Greetings!

"What lies behind us, and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us." (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

This quote by Ralph Waldo Emerson is the perfect quote, because it says nothing is impossible—especially for those who believe…

It confirms my belief that mistakes of the past or even those in the future only serve to grow us into the people God has made us to be. The Bible says that “greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.” I believe that…and if He (God) is in us…what lies within us is powerful.

Today, I celebrate my sister receiving her Master’s Degree. As I pondered her struggles through long nights and even longer papers, I realized how far God had brought us both. See, she is not my birth sister, but she couldn’t be more my sister than if we were born from the same parents. Our births into this world may have come at totally different times, under totally different circumstances, but God had a plan for our lives, and our paths were destined to cross.

It has been an honor to serve in ministry with her, and I look forward to the things God is leading us to. He has used our individual strengths to bless one another, which in turn has allowed us to be able to bless others. That’s how God works. He knows what we need, and at the appointed time…he provides.

We find ourselves many times heading in the same direction, on the same road, but heading down our own paths. I think God does that so that we will have someone to encourage us when we feel like the road may be getting a little too narrow…and it has been rough sometimes, but whenever I wanted to give up she would come alongside me to let me know that it would all be alright if I just kept my focus on the Master.

So, I would like to publicly thank her for always being a friend. I pray that no matter where our paths may lead us that we will always be “sisters” in and out of ministry. I pray that God blesses her in ways she hasn’t even thought of yet, and that He opens doors for her that no man can shut…

Until next time…

Be blessed

 

Greetings!

“For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”  –2 Corinthians 5:1

This week, I want to dedicate this blog post to my niece, Sandi.

Recently, I read the scripture above at my niece’s funeral. Actually, I read 2 Corinthians 4:16-5:1, but when I got to the last line, I felt like I was about to take off. I could feel my spirit about to take flight. When my nephew asked me to read the New Testament scripture, I wanted to do a good job. He had never asked me to do anything before, so I wanted to make sure I didn’t let him down. I wanted to find something that really fit my niece…something that spoke to the person she was.  When I came across this scripture, it wouldn’t let me go. This scripture says that no matter what is going on with our physical bodies; it is only temporary…because where I’m going that old body won’t be needed. Praise God!

Sandi had suffered a lot over the last few years, but she never complained, and she never quit. Her physical body may have been under attack, but her spiritual body was getting stronger and stronger every day. She knew who she was in the Lord, and she was ready. I think she knew her time was close, and she began speaking things to her loved ones…giving them directions, advice, and counsel. In recent years, her life had become dedicated to serving and helping others. I think she was always that type of person, but I came to know her through her marriage to my nephew. She was a special person, with an extraordinary ability to adapt. She seemed to be able to fit in wherever she went. That is a gift.

The funny thing is…I never really got to know her. I mean I had conversations with her…some very deep conversations about God, and faith, and it was evident that she loved the Lord, but I never knew her like some of the other people who spoke at the funeral did. They talked about her ability to write songs, design jewelry, and make art…I never knew about that part of her or maybe I did and just didn’t pay attention—and that was an eye-opener. I thank her for that, because even in her passing she was able to bless others. I won’t let life just happen to me anymore.

My goal is to ask my loved ones about their dreams, and visions, and desires. I want to know if there is a way I can help promote, encourage, or support them in whatever it is that God is calling them to do. I want to talk to them about God and how His desire is to bless them. To let them know that He loves them and that He stands waiting with His arms wide open. My prayer is that God will show me when, where, and how to do that and since I believe every word in His word…I know He will.

Rest well, my sister…well done.

Until next time…

Be blessed!

 

Greetings!

I sometimes forget that God does not look at us the way we look at ourselves. What I see in the mirror is totally different from what God sees. When He looks at me He sees His Son, Jesus Christ. I am covered by the blood of Jesus, so God no longer sees the me I used to be…He sees the me I will be. I thank Jesus for covering me and protecting me. For giving me a brand new start. I love knowing that I have another chance to get it right.

Tonight, I was given an award for basically being nice. I mean, my prayer is that God will allow me to be a blessing to someone every day and that He would send someone my way that needs a witness of Him. I pray that I honor Him well and that He smiles when my feet hit the floor in the morning. But, I don’t do the things I do expecting anything. At first, I wanted to turn the award down. Then, I realized that it was an honor to be selected and that it was not about what I thought, it was their way of giving thanks to the people who they felt believed in their vision…and I do. They help give hope to our children, and that’s a good work. I am proud of them for seeing the vision God had given them, and then doing what He had called them to do.

The organization is called, “It Takes a Village,” and the founders are Reverend Sean and Minister Larinda Fields. It is a faith based non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening individuals, families, and communities through a holistic approach of learning and teaching. We need more people to be dedicated to uplifting and empowering the next generation. There is so much work to be done, and God is calling all of us to do it. Your purpose may not be in running an organization; your part may be to encourage someone else to do it through the giving of your time, your talents or your funds. None of it can be done without the support of all of us. There is so much to do and it is all needed.

Believe in your own dream…if it is in your heart, God put it there. Don’t wait for a consensus…you many never get it. If you know you have been chosen to do a work for the Kingdom, pray and ask God to bless it and then trust Him to make that thing happen. He will guide you to resources that you did not even see. I love how He does that, and then know that when you take your first steps in faith—God will go with you…

Until next time…

Be blessed!

Greetings!

“This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.”  –Psalm 118:24(KJV)

 Today, no matter what is going on in your life—know that God is in control.

This day has been an emotional roller-coaster. When I started out for work this morning, the radio kept breaking in with a weather warning telling us that the area was under an extreme weather watch with hail storms expected in much of the state. Everything in me wanted to turn around, but I felt in my spirit that everything would be alright…so I kept going. I didn’t know that what was happening in the physical world would be manifested spiritually…

When I got to work, I received a text telling me that one of my nieces had passed away. At first, I felt this overwhelming sadness. We just recently buried my sister and I wasn’t ready to go through that whole process again. Actually, this niece was my sister’s daughter-in-law.  I was all ready to start feeling sorry for myself when God gave me a picture of my nephew. He not only lost his mother…he now had to bury his wife. I felt so selfish. Here I was thinking about myself when he had to try to figure out how to move from one devastating blow through the next one. Then, right in the middle of trying to sort out those emotions I received a text from my little cousin saying she had passed a certification test that she had been concerned about, and she was just praising God for His awesomeness.

I wasn’t sure how to feel. There is nothing that happens that is out of His reach. His plan is perfect, and if I have learned anything from my walk with God it’s that He is a keeper, and that everything He does has a purpose. He is in the details. When you put your life in God’s hands, you have to believe that He knows what’s best. When the word says that He won’t give you more than you can bear…you can believe that. I know in the depth of my soul that God would never let us experience unbearable pain without giving us something or someone to encourage us or comfort us through it. It may not seem like it, it may not look like it, you may not feel like it, but God is a way maker and He will make a way for you even in that desert place. Trust Him. Yes, it absolutely hurts. Anyone that says anything different is not dealing with the truth. I know for a fact that God is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all you can even think or imagine.

One day when you least expect it you will find yourself smiling…then laughing…and then you realize that you are still here and that God is still good. Life is a series of ups and downs, ins and outs. Don’t try to figure it out…just live the best life you can. Give much, love hard, forgive often, and keep your hand in God’s unchanging hand.

Until next time…

Be blessed!

                                                                                                                                                                    

Greetings!

Today, I was blessed to be present at the 95^th birthday party of one of the patriarchs of our neighborhood. It was awesome to see old friends. It allowed me to reminisce about growing up in the neighborhood. Many of our parents, siblings, and friends have passed away...some young, some old...and it was just good to get together to celebrate for a change.

Most of my friends have children of their own, and it was amazing to see how much they resembled their parents. We had fun trying to pick out their parents...some were just too obvious. Our families have always been close. There were probably five families in our circle…and when I think back as far as my mind will allow, they were there. Many of us grew up and left the area, so there are probably only a handful of people left in the old neighborhood.  Mr. Daniel is one of the last parents we have from that era. Our parents went through some tough times together, and when we were young, they all looked out for us.  

I never thought I would look back and be glad about all the whippings and punishments I received, but I am so grateful for parents who cared. They raised us to love the Lord, respect our elders, and help one another. Those are the same things that God wants from us today. He wants us to take our minds off ourselves and help someone else.

Our parents knew what it was like to struggle, and yet they still found time to call on a neighbor in need. I remember my mother taking a dish to a neighbor, speaking encouragement to one of my friends, and having my friend’s parents do the same thing for me. I miss that feeling of community. It’s good to look back every now and then, and remember the “good old days.” It helps us to appreciate where we came from.

Maybe it’s not too late to get some of that back.

Until next time…

Be blessed!