plain whole grain cereals, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn. Cereal should have 5 grams of sugar or less per serving.All Nuts and Seeds: Some examples are sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame seeds and walnuts. Also, all-natural peanut butter.All Legumes: These can be canned or dried. Some examples include dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.Oils: Some examples are olive, canola, peanut, sesame, vegetable.Salad Dressings: Any vinaigrette or Italian dressing.Beverages: Water (try to drink at least five (5) 8 oz. glasses each day), teas, carbonated fruit juice, plant-based milks (some examples are soy, almond, rice) and 100% fruit/vegetable juice.Other: Tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, lemon sauce, salsa, mustard, all-fruit sugar free jellies, herbs and spices.Certain Meats and Animal products: Fish and poultry are okay, must be baked nothing fried.
Consecration - Foods to AvoidAvoid eating the foods below. Some exceptions have been noted.Certain Meat and Animal products: Some examples are beef, lamb, pork, seafood, and eggs. All dairy products: Some examples are milk, cheese, cream, butter, margarine, and any spreads. Sweeteners: Some examples are sugar and raw sugar.EXCEPTION: You may use substitute sweeteners. All refined and processed food products: Some examples are artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives. All Foods that are Fried in Oil: Some examples are French fries, onion rings, homestyle potatoes, etc. All solid fats: Some examples are shortening, lard and foods high in fat. Sauces: Some examples are steak sauce, barbecue sauce, marinara sauce, gravies, sweet and sour sauce, teriyaki sauce, butter sauce, lemon butter sauce, cream sauce, brown sauce, white sauce, hollandaise, remoulade, tartar sauce, pesto sauce, fruit sauce, caramel sauce, butterscotch sauce, chocolate sauce, hot fudge sauce, cream cheese, mayonnaise, or any form of spread, etc. Beverages: Soda, energy drinks, and alcohol (which we don't drink anyway), coffee. Other: Candy and dessertsConsecration Fast Meal IdeasBREAKFAST• OATMEAL WITH FRUIT• CEREAL WITH ALMOND MILK AND FRUIT• WHEAT TOAST• FRUIT SMOOTHIE• COFFEE WITH NON-DAIRY CREAMER AND SUBSTITUTE SWEETENERLUNCH / DINNER• POWER BOWL• LETTUCE OR KALE• BEANS• BROWN OR WILD RICE• CHOPPED WALNUTS• SESAME SEEDS• VEGGIE BURGER/VEGGIE CHICKEN PATTY ON WHOLE WHEAT BUN WITH MUSTARD, SIDESALAD AND JUICE/WATER• VEGGIE SANDWICH• LETTUCE MIX• SPINACH• RED / YELLOW BELL PEPPERS• ONION• BLACK OLIVES• YOUR FAVORITE VEGGIES• VEGGIES AND RICE• PEANUT BUTTER AND JELLY SANDWICH WITH MULTIGRAIN CHIPSConsecration FAQ'sQ. What about pasta?A. Make sure the label says whole wheat pasta.Q. How do I get enough protein in my diet while on the fast? A. The following are some of the protein-rich foods that are allowed on the Consecration Fast: almonds, sunflower seeds, lentils, quinoa, brown rice, split peas, whole grains, tofu and soy meat products. Q. What kind of peanut butter is allowed? A. Natural peanut butter. Q. What about salad dressing? A. You may use any vinaigrettes or Italian dressing.Q. Can I eat at restaurants?A. Yes, however, be mindful - you are on the Consecration Fast.Q. What about bread?A. You can eat whole wheat bread.Q. Can I eat popcorn?A. Yes, without butter.Q. How much can I eat?A. If they are the appropriate foods, we recommend eating until satisfied.Q. How much water should I drink?A. Try to drink at least five (5) 8 oz. glasses of water each day.
Coming up in February!
We will begin preparing for Pastor McCrays official installation as Pastor in the month of February. The installation date is March 6, 2022, so we are coming so close! We will have a meeting on February 5th after corporate prayer to discuss what will be expected of the membership of Tower of Deliverance. Our Chief Joshua Smith and the installation committee will be on to answer any questions that you have and you will have an opportunity to volunteer for that day.