You know the changing of the seasons is simply amazing. Springtime brings forth the flowers that bloom in all of their magnificent array of shapes and colors. I find myself stopping to smell the roses. When I think about the time I spend in the hustle and bustle of daily living, sometimes it’s hard to find the time to stop and just admire Gods’ splendor. One of the things that I like to do during the spring season is to go fishing. Typically I do more crabbing and gazing out on the water than I do fishing. Let it be known that I can’t swim so I’m not out on a boat. My hubby and I fish from a pier and I am amazed at the water. It’s such a calming feeling being out there. It tends to be quite tranquil. This is just one of my stopping to smell the roses moment. Do you have any? What are they? I mean what atmosphere do you like to be in to hear from God or just take in his bountiful scenery? What does it take for you to stop and spell your proverbial roses or whatever your flower of choice may be? I am speaking metaphorically of course. One of the great things about the change of season, for me, is that birthed during spring is the deluge of showers that we experience. The smell of rain…ha, there’s nothing like it. As a child, I liked to play in the rain and that has actually carried over into my adult life. One of the things I’ve learned about the springtime and its rain is that it brings to bloom those flowers or in my case specifically, those roses. The rain tends to represent the precursor to a storm. Storms of life are an inevitability. There are times when rain is looked at with a veil of trouble. However, I’ve started to think of the rain as being a necessary step toward me seeing my roses. So I say let the rain come because it’s birthing my roses.
Today is the day that the Lord has made and I shall rejoice in it. After all, that is the bible, right? But how do you rejoice when your life is in shambles and you don’t know where to turn? Scripture!!! The Bible declares that David encouraged himself in the Lord. Sometimes you have to do something that I call self talk. What is self talk? That’s when you talk to yourself with the scriptures. For instance Jeremiah 29:11 says to me: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil (KJV).
That in itself is enough to shout about don’t you think? I mean think about it…God knows me personally. He knows my mess ups and my slip ups. He knows my heart and my love for him. He knows my shortcomings and yet he still has a success plan for me. That’s enough to be enthusiastic about. So in spite of all that’s going on in your life, begin to declare that it’s a happy day because today you can start again. The Bible also declares that we are given brand new mercies each day. That can be found in the book of Lamentations 3:23. I am so very grateful that God does not treat me as my sins deserve (Psalm 103:10). I give God praise for another day to come before HIS throne of grace. It gives me another chance to try again. Yes it’s a happy day regardless and I am enthusiastic about it.
Romans 10:9 states:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
King James Version (KJV)
Christians, it is time to live life, love yourself and be happy. You know often times we as Christians hold on far too long. Whether it be holding on to lopsided friendships or holding on to unrequited love, we need to know when to let go. Believe it or not, there is joy in letting go. There is also peace in letting go. I have experienced healing in letting go. My experience in letting go of the things and people that do not want to be a part of my life has actually been cathartic.
Once you can acknowledge that a relationship is bringing no added value to your life and is instead detracting from it, you can then begin your process of letting go. It may not be easy for you to face the facts of the relationship but it is necessary. You know in Philippians 3:13-14 it states: “Brothers, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus”, or as Job 17:9 states: “The righteous shall move onward and forward; those with pure hearts shall become stronger and stronger.”
So you see, letting go positions you to move forward and grow stronger. It is crucial for your happiness and joy. So I admonish you to let go of those people and things with enthusiasm because there is JOY on the other side of this process. Live, love and enjoy life with enthusiasm because you deserve it.
When tragedy comes our way we have the power to speak ourselves out of it.
Are you an African American? By definition, an African American is a black American or an American who has African and especially black African ancestors.
In today’s times, depending on where you live, there are children who are unaware of what the term “African American” really means, and it’s seemed as confusing with the response, “I’m not African.”
Some children say “I’m not black. I’m brown.” It seems as if they definitely know the colors of a Crayola box. Is it because they are looking at the color of their skin or because they haven’t been taught who they are and where they come from?
These are subjects that we face today, where the education of it is much needed and should be offered through all of our mouths who know the answer. At the same time, we do not want our children to develop hate or separatism towards other cultures but instead, so they will know their own culture and be proud of the skin they are in. Take time to educate your child about what’s on top of their skin so they can have it in their heart.
Red and yellow, black or white, we are precious in His sight. Jesus loves the little children of the world.
SOURCE: emaze.com
Nat Turner was a force to be reckoned with. “In August 1831, Nat Turner struck fear into the hearts of white Southerners by leading the only effective slave rebellion in U.S. history. Born on a small plantation in Southampton County, Virginia, Turner inherited a passionate hatred of slavery from his African–born mother and came to see himself as anointed by God to lead his people out of bondage.”
Although Nat Turner killed many, he left a strong statement to all with a message that every life God put on this earth should have the opportunity to live. He was the start of many leaders to come after him and rise up to stand for equality among all people.
He may have gotten captured and hanged to death but he died with his freedom within. He will forever be remembered for the courageous act he sacrificed his life for. What are you sacrificing in your own life today for the freedom of how God wants you to live? Remain free in your heart of worry, depression, disappointment and rise against it with joy. You were called to be free!
SOURCE: markwalston.com
Shirley Chisholm….what a phenomenal woman she was.
Did you know? — “Shirley Chisholm was the first African-American woman elected to the House of Representatives. She was elected in 1968, and represented the state of New York.”
She was viewed as a model of independence facing many issues with women’s rights and obtaining help for the poor.
Although Ms. Chisholm won many tuition scholarships for school, she was unable to afford her room and board. Isn’t that something? A woman of intelligence, graduating with honors was still limited for what we are awarded for today. “Through campus politics and her work with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), an organization that was formed in 1909 to work for equal rights for African Americans, Chisholm found a way to voice her opinions about economic and social structures in a rapidly changing nation.”
In spite of many challenges, she never let “quit” become a part of her vocabulary and her desire was to “be remembered for continuing throughout her life to fight for rights for women and African-Americans.”
“Will you be mine?”
This is the big question that on the 14th day of February seems to ring in everyone’s ears all day long. But what if there is no suitor to put a suit on or a bachelorette to put in a dress?
Ladies, don’t find yourself looking for roMANce. Gentlemen, every kiss may begin with “K” but it’s “OK” if you don’t have a lady to put a ring on it!
Don’t worry, instead be happy! The Lord has already given so you can have love everlasting.
“God loved the world this way: He gave his only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not die but will have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
It was because of love in the beginning that God caused the existence of your very being. He asks will you be His, every day, so let your song change from Will you be mine to Yes I will be yours!
For the married and happy or content and satisfied who have found that love that had you at hello, make sure you never can say goodbye. The gift of love is given over and over again. Keep unwrapping it!
It’s the top of the New Year and most of you will be in the mindset of “new,” such as wanting new ways, doing new things, believing for new goals and things of that sort but I want to help you set some reSOULutions to help you along the way.
You are a BRICKHOUSE but its time for some remodeling!
You may have to break down the old walls that are full of cracks which are like thoughts that aren’t complete, ceilings that are sinking in which puts me in mind of people that haven’t been helping you stay afloat, or floors that are scuffed and peeling apart like friendships that were once a good ground but you were stepped on too many times. Ouch! That hurts!
Don’t forget to clean out your attic which we all know is full of sentimental things that can still be used, like the thoughts and ideas you have that are waiting for you to think them out. Get rid of those old mattresses where the box springs are broken, which are like situations that you may be trying your best to work out but they aren’t bouncing you forward and instead, breaking your back.
A new house cannot be built with old bricks so don’t be afraid to get some new “cement” so you can “See- what’s -Meant!”
Signed,
Out with the old, In with the new