Live Out Loud Then Write About It!

YouAreInABadRelationshipIf

2012-02-08T13:52:00.002-05:00

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You're looking at the person you'rewith right now and you're still trying to convince yourself that this is the very best that youcan do!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Common sense told you monogamyis is the least of your worries!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You believe the more toxic itis, the better it will smell!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You now know how He or She feelsabout you only because of an argument!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You think Hate is a synonym forLove!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You have to fight so He or shewon't or can't leave!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You believe what's between yourlegs will lengthen His or Her stay!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You packed your bags and leftbut moved right into another relationship where you don't belong!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf The rope you're using to savethis relationship has already been cut, but you hang on anyway!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You actually know He or She iswith someone else, but as long as the bills get paid!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Getting beat up is nothingbecause He or She possesses Beauty and Brawn!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You are the weed in someoneelse's marriage and don't think you can be killed!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Your self- esteem is leaking dueto all the holes in your self -confidence!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Knowing He or She already had aSpouse didn't sway you one bit!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Settling for LESS means no MOREnights alone!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Every special moment takes placein a hotel under assumed names!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Delusions of grandeur has goadedyou into thinking this will be an Affair To Remember!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You'd rather follow LUST thanlet LOVE lead!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You don't see thatYOU are the Common Denominator in all the other bad ones too!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Physical, Mental or Verbal abuseis the only affection you can expect to receive!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You can't SUBTRACT this personnot ADDING to your life!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You haven't grasped thatMARRIAGE before SEX was God's plan before it was ever put in a dictionary!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You look in the mirror and onlysee their reflection!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You don't see that YOU are theCommon Denominator in all the other bad ones too!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You don't see the differencebetween "I love you, but" and "But I love you!"

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Playing house is easier thanpurchasing one after you've gotten married!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You already know what to expectbecause you've been here before!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You can't SUBTRACT this personnot ADDING to your life!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Compromising God's standards isthe standard you now live by!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You only answer when calledderogatory names!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Staying causes more harm thangood!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You look in the mirror and onlysee their reflection!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf His or Her strengths make youfeel insecure!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf His or Her insecurities make youfeel strong!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Valentine's Day truly is theonly day you're celebrated!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Compromising God's standards isthe standard you now live by!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You'd rather look through theirstuff than look the truth in the face!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You're only interested inchanging them while you stay the same!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You spend more time enabling ormaking excuses for them!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Your entire self WORTH isWRAPPED up in how much you WEIGH

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Another imperfect, fallibleperson completes you!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Sex is the only weapon in yourarsenal!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Manipulation is a form offoreplay!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf You're actually looking forwardto shacking up!

#YouAreInABadRelationshipIf Mediocrity gives you a warmfeeling!

A Womn's Worth!

2012-02-05T16:03:00.001-05:00

Earlier this morning I had an opportunity to speak into thelife of a young woman. Now what some people might call coincidence orhappenstance, I like to call divine appointments from God. Why? Because Ihonestly believe every person put in my path has been carefully orchestratednot by some genie in a bottle, but an awesome God who knows that I can beincredibly useful when needed. This young, very attractive woman was beatingherself up because she had apparently been stood up by a blind date. Whatshocked me is that she assumed that she had done something wrong. I suggestedthat she needn’t look at being stood up as rejection, but perhaps God hadintervened and protected her from danger. We do it all the time don’t we? Weassume it’s always our fault and not a loving, awesome, wonderful Father,namely God looking out for His little girls. What a beautiful thing to possess wisdom, and what abeautiful thing to be able to dispense it to young women who I pray will oneday pass it on. My heart has been extremely heavy lately for future generationsof women who’ve been immersed in a culture of what I like to call complete andutter foolishness. It saddens me to think many of our young women no longerseem to have hopes of becoming Doctors, Lawyers, Teachers, Engineers, orNurses. No, our young women would much rather star in a sex tape, or someridiculous reality show in hopes of bettering themselves. I swear sometimes Ifeel like I’m completely surrounded by a generation of wanna be starlets inplatform shoes, heavy eye shadow and spandex and it’s heartbreaking. I don’tthink I’ve ever seen it this bad, the lack of pride, morals and character. Ilook at some of these young women who are barely out of their teens and theylook so old. I wonder what they really see when they look in the mirror, andI’m not talking about the makeup, the tight clothing, I’m talking about theirself -esteem. It’s just my opinion, but the sexier a woman tries to appearoutwardly, the lower she seems to truly feel about her self- inwardly.

What I like to call my office is but a few strategicallyplaced Starbucks located within the 25 miles or so I happen to frequent duringthe course of the week. On any given day, I can expect to hear a boisterousgroup of women comparing their weight, children, SUV’s, houses, or theirhusband’s incomes. It’s maddening at times, to think some women actuallybelieve the sum of their worth is comprised of numbers. Why are we as women sohard on ourselves? Why does every single event in a woman’s life has to beabout who’s the skinniest, prettiest or fairest girl in the land? Why does ourentire existence have to revolve around our weight, breast size and our skincolor? Don’t you get sick of being held to impossible standards of beauty,being objectified, over looked and obstructed at every turn? What happened to us? What happened to the older generationof women who took the time to mentor and mold us? They can’t all be cougars,can they? Our fight didn’t stop with the right to vote, Roe vs. Wade or someman’s paycheck... or moving to the suburbs. There is still work to be done.There are countless women out there that need guidance. Prostitution, Human Trafficking,Pornography and these appalling reality shows have put scales over our eyes andnothing short of a Damascus Road experience will allow us to see again.

“Women have settled, somuch so that we’ve chosen to stand still in mediocrity.”- April Lashon

Checking In 29 January 2012

2012-01-29T20:58:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year Everyone! This is my first video of the New Year! It's just a few words to encourage you to go to the Word of God when you need to REGROUP, or to RECHARGE! God loves YOU and so do I, continue to speak only what he says about YOU!

The beautiful song playing in the back ground in none other than "HOME" by Brian Mcknight

Journal Entry 09 Januaru 2012

2012-01-09T13:39:00.001-05:00

2011 will arguably go down in history as one of the most chaotic years ever. I don’t know when I’ve seen more natural disasters, crimes against children, selfishness, greed, perversion, and just an utter collapse of morals and common decency. I’m not sure how everyone else fared, but I managed to come out quite unscathed, save a few minor personal skirmishes. Last January I lost one of my closest friends. I still cannot believe she’s gone, but when I am reminded of all the heartache, strife, confusion and suffering down here, there’s an overwhelming sense of closure. I had more than a few days though where I felt unsure, restless, and dispirited. There were days I didn’t feel as close to you as I should, but still I can’t think of a moment Lord when you weren’t there.

What will 2012 bring? Well, I honestly don’t know which is why I’ve been fasting since New Year’s Eve. Lord, I need answers, and the answers I need have not come from simply going through religious motions and routines. Fasting is a lifestyle. It is worship, it is a spiritual discipline, and it is putting things back in Godly order. 2011 brought with it a lot of chaos in my life, and most of it went undetected to the natural eye. With everything that’s within me, I truly believe 2012 is going to be a stellar year for me. Already I can feel my spiritual equilibrium balancing itself out. Already I feel the toxins leaving my body. Already I’m hearing you speak to me. Already I’m sensing you doing a new thing in me. I have asked you Lord to reveal yourself to me in fresh and exciting ways. I’ve asked you to rekindle my fire, my passion and my zeal for you. I’ve asked you to move on behalf of my friends, my family, strangers, and even my enemies.

That’s right enemies! It smiles in my face, it is my friend on Facebook, and it even follows my every check in on Foursquare. Sometimes these things puzzle me, but then I remember a famous line from The Godfather “Never hate your enemy because it affects your judgment”. My enemies are closer than I would like, but there must be some purpose for it. So I study them carefully. I listen to their lies, I watch it as it rolls its eyes at me, I make note every time it tells me it doesn’t like me behind a smile, I watch it pretend to serve your people, I watch it as tries to be seen by all the “right” people. I watch it as it questions why I’m being used. The enemy is a sneaky little rascal, especially the kind that attends church. I have a few “known” enemies like this Lord. You know, the kind of enemy that serves right alongside me in church every week knowing all the while that it hates me. It is really quite amusing to watch people go out of their way to disguise their dislike of people they don’t even know. You know me Lord, I cannot tolerate false humility, brownnosing, and counterfeits in church. Lord, I am asking for your protection where the enemy has placed a carefully hidden plot. Thank you for spiritual discernment and for exposing the enemy.

Already I sense a shift, already I see you moving mightily in my life. Too often I think we miss what you have for us because we are only looking for those BIG miracles, you know, the kind that sparkle, the kind that everybody can see, the kind that people just have to notice. Lord, I don’t mind the small miracles you know, the kind I used to overlook. I never used to think of how getting older was a blessing until you started calling my friends home. I will turn 41 year. Lord, I don’t want to just get older. I want to get wiser. I want to get better. I want to live. There are some places I’d still like to go. There are some things I would still like to do. There is the book I need to finish. There is the song still need to sing. None of this can happen without you. 2011 may have been muddled with turmoil, but I made it! If I had to a chance to live my life all over again, I would want to meet you in the exact same place. I trust you Lord in 2012 as I did in 2011, and when I trust you, worry doesn’t have much flexibility.

Amazed By Your Grace!

Saying No!

2011-12-20T13:18:00.001-05:00



	But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. Luke 5:16

	By some of today's standards, Jesus did not have a very effective ministry. He started late in life and only preached for a couple of years. He left towns and crowds who begged him to stay. He kept a low profile, commanding people he healed to not tell what the Lord had done. He liked to be by himself and took breaks all the time. With that track record, we might think that our ministry models could teach Jesus a thing or two about outreach. If you're active in church, you attend Sunday worship, Wednesday prayer meeting, lead a women’s Bible study, teach Sunday school, sing in the choir . . . the list could go on. And you never take a break, right? Of course not. Saying no to people in need is not something a Christian woman does, right? Taking time off makes us feel guilty. That's why studying Jesus' ministry is so important for us overachievers. When we look at his life, we see a Savior who knew his limits. Jesus chose whom to help and whom to say no to. Even though his time on earth was short, he still spent long hours alone. If Jesus did not view these rests as selfish or wasteful, why do we? And he didn't hesitate to tell women to slow down, either--remember Mary and Martha? Ladies, it's okay to say no. Go ahead--rest. Rejuvenate. Don't kid yourself into believing that you can't take a break. That kind of pride will only drive you to exhaustion. God the Creator rested on the seventh day. And Jesus constantly withdrew from the crowds to connect alone with the Father. Whatever your calling, it could not be more pressing or vital than Jesus' ministry was when he was on earth. Jesus took time off. He said no to people in need because he truly understood a key ingredient of a powerful ministry--constant refueling by God's strength. God commands you to rest. So just do it.

The Best Person for the Job May Not Be the One Who Can Do It Best

2011-12-08T17:39:00.000-05:00

August 23, 2010 in Business,Church,Church Planting,Leadership,Team Leadership with 5 Comments

Here is a principle you must understand for organizational efficiency:
Sometimes the best person for the job may not be the person who (you think) can do the job best.
Let me explain…
High capacity leaders struggle to let go of something they think they can do better. Most have a higher than normal sense of confidence in their abilities (this ego can be used for good or bad), so they believe they can best implement their ideas. Their drive for progress makes them doers by nature, so they often resist the process of delegation, even if they know it is the healthy thing to do for the organization, because they fear it won’t be done right unless they do it.
One key to solving this issue is for the leader to change visions from the specific project or function the leader desires to see completed to attention to the vision and overall success of the organization. Instead of seeing a project for the potential of pass/fail depending on who does it, begin to see the results of the total organization as the appropriate pass/fail scenario. In this approach, delegation becomes a key to moving projects forward, getting the entire team involved, developing new leaders, and completing all the tasks needed to successfully attain the organization’s goals and objectives.
Leader, if you tend to be a control freak, perhaps you don’t need to change your personality, as much as you need to change your vision. Delegating frees the leader to do those things he or she is most passionate about, most gifted to do, or things he or she never completes because there is never enough time to do them. Begin to see that the best person for the job may not be the person (in your most humble opinion…) who can do the job best.
Plus, chances are very good you will soon realize others can do the job equal to or better than you can.by Ron Edmonson
Are you a control freak? How do you deal with this?

EARLY SIGNS A NEW RELATIONSHIP WON'T LAST

2011-12-05T10:35:00.000-05:00

Choosing to invest in a new relationship directly affects your own level of personal happiness especially in the near-term … and so it is extremely important to keep your eyes and ears open, and be aware of any potential incompatibilities as early as possible. There is absolutely no shame nor harm in cutting one’s losses – because you are doing everyone a favor by
ending it early if you know in your heart that things will ultimately not work out. So what types of incompatibilities or behaviors should you as a single person be on the lookout for? The answer will be different for everyone – as each person has different tolerances and preferences. One good golden rule-of-thumb is - anything you notice right away that bugs you a little right now is guaranteed to bug the daylights out of you in the future … so always keep that in the back of your head.
Here is a quick list of early relationship-stoppers that pop into my mind ... Drama I’ve found that overly dramatic women are usually really good in bed – especially early in the relationship. Later on, however, you may find that your life has no peace – due to her drama. [Same applies to men, if you are a woman reading this.] Early signs of drama might include yelling, or other extreme behavior. Lack of consideration of others No matter how hot your date is – if he or she treats other people poorly, then it is only a matter of time before you can expect the same treatment. Destructive criticism Someone who always hands out criticism of others will eventually get on your nerves – especially when YOU eventually become the object of their criticism. Bad Hygiene People typically put their best efforts into their appearance when a relationship is new – so if you notice any evidence of poor hygiene early on, then it’s a safe bet that you haven’t seen anything yet. Appearance Just as with hygiene – whatever bugs you right away will increasingly haunt you later. Could be the way they dresses, their hair, tattoos, piercings, etc. Go with your gut feel on this kind of stuff. Jealousy A lot of people out in the world today are extremely jealous – and I personally find that quality terribly unattractive. If you notice any jealous behavior on your first date or two, then RUN (don’t walk) in the opposite direction. Obsessive Compulsive behavior Unless you also have the exact same OCD, then anyone with obsessive compulsive tendencies will probably drive you crazy in record time. Poor family interactions or relationships The way your date treats their other family members will show you how they treat the people who they are closest to. If you don’t meet the family right away, you can always ask about your date’s family – and pay close attention to the response!

Bad table manners
Maybe I’m obsessive compulsive about table manners – but someone who talks and eats, or chews with their mouth open, or has food on their face, or anything even remotely out of place just drives me nuts in a hurry. Makes me wonder if the person was raised by wolves or something.
Lack of intelligence
I should probably call this “intellectual incompatibility” but what I’m referring to is when you notice that your date just says dumb stuff. The flip side to this is – if you think your date uses words that are too big. ha ha If it bugs you now, then just wait!

Drinks too heavily
I’ve dated really just one woman who turned out to be a fairly consistent alcoholic – and although she was great in bed, her drinking got worse over time, and it eventually made her very unattractive to me. It also led to a lot of unnecessary drama. If you think they over-indulge early in the relationship, chances are good that you haven’t seen anything yet.
Smoking
No disrespect meant for the smokers out there, but I really cannot stand the smell of cigarette smoke – there is nothing more unattractive.
Major political or ideological differences
They say you should avoid discussing religion and politics – but either of those can be a source of extreme incompatibility in a relationship. I usually like to ask questions to figure out where a person stands (not make bold statements). And if I hear an answer that sounds like we have major differences in our way of thinking – then that’s certainly a sign.
Religion
I’ve never had relationship problems based on religion – but I know of others who have … and it usually was the result of one party being so absorbed in their particular faith that it caused them to insist on certain things. I’m talking about telling someone they would have to convert to their faith to marry them, etc. Or telling them they have to go to church with them. You get the idea – if one party has to insist upon it, there is a problem.

You might find yourself able to successfully tolerate ONE of the above incompatibilities - but if you notice two or more, then you might just be delaying the inevitable by not ending the relationship. You can always be friends ;o) Or you can simply drink more, and see where that takes you. ha ha

What other early signs that a new relationship won’t last can you think of? Please put your thoughts in the ADD COMMENT section below. We also have a Midlife Forum here where we discuss this kind of stuff.

(Excerpted from the MidLifeBachelor .com

Comments on this Article?

The Power of Partnership

2011-12-01T15:19:00.001-05:00



	Whenever I pray, I make my requests for all of you with joy, for you have been my partners in spreading the Good News about Christ from the time you first heard it until now. Philippians 1:4-5

	Partnership is the ability to accomplish more together than apart. It recognizes that a team is stronger than a lone individual. A group committed to each other will help the struggling and the fallen. Mother Teresa said, "You can do what I cannot do. I can do what you cannot do. Together, we can do great things." An anonymous author wrote, "It is better to have one person working with you, than three working for you." Andrew Carnegie confessed, "I owe whatever success I have attained, by and large, to my ability to surround myself with people who are smarter than I am." John Wooden, perhaps the greatest basketball coach of all time, reminded his team, "The man who puts the ball through the hoop has ten hands." Call it whatever you want--teamwork, association, synergy--partnership is the remarkable ability of two or more people working together to accomplish more than what each could do alone. This truth is a fit reminder to God's people that when we are working together in harmony, the talents and gifts of the body minimize the weaknesses and shortcomings of the body, thereby making a stronger unit. Just as a baseball team needs nine players on the field or the game is forfeited, the local church needs everyone participating, or the strength of the body is weakened and the advancement of the gospel is threatened. If you took away one musician from an orchestra, the symphony would be incomplete. So, too, if one member of the family of God is missing, the church is incomplete. We need each other. You need someone, and someone needs you. Tyndale Pulisher's

Types of Men

2011-11-18T14:42:00.000-05:00

TYPES OF MENMay 31, 2010

Just for the ladies - here is a good list of different TYPES OF MEN out there in the dating world.

Men can be more than one of these "types", and can exhibit these tendencies to varying degrees ...

Types of Men - Handy
He will paint your home, fix your appliances and / or your car, etc., and love doing it. Put this guy to work while you've got him.

Types of Men - Parasite
He needs you to pay for your dates with him, and he may be in a hurry to move in with you. He is most likely to be Handy (see above, Types of Men -

Handy) ... although not all Handy men are Parasites.

Types of Men - Sports Fanatic

He will always watch the game, no matter what. Don't mess with his TV, or with him when the game is on!

Types of Men - Cheap

He can make a penny scream for mercy. If the two of you are ever homeless, then he will be a real asset to have around.

Types of Men - Hedonist or Self-Gratifier

He is dedicated to all pleasures the world can offer him. He can be mild or extreme. A "mild" case might enjoy a good cigar, or maybe a $100 bottle of wine. A "severe" case might enjoy hookers and cocaine.

Types of Men - Big Fish

He runs a major business or corporation or similar, and has enormous financial resources at his disposal. Could have Hedonist tendencies.

Types of Men - Cheater

He will cheat on you, no matter what. May or may not be a Big Fish. Definitely a Hedonist. Try not to take his cheating personally ... he cheats on everyone. He lies to you all the time - whether you realize it, or not.

Types of Men - Dictator

He runs the show, period ... at work, at home, and in a relationship. It is "his way or the highway" all the time.

Types of Men - Bully

A "Bully" is a "Dictator" with a very bad temper. He will yell or threaten, and/or go into a fit of rage. He has a lot of testosterone, and likes to physically fight. This could be a male equivalent of our Types of Women - Psycho.

Types of Men - Mama's Boy

He will agree with everything you say, and do whatever you want at all times. He is a pleaser, and must always have a woman in his life. He may still live at home.

Types of Men - Sensitive

He wants to talk about his feelings and your feelings, too ... all the time. The rest of us men find this guy incredibly annoying - so don't bring him around us.

Types of Men - Emotionally Disconnected

He does not talk when he is upset, nor does he say "I love you" when he probably does. He keeps it all to himself. When he dumps you, you may never know why.

Types of Men - Slob

He allows everything (including his own body) to run down. He has no clue that his house smells funny, and the litter box needs to be emptied. You will find dirty dishes in his kitchen sink.

Types of Men - Underachiever

He has a college degree but works at a low-paying job. You will probably wind up having to support him financially at some point.

Types of Men - Overachiever

To him, it is all about getting everything he can. He is very work-focused, and has no time for anything else ... especially not for you.

Types of Men - Stalker

He is constantly concerned with where you are, what you are doing, who you are with, and what you are thinking. He will track you without your knowledge. If you find yourself dating a stalker, then you should end the relationship immediately, and possibly seek a restraining order. This is the male equivalent to our Types of Women - Stalker.

Types of Men - Negative

He believes that nothing or no one is any good. The world is against him (and you will be, too, at some point - or so he believes). Everything he loves goes away. Check his medicine cabinet.

Types of Men - Addict

He enjoys his poison ... whether it is alcohol, drugs, or whatever. It is all about the chemicals. If you want to keep him, then try not to interrupt his buzz.

Types of Men - Mentally Ill

Something is wrong with this guy, and you just are not sure what it is at first. He has biochemical problems in his brain, and is on disability or social security. Could also be an Addict. Best to stay away from this guy.

Types of Men - Arrogant

He is better than everyone, looks down upon the world, and looks down upon you ... for whatever reason. This is unlikely to change.

Types of Men - Perfect

He is well-balanced, emotionally- and financially-sound, respectful, and a family-oriented guy. Good luck finding one of these - he may not exist.

Types of Men - Jackpot

Whichever qualities are most important to you - he has them all, and more. He is probably rich, too. This is the male equivalent of our Types of Women - Jackpot.

(Taken from the MidlifeBachelor.com)

Get Some Rest Before You.......

2011-11-04T19:23:00.002-04:00

Life can change in an instant sadly most of us aren’t prepared emotionally, physically, or spiritually to change with it. Life gives us a few water breaks and then we have to get back to the living. What about you? Have you stopped to get that much needed drink of water? You’re allowed to rest from time to time you know? The holidays are right around the corner. The next two weeks are perfect so

Get Some Rest Before You:

· Turn your attitude on RUDE

· Send that group Happy Thanksgiving/Merry Christmas/Happy New Year text/email

· Put that hideous sweater with the reindeer in the Drycleaner’s

· Sign up for the Gym Membership

· Slam the door in the Christmas Carolers faces

· Hide the credit card statement from last year

· Regift

· Chop the onions and celery

· Spike the egg nog

· Assign the Holiday clean up detail list

· Take the Grandkids to see Santa

· Roll your eyes at the Salvation Army workers

· Meet Uncle Bob’s latest fling

· Allow that one family member with the bad kids to run free in your house

· Batter all that freaking French toast

· Get sloshed at the office Holiday party

· Mail that fruitcake

· Peel all those sweet potatoes

· Boil that macaroni

· Grate mounds and mounds of cheese

· Untangle miles of twinkle lights

· Start a family tradition that won’t last

· Lug the Christmas tree up from the basement

· Defrost the turkey

· Wake up before God on Black Friday to stand in line to get a pack of tube socks on sale at Wal-Mart

· Run up a bunch of debt for people who will probably exchange your gift December 26^th

· Have to deal with the in-laws

· Rent those extra folding chairs

· Reserve that hotel room

· Rent the Luxury SUV

· Clean pounds and pounds of chitlin’s

· Start stringing popcorn

· Write down more New Year’s Resolutions you’re just going to renege on

· Tell your kids who Santa Claus really is

· Accept that marriage proposal

· Show up at your spouse’s job wrapped in tinsel

· Save the date for the Annual J.C. Penny White Sale

· Put everybody out of your house

The list could go on and on and on…feel free to ADD what you like!

Keep Your Eyes On The Goal

2011-11-04T15:40:00.001-04:00

"Appointments Most of us have a pretty full plate, and that Palm Pilot or Day-Timer can fill up quickly. How do you keep your priorities in place? Let me suggest three appointments you don't want to miss:
A regular daily appointment with God. Pick a time of the day to meet with God to communicate with Him through prayer and Bible study. When it comes to appointments, this one is the most important.

A weekly appointment in church. This is key if you claim to be a Christian, or have an openness to investigate Christianity. Remember, being in a church doesn't make you a Christian any more than being in a garage makes you a car, but it does help you stay close to God and get right with your fellow man.

A weekly date with your spouse, if you're married. You don't have to be a Christian to do this. The weekly date helps you stay close with your spouse all week long, and it can rekindle those romantic fires. These are three of life's most important appointments to keep on your calendar. Give 'em a try."- Bryan Wright

Journal Entry 10 October 2011

2011-10-10T20:16:00.001-04:00

Lord after last week, I think you must think me incredibly strong! In many respects I know that I am, for there have been far too many occasions when I’ve had no choice but to be. In the span of about a year, I have lost four people intimately acquainted with me. I know death is a normal part of life, but even when it comes, I don’t think we are ever truly ready for it. From the moment I learned of her death, I resolved within myself to put on a fresh coat of strength. I could not cry, I would not cry, that is, until I walked inside the church, and then, well everything just seemed so final. Though I am emotionally spent, all is well today. I can’t count the number of times I’ve read my Great Grandmother Grace’s obituary since Friday. 108 years! Lord, I can’t even begin to wrap my eyes around what she was privy to see. She lived through two World Wars, Slavery, Polio, The Great Depression, Prohibition, Disco, the Internet, and an African-American elected to the highest office in the land, and even surviving the deaths of all but one child. I wanted to take a moment to express my gratitude for my Great Grandmother Grace, 108 years and a wonderful legacy to be passed on to future generations. I sat in that church Friday and listened intently as “Grandma Grace” was eulogized and I thought about my own legacy. What will be said of my life when it comes to an end one day? It is an honor indeed to live a long life, to live in such a manner that one is celebrated not really mourned at the end.

I’m not sure who I was trying to be strong for, by not opening the floodgates sooner. I guess it’s because there are not many people I’m inclined to share my burdens with for fear that they might not be able to help me carry them. Lord, I just wanted to thank you for allowing me to lean on the shoulders of my family, friends, and even strangers at various times throughout my life. I wanted to thank you for those who keep my name before you in fervent and effectual prayer. I believe it was Peter Drucker who once said that the most effective way to manage change is to create it. Lord, I need to make some changes in my life. There are still hurts and unforgiveness I must work through, bonds I need to break, nooses I must loose, and fears I must drown. There are quite a few areas I would certainly appreciate your help in if I am to leave a legacy worthy of leaving. I hope that by the time my life is over, that I will have done something that reminds those I leave behind of how wonderful every single day is. How many times have I failed in the course of my life only to have you to remind me that failure is not final? How many times have I had my heart broken only to see you mend it? How many times have I found myself face down in a pool of tears only to have you wipe them? How many times have I coasted into a miracle on faith that looked more like fumes and watched you work it out for me? How many times have I buried a loved one only to realize, life never stopped, not even for the funeral?
I come from very good stock! There are Doctors, Lawyers, Musicians, Inventors, Authors, and everything in between throughout my lineage. I can easily see why I was a "nerd" in school, why I write songs, why I love the library. Somehow I think they, those who have gone before me, have all left an indelible mark on my life. I must now invariably start with the woman in the mirror, all 5 feet 4 inches of her! Help me make that change!
Amazed by Your Grace!

In Loving Memory
Grace Ethel Waller-Hunter
October 8, 1902 - September 30, 2011(We laid Grandma Grace to rest the day before her 109th Birthday, and it dawned on me she got to celebrate it with Jesus Christ in heaven!)

Whales VS. Mermaids

2011-10-06T13:59:00.000-04:00

A while back, at the entrance of a gym, there was a picture of a very thin and b...eautiful woman. The caption was "This summer, do you want to be a mermaid or a whale?"

The story goes, a woman (of clothing size unknown) answered the following way:

"Dear people, whales are always surrounded by friends (dolphins, seals, curious humans), they are sexually active and raise their children with great tenderness.
They entertain like crazy with dolphins and eat lots of prawns. They swim all day and travel to fantastic places like Patagonia, the Barents Sea or the coral reefs of Polynesia.
They sing incredibly well and sometimes even are on cds. They are impressive and dearly loved animals, which everyone defend and admires.

Mermaids do not exist.

But if they existed, they would line up to see a psychologist because of a problem of split personality: woman or fish?
They would have no sex life and could not bear children.
Yes, they would be lovely, but lonely and sad.
And, who wants a girl that smells like fish by his side?

Without a doubt, I'd rather be a whale.

At a time when the media tells us that only thin is beautiful, I prefer to eat ice cream with my kids, to have dinner with my husband, to eat and drink and have fun with my friends.

We women, we gain weight because we accumulate so much wisdom and knowledge that there isn't enough space in our heads, and it spreads all over our bodies.
We are not fat, we are greatly cultivated.
Every time I see my curves in the mirror, I tell myself: "How amazing am I ?! "

(The girl on the picture is French model Tara Lynn) Feel free to tag yourselves :)
Last comment: I'm not putting down thin people, being a thin woman myself (BMI of 22 maybe?) just saying that being large doesn't equate to being unattractive.

Marriage Maintenance

2011-10-06T13:36:00.000-04:00

Marriage Maintenance

Posted: October 3, 2011 by TWH_PhD in Life, Love, Marriage, Relationships
Tags: cars, Christian, maintenance, Marriage, Marriage licence, marriages, Relationships, Tire

A major problem in many marriages is that most people pay more attention to their cars than they do their marriage. This is not much of a surprise since it is easier to get a marriage license than it is a drivers’ license. To get a drivers’ license, most people have to take classes, study, and pass a test. Yet, for a marriage license, all you have to do is go downtown, pay a few bucks, and you’re ready to go. No wonder we see so many marriages turn into major wrecks.
I do believe, however, that there is some symmetry between maintaining a car and maintaining a marriage. Both an automobile and a marriage require routine maintenance in order to function properly. My wife and I are celebrating our eighth wedding anniversary. In honor of our eight years together, I’d like to offer eight marriage maintenance tips. Perform these eight tips regularly, and you will avoid having to do any major repairs on your marriage.

1. Oil change
In your car, the engine oil is responsible for lubricating the moving parts of the engine to reduce friction. If you notice an increase in friction in your marriage, perhaps it’s time for an oil change. Oil represents joy. When there is no joy in a marriage, you are bound to experience increased friction. Friction can cause major damage. That’s one of the reasons automakers encourage you to change the oil in your car every 3,000 – 5,000 miles. Change the oil before the friction causes any major damage. One way to perform an oil change in your marriage is to do something fun, different, and spontaneous with your spouse – like when you were dating. Take him or her to a favorite restaurant or the place where you had your first date. The key word is FUN – no friction allowed!
2. Recharge your battery
Your car can’t start with a dead battery – neither can your marriage. Take time to relax with your spouse and recharge the battery in your marriage. Oftentimes, couples can become so busy with life, careers, kids, etc. that they don’t take time to spend with each other and simply allow their battery to recharge. You don’t have to spend a lot of money to recharge your battery. You don’t even have to go far. In fact, you don’t have to leave your house. Both you and your spouse can take a day off and spend the day at home in your pajamas – or not .
3. Check your tires
Tires are important for movement. The problem is that the tires in many marriages have gone flat! Don’t get stuck in a flat marriage. Check the air pressure in your tires regularly to make sure they aren’t underinflated. When tires are underinflated they rob your car of gas mileage. Similarly, your marriage can’t go very far if you don’t have enough air. Every marriage needs a breath of fresh air every now and then. Don’t let your marriage go flat. Also, be sure to rotate your tires regularly. Tire rotation reduces the wear on individual tires. Be sure to rotate responsibilities in your home and marriage so that one spouse doesn’t get completely worn out.
4. Wheel alignment
Much like checking your tires, a wheel alignment, affects the movement of the car. Wheel alignments ensure that the vehicle travels straight and does not pull to the side. Every now and then couples must check the alignment in their marriage to make sure their goals and lives are aligned. Too often, couples end up “pulling” apart because they were not properly aligned. Proper alignment also ensures that one or both spouses are not “pulled” toward someone other than their spouse. Regular communication with your spouse is one way to make sure that your marriage stays properly aligned. Talk about your dreams, goals, and aspirations. Take one night a week as your “alignment” night to make sure that you are both still traveling on the same straight path.
5. Check your brakes
Your brakes are the mechanism that helps your car to stop. It is important to have a stopping mechanism in your marriage. Often, there are obstacles on the highway of life intended to cause your marriage to have a wreck. You need to make sure that your brakes are working properly in case you ever have to stop short. The key with brakes is that they will often tell you that they need to be replaced before they need to be replaced. If you notice any squeaking on the brakes in your marriage, it’s time to go in and have your brakes checked. Don’t let your marriage spiral out of control. Stop, go to counseling, do whatever it takes to avoid the wreck. Check your BRAKES before your marriage BREAKS!
6. Change your coolant
The coolant is the liquid designed to keep your engine from overheating. Make sure that you keep enough coolant in your marriage so that things don’t get too heated. Arguments are a part of every marriage, but you and your spouse must learn how to fight fair. Develop safe words or phrases that you both agree on that will put a pause on any argument. Use that as your coolant to communicate to your spouse that perhaps now is not the best time, and you’d prefer to table the conversation before things become overheated. Do this BEFORE your next argument so you already have the coolant in hand before the argument becomes too heated. Remember, an overheated engine can lead to engine failure, and many marriages have failed because one or both spouses were unable to keep their cool.
7. Change your windshield wipers
The windshield wipers help to remove water and debris from the windshield to increase visibility. One thing is certain on the road and in life, the rain will fall. When rain falls on the road, the windshield wiper is needed so that the driver can navigate his or her way through the rain. However, if the wipers are old, the driver’s view is blocked, and he or she is likely to have a wreck. When the rain falls in your marriage, you need to have fully functional windshield wipers to ensure that you can see where you’re going. Many marriages end up in wrecks because the couple has no vision. Change the wipers on your marriage so you and your spouse can develop a shared vision for your life – one that no rain or storm can stop you from achieving. There are normally two wipers on the front windshield of your car because both driver and passenger need to be able to see the same thing. Make sure you and your spouse are seeing the same thing.
8. Change the spark plugs
Every marriage needs that extra spark every now and then. Don’t let the spark go out in your marriage! Keep it hot and sexy! If you’ve found that you’ve lost the spark, then it’s time to change your spark plugs. Wives, that may mean you need to change your wardrobe. Stop going to bed in a headscarf and housecoat…put your FREAKUM dress on!!! Husbands, you may need to change your conversation. Make love to her mind in the morning, and you won’t have to worry about what will happen at night! Get out of your routine. Change things up. Put the spark back into your marriage!
I can almost guarantee that if you perform these eight marriage maintenance tips, your marriage will run better, the ride will be smoother, and it will cost you less in the long haul. After all, it’s better to take good care of the car you have now than to go out and buy a new model! Keep the gas tank full – keep filling your spouse’s love tank. Make sure that neither of you ever go empty, and you will have a full and happy marriage!

Righteous Indignation or Holy Hypocrisy?: Troy Davis and the Death Penalty

2011-09-22T11:33:00.000-04:00

Righteous Indignation or Holy Hypocrisy?: Troy Davis and the Death Penalty

Posted: September 22, 2011 by TWH_PhD in Life
Tags: Capital punishment, Georgia, Lawrence Brewer, Pope, Texas, Troy Davis, United States

Last night the world watched as Troy Davis, a man convicted of killing a police officer, was executed by the state of Georgia. Enough has been said and written about the facts (or lack thereof) in his case. I won’t make a feeble attempt to rehash them in this space. I do, however, wish to address the overwhelming support for the now deceased Mr. Davis. People from all around the world – from the Pope to the street-level pusher – voiced their opinions, and we witnessed an unprecedented display of support in an effort to save Troy Davis’ life.
These efforts reawakened the spirit of social justice and highlighted the overwhelming need to address the inequities that exist within the American “justice” system. However, while we race (pun intended) to address the inequities in our SYSTEM, we must also address the inconsistencies within ourSELVES.
Many in the media and on social networks used the Troy Davis travesty as a referendum against the death penalty. This was especially true in the African-American community. This is certainly understandable because blacks are those most disproportionately affected by the abuses in the system.
However, while I witnessed many African-American leaders, in their support of Troy Davis, speak out against the death penalty itself, I did not hear such clarion calls for clemency for Lawrence Russell Brewer – the self-proclaimed white supremacist convicted of the hate killing of James Byrd, Jr. in Texas. Mr. Brewer was executed by the state of Texas on the same day that Mr. Davis was executed in Georgia.
If we are truly against the death penalty, shouldn’t there have been an outcry to spare Mr. Brewer’s life as well? Or is it that we are only against the death penalty when it’s “one of us” on death row? Whatever your personal position about the death penalty, it is important that we show consistency in our convictions….Otherwise, our cries for justice will ring hollow

Journal Entry 11 September 2011

2011-09-11T21:36:00.001-04:00

Most people can remember where they were that fateful day 10 years ago. I myself had recently returned from vacationing in New York before tragedy turned this country upside down. I remember staring up at the Towers in awe because I thought they reminded me of two gigantic steel lighthouses showing restless New Yorkers how to get back home. I believe POP QUIZZES are given for no other reason than to determine what the students know or the lack thereof. America is constantly being tested, but have we learned anything? Apparently not, for when I read the newspaper, hatred, war, crime, and poverty do not seem on the decline. Lord if by chance someone were holding auditions for a “Couch Potato”, I honestly believe I would have been cast for the role today. It was so weird too because it was such a beautiful day. Rarely if ever, do I need any motivation beyond a blue sky and the sun shining on my face as an excuse to don a pair of flip flops and waste a tank of gas. Today however, was a different kind of day for many reasons, and I guess I just needed to rest, reflect and possibly be refreshed through other means. So don’t laugh when I tell you that I was able to find solace in the company of a romance novel. I haven’t read a romance novel in years, but for a few brief hours I was able to live vicariously through the characters in the story. Much to my chagrin, I remembered how much I liked them when I was younger even though the plots still seem a bit contrived and quite frankly, leave a lot to be desired. What I’m trying to say Lord is the book kept me busy. Maybe it’s selfish but I wasn’t interested in seeing a play by play of what happens when religious extremists go too far. I know what this day means for so many of us and as I type this blog, unshed tears trickle down my cheek in remembrance of so many lives lost. I want to REMEMBER and I want to FORGET!

This has been an emotional week for me period, but every year on September 11^th I strategize about how I can best remember my Father and “Flip” and not forget the other people who never made it home that day. While most of the country still grieves as a Nation over the horrific events of that day, I remember my brother, my only brother, who for reasons still not known to me took his life. As a Sister, I sometimes wrestle with guilt because I always wonder could the outcome been different? I’m well past the initial anger, then inexplicable anger at you that I don’t have my father or my brother here and the real reasons behind their deaths. I believe in your Sovereignty Lord, even if I don’t always understand how good can come from bad. Lord, as I think about my Father and “Flip” today, I have to truly come to terms with the fact that you knew. You knew from the moment they were formed that their time with me would be short. The two men a woman needs most in her life: a father and a brother. I guess I will always miss them most on this day, because every year the scab is peeled off my heart. I only have to look at my twin nieces to remember life is going on. I only have to exhale my own breath and know life is going on. Healing is ongoing, even if we don't always stop to feel the hurt. On a National level I will always know what this day signifies. I am still shocked and amazed at how cruel WE ALL can be to one another. How easy it is for hatred to RULE and MEASURE out the EXACT punishment on whomever it chooses. All these years later the words needed to express the right sentiments of that day still do not come easily. There simply are no words! The Twin Towers are gone, my Father is gone, my brother is gone, Lord, please be my lighthouse so I can always find my way home.

In Loving Memory,

Alan C. Welch Sr. (My Father)

Alan C. Welch Jr. (My Brother)

Love, Your Daughter and Sister, April

Amazed By Your Grace

Don't Look Back Too Long!

2011-09-07T22:42:00.000-04:00

It couldn’t have happened to a nicer girl. After this harrowing experience I will never take my rearview mirror or God’s grace and mercy for granted. God carefully explained to me in the span of a few moments how His grace and mercy covers me from every side. Rearview mirrors are only so BIG so we don’t look BACK too long. God wants all of us to put our minds in DRIVE and go forward!

To The Top,,, I Think?

2011-09-06T15:05:00.002-04:00

On any given day you’re likely to find me either in the Public Library, a Starbucks or Barnes & Noble. It is in these places that I’m able to glean what I will from the myriad of conversations taking place all around me. Well at least on the surface anyway it would appear that nearly everybody on the planet is trying to get somewhere and they are willing to do just about anything to get there. I believe destiny paves the roads we are to take in life and delays occasionally put those routes in proper perspective. I overheard a conversation where a man with more ambition than the law probably allows telling another man how to cut corners to increase his profit share in what I can only assume was a shady business venture they were partnering in. In all honesty I get that we are all trying to navigate unchartered waters in this fledgling economy, and that hopelessness is starting to grate on all of our nerves, but cutthroat business practices however profitable are never warranted. What is it about being the BEST that brings out the absolute WORST in people? The lust for power makes for a very formidable opponent when one only wants to make it to the top and at any cost.

I would even venture to say that most people haven’t even thought about what happens after arriving at the top. What about you? Are you headed there, you know, to the top? Have you made any plans once you get there? Is the top it for you or are you planning to go someplace else? What about the path you’re on, are you sure it’s a reliable means of getting you there? What about the people behind you, are you even humble enough to move over, so they can get to the top too? How many people are you willing to step on, step over or stab in the back just to get to the top? The question certainly deserves an answer. Call me naïve, but I think people who are only concerned with making it to the top are limiting themselves. Having such a linear, such a logical view reminds me of an office building with no elevators, no corridors just seemingly endless flights of stairs. I don’t know about you, but climbing stairs gets redundant awfully fast. Life was never meant to be that boorish where one is only supposed to look up. What about life going on all around the people on their way to the top? I believe God expects us to live richer and fuller lives. We can’t because we have a singular perspective and we can only see positions, promotions, and parking spaces. We don’t see God’s promises because we generally don’t like how they’re packaged. I guess I will get there I guess, you know, to the top in God’s timing eventually. I can’t say that I like the thought of going alone though, so if you have a mind to step on me, step over me or stab me in the back, I will gladly move aside so you can pass.

“If we continue to live in a world where anything goes to get to the top, one day we’re all going to wake up and wonder perhaps as to why everything went.” – April Lashon

Journal Entry 01 September 2011

2011-09-01T18:01:00.001-04:00

Lord you are so awesome in the way that you lavish love on me. Now that I am playing a more active role in my church, it is rare that I get to sit. I don’t mind at all thanks to the invention of the podcast. I am thoroughly enjoying being an Usher. It’s not a glamorous position and I highly doubt many people would covet it, but I love it. I really love it. It’s a perfect place for people like me who prefer the nuances of the background and not the spotlight. I think I’ve been in Mary and Martha (huge emphasis on Martha) mode for the past several weeks. Whether it’s my two wonderful kids, the church, reading, journaling, crocheting or the numerous other things I do, there are those days I think I am not able to get anything done because I am trying to stay busy. Martha was way too busy wasn’t she? Too busy trying to an impression on you when she should’ve allowed you to make an impression on her. We get like that don’t we? We lose ourselves in being busy. I know it all too well. Every day I usually try to get up and get out of the house, staying gone as long as I can just so I can feel like I’ve done something with the time you’ve given me. Last night I was allowed to exhale.

Last night I could not wait to get to church, and it wasn’t until the Benediction that I truly understood why. I needed to make my way to the altar. There were so many things I needed to unload on you Lord, and well today, today my shoulders feel especially light. I pride myself on knowing a lot of words, but last night, I couldn’t find a single one to express what I wanted to say to you. I’m just so thankful that I was able to mumble a few words to one of our awesome Pastors and he was able to make sense of it. Lord this man started praying for me and somehow he was able to say to you what I couldn’t say to him. What I took from the experience is that I just needed a few minutes to let you refresh me. It was such a wonderful moment to be attended to by your awesome presence. I don’t get why I couldn’t find the words because I am pretty darn good at expressing myself. Just a few moments in your presence at the altar with other Believer’s and I felt like today I got a new start. Does that make any sense to you Father? I could truly sense the presence of angels lifting spiritual baggage from my arms. I don’t have to tell you what I’ve been carrying, even more than that, I’m glad I no longer have to.

The seasons have already begun to change, and with the change of seasons comes an uncomfortable determination to stay where I am. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since turning 40 is that in order for me to grow constantly, I must continually die to self. What a poignant statement that is. Doubt is so subtle in how it starts as a gentle whisper and somehow learns how to use its voice against your hopes, your dreams and your plans for our lives. I’ve overcome many doubts over the past several years. Doubts about whom I am, where I’m going, and the mode of transportation you’ve chosen to get me there. I don’t always see doubt as a bad thing, namely because doubt allows me to depend on you more. Doubt has an uncanny ability to direct me right to you, even if my thoughts delay me for a while. I can always come to you even when I doubt, so how could there be shame in that? You are my Heavenly Father and laying it all at the altar should be a regular occurrence in my life. Last night I needed to cry. Last night I needed to pray in the Spirit. Last night I needed to have someone pray for me. Last night I needed to be in the company of other Believer’s. Last night I needed to be refreshed because I am entering a new season.

Amazed by Your Grace

An Aha Moment!

2011-09-01T16:10:00.000-04:00

Oprah There's a good possibility that the most influential spiritual leader in America today is Oprah Winfrey. Her spirituality is an eclectic smorgasbord of religious and spiritual ideas. She's overwhelmingly for universalism. Universalism believes that everyone gets to God their own way--no one religion has exclusive rights on Heaven. It's the dominant theological idea inside and outside the American church. And Oprah is its most winsome, popular proponent. It makes me wonder how she would react if Jesus Christ was her featured guest. How would she respond to His outrageous claim, "I am the way, the truth, the life. No one comes to the Father except through me"? Would she say, "Jesus, there are lots of ways to Heaven." Or would she say, "Oh, my goodness, forgive me. I've been leading millions down the wrong path." It would be an interesting interview--for Jesus' way to Heaven and Oprah's way are exact opposites. Who do you think is right? I'll go with Jesus.
Excerpted from YouVersion Bible Reading Application

Mental Barriers to God's Voice: Part I

2011-08-24T12:17:00.000-04:00

Mental Barriers to God's Voice, Part 1
by Charles R. Swindoll

2Corinthians 10:1--7

When the worldtries to squeeze us into its mold, God's message gets muffled. Our minds pickup on the strong secular signals so easily that we subconsciously tune Him out.It comes naturally.
In ancient days, acity, in order to prosper, needed a security system to protect it from enemyattack. Of primary importance was a wall which restrained enemy troops frominvading and which also served as a major means of defense in battle. Guardsneeded to be on constant watch from their sentinel posts on the wall. Thereneeded to be towers within the city high enough for those inside to see overthe wall. And finally, at the time of attack, men of military savvy and battleknowledge were needed to give orders and to direct the troops in the heat of combatfrom within the protection of those towers.
Paul drew a seriesof analogies from that familiar scene of his day . . . but remember, he's notdealing with a city but rather with our minds. The passage in 2 Corinthians 10:1--7 sets forth avivid description of the mental barriers that block out God's directives andHis counsel. Look closely. Paul uses four terms that we need to understand. Ifyou have a pencil handy, circle each in your Bible: fortresses . . .speculations . . . lofty thing . . . thought.
As the Spirit ofGod attempts to communicate His truth to us (biblical information onservanthood, for example), He runs up against our "wall," our overall mentalattitude, our natural mind-set. For some, it's prejudice. With others, it'slimited thinking or a negative mentality. Whatever it is, it's a huge mentalbarrier that resists divine input just as firmly as a massive stone wall onceresisted invading troops.
We all have our fortresses. And occasionally we get downrightobnoxious as we operate under the control of our "walled fortress." Need a goodexample?
A vagrant waslooking for a handout in a picturesque old English village. Hungry almost tothe point of fainting, he stopped by a pub bearing the classic name, Inn ofSt. George and the Dragon.
"Please, ma'am,could you spare me a bite to eat?" he asked the lady who answered his knock atthe kitchen door.
"A bite to eat?"she growled. "For a sorry, no-good bum---a foul-smelling beggar? No!" she snappedas she almost slammed the door on his hand.
Halfway down thelane the tramp stopped, turned around, and eyed the words, St. George andthe Dragon. He went back and knocked again on the kitchen door.
"Now what do youwant?" the woman gruffed.
"Well, ma'am, ifSt. George is in, may I speak with him this time?"
Ouch.

Needs & Wants

2011-08-19T14:48:00.000-04:00

God uses the most amazing ways to speak to us. If we're listening we can be certain, that we will always hear Him. I often get my needs and wants confused. Sometimes I even forget that ALL my needs have already been provided. God spoke to me by using a paper bag to illustrate that if He gave me everything I ever wanted all at once, I wouldn't be able to handle it! God gives me things over time,... because He alone, knows what I can truly handle!

I am constantly learning that I can do without EVERYTHING, I WANT, I can't live without the ONLY THING I NEED .... God!

The song playing in the background is Deneice Williams "My Melody"

Writing Out Loud: HUMOR

2011-08-16T14:12:00.000-04:00

Humor Deep down, at one time or another, most of us have probably wondered if God has a sense of humor. At the end of the day, does God have the ability to laugh and be funny? The answer is yes, and we're given a glimpse of some heavenly humor here in Mark's gospel. The backdrop: Jesus sent His disciples to row across the Sea of Galilee without Him. As night fell, every sailor's nightmare was realized: a storm. This storm was so violent that they had been rowing all night and had only managed to get halfway across the sea. In a state of extreme exhaustion and stress, Jesus decides to drop in on them and ultimately rescue them. He walks towards them on the water, and this is where it gets very interesting. The sacred scriptures specifically tell us the Lord made like He was going to walk right past them! Read between the lines here: Jesus, God Almighty in the flesh, is having some fun with the disciples. He pretended to not see them and pass them by, knowing all the while they were scared beyond belief for their lives. Matthew's gospel tells us that when they saw Him they began shrieking like teenage girls at a slumber party. "It's a ghost! It's a ghost!" (Mathew 14:26). And there's Jesus, nonchalantly walking around like it's no big deal! There's something very comforting in this. It shows us a side of God we seldom associate with...His humor. But humor is an important part of who we are, and remember that God made us in His image. So it shouldn't surprise us that our sense of humor has a heavenly source. God made us in His image. So it shouldn't surprise us that our sense of humor has a heavenly source.
What does this passage reveal to me about God?
What does this passage reveal to me about myself?
Based on this, what changes do I need to make? What is my prayer for today?

Pastor Bob Coy

Restoring Relationships: Talk To God

2011-08-16T14:05:00.000-04:00

The first biblical step toward restoring a relationship is to talk to God before talking to the person. If you'll pray about the conflict first, instead of gossiping to a friend, you'll often discover that either God changes your heart or he changes the other person without your help. All your relationships would go smoother if you would just pray more about them. As David did with his Psalms, use prayer to ventilate vertically. Tell God your frustrations. Cry out to him. He's never surprised or upset by your anger, hurt, insecurity, or any other emotions. So tell him exactly how you feel. Most conflict is rooted in unmet needs and many of these needs can only be met by God. When you expect anyone - a friend, spouse, another pastor, or family member - to meet a need that only God can fulfill, you are setting yourself up for disappointment and bitterness. No one can meet all of your needs except God. The apostle James noted that many of our conflicts are caused by prayerlessness: "What causes fights and quarrels among you? You want something but don't get it. You do not have, because you do not ask God." (James 4:1-2 NIV) Instead of looking to God, we look to others to make us happy and then get angry when they fail us. God says, "Why don't you come to me first?"
Rick Warren
James 4:1-2

Journal Entry 07 August 2011

2011-08-07T15:49:00.000-04:00

Lord I try so hard to process tragedy, but I can’t right now so I will simply have to put “it” somewhere I’m ready to deal with it. Where will I find the words to express an experience that I’ve yet to deal with in my own life? I’m will never understand how much thought you put into making women so strong. I don’t mean to say that men aren’t, but women do seem to have an uncanny resilience to keep bouncing back. I’m watching some amazing women in my life cope with the loss of their children, battle cancer, unemployment, divorce, and I have to applaud their resolve to forge ahead. I don’t want to hoot my own harm, but how am I even able to do it? How in the world is it possible to still be holding on after so much hurt? I find a lot of times Lord that when I can’t explain it away, rationalize it away, that I just have to simply accept it is none other than you. The coldness of this world is something I never want to get used to. Isn’t it strange how we compartmentalize wrongs done toward our fellow man? We excuse some, absolve others and totally overlook the rest depending on socioeconomic status, skin color, or the suburb we live in? We are all still naïve enough to believe that some of us have a monopoly on pain. Hurt is hurt and it doesn’t matter if you live on the good side of town or not. I keep wondering Lord, just what will it take to convince the rest of us that we all need each other? The enemy hates the white collar worker just as much as he hates the drug dealer.

Help me in the oncoming weeks Lord as travel on the path you’ve set before me. Why is it Lord that we think some people deserve tragedy, sickness, loss, pain, poverty and other social ills? What does this say about us? I’ve imagined you crying Lord many times for us. I’ve imagined you stretching your arms wide somehow keeping those of us who still believe you alone are God from falling over the edge. I feel like it is really coming down to the wire. Choices will have to be made, and consequences of those choices will have to be acknowledged and accepted. The enemy is doing a fine job at blinding us with false light emanating from darkness. The war rages on Lord. I expect more casualties in the battle against “Good” and “Evil”. How sad that there are people content wallowing in temporal treasures. Do they even realize these temporary things have a time limit? Lord I’ve called so many names before you in prayer. Remember them Lord! Bless them, heal, them, strengthen them, comfort them, and reconcile them back to you. Lord I just wanted to thank you for keeping me the past couple weeks. I am YET holding on.
Amazed by Your Grace!

What Comes Out Of Your Mouth

2011-08-04T12:59:00.000-04:00

Henry Blackaby Devotional: What Comes Out of Your Mouth?

“But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man.” Matthew 15:18

The Bible stresses that what you say is an accurate indicator of what is in your heart. If your words bless and encourage others, they give evidence of a compassionate heart. If you often share the good news about Christ, you demonstrate a heart that is grateful for your own salvation.
When others are in a crisis, do they know they will find peace and comfort in your words? Do you frequently and spontaneously offer prayers for others? Do your words and the manner in which you say them reveal a patient heart? All of these behaviors indicate a heart that is like the heart of the Father. Or do you often regret your words? Are there people even now who are hurt or angry because of something you have said? Do you enjoy gossip? Do you tend to criticize others? Do you feel that you are not responsible for what comes out of your mouth when you are angry? Does your mouth spew grumbling and complaints?
These behaviors come from a heart that is unlike God’s heart. You may say, “Oh, but that’s just the way I am! I’m always saying the wrong thing!” Yet Scripture clearly states that an abusive tongue is not under the control of the Spirit (James 3:3-10). A sanctified mouth is a wonderful instrument for the Lord. A heart like the Father’s heart will produce only pure and loving words. Without making any excuses for your words, ask the Holy Spirit to forgive you for any words that have brought harm. Then ask Him to discipline your mouth so that every word you speak is used by God to encourage and edify others.

Shocking Values PT III

2011-07-25T18:37:00.000-04:00

The Song Playing in the background is Boyz II Men Know What You Want" the lyrics are powerful and can be applied to many situations.

It's funny how a chocolate stain on a white dress inspired this video. This is not what I planned to say at all, but I digress. For those of you who know me, I rarely wear dresses. Me wearing a white dress was like sending an invite to stains, spills and mishaps everywhere. The stain on my dress, though not a very good look on a 40 year old only represents a mistake I made, it is NOT the sum total of who I am as a person. It's sad that for everything I'm likely to accomplish in my life, a stain on a white dress will be the one thing some people choose to remember about me.

May I suggest to the "PERFECT" people who live in glass houses to get some freaking Windex. At the end of the day, Amy Winehouse is somebody's child. No matter how she died, no matter how she lived, she's not human garbage and her life is certainly not a waste. We are all struggling with something and most of us pretend every day that we aren't one heart break, one paycheck, one court case, one electric bill, or one loss away from falling over the edge! Whatever you struggle with today, Jesus is the rope you can tie a knot around and hang on! Hang on today, all of YOU! Love, April

You've Got Time!

2011-07-21T12:35:00.000-04:00

Imagine there is a bank account that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day.

Every evening the bank deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course?

Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME.

Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds.

Every night it writes off as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to a good purpose.

It carries over no balance. It allows no over draft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day.

If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no drawing against "tomorrow!"

You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness and success!

The clock is running! Make the most of today!

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.

To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who has given birth to a premature baby.

To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.

To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.

To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who just missed a train.

To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask someone who just avoided an accident.

To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal at the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time with. And remember time waits for no one.

"Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a gift. That's why it’s called the present."

-Unknown

Life Explained!

2011-07-21T12:15:00.002-04:00

On the first day God created the dog. God said, "Sit all day by the door of your house and bark at anyone who comes in or walks past. I will give you a life span of twenty years." The dog said, "That's too long to be barking. Give me ten years and I'll give you back the other ten."

So God agreed.

On the second day God created the monkey. God said, "Entertain people, do monkey tricks and make them laugh. I'll give you a twenty-year life span." The monkey said, "Monkey tricks for twenty years? I don't think so. Dog gave you back ten, so that's what I'll do too, okay?"

And God agreed.

On the third day God created the cow. "You must go to the field with the farmer all day long and suffer under the sun, have calves, and give milk to support the farmer. I will give you a life span of sixty years."

The cow said, "That's kind of a tough life you want me to live for sixty years. Let me have twenty and I'll give back the other forty."

And God agreed again.

On the fourth day God created man. God said, "Eat, sleep, play, marry and enjoy your life. I'll give you twenty years."

Man said, "What? Only twenty years? Tell you what, I'll take my twenty, and the forty the cow gave back, and the ten the monkey gave back, and the ten the dog gave back, that makes eighty, okay?"

Okay," said God, "You've got a deal."

So that is why the first twenty years we eat, sleep, play, and enjoy ourselves; the next forty years we slave in the sun to support our family; the next ten years we do monkey tricks to entertain the grandchildren; and the last ten years we sit on the front porch and bark at everyone.

Life has now been explained to you.

- Unknown

Eleven Hints For Life

2011-07-21T11:58:00.000-04:00

It hurts to love someone and not be loved in return.

But what is more painful is to love someone and never

find the courage to let that person know how you feel.

A sad thing in life is when you meet someone who

means a lot to you, only to find out in the end that it was

never meant to be and you just have to let go.

The best kind of friend is the kind you can sit on a

porch swing with, never say a word, and then walk away

feeling like it was the best conversation you've ever had.

It's true that we don't know what we've got until we lose

it, but it's also true that we don't know what we've been

missing until it arrives.

It takes only a minute to get a crush on someone, an

hour to like someone, and a day to love someone-but it

takes a lifetime to forget someone.

Don't go for looks, they can deceive. Don't go for wealth,

even that fades away. Go for someone who makes you

smile because it takes only a smile to make a dark day

seem bright.

Dream what you want to dream, go where you want to go,

be what you want to be. Because you have only one life and

one chance to do all the things you want to do.

Always put yourself in the other's shoes. If you feel that it

hurts you, it probably hurts the person too.

A careless word may kindle strife. A cruel word may wreck

a life. A timely word may level stress, but a loving word may

heal and bless.

10.

The happiest of people don't necessarily have the best

of everything they just make the most of everything that comes

along their way.

11.

Love begins with a smile, grows with a kiss, ends with

a tear. When you were born, you were crying and everyone

around you was smiling. Live your life so that when you die,

you're the one smiling and everyone around you is crying.

- Unknown

Lessons from A Temper Tantrum

2011-07-10T14:24:00.002-04:00

Most people don’t understand me or my relationship with God, but I know without a shadow of a doubt that He does. So every couple of months I find it absolutely necessary to throw a temper tantrum in front of God and all of heaven. I can’t recall the exact moment that led me down a dark and dangerous road this past Wednesday, but it must have been major to have interrupted my life for a few hours right? Not at all! I was simply frustrated! Why? Who knows? Maybe it was because I kept dropping stitches on the chemo cap I was knitting, maybe it was because as an African –American woman, I sometimes feel overlooked by the rest of the world, maybe it was the heat, maybe it was the deadline I have to meet, maybe it was the fact it costs more to fill up my gas tank than to heat or cool my home or maybe it was just my own reluctance to deal with those things that truly STILL bother me. I won’t to go into details for God knows. He knows! He sees! He cares! He listens! He understands! He loves me still!

A 40 year old woman with two kids throwing a temper tantrum, is it juvenile? Probably! Is it cathartic on levels that can’t be explained to “perfect” people? Certainly! Is it probably entertaining to my Heavenly Father? Sure! So why do I continue to do it? It’s simple! He is God! My relationship with God is on such a level that I should be able to act like a spoiled brat every once in a while. My angry outbursts to God remind me that I’m human and that there is still much work to do. Progress is a constant state of motion in the life of a Christian. Progress isn’t some adult daycare where God drops me off and comes to pick me up every couple of years. It is a continual place I have to want to get to but in order to go progress, sometimes I have to park in vulnerable places. I have to look at the scale, I have to look at my credit score, I have to look at the hours I waste, and I have to look at ME! There are days I know I need a spiritual nap, a spiritual whipping, even a spiritual “time out”! I’m grateful that God allows me to writhe in my pain , my anger, my frustration, all of it and He alone gives me the space to pout, shout, curse whatever I need to do, and in love He tells me immediately after to go fix my face so I can play with the other boys and girls. No matter how many Bible verses I read, no matter how many times I attend church this year, no matter how many prayers I lift up, there will always be something underneath my “Spiritual’ exterior that bubbles to the surface. I think any Believer who ignores this fact isn’t living in reality. For me it’s just more confirmation that I can’t do anything without the help of the Holy Spirit! I think if God’s work in me were done, I’d be in heaven right now lying out on a soft cloud catching a few rays. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that the bulk of my preparation for heaven takes place right here in a mean and often cruel world. Isn’t it funny, if it weren’t for how bad I felt this past Wednesday, I wouldn’t be telling you how good God still is on this Sunday?

Journal Entry 01 July 2011

2011-07-01T16:14:00.003-04:00

Journal Entry 01 July 2011

Rest and sleep, two very important characteristics of a spirit filled life and I have not had either in an abundant supply in a very long time. The funny thing Lord ,is that I know why. I seem to be very distracted these days. It seems I am distracted by everything and nothing at all at the same time. Everyday life seems to tug on me at every fiber of my being. It could only be your strength that keeps me from falling apart. There are times I am able to soar above it all and then there are other times, I simply wish beyond hope that you fly me straight through the turbulence towards my destination. Everything about my life seems so random at times, like there’s no plan, no order and no real destination. I kind of like the unknown though as long as I’m traveling with you. Some days are simply harder to get through than others. I think I have a very bad habit of soaking up too much internally. I believe I think too much huh? I always have. I guess I’m not sure if it is a gift or a curse. I feel so much internally lately, and it wears me down. I find myself needing an extra glass of wine at night to take the edge off. Problems that aren’t even mine, I feel the weight. Sadness that isn’t even mine, I feel the weight. I feel it everywhere: injustice, intolerance, racial hatred, division, strife, the haves and the have not’s I feel it.

What’s on my mind these days?

My Children: I wonder what kind of a world they will continually have to grow up in. I wonder if living in the suburbs blinds them to the racial intolerance still bubbling to the surface. Specifically, I worry about my Son. A young gifted African– American male who is doing what society expects and yet he will always be looked upon in a negative light because of the color of his skin, and those intrusive racial stereotypes. I wonder what the world will tell my Daughter when they see that she isn’t a size 0. Will they love her bright eyes, her honey colored skin, and her fearlessness? What kind of world awaits my babies?

My Purpose: I am gifted in so many areas. Should I narrow the list down some? I am also passionate about my beliefs, my dreams, and my goals. Sometimes I wonder will I ever get “there” and why does it seem like everybody else has passed me by? Am I even keeping a good pace at all?

My Finances: Will there ever be enough? Needs and wants sometimes I place them on the wrong list. There are days Lord when I get tired of handling so much on my own. When my tire gets a flat, I have no earthly father or big brother to call. It’s all on me!

My Body: Where do I begin? I am going through some weird metamorphosis and I can’t put a finger on it. Aging is a natural process, but I look so different at times. I feel like I’m getting shorter and wider by the minute. Everything about me is changing. Gravity is force to be reckoned with for sure. My skin is seems to have a mind of its own. I like to think those are laugh lines, but more often than not, I think they’re deep wrinkles. Don’t get me wrong, I am still a very attractive woman, I’m just getting older.

The World in General: Lord, this world gets more depraved by the minute. Highly organized groups with ungodly agendas are now trying to bully people into going against what you’ve already said in your Word. Groups like PETA, GLAAD, and the ACLU are going after anyone that doesn’t buy into their “world” view. People have taken to “labeling” other people as Homophobic simply because they choose to believe wholeheartedly in what you’ve said and not what everybody else is doing. It’s scary! The entire world has turned into one big vile, disgusting cesspool of wickedness, selfishness and ME, ME, ME! Will I wake up one day and it will be illegal to mention your name? Help me to stand on the Word as evil shrouds this world in darkness.

My Love Life: Of everything this is actually the least of my concerns. Deep down I know the circumstances surrounding my upbringing have a lot to do with my distrust of a love all my own. I’ve made giant strides in reclaiming my heart. It’s just so much to work though. I’ve not had anyone to show me what love really looks like on an earthly level. There have not been any good examples in my family either. How incredibly sad! When I catch glimpse of myself in the mirror, I often say, “I look like a child that should’ve been surrounded by love!” I think I often put love last and I do it on purpose. I like to tell myself that I am probably protecting some poor man from what I grew up in. I don’t know if that’s fair to a man I’ve never met or to myself.

Lord, help me to make sense of it all. Help me to continually simply what’s significant! Protect me from my own attempts to delay my destiny. Heal my hurts! Fight my foes! Most of all, give me rest so I can sleep!

Amazed By Your Grace!

I'm Halfway There

2011-06-26T14:22:00.000-04:00

Half this year has gone by. Has anything significant changed or are you relishing in a constant state of complacency. Every time I post a new video or a blog, I feel a sense of freedom. There are way too many people trying to tell MY story while leaving out the chapters they too have helped ME write. The easiest way to take the enemy’s power is NOT to let him speak on your behalf. The Word of God constantly reminds ME of who I am in Christ. If order is a major CONCERN, look at where you placed CHRIST. I urge you to reevaluate what you hold so dear, it could be the very thing holding YOU back. I'm halfway through my life and I've decided to still go the rest of the way with God. Be Blessed!

Shocking Values PT II

2011-06-16T17:26:00.002-04:00

Congratulations America! Once again we've found one poor soul to completely destroy in the court of public opinion. Can any of us honestly think we can hold one segment of the population, namely Politicians to a higher standard? If we all had to resign a position because of the lies we've told, there would be no reason to complain about there not being any jobs. Seriously every week when I see the new "HUMAN HUMILIATION TARGET", I'm looking for the lesson I am to learn in private! The music you hear in the background is Teddy Pendergrass "The Whole Town's Laughing At Me" I think it's apropos!

Writing Out Loud: If God?

2011-06-09T16:49:00.000-04:00

· "If God gave you His Word, what are you looking for in the world?"

· "If God sent Jesus as your King, why are you juggling so many other court jesters?"

· "If God sent the wind, why are you only worried about when it's going to wind down?"

· "If God sent the storm, why are you looking for shelter?"

· "If God locked the door, why are you looking for keys?"

· "If God opened the window why are you trying to direct how the light comes in?"

· "If God opened the door, why are you trying to turn the knob?"

· "If God has given you a Gethsemane, why are you not giving God your grief?”

· "If God has given you ALL AUTHORITY, why is the ADVERSARY ALL you ever talk ABOUT?”

· "If God has all POWER, why are you afraid of PEOPLE, PAIN, PRAYER and PRAISE?"

· "If God knows the OUTCOME why are you afraid of the ONSET?"

· "If God promised you a mate, why are you playing house?"

· "If God called you by name, why have you nominated somebody else?"

· "If God is the SOURCE of your life, why are you looking for other SUPPLIERS?"

· “If God is still working, why are you still wondering?"

· "If God is still speaking, why aren't you sitting still?"

· "If God has already done it, what you doing?"

· "If God said it, what are you speaking?"

· "If God gave you His hand, why are you hanging on to bad habits?"

· "If God loves you enough, why don't you love Him more?"

· "If God favored you, why isn't He supposed to find my faith too?"

· "If God supplied us with the content, why are we taking His Word out of context?"

· "If God blocked it, why are you so darn bent out of shape about being free?"

· "If God taught you how to swim, why are you standing safely on the shore?"

· "If God created you to have Dominion, why are you dallying in divisiveness?"

· "If God gave you His vision, why do you need their viewpoint?"

· "If God forgave you, why have you forgotten to forgive ______?"

· "If God gave you rain, why do you only want to see the rainbows?"

· "If God gave you His truth, why are you so tangled up in lies?"

· “If God isn’t who He says He is, who are YOU?”

Shocking Values!

2011-06-07T19:44:00.000-04:00

This video will probably come off more as a rant, but it's relevant! Lately my heart has been so heavy. People often laugh at me because I pray for Celebrities as much as I pray for people I know personally. Somebody has to. What a sad commentary when people watch and wait for another person's life to derail. I don't know, but when I see somebody's else's scandal on television, it males me that much more thankful for God's grace and His mercy. Be Blessed

Writing Out Loud: Small Parts from BIGGER Hearts!

2011-06-06T14:29:00.001-04:00

The local library is still one of the best sources of information. Every week I find myself checking out movies I’ve long since forgotten or never would have seen otherwise. I am a huge fan of movies that deal with a particular period in History. Movies like War & Peace, The Pianist, North & South, Schindler’s List, and Apocalypse Now have stirred me to remember how one life affects every life. Every time I watch a movie now, I remind myself not to focus so much on the leading roles but the actors in the supporting roles. Some of the most brilliant actors and actresses are on screen no more than a few moments, but the parts they play help carry the story along. We tend to get so caught up in the aesthetics of the stars, that we forget the rest of the supporting cast. I believe God is calling those of us who really SEEK Him to look underneath the SUPERFICIAL to SEE if we can locate SOMETHING of real SUBSTANCE. The pristine images we personally present to the world could use a lot more polish. Our lives are often busy, but I think we overlook others and the obvious on purpose. I think we add a lot on our plates so we don’t have to be responsible for caring about anybody else. We don’t care much for what other people are going through, only that they appear to have it all together in the public. We are afraid to ask questions, to take risks, to challenge the status quo. People, who play the smallest parts, often have the biggest hearts for God. The more I read the Bible; I have a deep longing to thank some of the unsung heroes who aren’t mentioned by name. When was the last time you really thought about the little boy who shared what was in his lunchbox with Jesus? Has it ever crossed your mind that there were leftovers for all who were hungry for something more only because of what that little boy gave to the Lord? What was in his lunchbox, just a few pieces of fish and some bread? Sure the multitude was hungry but I don’t believe it was purely perishable food they were after. I believe they wanted something that permeated beyond their growling stomachs. They wanted their spirits to be fed with something that lasts. I believe it was by faith this little boy didn’t stop to do an algebraic equation on how Jesus would work it out. This little boy supported Jesus simply by playing his part. In no way am I discounting what Jesus did, I am only focusing on what Jesus was able to do because of the big part the little boy played. Whatever we do out of spite,will spur on the spirit of selfishness. So the next time you don’t “feel” like it, remember this little boy. I leave you with this.

“And what will you do with your five fish and two barley loaves today?”

If The World Doesn't End On Saturday!

2011-05-19T12:45:00.000-04:00

 If you need the DATE of Jesus' return, you're NOT prepared!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, "Lucy, you've got some explaining to do!" ~Ricky Ricardo

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, ask for a refund for buying this HYPE!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, the bank said my car note is still due on Sunday!

 Remember Boys & Girls, if the world doesn't end on Saturday, you're still required to SMILE!

 If the world doesn't end on Saturday, don't forget to stick a pin in your inflated ego!

 If the world doesn't end on Saturday, don't forget to sue your MIS "Fortune Teller"!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, will you pray on Sunday?

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, don't let all those cans of sardines and potted meat go to waste!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, can I have your Happy Meal toy?

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, let's litter the world with love!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, can we take all those awful billboards advertising it down?

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, go see THOR in 3D!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please don't let your car insurance lapse!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, we still need to take better care of each other!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, Ladies keep your eyebrow threading appointments!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, Fellas, you still need a haircut!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, can I have your dessert?

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, are you preparing for the day it does?

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, and you've borrowed a DVD, CD, BOOK, or CUP of SUGAR, I want it back!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please consider the SOURCE!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, Starbucks please bring back the Pomegranate Frappuccino!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, don't forget to take your contacts out!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please make affordable health insurance available for everyone!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please STOP putting flyers on my car during worship service!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please familiarize yourself with your vehicle's turn signals!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please STOP wearing tank tops with your bra straps showing!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please START wearing flesh tone under garments!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please STOP lining your lips with BLACK eyeliner!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please STOP wearing pajamas in public!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, you're still responsible for providing snacks next week!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, YOU still need to read God's Word for yourself!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, I still plan to finish crocheting this hat!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, describing the Holy Bible as a complete fallacy and fiction MUST!

 If the world doesn’t end Saturday, God's thoughts don't run on a human time schedule!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, it will still take MONEY to do MINISTRY!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, you can still eat processed sugar, Trans fats, and red meat!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, your IN-LAWS are still coming for an extended visit!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, you still need to decide if you're going to heaven or hell!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, you're still required to finish High School!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, dividing the congregation into monetary denominations should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, Pyramid Schemes should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, snubbing people who aren't celebrities should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, double parking should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, SEX outside the covenant of marriage should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, XENOPHOBIA should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, AGEISM should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, SEXISM should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, you've got a load in the dryer that needs to be folded!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, Jesus' love for us all will remain unchanged

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, RACISM should!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, the clash of the cultures will resume!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, don't forget to water the plants!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, don't forget to pick up your Dry Cleaning!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, don't stop TITHING!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, the check you're floating will still bounce!

 If the world doesn't end Saturday, please turn in all your overdue Library books!

 If the world is ending Saturday, it's the only trip I don't have to pack for!

 If the world is ending Saturday, be sure you invite as many people as you can heaven!

 If you're worried about the world ending Saturday, maybe it's because you're not assured of your salvation!

 If the world doesn’t end Saturday, imagine the BEST case scenario Sunday!

Journal Entry 19 May 2011

2011-05-19T11:35:00.000-04:00

Lord, according to the latest rumors the world is scheduled to end this Saturday. Hype in my humble opinion, is always sold to the HIGHEST bidder with the LOWEST beliefs about God. If indeed the world is ending on Saturday, well God I have to tell you that this information sucks on so many levels. Why? For one thing, I just turned 40! I’ve been crocheting a hat all week and it is finally starting to come together. I also just joined a wine of the month club and I was really looking forward to becoming a wine aficionado. Whether it’s true or not, I am not worried, for I know in whom I believe. Honestly God, as much as I want to spend an eternity in heaven with you, I don’t feel like I’ve accomplished everything I was created for. There are dreams I haven’t even slept on, that have to come true. There are people I have yet to reach. If anything this latest doomsday prediction brings with it a sense of urgency to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with everyone. We are living in terrifying times and people really are scared. It is those people I pray you make yourself known to. I’ve have been able to deduce from a few message board replies that the people most fearful of May 21, 2011, aren’t assured of their salvation and the rest simply don’t care because they don’t want to believe in you. People seem to have this “Smorgasbord” mentality when it comes to Religion. They want a little bit of Confucius, an extra helping of Buddha, a whole lot of Witchcraft and darkness and none of Jesus. This kind of mentality doesn’t work. One either believes ALL of your Word or NONE of your Word! The world can’t end this Saturday. There are entirely too many people who do not yet know you. There are just as many people who claim to believe in you and don’t completely follow you as well. I know many people will reject Jesus’s message, but I think it’s only fair they have a chance to hear it from people who truly believe all of it. The panic surrounding this weekend does sort of put things in proper perspective. When people are faced with their own mortality, they tend to take stock of their lives. The only things that matter are the moments still left. Isn’t it funny how an ordinary word like death makes us appreciate the lives we often take for granted? I even commented on a message board that if this event brings people to a deeper and personal relationship with Jesus Christ, then so be it. I read through a lot of replies last night and I was astonished by how many people who still think of you as a “fairy tale” as fiction or a fallacy. What about all the misguided people who read Horoscopes, who believe in spells and incantations, who employ Soothsayers, Fortune Tellers, Psychics, and Mediums, weren’t they not made aware of the world’s impending doom? Of course not! No one knows the day or the hour not even Jesus and I hardly doubt heaven would broadcast the end of the world on YouTube. The number of people attracted to the “world’s” darkness and not the “Light” is going to increase. It grieves me to watch people fall away simply because they can’t fathom why you won’t change your mind about sin. WHAT people fear the most shows me WHO they mostly believe in. Before the world ends, Hell on earth is going to get much worse, as if that were not already the case. There are going to be many people tickling the ears of people who really just want to hear what makes them feel comfortable about whatever it is they’re doing. Satan’s lies about you are still circulating. Satan has been telling man that he can become God for years, and man in his arrogance, still believes it.

Amazed by Your Grace!

“If man can’t believe in the SOVEREIGNITY of God, how can he believe in man’s SUPREMACY” ~April Lashon

Writing Out Loud: A Mother's Love!

2011-05-10T16:54:00.001-04:00

Mother’s Day might be over, but the affection a Mother often feels for her children never ends. I am watching my children blossom into adulthood and I am so proud of the people they have become. What the world needs most are people who will change how things have always been done. My children are the perfect candidates for ushering in the best and the brightest. I love that my babies are confident, sensitive, self-driven, purposed, highly intelligent, ambitious, opinionated, and very easy on the eyes. I wonder if my children know how many times I’ve kicked myself for decisions I made. Some of my decisions were good, many of them were bad, and the rest, well I don’t exactly know what category they belong in. I think as a parent I did my best and I always hoped my decisions didn’t leave a significant amount of scarring. I was so young, so immature and so wounded when I gave birth to them. I wonder if they will ever know they didn’t come with any instructions and many of my mistakes stemmed from not really having parents either. Oh I grew up with two parents in the home but, neither of them seemed overly concerned about me or how their lack of concern outside of the public’s eye would affect me. I don’t want to second guess every decision I made, because it negates the fact that God says everything will work out for their good.

I think we all emulate in adulthood publicly what we have seen in our childhood privately. I grew up around a lot dysfunction, confusion, secrets, denial and selfishness. It has taken every bit of strength I have not to succumb to the hopelessness I’ve often felt. What it has taken is my personal relationship with the Lord to know generational curses can be broken. You can put pretty furniture around it, lots of ruffles and ribbons on it, but it is what it is. It was not a FAMILY it was a complete FARCE! I see a lot of what I didn’t have growing up in my children but I am so thankful they have fared better. I am trying now with everything in me to give them what I’ve gotten from the Lord, a determined resolve to make it in spite of. My prayer is that one day my children realize I can’t change the circumstances in which they or I had to grow up in. I can however, tell them that God can help them in ways a Mother, Father, Uncles and Aunts and even Grandparents can’t.

To Dionte` My Spirited Son, Success is in your near future. Your self-determination and the consistent setting and reaching of your goals inspire me to reach out and try again. Love, Mommy

To Bria, My Darling Daughter, Your bright eyes, sparkling personality and charismatic sense of humor is already causing a spark. Wherever you walk in life, I will look for your blazing trail. God loves YOU and He will speak to you when you’re ready to listen. Love, Mommy

I am so proud of you both and I firmly believe that both of you will become world changers. Having you in my life right now has softened my resolve. I appreciate the fact that you accept that though I am not a “Soccer Mom”, that I am still your Mother. No one can ever change the fact that though I birthed you, God is the one who is going to bless you. The glory for the people you have become belongs to the Lord alone. He is the one who hears my prayer requests concerning you. He is the one who stays up late to make sure you sleep through the night. He is the one who listens to the words you dare not speak aloud. He is the one who will make sure your path in life remains lit. Lord, I wanted to especially thank you for helping me to raise our children. They have both turned out far better because you taught me that they are only gifts on loan from heaven.

Writing Out Loud: The Red, The White, The Blue and the REST of U. S. Too!

2011-05-06T15:40:00.006-04:00

The wake-up call America received on 911 was heard around the world and yet we are still hitting the snooze button on the alarm clock. America you aren’t fooling anybody pretending only to care when the camera is on. The rest of the world watches as we go back to our own cozy segregated corners of the world after every catastrophe. This anti- sentiment against skin pigmentation, names that sound different has got to cease. Are you tired of the fear mongering and the race baiting in America? Yes It is out of control but allowed to persist because we all feel so passionate about other people who aren’t like us. America has become so ugly to me with her cold indifference, her upturned nose and her racial rhetoric disguised real dialect about real issues. America needs to take a serious look at what distracts her. It is her prolonged divisiveness that makes her an easy target for more terrorist attacks. She often reminds me of an indecisive woman who can’t decide what to wear. We’re too busy hiding racism around big words to see that our biggest enemy is within our borders NOT outside them. Terror has had a long head start and we’re not even close to gaining ground. I mean how is it still possible that in 2011 some of us still believe only a few of us matter?

Would you really have me to believe a parent regardless of skin color doesn’t feel the same grief over losing a child? Would you really have me to believe a person regardless of skin color doesn’t feel hopelessness in this dwindling economy? Would you really have me to believe one group of people has a monopoly on pain and suffering? When one group suffers, we all suffer. I am beginning to seriously doubt that America ever really wanted minorities to succeed. Oh how I wish you would make up your mind about the rest of us. One day you’re telling us to be all we can be and in the next breath, your taunting us and telling us we aren’t who we say we are. I am so glad my approval comes from God and not YOU! You tell us to get an education and make something of our disenfranchised lives and then you proceed to chisel our accomplishments away with your double standards. I’m utterly confused and can only imagine how this looks to the rest of the world. Don’t you think it is sad that our CURRENT President has to keep interviewing for a POSITION he already has? The day he leaves office will anybody really care where he was born? Probably not! Be honest America! You don’t care where Barack Obama was born you hate that he did what America expected of him.

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but ~America has become the hub of racial hatred, and racial intolerance!

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but ~The highest office in the land being occupied by anyone who isn’t a CAUCASIAN MALE makes America cringe!

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but ~ America doesn’t want any MINORITIES here unless it is to do MENIAL labor so she can MAKE MORE MONEY!

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but ~ America doesn’t think anybody else but CAUCASIAN men are capable of anything.

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but ~ America only wants Latinos here to wash their cars, mow their lawns and clean their homes!

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but ~ Cocaine whether SMOKED in the SLUMS or SNORTED in the SUBURBS is the SAME in America!

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but ~ In America Planned Parenthoods are strategically placed in low income neighborhoods to abort the dreams and hopes of a race of people!

 Nobody wants to come right out and say it but~ As long as Minorities continue to receive Government Assistance, Kill each other and populate the penal system America is HAPPY!

Oh I know we all pretend we don’t see it, but it’s there! It resides in the way we draw up Congressional lines, the way we segregate school districts and where we place Liquor stores. America if you don’t think I have right to be here because of the color of my skin, where in the hell do you propose I go? For those of you who belong to this supposed “SUPERIOR” race walking around with your false sense of security and entitlement, where would you put me? You see my skin color may be darker, but I’m an odd mixture of everything. Your labels could only stick for so long before it lost its adhesiveness on my freedom to be who God already said I am! America is my home too! I didn’t get here by boat. I was hand delivered by the Almighty God. He in His infinite wisdom thought I was a good idea and that’s why I am here! Every breath that I take is at God’s DISCRETION and not because of man’s DECISION. America! My rights are not CONTAINED in the U. S. Constitution but the CROSS and Jesus Christ! Here’s some BREAKING NEWS! Racism is over! Really it is just that simple! We only have to say it and then we live it out every single day! America! Get used to ALL of us, because ALL of us are mutually invested in the survival of HUMANITY

“There can be no melting pot in America unless ALL of us are allowed to stand at the stove"~April Lashon

Happy Birthday Groove!

2011-04-30T23:52:00.000-04:00

Every year on my ,irthday I dust off my records and get my groove on. I am a country girl from Louisiana so B. B. King was a "no brainer"

Happy 40th Birthday To Me

2011-04-30T23:10:00.000-04:00

Journal Entry 29 April 2011

2011-04-29T18:30:00.000-04:00

Nearly every year that I’ve lived in the Midwest, I’ve had to prepare myself for inclement weather, but tomorrow’s forecast looks very promising indeed. It is the eve of my 40th Birthday and Lord what a beautiful day it is! It appeared for several weeks that the sun had gone on a long sabbatical with no plans of returning. Lord from the moment I woke up, I feel as though I’ve been running errands that won’t end. I did not want to enter the next phase of my life without some documentation of how truly grateful I am to you for all you’ve done for me, to me and through me. There is much to be thankful for. I can proudly boast about my relationship with you, I have my health and strength, I have two talented kids, I belong to a church that I am thriving at and life is only going to get better. I have grown so much. I do not have any plans to ever go back. I hardly recognize the woman I used to be.

My posture is always improving as I hand you my burdens. I know Lord that you want them all, but I thank you that you will wait patiently as I hand them over. I am so glad I didn’t give up. I’m still excited to see how it all turns out. As I sit here resting for the first time today, I think if I had given up then, I could not be here now, expressing to you how wonderful you’ve been to me. There is no rush. I am going to take my time and bask in every wonderful event you’ve planned for my beautiful life. No matter what I see going on in the world around me, I will remember what you said. I will remember your promises. People may scoff at me for not making any plans for my big day, but you know Lord that I am just so happy to be here. Lord, I am going with you, and I am thrilled that you are happy to have me along for the journey. There is nothing better than knowing that you will Lord, you still will, even if I don’t. What’s next? Where am I headed now that I am officially grown? Who knows? Only you!
Amazed By Your Grace!

Hello My Name Is ?

2011-04-19T14:08:00.000-04:00

Hello my Name is Celebrity! If I really didn’t want YOU to notice me, I would stop wearing sunglasses inside!
Hello my name is Celebrity Reality Star! Being "REAL" enough for RATINGS is what my Master pays me for!
Hello my name is Celebrity Rehab! For the past 10 years or so, I've made enabling, abuse, drugs and accountability a complete mockery!
Hello my name is Celebrity Christian Author! If you look closely, you'll see it's the same 7 steps from my last 3 books!
Hello my name is Celebrity Religion! Our bylaws state that all praise shall go to self!
Hello my name is Celebrity Jesus! Maybe you've seen me? I'm the blonde, blue eyed guy wearing a sprayed on tan on set!
Hello my name is Celebrity Gospel Artist! I should mention that if my lyrics lined up with the Word of God, I wouldn't get any airplay!
Hello my name is Celebrity Fashion Designer! If you promise to buy my clothes, I promise to keep discriminating against WOMEN of ALL SIZES!
Hello my name is Celebrity Child Star! I'm so sick of my Celebrity parents “PIMPING” me out, but I have to pay this mortgage!
Hello my name is Celebrity Comedian! I'm the most depressed person I know, but I hide it behind profanity!
Hello my name is Celebrity Singer! I am a Man! I know I'm SINGING to WOMEN, but I am SECRETLY SLEEPING with MEN!
Hello my name is Celebrity Gospel Artist! The reason I'm so nasty to YOU all is because I really want to be in the World NOT singing about Jesus!
Hello my name is Celebrity Casting Couch! I've had the pleasure of meeting many of the people YOU worship, BOW, BEND and BREAK BEFORE me!
Hello my name is Celebrity Couple! We don't think God's view on marriage truly expresses who we really are!
Hello my name Celebrity Preacher! I will SAY whatever the going rate for going away from God's Word PAYS!
Hello my name is Celebrity Best Friend! I only have to keep up this act until the reading of the will!
Hello my name is Celebrity Ghostwriter! If it weren't for me, that thin veil of transparency would be practically non -existent!
Hello my name is Celebrity Talk Show Host! I am a complete fraud! I'm not even close to living up to the lies I tell you!
Hello my name is Celebrity Life Coach! I use this title so I can stay under the “Politically Correct” radar without preaching or actually saying Jesus' name!
Hello my name is Celebrity Publicist! The relationships are staged! The outings are staged! The photographs are staged! Join us in the world of Make Believe!
Hello my name is Celebrity Stylist! I wouldn't wear half of the crap I put on my “Attention Seeking” clients!
Hello my name is Celebrity! Seriously, You don't really think I wrote that last book all by myself do you?
Hello my name is Celebrity! I didn't want you to notice me so I chose to wear the most ridiculous outfit and bring my entourage of 20 people to Starbucks

Hello my name is Celebrity! I really don't care about YOU, but please buy my Book, CD, Perfume, Clothing Line, Jewelry, Wigs, Cookware, or any other HYPE I sell!

Journal Entry 11 April 2011

2011-04-11T16:06:00.000-04:00

Lord I say this all the time, but “Thank You!” never seems to do what you’ve done for me enough justice. With all the words in the English language, none of them can quite encapsulate what I would like most to say to you. Lord I’ve often wondered how much I may have missed out on because I was only looking for you to do the “BIG” things? How many of the “small” things slipped by carrying the miracles I needed most? How many sunsets did I scarcely glance at, taking for granted that more than likely, it will be there tomorrow?

How many times have I escaped an accident in my car, thinking my car insurance will take care of everything?

How many times have I driven past a hospital ever mindful that I am not a patient?

How many times has my gas tank been on empty, but I was able to coast on fumes, until payday?

How many times did I have unprotected sex thinking I was immune from sexually transmitted diseases?

How many times during the brutal winter months have my utility bills nearly brought me to tears but I was able to stay warm?

How many times has favor, opportunity, and blessing knocked only to find me waiting for the postman to bring me a “blank check” from an “anonymous” source?

Lord I wanted to stop again and say “Thank You” for the awesome way in which you have uniquely added to my life. Just last week favor afforded me an opportunity to be interviewed by an award winning social media guru. It was one of my proudest moments, to be able to speak candidly about my relationship with you. Lord you alone deserve so much more than what we give you. I think we are all guilty of only looking for you to hand out cars, cash and houses when you are so much bigger than car notes, mortgage payments, and making it to the top! Today for instance, I had to have an emissions test on my car in order to renew my plates. Now to most people this doesn’t seem like a significant enough reason to give you thanks. Reasons to “Thank You” Lord, well they go on and on! The day isn’t even over, who knows what I’ll be “Thanking You” for by 11:59 pm tonight? What’s funny to me today is I am human so I don’t think I’ll ever be fully aware of all that you do, but it never hurts to say “Thank You” does it?

Amazed By Your Grace!

Living Out Loud: Lessons In Crocheting

2011-04-09T12:59:00.001-04:00

About 3 weeks ago, I started on a path to learn how to crochet. It's been an fantastic ride through worsted yarn , double crochet stitches and crochet hooks, but I am really enjoying myself! Maybe I could've learned how to do it years ago , but I wasn't sincerely ready to be taught. There is a difference! I want to encourage you to start something good today! With God's help you can accomplish anything! Remember, you're only a novice until you begin!

Writing Out Loud: A Perfect Mistake!

2011-04-03T16:27:00.000-04:00

Don’t let my internet presence fool you. I don’t stand out nearly as much as people might think I do. I imagine most of you would pass me on the street with not so much as a backwards glance. That’s okay! I think we stand out for different reasons. I for one think God was onto something when He spoke variety into existence. No matter what label the world puts on you, you have to know that God called you good. I laugh every time some “expert” presumes to tell me how my life could be “perfect” if I would only do such and such, or this and that. Do you ever get tired of having people telling you there’s something wrong with being us just being average? Hollywood’s definition of the word is slightly different than mine, so keep this in mind as you read the rest of this blog. Most of us are average, some of us are better at hiding our imperfections than others. Think about it this way! Perfection is the easiest place to hide problems, panic, pain, pressure and our pedigree. We hide behind our jobs, or degrees, our good credit, zip codes, and sunglasses. There is nothing wrong with being average because it places you right in the middle of haughtiness and humility.

I think the arduous task of constantly striving for perfection would bore me to tears. I don’t even believe perfection itself expects us to get it just right every time. There is just way too much emphasis on perfection, and sadly most of it is computer generated. How am I supposed to compete with unrealistic expectations placed upon me by a society that changes its mind about whether it accepts me on a weekly basis? Quite frankly, I don’t have the energy to know the latest secrets to a better life, because I’m too busy learning from my mistakes. I’m much too busy living. Mistakes on the other hand, now there’s a movement I can fully get behind. I think we learn more from our mistakes than pretending we’re perfect.

• I don’t cook perfect meals! Who really has the time to count calories when we’re all updating our Twitter statuses?

• I don’t have perfect skin, as a matter of fact there’s a pimple erupting to the surface as I type.

• I don’t have a perfect body either! There are stretch marks on top of stretch marks where skin with elasticity used to be.

• I don’t have perfect eyesight! There have been more times than I care to admit to needing eyeglasses just to find my readers

• I don’t have perfect kids! They both inherited my sense of humor and sarcasm.

• I don’t have a perfect family! My family is probably just like yours highly dysfunctional with an uncanny ability to unite at funerals, and readings of wills.

We put way too much pressure to be superhuman when God only expects us to be human. What’s wrong with my “AVERAGE” life as long as God is part of it? I for one cannot do it! I can’t pretend my life has no cracks, no fraying edges and no specks of dust. If it weren’t for my mistakes I don’t think grace and mercy would have quite the same meaning. What is there to be learned from a perfect image? For those of you burdened by perfection, what’s left after every T is crossed, every I dotted, and every crooked line is straight? Don’t get me wrong. I am not advocating rebellion against God, what I am advocating is alleviating some of the pressure by letting God’s grace and mercy do their jobs.

Journal Entry 01 April 2011

2011-04-01T18:58:00.000-04:00

Lord in about 29 days I will transition into adulthood. Yeah I know I’ve been legal for some time, but turning 40 is innately surreal. I’m still in a highly reflective state. Lately it’s been the people I’ve been burdened with praying for that’s allowed me to feel even more grateful. Is it strange to catch glimpses of ourselves in other people’s lives as we grow older? I watch celebrities’ battle demons and I’m just thankful. I’m not sure if I’m built for fame but I do know what it is like to battle my own demons. I know what it is to cry, to feel abandoned by friends and family, I know what it’s like to wonder if you’re on the right path, to have people happy to see me fall and I know what it’s like to question your will. Lord, I freely admit I don’t understand many things, but I believe you. I believe you love me, that your plans are to prosper me, and finally that I am not the colossal mistake I once pegged myself as.

It’s so funny how a night in with the girl’s began a new hobby that is helping me to gain more life experience. I’ve always wanted to learn how to knit and or crochet. I’m not sure why, but I seemed to pick up crocheting with ease. Though I’ve only been doing it for a couple weeks, there are life lessons I’m yet learning. I’ve sat for hours making repetitive chains with that crochet hook hoping I make something either you or I can recognize. The biggest lesson thus far is how clearly visible my mistakes are. Crocheting allows me one luxury. If I catch my mistakes in enough time, I can simply unravel that chain, fix it and go on. Oh Lord, if life were really that simple. I’ve made some mistakes in my life I don’t think a crochet hook can fix. I’ll just leave the unraveling to you. Crochet reminds me of life in that a basic chain is the foundation for every sweater, afghan, scarf, pot holder or baby blanket. In two weeks I’ve managed to find myself excited to go the craft store. I now stand in aisles looking at worsted yarn, and crochet hooks as if I were picking out greeting cards. I will keep practicing my stiches, remembering that every chain supports the one above it. Even in my frustration with trying to figure out a chain stitch from a treble stitch, a single crochet stitch from a half double crochet stitch, I believe Lord that you are proud of me for trying. I got so frustrated one night with a single crochet stitch but I heard you tell me to slow down and try again. Doesn’t this sound just like real life? I have to do that with the other 4 stitches. I have to keep trying. I thank you Lord that you can use anything to speak to me. What’s truly amazing is that I feel no shame in asking you for help even with crocheting. I really believe everything concerning me concerns you.

Lord I also wanted to express my thanks. I am officially a member of the church I’ve been attending for over a year. I’m so glad this time I didn’t just join because I was emotional or the choir sang a song I liked. I took my sweet time and I now I have peace about it. It’s the church I’ve always wanted to belong to. I nearly suffocated to death at my last church under legalism, church cliques and false humility. l guess it all goes back to those foundational chains in crochet. Maybe I’m just at a place in my life where life is better because of what and who my foundation is built upon, and that is your Word Lord and you. I love you Father!
Amazed By Your Grace!

God Is Still Holy!

2011-03-15T11:42:00.002-04:00

It never fails, every single time my carpet is to be cleaned, it seems as if God has a message for me. This morning was no different! We've become too casual with God. We forget that He is Holy! We forget that He is Sovereign! We forget that sin has consequences! I believe if we want to experience a MIGHTY MOVE of God we MUST STOP trying to MARK His MOVEMENT with MAN MADE MEANS!

The song playing in the background is KEM "Each Other" the lyrics are beyond powerful!

Journal Entry 13 March 2011

2011-03-14T00:15:00.000-04:00

What a gorgeous day Lord, this the first day of losing an hour of sleep. Maybe I shouldn’t think of it as losing an hour of sleep but an early start on resting in your presence. I think we all tend to meet change with a bit of resistance. I thought about that this morning when I realized I set my clock back instead of forward. Subconsciously I think I may have been expressing some reluctance on going forward even though that is precisely what I asked you for. As excited as I am about all the wonderful things you are doing in this season in my life, I believe there are parts of me that think loitering in the past is cool. I have to imagine the best case scenario and move forward with or without some family members, and friends. Change is inevitable! I prayed for it and now I’ve got it. Lord I feel like I am on a mission to accentuate all the positives in my life lately with praise. What a fascinating couple of weeks I’ve had. I am literally watching your Word be performed in every area of my life. I’m just so thankful Lord that you have been an integral part of my spiritual development. I don’t even know how I thought I could’ve made it all these years without you. You’ve been so faithful to me. I have years of journals where you’ve spoken promises to me, and now I am watching as they are fulfilled. It’s exciting as I make this last trek in the desert into my “Promised Land”, my “good land flowing with milk and honey”. Just this evening a friend called and asked me to meet with her for intercessory prayer. Right in the midst of us engaging in warfare, I hear a beautiful melody coming from her. I’m in awe watching you birth a song out of our prayer time together. I really love watching you work Lord. There’s nothing spooky or secret or shameful about how you operate. I couldn’t grab my cell phone fast enough. I know what that’s like to hear a song and you pray you get it recorded somewhere before it is lost.

Lord I pray that you begin to speak powerful and anointed lyrics to her even now. It feels so good to be in a good place spiritually. I know there are many more battles to fight and though they are yours, I still need to wear my armor. This reflective state I seem to be in must be due to the fact that I am turning 40 in a couple of weeks. I’m enjoying the stages of my makeover, compliments of receiving salvation. You have truly changed me Lord. For years I thought I wanted cards, cash, clothes and a cake. In lieu of a big birthday celebration, I believe I will have more of Christ. I’m just so thankful to still be here. Lord I wanted to thank you especially for placing so much good in my life, for showering me with so much love and affection, and for always listening to me. I want to thank you for sending good people in my life right now who have a genuine heart for you. I am so blessed to be able to worship at church where I don’t feel like the status quo is suffocating me to death. I’m thankful that I’ve been blessed with two beautiful kids whom you’ve helped me raise. I’m thankful that I don’t have to be perfect, thin, rich, or tall, I only have to be April.

Amazed by Your Grace!

Writing Out Loud:Put Yourself In Charlie's Place

2011-03-04T18:14:00.002-05:00

How many times have you passed a traffic accident in hopes of seeing a mangled body lying in the middle of the highway? You can be honest, nobody ever reads my blogs. Do you ever feel like exploiting people for rating’s sake has become all too commonplace? What’s wrong with us? From the pulpit to the playground, darkness has been given a platform and yet we all still think we can play patty cake with the devil. Every single day we ingest harmful information being passed through the airwaves. It’s as if the world can’t wait for the next catastrophe so we feel we have to help the next one along. What a bunch of enabler’s we all are. We’ve all helped to glamourize teen pregnancy, drug abuse, the Occult, homosexuality, murder, and rape, all because we’d rather be “politically correct” than Godly. We are living in a time when speaking up will go a lot further than silence. Lives are literally at stake, including yours! Maybe this doesn’t resonate much with you because it’s not members of your family being dragged through the mud. Do you really believe Charlie Sheen’s life is a reason to grab a bowl of popcorn, gather the family around the HDTV and wait anxiously for his life to continue to spiral out of control? Be honest? Have you ever stopped worshipping a celebrity long enough to wonder if God might use you to lead them to Jesus Christ? If God’s grace and mercy were good enough for you, why isn’t good enough for all the other people who find themselves where you once were? At the end of the day, when the cameras stop rolling, when there’s nothing left to exploit, when there are no more late night jokes, this man, Charlie Sheen, is somebody’s child.

Do you remember the edge? The edge was the place you found God right before you decided to jump into a pit of hopelessness. The edge is a scary place because on one hand despair beckons us to jump while God’s light strains to get through the haze. Do you ever wonder why you didn’t jump? It might have been the few prayers of the righteous. We should all be a bit more careful when it comes to erasing people out of our lives; God may pencil them in back later. Put yourself in Charlie’s place for one moment or better yet, put your own child in his place. How’s your pious perspective now? There have been times I’ve been riding in my car and I’ve had to pull over unable to see the road because of my tears, tears of gratitude because I remember who I was before Jesus. I remember what it’s like to be an ugly wretch. I remember what it was like to be depressed, discouraged, and despondent. Ugly inside and out, and it spilled into every area of my life. I think too many of us get saved, we get a few scriptures, songs and spiritual truths committed to memory and then we STOP. That’s right, we STOP caring about the sea of people still swimming in sadness. We get so spiritual, we tend to throw scriptures at “sinners” the same we throw money at the homeless. I think there is a natural progression where we get to a place where we just appreciate if it weren’t for God’s grace, we’d still be a complete mess. Seriously it wasn’t that long ago you needed someone to pray for you, you needed someone to speak a word to you, and you needed someone to tell you how much God loved you. For some of us this was as recent as last month.

“It requires less character to discover the faults of others, than to tolerate them”~ J. Petit Senn

I Met Someone BUT!

2011-03-03T17:48:00.002-05:00

This blog goes out to all the LOVER'S in the house! In no way do I profess to be an expert on anything. I do believe age, wisdom and experience allows me to share some of the nuggets of truth that I’ve been privileged to pick up along the way. That being said let me also say this! Your marital state is NOT something to be checked OFF by YOU but checked OUT by God. We want to be in relationships so bad that we will settle for ANYONE just so we can say we have SOMEONE! Ladies do you ever think it strange all the qualities we expect in men yet we don’t always possess those qualities ourselves? When was the last time you checked off your qualifications for Prince Charming? Seriously look at your “list” and see if most of the things you want in a man aren’t physical or material in nature. Don’t you think it’s odd that we could care less about what’s going on with him internally or spiritually? My Dear Sisters, men are comprised of more than height and weight and wallet requirements. What if the guy you thought you wanted possessed every admirable quality there is but a relationship with God? Would you still think he was “Prince Charming”? Most women make the mistake that they can use their feminine wiles on a man thus changing him into the perfect male specimen. If you are still inclined to think this way, you are in for a very rude awakening. It is God who does the changing.

We meet people and we become so engrossed in who they are physically and financially we overlook where they aren’t spiritually. It bears repeating! We meet people and we become so engrossed in who they are physically and financially we overlook where they aren’t spiritually. It’s important to ask God for discernment in all matters, not just spiritual ones. I don’t think I can stress this enough but everything concerning you concerns God. Everything includes the people coming in and out of our lives too. Some people are only seasonal, they are here depending on the weather, and then they are gone. Seasons change! It is very important to learn what you can from people because most assuredly, another seasonal crop of people are headed your way.

I met someone BUT he doesn’t believe in God!

I met someone BUT he doesn’t know how to pray!

I met someone BUT he doesn’t believe in tithing!

I met someone BUT he doesn’t care about where he’s going to spend eternity!

I was taught the word BUT cancels out everything preceding it! Ladies, I am here to tell you a man’s good looks won’t be able to do anything for you if you have to battle cancer. Really who cares if he has nice abs? Having a 6 pack means absolutely nothing. Look at his knees! What do his knees look like? Do his knees indicate that he’s been on them praying to God?

"I think we fear the ANSWERS we have to ACCEPT from God more than the QUESTIONS we need to ASK God~

Eternal benefits aside, a lasting relationship with Jesus is really no different than the one we want most with our mate. It takes commitment, communication, but most of all, it takes the covenant of marriage. Maybe you’ve met someone and you're having those “nagging” little doubts. Before you get too excited about excitement, it is always best to have God check them out. Sometimes we only need to ask ourselves, was it fate or the Father? Now I'm no expert when it comes to matters of the heart, but I have enough sense to ask God for discernment when I would rather follow my HEAD instead of His HEART. Wisdom NOT applied is just information! I leave you with this.

“Magicians who use wires in their act don't let you see them, but that doesn't mean they aren't there”

Journal Entry 27 February 2011

2011-02-27T20:55:00.002-05:00

Lord was it really just a week ago today I saw another miracle happen in my life? It is getting to where I can’t keep up with your goodness. I suppose I could write an online journal entry everyday but some miracles can’t be explained in laymen terms. I knew in my spirit that after last Sunday my life would truly never be the same again. Lord I just wanted to stop by and thank you publically for using me to minister through song. I have written many songs over the years and I’ve never thought much about what happens to them after I close my notebook. Watching something I wrote come to life was beyond words. I wanted to thank you for the new songs you are already giving me in the middle of the night. What I remember most of all about last week was a wave a peace that washed over me as I took the microphone right before my performance. I don’t even seem to know where my “voice” came from. It was evident from the rehearsals that I hadn’t sung publically in years. I should’ve written this last week, but it is a true testament to how busy my life has been. I thank you Lord for the strength to be able to get everything done. I think for the very first time I understood the difference between professional singers and anointed singers. Last week the atmosphere was saturated in the anointing. Every song, every singer ministered to me. I am still singing “You Are Holy”. It was such an awesome experience, such an awesome night. What’s next for me Lord? I’m feeling very creative, and very inspired. What I did to those poor legal pads last week was insane. I am keeping plenty of paper on hand, because the ideas are pouring in. I don’t always know what to do with them so I appreciate that you take me back to things I’ve long since forgotten about. I also appreciate that I can watch you work in my life and participate by using the gifts and talents you’ve placed in me. Lately I’ve been wondering about the people I’ve been called to. Am I doing enough? Am I still relevant? I watched the RadicalIs 2011 Conference hosted by Rick Warren and I know now I can put those silly notions out of my head. Comparing myself to someone else is just silly and likened to Idol Worship. I also wanted to thank you for all the wonderful people you’ve placed in my life to help me, to mentor me, to advise and guide me and most of all, to protect me. I am starting to ease back into meaningful relationships with people. I’m still very cautious with good reason. I make no apologies for who I am, since I’m not planning to stay this way. I don’t have to be perfect today, or tomorrow, I’ll settle for being your Daughter any day.

Amazed by Your Grace!

Writing Out Loud: God Sent Me a Valentine!

2011-02-14T17:42:00.001-05:00

Valentine’s Day usually comes and goes with not so much as a blink from me. I like to think that if I’d grown up in a house filled with love and not things, my outlook about even the silliest man made holiday might be different. I’m still a work in progress so don’t be alarmed by my cynicism. Love was not expressed very well in the home I grew up in. It has taken nearly 40 years and my relationship with Jesus to realize this. God knows me so well and He understands how I tend to get just a little tense around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day. I believe until I’ve completely unlearned everything man’s version of love has taught me about love, the battle within me will rage on. Ordinarily I live a nice, quiet, simple life. In many ways simple, uncomplicated and safe has become my security blanket shielding me from love I know deep down I desperately want and deserve. There are days I see myself happily married to a man who doesn’t mind what I look like after I remove the aesthetics. There are other days I prefer the solitude of not having to wonder will he still love me after I’ve burned the millionth casserole. Love scares me because all I’ve ever known it to be is not what God says it is. Until I met the Lord, the only love I’ve known has been conditional, abusive, manipulative, divisive and toxic. So where did love find me on this Valentine’s Day? Love literally found me in sweat pants, a head scarf and a huge pimple on my face. I knew once my feet hit the floor this morning it would begin the busiest week of my life. Today caught me by surprise because this was the only day I didn’t have anything I had to get done. I will remember this Valentine’s Day because God sent me something that made me stop and pause for love. When you’ve lived with an imposter sometimes I think it’s easier to spot what’s real. It’s also hard to look at love objectively if it’s only been based on lobster and lingerie. Love cannot be hidden! Love never does anything it will be ashamed of, and love never has to worry about being found out! This morning God reminded me that He loves me by inching me one step closer to fulfilling my destiny. For so many years my voice, and my words have lain dormant, trapped in a woman too afraid to speak. My closest friends on any given day are the paper and pens I use to express my emotion. Last year I wrote a beautiful song. I had no idea what would become of it so I put it aside. I love how God never wastes anything. He remembered the song I wrote by opening a door so someone could hear it. Imagine my reaction when they loved it! To make a long story short I had an impromptu meeting where my song breathed for the first time in beautiful chord progressions. Hearing my lyrics come to life caused me to pause and remember God’s love. I like to think God shot an arrow through the painful memories I’ve often associated with love. I won’t lie today I wished on a human level, I had a love of my own to share this special moment with. To write such a song took love and I hope one day the Lord releases me to share it with the world. It seems like every time I have something important going on subconscious chaos erupts in my skin in the form of pimples, hives and blotches. I was more than a little peeved at Cupid until God reminded me this huge pimple residing on the left side of my face, that seemed to grow by the hour, was a just a temporary beauty mark. It really cracks me up how the face tells the real truth about how we feel about everything, especially LOVE!

When the flowers wilt, LOVE will still bloom!
When the candles melt LOVE will still be light!
When the champagne loses its fizz, LOVE will still bubble to the surface!
Happy Valentine’s Day from my heart to yours!

Writing Out Loud: Stop For A Word!

2011-02-13T16:17:00.000-05:00

It is my sincerest hope, I never tire of writing about the places I remember God the most when I thought He wasn’t there. It’s always been my view that value is determined by how much someone is willing to pay for something. Jesus proved this when He died on Calvary for you and me. I found my way to a bookstore several years ago. I didn’t have much time to browse but I purchased several books, one in particular that would see me through some pivotal moments in my life. I was still very much a young woman, very unsure of her purpose in life. I was very immature spiritually and I only wanted God on my own terms. I started to read the Bible and my curiosity about Jesus began to simmer. If you’re wondering what’s so freaking special about a bible? It’s the bible I picked on my own. Guilt didn’t lead me to steal it from a hotel room, and I didn’t get it because I joined a church fellowship. I literally sought the Word and I am still seeking. I took my own money and bought this bible and I still have it today.
One day I lost my bible and I believe what I did to redeem it demonstrates how much value I’ve placed in its ability to change trials into triumph. Once I realized it was gone, I retraced my steps only to find it at the same place I first knew I needed it, a traffic stop. Life comes at us in every direction until we decide to stop to pay attention to the traffic signals. I always thought that traffic stop was symbolic of how my life was going. The Word has taught me so much about how much God values me. I have been able to find peace, comfort and assurance that I am deeply loved by God. Every time I open it up, I feel like I am digging for a hidden treasure, but there is nothing secret about it. I can read the same passage of scripture countless times and get something different out of it. God plans for me are extraordinary. The dreams and plans I had seem pretty tame compared to what the Word says I can have.

The water of the world will always want to dilute the flavor of the Word, but I challenge you today to “Taste and see that He is good”

In My Inbox!

2011-02-06T23:39:00.000-05:00

I was shocked, confused, bewildered

As I entered Heaven's door,

Not by the beauty of it all,

Nor the lights or its decor.

But it was the folks in Heaven

Who made me sputter and gasp--

The thieves, the liars, the sinners,

The alcoholics and the trash.

There stood the kid from seventh grade

Who swiped my lunch money twice.

Next to him was my old neighbor

Who never said anything nice.

Joe, who I always thought

Was rotting away in hell,

Was sitting pretty on cloud nine,

Looking incredibly well.

I nudged Jesus, 'What's the deal?

I would love to hear Your take.

How'd all these sinners get up here?

God must've made a mistake.

'And why is everyone so quiet,

So somber - give me a clue.'

'Hush, child,' He said,

'they're all in shock.

No one thought they'd be seeing you.'

JUDGE NOT!!

Remember...Just going to church doesn't make you a

Christian any more than standing in your garage makes you a car.

Every saint has a PAST...

Every sinner has a FUTURE!

Now it's your turn... Share this poem.

Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil...

It has no point!

I didn't write this BUT i wish I had!

Faith Dictates Fashion

2011-02-06T16:50:00.000-05:00

My first video of 2011 would be on Super Bowl Sunday, when no one will probably see it. Last week I had a adverse reaction to something and my face has been swollen, and discolored. If you look at my nose you can see it just a little bit. My face and my body are going through changes I must accept. I'm turning 40 in a few weeks. It is NOT the end of my story. God gave me this word this afternoon so I wouldn't stress out from the world's scale and mirror "Every time I face the mirror I have to fight my face with my faith in God that I look just fine"~April.

Writing Out Loud: This Is How We Do It!

2011-01-27T18:33:00.000-05:00

You can’t tell a person’s net worth by the car they drive or the neighborhood they live in. Contrary to popular belief, there are probably more millionaires driving Buick’s and standing in breadlines than any segment of the population. I immediately felt dread for wearing something other than a jogging suit today when intuition told me I was being “sized” up as a potential mark. If sizing a person up is how you conduct business you should probably watch your step. I say this because today I had a very unpleasant experience. I am literally in line paying for some items when a “businessman” and I use the term loosely, thrusts a 5X7 advertisement in my face. This guy not only invades my personal space, he gets indignant because I had the audacity to visually express my annoyance. He hands me what I assume to be a sample of his “graphic design’ work. Now I’m no Picasso, but it was poorly done. Had this man approached me in a more professional manner, maybe I wouldn’t have felt such a strong desire to tear his “calling card” into shreds and toss it in the nearest trash can. I don’t subscribe to the idea that I necessarily owe one particular race of people my loyalty, my vote or my business simply because we share cultural traits. I believe many opportunities involving minorities are missed because expansion beyond a few square blocks never comes into play. Businesspeople that possess confidence don’t single people out based on race alone. Maybe it’s just me but I am truly annoyed by people who enter other business establishments and start “hustling” the patrons. So if I’m getting a relaxer in my hair I don’t want to be disturbed by “Pookie” selling me bootlegged DVDs, frost bitten meat, and mismatched tube socks. I also believe a lot of minority businesses fail because they aren’t thinking globally. Let’s face it; it’s hard to have a global mindset if your vision statement is “This Is How We Do It in Da Hood!”
You can be honest here no one reads anything I write. I am a lot quieter than my blog posts might indicate. I generally prefer silence over shouting, meditation over mess, and peace over problems. As I make my descent towards middle age I’m trying to do so by treading carefully in a world known for claiming bragging rights for everything. Whether it’s the Mary Kay Consultant, the Jehovah Witness, or the Girl Scout with her Thin Mints, do you ever get tired of how, when, where and why people approach you? Do you find that you have to mentally prepare yourself to be sold a “bill of goods’'? A couple of months ago I received a phone call from a well-known celebrity. Though I was humbled this person took an interest in my work, I didn’t use it as a chance to give a sales pitch about what God has gifted me to do. What God has gifted me to do will be obvious to most and overlooked by the rest. What I did do was listen to words of wisdom. I wrote some of those words down and I refer to them often. I’m not sure I possess that “killer instinct” everyone else speaks so fondly of. Maybe it’s because I’m not depending on luck, I am however, insisting on the Lord. I don’t feel the need to pounce on every person I meet with some great “business” opportunity. God doesn’t want me to rely on man’s platform, fame, contacts in my cell phone or business cards to open doors. I don't carry business cards because I trust God to place anyone assigned to my destiny in position! God wants us to trust His plan and trust that in due season, His purposes for our lives will come to pass.

"If you do build a great experience, customers tell each other about that. Word of mouth is very powerful." - Jeff Bezos

Writing Out Loud: High and Mighty Heels?

2011-01-25T14:04:00.000-05:00

Women in high heels always seem like they’re in a hurry to get somewhere. It is very hard to mistake the click clacking sound of a woman in high heels as she strolls down a city sidewalk. I don’t particularly care for shoes made to look like stilts, and I find it very hard to keep my balance in footwear that makes me feel like I’m riding an elevator. Have you ever wondered where a woman’s high heels take her? For most of my life, I had the displeasure of being compared to my older sister. I was always referred to as the “smart sister” while she was deemed the “pretty sister”. I wonder if this insensitive “labeling” was because she liked heels and I preferred the safety of a tennis shoe. Now has she progressed further in life because she wore heels? I don’t think so. Most women are busybodies but whether we’re productive in what we busy ourselves in is another shoe store altogether. For those of you who prefer heels do you look at the rest of us who prefer the closeness of the ground as dowdy or plain? Some women want to be fashionable and that’s perfectly alright with me. There are those who feel they have to look a certain way, dress a certain way, and talk a certain way to make a way. Women across the world are being strangled to death by a lack of positive self-esteem. The pressure isn’t necessarily coming from glossy magazine covers, but the enemy within.
Nothing crashes to earth louder than the people who fall from the platforms we place them on. Have you ever considered high heels as a platform, or just another means to an end in the constant pursuit of happiness? What’s wrong with average when Superwoman is not an always an available option? I mean we’re strong women for goodness sakes, nobody makes us do anything these days. We are trying to balance too much on shoes that have the potential to cause painful blisters. Have you found balancing your careers, families, bake sales, soccer practice, and the impromptu potluck harder in a pair of 6” heels? Don’t be embarrassed! Who made up the rule women had to do everything in stilettos anyway? Do your feet ever hurt from walking around disguised as perfect submission all the freaking time? I think we keep compact mirrors in our purses to remind us of how tired we are with subscribing to social standards of beauty. It’s going to be hard to maintain your balance on a sidewalk when you’re not willing to walk right before the Lord. God gives His precious Daughter’s a sense of balance. High heels make a lot of noise only if women insist on letting the world know where we’re walking. Some of us aren’t walking anywhere because we’re worried. Were worried about what the world thinks. So we try to spice things up, sex things up only to be seen. God isn’t expecting us to be sexy. God wants us to be saved. Some people may view you as dull, you’re not, you just shine differently that’s all. Whether its heels or flip flops, I believe God took painstaking care in making sure that none of His Daughters could ever be considered plain based on shoes.

“Humility keeps me on the ground, when your high heels give you cause to look down on me”-April Lashon

Journal Entry 21 January 2011

2011-01-21T20:17:00.000-05:00

Only three weeks into the New Year and I can already see significant changes taking place. Lord, help me to keep my zeal as this year progresses. I say this because the first couple months are always easier as the snow melts and the days turn into spring. I am enjoying what I believe to be are the last few months of wandering in the wilderness. This is the year I turn 40 and though it may not mean much to people, I know I am only months away from entering my very own Promised Land. I didn’t think I would ever get here. I’ve learned some valuable truths wandering in the desert. Pharaoh tried many times to imprison me mentally with spiritual bondage. He has used my family, my friends, and my failures. It was you Lord who taught me that I can leave it behind and never to feel the pangs loneliness again.
My survival in the wilderness was always contingent upon who and what I left in Egypt, and how long I chose to complain about how you chose to bring me out. If I had no hope, wandering would seem like a sure way to go. Lord I am ready for some milk and honey. I am ready to rest in your promises. With the eagerness of a woman in her 9th month of pregnancy, I look forward to seeing what you’re about to birth in me. What you reveal to me is more than enough. I am curious though about love, the next level of my ministry, and how I can serve the Kingdom better. I’ve got the makings of a beautiful life because I serve a great God who believes in blessing His children. I have a feeling I am going to be busy this year. I wanted to thank you Lord right now, at the beginning rather than the end for all the wondrous things you have prepared for me this year.
Amazed By Your Grace!

A Man Without Fear

2011-01-17T18:11:00.000-05:00

From Charles Spurgeon's "Faith's Checkbook"

A Man Without Fear
January 17
And he said, Certainly I will be with thee. (Exodus 3:12)

Of course, if the Lord sent Moses on an errand, He would not let him go alone. The tremendous risk which it would involve and the great power it would require would render it ridiculous for God to send a poor lone Hebrew to confront the mightiest king in all the world and then leave him to himself. It could not be imagined that a wise God would match poor Moses with Pharaoh and the enormous forces of Egypt. Hence He says, "Certainly I will be with thee," as if it were out of the question that He would send him alone.
In my case, also, the same rule will hold good. If I go upon the Lord's errand with a simple reliance upon His power and a single eye to His glory, it is certain that He will be with me. His sending me binds Him to back me up. Is not this enough? What more can I want? If all the angels and archangels were with me. I might fail; but if He is with me, I must succeed. Only let me take care that I act worthily toward this promise. Let me not go timidly, halfheartedly, carelessly, presumptuously. What manner of person ought he to be who has God with him! In such company it behoveth me to play the man and, like Moses, go in unto Pharaoh without fear.

America the Beautiful?

2011-01-10T14:49:00.004-05:00

Every year I think we need to take spiritual inventory of our lives to see if there are areas that need fine tuning. At the end of 2009 I made the decision get rid of cable television. In 2010 I was able to glean just how much time I have to do other things, things that matter. I hope the tragic events in Arizona teach us all how much we take for granted. It is with a Mother’s longing I watch as my two children prepare to enter adulthood in a world completely ensnared by hatred and violence. Only 10 days into this New Year and I’ve already had to cry. Last week I lost a very dear friend of mine. I have friends who are still out of work. I have friends dealing with issues I can’t even begin to comprehend. Though I don’t have cable, the horrific news of the world is still able to find its way to my heart.
We need to really look at the enemy inside America not the enemy overseas. The tongue is still the most harmful weaponry known to man and we’re all armed. When did common decency and civility lose its place in America? Hate speech is coming from everywhere now. There are extremists ready to make a placard for just about anything these days and it is frightening. Maybe I’m just a naïve but hate has exceeded even my expectations. I was sure that it would be illegal everywhere by now. I envisioned a much different world for my children and their children. There is something very wrong with the moral fiber of a nation when anyone can resort to lawlessness and acts of vengeance against people who are clearly not the enemy. America, I am embarrassed by your bullying, your fear mongering and it has to stop. Are we so arrogant as a nation that we can’t see we need God to restore us? I leave you with something I wrote a few weeks back. Marinate on it as long as you need to if not for you, then your children.

“Race will never be an issue once we realize the rainbow was resized to fit all of mankind under it”-April Lashon

Writing Out Loud: The New Year

2011-01-01T14:33:00.000-05:00

It was unseasonably warm yesterday. There was something very poetic and symbolic about the rain and snow. The snow has always reminded me of a giant eraser, making everything it touches clean. The rain had washed away most of the snow by the time I got out of bed, and all I could hear was water flowing in all directions. I like to think the rain washed away any residue the snow missed removing the last traces of doubt about what I didn’t accomplish in 2010. I believe how we close out one year sets the tone for the new one! Intimacy and communication are the keys to any relationship on earth and in heaven. I didn’t spend the last hours of this year partying or drinking. I didn’t attend another Watch Night Service with a catchy theme to rhyme with 11 and I didn’t spend the last hours of last year alone. I spent the last remaining hours of last year in the presence of God, and when the clock struck 12, I made sure the very first words I uttered were to God. My first words were like my first offering to the Almighty God. With tear stained eyes, I began thanking God in advance for what he has already done in this New Year! What I’ve learned over the years is we don’t necessarily need a holiday to love people more, or make better life choices. We only need to start! No more ridiculous resolutions for me. No more promises to God I don’t intend to keep past January 15th. We typically know better, but we choose to do far worse. We keep a “mental rolodex” of excuses to why we can’t or won’t do something, we find the one we like, and we insert it where we like. I entered this year with the assurance of God’s steadfast love. I entered this year with grace and mercy following me as they’ve done my entire life. I entered this year with no expectations beyond being human but supernaturally empowered by God. I entered this year knowing God goes with me. I entered this year knowing God is the same. He hasn’t changed His mind about me and a year from now, the difference in me will be because God comes first every year.
Happy New Year!

Holiday Cheer?

2010-12-23T20:16:00.001-05:00

It is a veritable mad house out here as Holiday Shoppers scurry from store to store hoping to find the “perfect” gift. I have to laugh because just this afternoon, I chanced to hear a man declare his love for someone and proceed to complain about spending $11.00 on a thermos! On my way to the bookstore I caught the tail end of a traffic accident. I bet it wasn’t the Holiday cheer that led to this 3 car fender bender but a preoccupation with commercialization. Many people like myself, can’t wait for the long lines, impatience, and materialism to be over. I like to think I’m lucky because this year my children only want money. Does it ever get old the pushing, the shoving, the profanity to grab another television we don’t need? There are people who have to spike their eggnog just to get through the Holidays. What does a perfect gift look like anyway? Is it expansive? Does it sparkle? Does it have to come from a major Department Store? Would I even recognize it without the help of a Salesperson?
How would you feel if on your next birthday everyone you cared for was totally oblivious? What if there were no cake, no gifts, no cards, and no song? At its most basic level, Christmas is about Christ! Christmas tends to overlook Christ in favor of electronics, argyle sweaters, and toaster ovens. I wonder how Jesus feels every year when His birthday is used to justify excessive spending or just not even being the focal point at all. This entire month of December my Pastor has taught a sermon series entitled “Simply Christmas” and it’s been a real eye opening experience. Maybe it’s just the culture in Western Civilization to always want more stuff than we know what to do with. I pray that we never forget Christmas is not for sale. Oh we love to boast that Jesus is the reason for the season. Is He really? When was the last time you gave Jesus a sacrificial gift of praise? When was the last time you included Him in your Holiday plans? He deserves our gift of praise. It is a very costly gift but so was Calvary.
I won’t keep you long, lest you get a paper cut from wrapping gifts, I will leave you with this!
“If you are still searching for the perfect gift to get my Father, He still loves praise”~Jesus Christ

Journal Entry 15 December 2010

2010-12-15T14:31:00.001-05:00

Lord has another year really flown by? This is the time of year when I get to pull out my journals and reflect on the journey thus far. The past 8 months have taken me to places I don’t think I was prepared to go. Well that isn’t entirely true Lord, my trust in your ability is the reason I’ve made it! A few hundred pages in a dozen journals could never express where I’ve been spiritually, mentally, or physically. Every year I’m amazed at the big things, the small things and all the other things in between. Lord I realize with every passing day that you don’t have to do it! You don’t have to allow grace and mercy to follow me. You don’t have to protect me from the plots of the enemy. You don’t have to provide for my needs. You don’t have to babysit my children. You don’t have to constantly reveal how awesome you are to me. You don’t have to love me to life. There are a lot of adjustments I need to make. Hurts from people I’ve allowed myself to trust over and over again have kept me more isolated than necessary. No more! Lord you know all about me, you know why my heart closes in and why it has the ability to shut people out. I am not going to make you any promises I never intend to keep. I ask in earnest Lord for your help in helping me DECREASE so you might INCREASE in every area of my life. When I find it hard to forgive, help me remember you forgave me. Lord,You have taught me so much this year. For starters, you taught me proper weight distribution. Burdens I was never required to carry are yours now. I do not wish to carry the luggage from last year into this one. My back is tired from hauling other people’s luggage. My arms are tired from refusing to let some people and places go. My soul is tired because I’ve slept on satiny sheets stained with sin. My mind is tired because I’ve meditated on meaningless matters. My eyes are tired because so many times, I’ve only focused on SELF. My ears are tired because I’ve only heard the whisper of Hell. My will is tired because I’ve tried to walk away from Jesus. My life is tired because I’ve tried to live it without your love to lead me. Today I am imagining a world, a year, a life where I can forgive those who hurt me without remembering why I was hurt. Today I pack the luggage of my past to make room for the future. Lord you are not another entry in my journal, you are the reason I write!

Amazed by Your Grace!

Writing Out Loud: Let There Be Light!

2010-12-08T23:01:00.004-05:00

If you’ve ever had the flu you know how wretched your body feels. For days I’ve suffered through aches, pains, chills, congestion, a runny nose, dizziness and the most harrowing of all, no Starbucks. Yesterday however, I thought I was feeling better that is until I got out of the bed! My gut reaction was to try to “shake” it off, put on several layers of clothing, and face the blustery cold awaiting me outside. It took my last ounce of strength to find the bed post and steady myself. I held on about 5 seconds before collapsing against the eight pillows I sleep with! Today I felt the fever had left me, my head stopped throbbing so I decided to try again. I repeated the sequence of events that make up my normal “Morning Routine”, and as I type this blog from Starbucks, I know that nothing beats a failure except another failure that succeeds. As soon as I opened the door this afternoon, I was pelted by the rays from the sun! While squinting, I reached for my nonexistent sunglasses and waited until I got my bearings.

I thought about what it must feel like for a new believer or a believer in a backslidden state. It is hard to adjust to the light after being in darkness for so long. Our spiritual eyes need time adjust after being in the natural. I think many people fumble around in the darkness because of the lies Satan uses to thwart the Kingdom of God. The biggest trick in Satan’s arsenal is the power of suggestion! Think about it this way! Before he was kicked out, Satan was in heaven yet many people won’t see heaven because of what Satan shows them about God. The amazing part of this anecdote is this: We get used to being in the same atmosphere, being around the same friends, or wearing a certain style of clothing, but eventually change is going to come! I welcome God’s light! Will you? Change will always come and it will demand a choice. Choose the Light of the World!

I leave you with this question:

If God’s Light has CONVICTED you, are you CONVINCED now that He only CHASTISES His CHILDREN because He CARES for them?

Writing Out Loud: Growing Pangs

2010-11-23T20:59:00.000-05:00

I’m a creature of habit and I tend to do a lot of “people watching” whenever I’m out. The other day I saw a Father overjoyed by the company of his daughter. Instantly I felt a pang of longing because I’ve never had such an experience. I watched this man become totally engrossed in his daughter’s discussion on a movie she’d watched. For nearly 40 years I’ve often wondered what my life might have been like had I grown up in a home with love. Don’t get me wrong, I grew in a nice home, there were two parents who lived there as well, but that was about the extent of it. I believe wholeheartedly many of the “issues” I have stem from not having anybody care beyond a “surface” level about me. I’m ashamed to admit how long it took me to call God Father. The man who terrorized me for the better part of my childhood didn’t exactly exhibit the qualities of a Father. My family reminds me of a darkroom. Nobody cares much except the photographer about the processing of the film, but we all want a pretty picture don't we? Through God’s lens I zero in on my own family. I’m amazed we define it as such when tiny factions of people who just happen to be related by blood would seem more applicable. Beyond “regular” church attendance, Godly examples are few and far between. Life hasn’t seemed to have matured, mellowed or marinated the “seasoned” adults at all. I think after a considerable amount of time, some sort of evolution should take place. This metamorphosis starts inward in the heart. So when I look at middle aged people who don’t seem to have grown emotionally or spiritually, I view it as a heart issue not a health issue. I depend on God, my Father now for my spiritual upbringing. God promises me He longs to be a Father to me. He wants to be the “Daddy” who lets me crawl lovingly into His lap every night when He gets home. He wants to be the Mother who listens earnestly to the dreams of her little girl. He wants to be the brother or sister who takes up for me when the world comes against me. He wants to be the immediate family I can depend on for sound advice. I’ve always wanted a Father. Now I have one in God.

Thanks4Giving

2010-11-23T12:53:00.000-05:00

Just a quick video I filmed today to be mindful of those who are less fortunate than you this Holiday season! Enjoy your family and friends but after the turkey has digested,take a moment to reflect on how good God has been to you! Be blessed! be safe! Most of all, Be thankful!

2010-11-21T16:15:00.003-05:00

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

2010-11-21T16:15:00.001-05:00

Published with Blogger-droid v1.6.5

Writing Out Loud: Making The List!

2010-11-07T15:35:00.005-05:00

Lists are interwoven into the fringe of the average person’s life. Lists are everywhere, providing numerical, alphabetical or bulleted instructions helping us achieve maximum efficiency in an otherwise clueless existence. What about you? When you see another “list”, do you adhere to the “guidelines” set forth or do you ignore the anal retentive person and his or her “Type A” personality behind it? Lists are everywhere! They help us at the grocery store. Lists help us perform our daily tasks at work. Lists even tell our children where to put the dishes after they’ve emptied the dishwasher. I’m a firm believer that at least for some of us, lists make our chaotic lives more manageable, less stressful ......orderly somehow. Many of you probably already know that I love to read, but did you also know I am also partial to bookmarks too? It’s true! Anytime I purchase a book, I always try to find a book mark to go with it! The only setback, is the very rare occasion I loan my books out, I usually don’t get my bookmarks back either! I purchased an interesting bookmark recently. This bookmark listed 50 books to be read before you die. I began to read down the list of books noticing some very popular names: Steinbeck, Austen, Tolstoy, Shakespeare, Bronte and Joyce. So I’m thinking how freaking cool I must be because I’ve actually read or am reading books by many of these authors. I took a closer look at this bookmark and I noticed that one of the books listed was the Holy Bible. Again I laughed, because I probably have more versions of the Bible than the actual list of books. The thought in my head now is surely an “expert reader” must have compiled such an exhaustive list. I still marvel at God’s ability to use the “foolish things to confound the wise” like using a bookmark to express how important it is to read His Word. Will you read the Holy Bible now? I mean it’s on a list with Oscar Wilde for goodness sake! The Holy Bible is not just a collection of unbelievable stories. The Holy Bible embodies one central theme from beginning to end: God’s redemptive plan for His children, who He loves dearly! I pray there is an unction deep inside your spirit that propels you to read the Holy Bible, not because it was on a list, but because your life really does depend on it.

Bounce Back Woman Pt. 2

2010-11-05T23:46:00.001-04:00

Filmed 05 November 2010 God hasn't forgotten about you Dear Sister and neither have I. So me and my once bounceable ball are back to see how you're doing! yeah I know it still hurts, but you have to get up right now! Believe it or not people besides the people you need to let go of need you! Always remember WHO God says you are!

Journal Entry 21 October 2010

2010-10-21T23:39:00.003-04:00

Yesterday I had a killer headache! I’m talking about the kind where any sudden movement seems life threatening. I suspected from the very onset, my headache was a culmination of many things: low glucose, stress, anxiety, mood swings, weather changes, frustration and your “normal” female angst. I admit I probably think too much and have a tendency to over analyze things to death. For some reason, knowing minute details give me a certain degree of comfort or maybe the better word is control. Maybe answers help me feel protected from questions the “unknown” can always raise. My headache reminded me a lot of the unknown. My head seemed to only hurt when I concentrated more on things I truly didn’t need to know but wanted to know right then. I think sometimes we expect you to microwave your promises and slow cook the pain. I am figuring out as I go Lord that most of our pain is self induced, brought on by a deep-seated need to have power over our own lives.

It has been an interesting couple of weeks indeed! Maybe age is responsible, but I’ve noticed lately I need extra time to mull over the events of an otherwise routine life. Once I’ve had time to process my thoughts only then am I able to develop them in a more concrete fashion. I’ve needed the additional time to review relationships, questions, answers, decisions, mistakes, actions, deeds, words and promises. There are days Lord, when I see with such clarity and others where I feel as though I am wandering around in the daytime with a flashlight. I had a fascinating conversation tonight with a local businessman and a future mayoral candidate. I listened intently as both gave their answers on everything from the imploding mortgage crisis to Communist China. I think answers are easier to give than the questions they garner. Mostly I think we walk in circles expecting the answers to come directly to us. I’m thankful Lord that you are still the answer before the question is asked!
Amazed by Your Grace!