Do you remember the song…”Whip Appeal” by Babyface?   Yes, I am dating myself.  However, I was thinking about it tonight while I was mediating on my scriptures for the day Joshua 5:2, Romans 2:29 and Colossians 2:11 all in which talk about circumcision first of the body and then the subconscious mind otherwise known as our hearts.

If you can follow my train of thinking the Word of God has “Whip Appeal”.  Once you begin to really dig your heels into it, it whips everything that does not line up to it right out of you!  You begin to desire it more and after awhile don’t mind that it is whipping the fleshy things right on out.

In truth true freedom begins first in your mind.  Once your mind is renewed… the flesh has no other choice but to submit.

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

Did you know that God wants to court you?  During a period of not knowing, a wilderness experience; God touches our hearts before he asking for our hands.  As with Abram in Genesis 12:1-3 he tells us what his will for us is before the promise is fulfilled, it is up to us to believe him by faith and follow him.  When we got saved we entered into a courtship with God.  Unlike dating that has expiration deciding to go into courtship with God meant that you saw, with him there was a future beyond what you were experiencing while being unsaved.  In a courtship you build a foundation for a future together a covenant. God courts us.  Don’t get it twisted we do not court him.

God is always giving the advantage. He gave us Jesus, the Holy Spirit and his Word in the form of the Bible.  As we learn more through our personal walks with God; through our courtship we develop more deeply into a relationship.  As we experience more of him our confidence is strengthen.  Though we may have trials and tribulations, God past track record in our lives and what is shown in his word, tell us that he has our back.  All we have to is follow his lead.

To paraphrase God from Jeremiah 29:11 he said it very plainly that he has plans for us, plans to prosper us and not harm us, to give us hope and a future.  And what are the only things God asks us to do in return?  Trust him; obey him, to believe in him by faith and to develop in his love.  Just like when the vows are declared during a wedding ceremony.  His promises to bless us and make our names great prepare us to walk fully and boldly into our covenant with him.

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

What is the purpose of purpose?  Is it not what motivates us to get up in the morning to pursue things that seem so far off that if only a dream?  For what is a dream?  The stuff of our imaginations slowly peeking at the walls of our containment; slowly taking form in our reality if only we dared to believe… AND step out.  I purpose to dream… BIG what about you?

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

August 8^th, 2010 – Yesterday, in preparing to go to my church’s general service, I decided to have as my traveling music Byron Cage’s “Faithful to Believe” album. When I arrived on location the song that was pumping through my ear phones was “I Can’t Hold it”; a song that gets me every time in the mood to praise.  After attending a meeting I proceeded to go downstairs to visit with one of my friends in another volunteer department (I serve in the Music Ministry.)  I opted for the elevator versus the stairs.  Two of my friends one an armor bearer for my pastors and another a pastor’s aide waited with me.  When the elevator arrived we were greeted by another one of my friends that is an armor bearer and unknown gentleman.

My friend who is an aide seeing the unknown gentleman assumed he was new armor bearer / vision keeper in training.  She proceeded to confirm this by asking the question if in fact he was.  His response “Yes, I am dedicating my life to Christ today.” The elevator then stopped and he got off.  We all looked at each other for a second in slight confusion.  My friend the aide stated “He must have not understood the question.”  My response was I believe he did.  He was stating what he believed was keeping the vision.  He was dedicating his life to the Lord.

We at that moment arrived at our own floor and all parted ways; I to visit my friend and them to go to their individuals assignments.   When I found my friend, her department members and she were preparing to pray and meet.  I decided to join them in for the prayer.  After the prayer I went upstairs to report to my own department officially and proceeded to do my pre-service duties.  Praise and worship was extra anointed that night and my lady pastor, Taffi L. Dollar really urged us in her opening encouragements to bask in the presence of God a bit longer.

The message itself was excellent and as always an on time one.  When she called for the altar call for those that wanted to get saved, rededicate their lives to Christ, received the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (with the evidence of speaking with tongues) or join the church she also instructed us as is customary to ask our neighbors the same four questions.  Low and behold the unknown gentleman who was on the elevator with me earlier was sitting in the next row.

I knew that was a sign from God that he wanted me to be the one to ask him personally if he had made a quality decision.  At that moment I turned around and asked, he resoundingly said yes and confirmed that he wanted me to walk him down.  He and I were the first ones to arrive at the altar that evening.  I was so much in a state of utter joy that when I went to go back to my seat, I first went to the wrong row.  After laughing at myself I walked to the correct one and just began to thank God for gentleman making a quality decision and for allowing me to assist him.

True tears of joy just began to fall from my eyes.  An older woman, who I know only by casual fellowshipping, tapped me on the shoulder to hug me.  I was so much on a spiritual high that I just could not almost contain myself; I think I gave her an extra squeeze.  During my trip home I felt as I was floating on cloud nine.  I continued to thank God for bring the gentleman, to my attention and using me to be his escort to the altar.

It’s just amazing how simply by paying attention to your surroundings, not questioning and obeying the voice of the Holy Spirit and doing an act of service can bless you right back in return.  It is almost 24 hours later and I am still on a spiritual high.   I served again this morning at satellite church and was taken out of my comfort zone.  I was asked to sing lead for the last song of the worship set and to minister the altar call song.  In the natural I made a few errors (early start on a song because I was lost in the spirit), however I had said “Ok, I will do it, Lord.”  And he yet again showed out…more souls came to the kingdom!

I believe last night in a sense I to rededicated my life back Lord; and I will continue to give him the glory for each opportunity he presents to me.

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

My Daddy (the late Robert Jefferson) and me (Lela at age 14.)

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

Adapted from reenactment done during tour of National Buffalo Soldiers’ Museum in Houston, TX www.buffalosolidermuseum.com - Tyler D. Biggs was born a slave.  His father was a Blacksmith and Muslim.  Of his parents he was the last of four boys.  Due to the value of his father’s skill as a Blacksmith, he was given his own small home that was adjacent to the smith shop.  This caused him to be away from his family days at a time.

Tyler’s birth name was not Tyler but the single letter “D”; for that is how his “master” named his slaves using the alphabet.  His master caught a fancy to his mother and so one day Tyler remembers seeing his father being placed in the back of a wagon and waving to him.  The next day he saw the wagon return, however his father didn’t.  Five new slaves were added to the plantation.

His master went to fight for the Confederates, leaving with all fanfare as any Southern gentleman would going off the defend house and home.  However, he never returned home.  His mama now widowed and without a son to handle the books of the plantation, was at a lost.  This is how Tyler learned how to run a plantation / agricultural business.

One day the Union army came to free “D” and his fellow slaves…that was the day that he began his true journey that lead him to become a Buffalo Soldier named… Tyler D. Biggs.

Watch the following video to learn more about the Buffalo Solders:

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

Friday July 2^nd, 2010 – I woke up this morning with a new spring in my step.  Today, I am Houston, TX bound for the first time.  I am spending July 4^th weekend with my sweetie and his family.  I packed the night before while being coached (over the phone) by a professional, my sweetie coaches, football.  As he stated, his major boyfriend duty was to make sure I went to bed with enough time to not be cranky in the morning.  Mission accomplished.

Leaving for work, I said my goodbyes to my pets.  My plan was to head for the airport after work.  Auston my dog I could tell sensed I was leaving.  He stayed even closer to me and gave me those sad puppy dog eyes that normally melt my heart.  My cat Tigger on the other hand was more concerned about his next meal.

I was so excited about the day.  I arrived almost 45 minutes early into the office.   This will be my sweetie and my second away trip, as a couple and once again outside of me booking my flights he is planning our entire itinerary. See, for the average person this would not seem to be a big deal.  However for me, there is never anything average.  Professionally I assisted in and planned complex events that hosted from less than 10 or more VIPs to thousands of attendees weekly.  From the venue selection, to the vendors and fine tuning of the guest list, so me having the faith in and ability to trust him completely in the planning of our trips activities, once again tells  and speaks volumes.

With arriving to work early I had time to check in with my sweetie and my sister-friends.  After which, I began tracking the weather conditions out of Houston and my flight.  Well, what I thought was my flight. It turns out I was tracking the wrong flight all day!  However I will get into how I found out about that later.  I didn’t get upset however when I saw that there were delays due to extreme weather conditions (Thunderstorms and flash flooding.)  I just began praying for the passengers and flight crew.  I giggled with my co-workers saying I would be able to finish a book or get some writing done while I waited for my flight to arrive.  Little did I know my attitude through the entire ordeal would be a testimony in it self.

When I got off from work I had two options from Penn Station to get to the JFK connector station; the subway or the LIRR.  I decided after getting some sage advice from a co-worker to not take the LIRR.  Instead I took the less crowded and less expensive E train (subway) to catch the AirTrain to JFK International Airport, NY Mass Transit’s greener alternative to get the world famous portal to the world.  My total commuter cost to JFK was $7.50 ($2.50 for the subway and $5.00 for the AirTrain fare.)

Walking to the E train, talk about perfect timing the train arrived just as I was going through the turnstile.  The complete ride was an experience.  After only one stop I was able to get a seat.  By that one stop I knew for a fact that I was on a train with a host of characters.  From the African American young man dressed as Edward Scissorhands with his reflecting contacts, sporting two cell phones, to the little Hispanic girl that instinctively used my shoulder as a pillow; I told her mother I didn’t mind.   As a child I remember doing the same thing myself while on long train ride J

When I arrived to my destination Supthin Blvd; I was already pumped because I knew I would have some stories to write about.  Getting on the AirTrain I checked “my flight” again.  The report was showing the plane was getting ready to taxi leaving Houston for New York.  I called my sweetie who was picking me up from airport to tell him the status and he was still shocked at how calm I was and the fact I was giggling, though it looked there was almost 4 hour delay.  I was just really enjoying myself.  The AirTrain takes you for a full loop around JFK and I was taking in the beauty of the airport and its terminals.

When I reached my terminal, I again found joy just ridding the moving walkway.  The inner kid in me wanted to ride it again on the opposite side.  I didn’t though.  I took a picture at the top of the escalator before going into check in and when I got my boarding pass was kind of shocked to see my ticket said my flight was leaving on time.  The funny thing is that actually ignored it and checked my bag, however was led to look up at the flight board and back at my boarding pass and was pleasantly surprised to see my flight was leaving on time.  I had arrived to the airport within 90 minutes of departure.  My exact words were “Glory to God!”

After calling my sweetie to give him the update and my sister-friends, I sat back and marveled at God.  Though I had made the error in tracking the wrong flight, he still showed me favor.  My entire flight was wonderfully smooth.  I know that is a testimony to how I maintained my attitude and through the power of prayer done by my intercessors.  The flight time was cut from 3 hours and 50 minutes to just 2 hours and a half.  I arrived in Houston almost an entire hour early.

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

Totally random thoughts this morning or maybe not; this past week I have been in self examination mode yet again.   I purposely put in my schedule time to check my actions to see if they were lining up with the WORD of God or were beginning to be based in fear and just plain selfishness.  Whenever I feel this happening it is a clear sign that I need to stop and recharge my spirit and body.  Basically I needed to check my spiritual thermostat to see if I was running on empty, versus my overflow.

Areas I needed to examine were my volunteerism (spiritual employment), my relationships with people and my finances.  Ultimately was I being moved or lead?

There is something most folks don’t get when they accept God’s call in serving HIS people.  There is a heighten level of accountability and responsibility that goes along with it.  That means you need to make sure that your actions are lining up to HIS Word.

It is not okay just to agree with the WORD of God or anything you purpose your mind to study you must engage it.  Allow it to speak to you and change you from the inside out.  Every leader (that means you) has responsibilities and is accountable to someone.  You don’t believe me do something and watch what happens…

Did you enjoy this post? If yes, share and comment.  Both are always welcome

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

This past Sunday, I was called in to worship as an alternate singer at one of satellite church’s my local church supports. I woke up that morning with a pressure headache that made me want to stay home.

I had planned out my trip ahead of time, but the train I was to take was pulled from the schedule. During the Praise and Worship section of service I felt actually at some points I was going to fall out.

BUT and yes I do know but cancels out all that I just said. I rejoiced all the way through the pressure. My point in all this is to say…many times we allowed the pressures of our days to move us from our God given purposes.

More and more I am learning how to take my SELF out of the way so HE meaning God can use me the way he intended to.

My job is just to obey, and when I am not sure maintain an attitude of gratitude and praise.

My question to you this morning is… Are you rejoicing through the pressure? Or are you staying in your Sinai Dessert only a praise away from your destiny?

Destiny is not a destination its a journey to be enjoyed!

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.

Lately folks have been telling me they believe and see that I am slimming down and have a new found glow.  Some have asked “Girl what is your secret?” To tell you the truth… I believe the biggest change I have made to help me lose weight is increasing my Praise and Worship time.

I am an energetic Praise Warrior.   I feel truly blessed and honored to have the opportunity to serve as a member of my local church’s Music Ministry and as part of an awesome team that ministers/sings at our local area satellite churches.

© 2010, Lela Jefferson. All rights reserved.