HAPPY 50TH TO ME!!

It's my birthday!! Big deal right? Yes!! But even bigger is the fact that it's my 50th birthday!!
Now I could go on and on about how young I look for 50 (LOL) and maybe even talk about the things I have accomplish in my 50 years, or about how I don't look 50, or about how old my young children make me feel sometimes, because I had kids later in life, or about how young I look for 50 or about the things I have yet to accomplish in my remaining years or about how great I look for 50. Instead I will focus this blog on how much God's has done for me in this half a century AND about how great I look for 50! Lol!
While several scriptures come to mind, as I think about this day, I will share just a few of my top ones, as it pertain to how much God has done for me in these 50 years. I have slightly edited one word in the following verse, to fit my case more specifically:
1. I have been young, and now am old(er); yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalms 37:25)
In this short span of time, 50 years, by comparison to how old David may have been when he wrote this, I can also say with confidence, this can serve as the theme verse for my life. In just the last 7 years, I have become a single parent, having lost a marriage that I thought would go til death or rapture, lost a job that I was sure to be the career from which I'd retire, suffered great financial hardships, from which I continue to climb from under today, and wavered in my trust in God to supply all that my children and I need to survive. However, more importantly, in my 50 years, I have been protected, provided for, comforted, encouraged and saved by Grace, by an Almighty God, who was not surprised or caught off guard by any of my woes.
Through all my struggles, He was there. In my doubt, He was there, in my fear and uncertainty, He was there, when I failed and fail  Him, he was and is there, when I complained, He was there. Still today, on my 50th birthday, He continues to be there.
Somehow, and those of you who are familiar with the God I serve, can understand what I mean when I say, SOMEHOW, all that I have needed, His hand hath provided, Great is His faithfulness unto me.
When I lost my job, my bills, though sometimes paid late (LOL) never went unpaid. My children and I never went hungry. My mortgage continued to be paid, through so many doors He opened. Today, the job I have, is not what I set out to do careerwise, but God opened this door and, not only do my children get to attend one of the greatest schools there is, but my job allows me the opportunity to impart into the world's next generation, all while being near my kids. And although, I don't necessarily get to be a writer as a career, I get to write really long Facebook post like this, from time to time (LOL).
In my 50 years, I can proudly say I am a Veteran, having retired from the greatest branch there is, ARMY, after honorably serving 23 years!
I have been blessed with two beautiful children, who often give me a run for my mental money. Lol! They are both smart, intelligent children, but most importantly, they have both given their lives to Christ. That was my biggest desire where my children were concerned. Now, on to living it out and going to college of course … Lol.
As of my more recent blessings, I have embarked on a new (old) relationship, which has made me so very happy. It feels good to be loved and important, after a long stretch of “All about my kids.” You single parents will understand that. As we take it one day at a time, I look forward to getting to know him again and simply enjoying time with him. And maybe even….
As I look back over these 50 years, I can attest to the fact that trusting God has been my sanity container. Yes, I have wavered in my faith. I have been fearful that things were not going to be OK. But, in every situation, circumstance, trial or tribulation, God has NEVER moved. When things don't seem to be going the way I think they should, I need only trust Him, which brings me to my final birthday verse, my favorite Scripture, mainly because I have to remind myself of it so much on this journey called life:
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. (Proverbs 3:5‭-‬6)
If you've read this far, thank you! Just wanted to share my thoughts on this important day! And let's not forget share how young I look for 50. LOL!!!

Happy Proverbial Mother's Day

Being a Mother is by far the most difficult job there is, in my opinion. It is often a thankless job and one without monetary benefits. With motherhood, small pay comes throughout the life of the child in the form of obedience, educational accomplishments, Godly character qualities, future career accomplishments, family life, etc. However, mothers often don’t see the fruits of their motherly labor until decades later.

And while mothers love and nurture their children from day one, Charles Stanley says, “The greatest gift a mother can give her children is her example of love and obedience to God.”

Often time we think the significance of a mother is rooted in our time as children, but as adults, we still need our mothers. We still need their unconditional love, their support, their encouragement, their godly wisdom and their ability to tell us the truth in love, even when it hurts.

Now I realize that I am the next generation to take of the mantle of motherhood. I must strive to be the godly mother God has commanded me to be. I must study God’s Word, believe His Word, Live His Word and Share His Word. Those of us with children must now pass on godly wisdom. Despite what was done right or wrong during our childhood, we as Women of God are called to “come out from among them and be separate.” We can’t allow our children to be lost in the shuffle of, “let them find themselves,” or the “freedoms rooted in sinful lifestyles,” or the most infamous idea of being your child's friend to gain their love and respect.

In our daily lives as Godly Mothers, we should strive to be Proverbial women. While we often hear the verses read, what do they actually mean to us? She is an honorable woman, a righteous woman, she cares for the things of, and people in her household. She is a hard-WORKING woman. She is never idle, always finding something of godly substance to do.
At the end of the day, being a mother may be the hardest job, but it is definitely the most rewarding. As I watch my two children grow and learn, I see that, although sometimes I think they are not listening and learning what I'm teaching, they are in fact doing just that. I watch them show godly character in situations and show love towards others and I can't help but say, Thank you Lord for the opportunity to instill in them what I received from my mother, a life lived for God's glory.
Today, and all other days, let's be found Proverbial! It is my prayer that today will only be a glimpse of how amazing you are.

New love found only in Christ

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11‭-‬13 NKJV
I’ve heard this verse a lot over the years, from it being preach over the pulpit, to it being a memory verse for my kids in school, to people just generically quoting it as an inspirational word from the Lord just for them. But let me take a moment to tell you what it means to me at this time in my life.
If I may continue on my transparent journey – Often, as of lately, I struggle with loneliness. I long for conversation about basically anything, but to include my thoughts and feelings on anything and everything. As a parent I am concern for the needs of my children, and rightfully so, they are my responsibility. But there comes a time in my day-to-day when I simply want to say - in my Color Purple voice to Harpo - “What about me?” You Color Purple fans will get that. Lol!
If I'm may continue in my honesty, I don't think I have ever experienced true relationship love – the kind between a man and a woman. I have yet to witness the sacrificial love described in Scripture. The hard love found in the pit of your stomach and the ache in your chest kind of love.
I've had the “cry your eyes out, why is he leaving me,” the “why doesn't he show me he loves me,” the “who is she love,” and the  “I want a divorce love,” but never the unconditional love, “anything for you, for us” kinda love. Yes, I know God loves me, unconditionally and sacrificially. But, without going into details, you know what I'm talking about. That being said, let me stay on topic.
Everyone God created, He created with purpose. God knew His plan and purpose for us before the foundation of this world. With that in mind, I strive daily to stay within His will and plan for my life, and no, I'm not always successful in the run of a day. This verse says his thoughts of me are of peace and not of evil:
He wants me to be at peace in my mind and in my body and in my spirit. How do I get that peace? Philippians 4:6-7 tells me if I'm anxious for nothing, but pray about everything, letting the Lord know my heart with thankfulness for what He has done and is doing, ask Him for what I need, THEN I can have that peace that passes all understanding. AND that peace will keep my heart and mind through Christ Jesus.
Next, He wants to give me a future and a hope.
The future He desires(ed) for me can be, and has been at times delayed, off track, or on hold, simply because I chose to not obey. I either wavered in my faith about what He said he would supply and attempted to HELP God supply my needs or my wants, which I described as needs, in the hopes that he would supply them if I labeled them correctly.
The Bible says in Hebrews 11, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
In order for God to give me the desires of my heart – a sincere, godly relationship - I must be found in His will for my life. I must seek him with my whole heart and the desires of my heart will match what He has for me. I must stop wavering in my faith because I don't see it happening when I think it should.
The last portion says, Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.
If a godly relationship it what I want, THEN I must ask Him for it, trust Him for it and then Obey Him for it.
If you've ever read my writings, you know me to be good for saying trust God and Obey God. Today, I need you to tell me this. If you have my number text it to me, email it to me, Facebook it to me. Hold me accountable to God's will for my life. If He desires me to have another relationship, pray that I will truly WAIT on Him, trust Him and Obey Him.
Although my true friends list is short, I know I have a few people out there who truly love me and care for me and want the best for me - God's best - that is. Hold me accountable to GOD, my faith walk, my obedience journey.
If you've read this far, I thank you in advance for your support and for your prayers.

Hold your children accountable

Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right.  Proverbs 20:11

In other words, a tree is known by it’s fruit, and a man by his doings.
As a parent it can be difficult to discern what we should and when we should expose our children to certain things. But what I have learned and witnessed over the years, from childhood to parenthood is, the Word of God holds no punches when it comes to telling the truth, even to children. Now you’ve heard me say often, that the Bible has an answer for everything we face in life. But here’s the trick, you ready, we have to open the Bible to get those answers. And so it is with children. We adults are always saying they are too young for this or that, but in the Bible, children are taught from very young ages what God requires of them, how they are to treat their parents, those in authority and each other. I mean hey, there was a king who was 8 years old. It also shows consequences from wrong actions. We are living in a sin sick world – just spend 5 minutes watching the days headlines. Without God’s Word for guidance, the world will chew us up and spit us out. No one is doing your child a favor if you allow them to grow up thinking the world owes them something. They should be taught to respect authority, from parents to teachers, to pastors and their elders. They should also be told when they actions bring about bad results, as well as good. I won’t even tell you about the kids and the bear in the bible, for fear that you will think I’m condoning that extent of punishment. I’m not, just saying it is OUR, THE ADULTS, responsibility to teach children that they actions, good or bad have consequences. They need to witness the results of their actions aka those consequences.
My children are 10 and 7, and I hold no punches when it comes to telling them and showing them the consequences of their actions. Whether they disrespect me, their teacher or anyone else in authority. When they are unkind to friends or classmates at school. No matter what, I don’t allow it to slide, because one day they will slide into adulthood and disrespect others and possibly lose great advantages and opportunities,  like disrespecting their first boss and getting fired, simply because we weren’t parent enough or authority enough to tell them the truth when we had the chance.
If you have children or work with children, don’t take that privilege for granted. Don’t miss an opportunity to impart into a child’s life with life long results. Stop saying what’s too much for them to know and see. Please, many of them already know and see more than we think. Equip them & prepare them to be the respectable and productive next generation.
Stop ignoring the gigantic white elephant in the room, and address it head-on,  with the Word of God.

My Black History Moment

My Moment in Black History read at my church, Lakewood Church International on February 12, 2017.

When I was asked to do a black history moment I asked myself, “Who will I read about?” The list was extremely long and the accomplishments of my people have been enumerable. So, I decided that since I am a writer and I know a little about black history, being black and all – that I’d write something.

Over the centuries, we, as a people, have had many names or labels, if you will, since unintentionally landing here on this “stolen” land called America. Those names have included Africans, niggas, specks, spooks, baboons, negro, colored, black and, of course, our most recent politically correct label, African-American.

Over those same centuries, we have been enslaved, beaten, killed, and abused to levels I dare not mention in this setting. And still, despite our battered, bruised, beat down and despised history, we have made some significant contributions to history.

For example, as a published African-American author, I can appreciate the sacrifices made by such people as Phillis Wheatley, the first African-American poet and the first African-American woman to publish a book.

Garrett Morgan, an African-American, was the inventor of the first traffic signal.

Daniel Hale Williams, a black man, performed the first open heart surgery in 1893.

Or there’s Sojourner Truth, who was born Isabelle Baumfree. She changed her name when she began traveling the country preaching God’s Word. She also spoke out against slavery and fought for women’s rights.

And there’s Dred Scott, a slave who was bold enough to sue his owners for his freedom in 1843. The case went as far as the Supreme Court. Although the Justices said Scott could not sue because he was black, he was eventually given his freedom by his owner’s son.

Then there’s Rosa Parks, the hard working, tired African-American woman, who simply wanted to rest on her ride home from a long day of work. Parks, who refused to give up her seat for a white man, was arrested. Her bravery and the hateful actions of others led to a bus boycott like never seen before. This boycott led to the desegregation of public transportation.

And let us never forget an accomplishment, many doubted would ever happen in our lifetimes, President Barack Obama, an African-American, a black man, serving as Commander-in-Chief. The President of the United States, The leader of the free world.

Although the accomplishments are many in BLACK history – there is the most important history we can all celebrate in the house of the Lord. This knowledge does not lessen the fact that I am black history. We are black history. But more importantly, we are RED history, for we have been washed in the blood of Jesus Christ. I am WHITE because his RED blood has washed me whiter than snow. We are no longer defined by the color of my skin, for MY GOD doesn’t look at the outward appearance. He looks at our hearts.

So today, I can add to the list given above – my most important and everlasting name – REDEEMED!

May we as a people never forget where we came from. But most important, be sure of WHERE you are going!

Happy Black History Month 

Be ye kind while Keepin’ it 100!

So, in the distance I hear my children arguing with each other. After hearing both sides of the issue, we quoted together the Scripture which speaks of “being kind one to another...” I had them repeat it several times. I had them look into each other’s eyes and quote it, and we moved on.

So, about an hour later, I hear my children arguing again. I ask, “Are you being kind to one another?” My daughter, aka “all mighty mouth Trinity,” says, “Kinda.”

I reply, the Bible says Be Ye Kind, not Kinda.

Now, my children are 7 and 9, and while they are extremely smart (no really, I’m not just bias) they are still learning the significance of taking GOD at His Word and simply put – OBEYING IT.

Unfortunately, there are many Bible-believing adults who do the same thing as my children did, justify their actions or partially obey the Bible, to make their actions not seem so severe or wrong. So, I guess Trinity could have meant “Kinda, since we haven’t physically hurt each other yet.”

I’ll tell you like I tell my children - partial action is no action, partial truth is a lie, partial obedience is disobedience.

My whole point of this blog is this – as a whole, we need to be a kinder people. Now, I’m the last person to squash anybody’s feelings or thoughts and the freedom to express them, because I LOVE to tell what I think about any given issue. As this generation puts it “Keepin it 100!” However, there is a way to express your views, thoughts, beliefs and opinions, while respecting others views, thoughts, beliefs and opinion. Showing respect does not mean you agree with them or condone their actions or lifestyles.  

I have spent many days in my 48 years around unkind, mean and thoughtless people. There are some harsh, unkind things that have been done to me and said to me over the years that some still sting today in my thoughts.

But, I vow to not be such a person, as I know how it effects those who have had to deal with it – whether in a relationship, a work environment or in and around the community.

Don’t get me wrong, I AM NOT asking you to make a new year’s resolution. We should resolve to be kind year-round, why wait until a new year comes. If that’s the extent of its importance, then as sure as that New Year’s diet will end by Feb. 1, so will your resolution to be kind.

So, I encourage you to do as I will continue to have my children do – quote Ephesians 4:32 - And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

Be NOT conformed to this world

Today's sermon was very fitting for today's headlines. "There is still Hope." As we look at the tragic and often grusome headlines and wade our way through the event "Formerly known as the presidential campaign," we tend to lose hope of there ever being a REAL change for the betterment of this country. The Scripture was Genesis 18:23-33 when Abraham was asking God if he would spare Sodom and Gomorrah from destruction if he could find as little as 10 righteous people in the city. Abraham was interceding in prayer for the city. The point was brought across that Lot, a righteous man (and nephew to Abraham), lived in the city that was to be destroyed by God and yet he had made no impact on anyone outside his family to bring them to a relationship with God. I guess his light wasn't shining too bright. Thus the mere 4 people who got out! Many of us today, go about our lives - our CHRISTIAN lives - never once sharing the Gospel or the love of Christ with anyone. Truth be told, many of our close aquaintances don't even know we are Christians. It was also brought out that many Christians have allowed themselves to be conformed to the world's way of thinking and living, as opposed to leading anyone to Christ. Now, how is it fitting for today, you ask. No sooner I had left church, I received some disturbing news about a local church that is allowing God to be mock in His house. A people who is blatantly ignoring God's word and allowing people in positions of leadership who are unqualified, by God's standards, to stand before God's people. After today's sermon, and even more so after receiving this news, I realized how important it is for us to also intercede in prayer for others. Others include our future president, whomever that may be, and everyone in positons of leadership around this country. This blog, however, focuses specifically on the leadership in the Church. By Church I mean God's people. Not God's creation, because that's everyone. But those who say they have accepted Christ as Savior. Churches today have lost their desire to serve God at all cost, and instead are embracing the world's lifestyles and beliefs and allowing them to bring those lifestyles into places of worship and stand before God's people in positions of leadership. I believe that everyone, no matter what kind of lifestyle you are living, should be allowed to attend a Bible believing and bible teaching church. God did say love everyone and that Christ came for the sick not the well. If you keep the sick out of the hospital, how do they get better? How else will they learn God's Word and allow it to change them. However, when the church, GOD'S PEOPLE, ignores the WORD OF GOD, which is clear on what God says is sin and an abomination, and allow a person openly living outside of God's Will to stand before God's people - that is SAD. Don't misunderstand me, sin is sin across the board. If a person is shacking, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church, If a person is fornicating, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. If a person is committing adultry, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. If a person is living a transgender or homosexual lifestyle, they should not be in a position of leadership in the church. No matter the sin, they should be seated in the pew to learn God's Word and Way, so when they decided to change they will know just HOW to go about it. I am appaud and sadden because this news hit close to home today. I was sadden because I know there are those in this church who are keeping silent to keep the "peace." Know that there is NO PEACE with out Christ. Know that your silence is also condoning. Remember, the safest place in the whole wide world is in the WILL of God. I am and will continue to intercede on behalf of those who seem to have lost their way.
Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2