The Real

Letter to the People: Cooperation

2012-02-01T08:00:00.000-05:00

Cooperation is a key factor in the success of any kind of group work or activity. Whether it’s a school assignment working in groups, a work presentation with a coworker or an activity in your church, accomplishing any group task is impossible without cooperation.

I have learned so far that in order for us to give God our best, we must give each other our best. This should be a major goal of this year. I want everyone to understand that when we represent Christ, our churches, we ought to give our best. That means we must learn how to not only bring out our best efforts and qualities, but we should also aim to bring out those same qualities in our fellow members and friends. It’s truly a group effort!

When we work together by being open to other’s opinions, being respectful to group decisions and members, we give God our best and represent him with our best. I would like to challenge every person reading this to also give your best in EVERYTHING that you do. It starts with us and if we can learn to bring the best out of each other, we will bring out our best for God! Aim to be more cooperative with everyone and always keep God at forefront of it all. Remember let’s Grow, Glow and Go for Christ!

Ephesians 4:16
He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

With Love,

Sis. Ashley Reid- President

Redefine Yourself: Flaws and All, Psalm 51

2012-01-29T18:12:00.000-05:00

I'm not talking about Beyonce or your soul mate, I'm talking about God. I just wanted to share this scripture that God put on my heart this morning. It's beautiful when God still uses us, listens to us and loves us regardless of our sin. Imagine that! What if people didn't change their perception of in regards to your sin? God doesn't and he sees us for the real us and helps us to the same. Be Blessed!

Psalm 51

^1-3Generous in love—God, give grace! Huge in mercy—wipe out my bad record.

Scrub away my guilt,

soak out my sins in your laundry.

I know how bad I've been;

my sins are staring me down.

^4-6 You're the One I've violated, and you've seen

it all, seen the full extent of my evil.

You have all the facts before you;

whatever you decide about me is fair.

I've been out of step with you for a long time,

in the wrong since before I was born.

What you're after is truth from the inside out.

Enter me, then; conceive a new, true life.

^7-15 Soak me in your laundry and I'll come out clean,

scrub me and I'll have a snow-white life.

Tune me in to foot-tapping songs,

set these once-broken bones to dancing.

Don't look too close for blemishes,

give me a clean bill of health.

God, make a fresh start in me,

shape a Genesis week from the chaos of my life.

Don't throw me out with the trash,

or fail to breathe holiness in me.

Bring me back from gray exile,

put a fresh wind in my sails!

Give me a job teaching rebels your ways

so the lost can find their way home.

Commute my death sentence, God, my salvation God,

and I'll sing anthems to your life-giving ways.

Unbutton my lips, dear God;

I'll let loose with your praise.

^16-17 Going through the motions doesn't please you,

a flawless performance is nothing to you.

I learned God-worship

when my pride was shattered.

Heart-shattered lives ready for love

don't for a moment escape God's notice.

^18-19 Make Zion the place you delight in,

repair Jerusalem's broken-down walls.

Then you'll get real worship from us,

acts of worship small and large,

Including all the bulls

they can heave onto your altar!

Redefine Yourself: What Lies Beneath....

2012-01-26T22:49:00.002-05:00

As you know I've been reading "Behind the Masquerade: Unveiling the Authentic You," and the book has been taking me on a journey of peeling back the layers to find out how I truly measure my self worth, self confidence and self concept. I'm halfway through it and I love it, but today I came to a scary but very true realization about myself. Have you ever had such a huge epiphany that it's life changing? I did today, so much that my mindset is already changing.

As I read, I explored many of the reasons women have such a jaded perception of themselves and their self confidence. As Dr. Slattery states in her book, the world's concept of positive self-confidence are simply phrases that we convince ourselves, so that we can feel what we would like to be. In reality the reason so many men and women struggle with self-confidence is because it grounded on hot air.

What good is a bunch of phrases if deep down, they hold no truth to the soul? So, I was forced to ask myself a really hard question, Ashley what makes you great? What makes you beautiful? For the first time in a long time I sat at my lunch booth, dumbfounded and terrified because I had to look at myself head on without the list of self confidence quotes to see what I really felt about myself. And my heart dropped.....I couldn't convince myself that I was strong, beautiful, deep, bold, sensitive, loving and everything else I had told myself because they were simply habitual phrases that the world convinced me to use to define my confidence and worth.

So where do I go from here. Do I get depressed? Do I put my mask back on because it made me feel better? Or do I step up to the challenge of finding out what lies beneath? It was at that moment that I thought of one truthful thing about myself, that I always move forward no matter how appealing going back may seem. So I pushed forward...

Slattery proceeds to make a profound statement:

"The purpose of a biblical self-concept is not make us feel good about ourselves but to let us experience the reality of God's goodness to us! We can never know the greatness of God's love until we accept our utter unloveliness---"

Part of me accepting my unloveliness meant accepting my weaknesses. While this may seem simple, it's easier said than done. I was raised old school. By old school I mean both of my parents are products of the late civil rights movement, their parents grew up during Jim Crow, so that stern conservative upbringing was important. You didn't cry about everything, because it didn't stop the pain or fix the situation. You always carried yourself like you had it all together, because the world expects the opposite of "us". Failure was not accepted, and great success was certainly expected. So you look at my sisters and myself, and we are all great, smart, beautiful, successful black women yet here I am still feeling empty.

See I learned to hate my weaknesses early on after the first time I was told I was ugly, and the first C I got on my report card because that meant I had to drop cheerleading, or the first time I got off key singing during a solo, that was unacceptable, or when I got caught using slang in front of adults because it made you "ghetto" or "imperfect." So you see for me to confront my weaknesses terrified me because my weaknesses are very same thing that made me feel worthless.

However this time I realized I'd been looking at them all wrong. See God tells us that our weaknesses are much greater than our strengths.

2 Corinthians 12:9

New International Version (NIV)

⁹ But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

Nothing great about myself has come because of my strengths, my accomplishments or reputation. Every single blessing and gift that I have is because God saw my weaknesses and turned them into gold. So what am I saying to you?

I'm confronting my weaknesses, that's how I measured my worth, but now I know that God already made me worthy before I took my first breath. So guess what? Yes I have cheated on a test, I've played hooky, I've had premarital sex, I've been the "other woman", I've been angry, I've been suicidal, I've been gullible, and I've been downright stupid, but nonetheless I am awesome not because of what I've done, but because God took my heart, the broken heart of a young girl who thought that her hair and body and reputation and achievements made her, showed me the real me, a girl who is truly a mess but SAVED ME from ALL of my MESS!

So now I'm confident not because of my life resume, but because I know that no matter how much I may mess up, no matter how much I may hurt others and myself, as long as I keep God in my heart and know that he has the power to take me out of my weaknesses, place me in the fire and refine me until I come out pure and useful I will always have worth.

Now that is real confidence! Today I learned that my scars make me so beautiful. I have a rare beauty, one that not many people will understand, not even you, but guess what it's mine. It's God's gift to me to treasure and live freely because of it. I'm excited now to see how this revelation is going to change my view of the world, myself and people's words about me.

Not everyone will or can love me, but God can and he will always send those to love me for me without the mask on. Ladies I'm peeling my mask off, I just took a big step today but I'm far from over, but it already feels good.

So I'm redefining myself and beauty. Are you? Do you really know what lies beneath it all when everything of this world is stripped away? I challenge you to find out; it's a freedom like never before.

So in the words of Jay-Z: Allow me to reintroduce myself....

My name is Ashley Simone Reid, I am farrrr from perfect. I love writing, music, and laughing. I still cuss sometimes when I get really angry, I secretly love to fight lol, I'm scared of being a leader, I'm scared of love and what real love from a man feels like, I can be very blunt, but my heart is passionate about all that I do. I've done some things I'm not proud of, but they all helped mold me to be who I am today. I'm different, I'm unique, I have big hips, butt and thighs and yes losing weight causes stretch marks, but I love me. I love me because no one can be a better me. So now that I've told you a little bit about myself, tell me WHO ARE YOU?

Proverbs 31:10

New International Version (NIV)

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

¹⁰ ^[a]A wife of noble character who can find?

She is worth far more than rubies.

Letter to the People: The Power of Learning

2012-01-25T08:00:00.000-05:00

Learning is a major factor in defining how life plays out. Of course we all emphasize learning in school, but what about outside of school. We have to learn respect, morals, beliefs, right from wrong and so much more. But what happens when we block ourselves from learning? Assumptions are made, misleading information is passed along and even wrong behaviors develop. As a part of Giving God our Best, we must learn in order to know how to achieve our best. When we refuse to learn about ourselves, our God, our history, our communities etc… we hinder our development and our ability to give and be our best.

While learning is so simple, it can be a huge challenge at the same time. We don’t always understand why we need to learn certain things, we may feel as though we already know, or we may not care for the messenger presenting the information. However, when we allow all of these issues to block the gift of learning, we block a chain reaction. Our youth cannot fully understand how to practice an overall healthy lifestyle if we don’t teach them what one looks like and why it’s important.

So as we enter into the New Year I want to encourage every child, teen and young adult, adult and older adult to learn more than the previous year. Let’s allow ourselves to be open vessels to God’s understanding so that we may pass along the same wisdom to others. Be Blessed!

Proverbs 12:1, 15, The Message Version

¹If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction! ¹⁵ Fools are headstrong and do what they like; wise people take advice.

Love,
Sis. Ashley Reid-President

Letters to the People: Progress

2012-01-23T21:20:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone! Happy New Year!! I know it's been a while since you have heard from me. But I have been very busy serving as President of the Young Peoples Department at my church and studying for the GRE's while working full time! WHOO!!!! lol

Anyway, in a monthly newsletter that we send out to my church, I always write a letter, so I have been led to share those same letters with you all here on my blog! So I hope you all are blessed with the messages that God continues to share with me so I can share with you! Enjoy!!

Progress is something we all aspire to experience in our lives. However with the joys of progress also come the fears of losing it and maintaining it. Everyone wants to see positive changes happening in their life, whether it’s personally, in an organization, in their church, in school, at work or in their relationships. The issue however comes in when we don’t see ourselves progressing as “quickly” as we’d like to because we begin looking at the term progress as being a potential threat instead of a blessing.

God wants to see us all grow and better ourselves and our communities; however progress should never become a burden because progress does not equal perfection. Remember God has created us all in his image, and he finds us worthy as we are, without reputations, titles and possessions. Progress is a blessing because it’s simply a scrapbook of how God has changed our lives. No matter what mistakes have been made, or failures we may come across be encouraged because wherever weakness exists, so does worthiness and the beginnings of progress in God’s eye. Let’s encourage a progressive spirit in all that we do, because it’s truly a blessing to simply do and be “better.”

Love,

Sis. Ashley Reid

The Expectancy of Change: Why it's Worth the Wait

2011-12-12T08:00:00.000-05:00

Hello everyone, I hope your weekend was great. During Sunday service, God led me to share a scripture on change from Romans 8, later on I was simply awed when he yet again revealed a deeper understanding of this season and the birth of Christ.

We are currently in a season of expectancy. For some of us, we have been struggling day to day to keep a smile on our face, make ends meet or just find joy in this thing called life. For others God has promised us something great, something new, a breakthrough, relief, a blessing or miracle. However, with all of this prophesy and expectation consuming our hearts, it makes us anxious, weary and tired of waiting.

It's hard isn't it? To know that change is coming, believe in great change and expect God to bring forth change but having to be patient and wait for it? Well around the birth of Christ, God's people dealt with the same issue, let's take a look.

While we are in this season majority of the time we celebrate the birth of Christ and how he was born, and how his birth was celebrated. Almost a post birth celebration. However, many times we leave out the months of labor and expectancy period of something new. God is so good he revealed to me a deeper meaning in the importance and blessing of Christmas. Through the birth of Christ, it was more than just our Savior being born, it was a time of fulfillment of promises God had made to his people.

If you ever read the pre-birth story of Christ, you will see that the people of God and people of Rome & its surroundings suffered. They were oppressed financially, spiritually, physically and mentally. Previous prophets had foretold of a great redeemer who would come and free them from every kind of bondage, and while they believed in God's word their faith and patience grew weary. Just like us, they too became anxious in expectancy of change.

See, some people wanted to take matters into their own hands and overturn the government, some people simply doubted God and some allowed their faith to wither, while a handful of people stood strong in God's promises. Not to make the others look bad, but it's important to see that we are not the first ones to get weak or doubtful in our walks with God.

However, when the birth of Christ came along the people rejoiced not just because of who he was but what his birth represented. Jesus's birth symbolized a crucial change needed in the lives of many. His birth was a breakthrough, a fulfillment of promises and marked the end of a season of struggle.

While it may have been hard for the people to wait years even generations for Christ to arrive, the fulfillment of that expectancy was greater than any previous blessing God had bestowed upon them. God is requiring that same patience, endurance and faith in us RIGHT NOW! While we may be struggling to wait and to stay encouraged or uplifted about our situations and God's promises, he never goes back on his word. Just like Christ symbolized that change that was foretold, we need to be steadily expectant in this season where God fulfilled his promise of change years and years ago.

This is more than celebrating a day, this is encouragement for our present day situations. We are just like the people during the time of Christ's birth, simply expecting a change. So I challenge you today, instead of sinking into your weariness, doubtfulness, sadness or impatient tendencies, take this season to strengthen your faith, shift your atmosphere and spirit to one of expectancy. If you truly believe that God is going come through as he said he would then prepare yourself for the labor stage.

We are in a season of expectancy so lets hold ourselves to our faith as we wait and watch God work. While waiting is a hard thing to do at times, it's always worth the wait when we allow God to handle those situations and promises. Nothing that we do can top what God can do.

So let's begin to celebrate expectancy and the wait we are enduring, for at the end of every waiting period comes something new, and God is certainly a God of newness and change. Celebrate Christ for symbolizing change and promise, but also celebrate the wait and how the expectancy period builds us up in preparation for the change.

Below is the scripture I shared this morning and also a song suited for the season that was shared with me. Be Blessed and Happy Holidays!

Romans 8:18-25

The Message (MSG)

^18-21That's why I don't think there's any comparison between the present hard times and the coming good times. The created world itself can hardly wait for what's coming next. Everything in creation is being more or less held back. God reins it in until both creation and all the creatures are ready and can be released at the same moment into the glorious times ahead. Meanwhile, the joyful anticipation deepens.

^22-25All around us we observe a pregnant creation. The difficult times of pain throughout the world are simply birth pangs. But it's not only around us; it's within us. The Spirit of God is arousing us within. We're also feeling the birth pangs. These sterile and barren bodies of ours are yearning for full deliverance. That is why waiting does not diminish us, any more than waiting diminishes a pregnant mother. We are enlarged in the waiting. We, of course, don't see what is enlarging us. But the longer we wait, the larger we become, and the more joyful our expectancy.

Don't Underestimate the Limits of God's Ability

2011-12-05T08:00:00.000-05:00

So I want to say hello to everyone, I know it's been about 2 months since I last posted, life picked up speed in the blink of an eye and I have finally begin to make some downtime for my blog again. I was led today to share this message with you all while in church.

We are all learning God and through scripture we already know of his great works, miracles and power. However it seems like with the smaller things or simpler things in life we place a limit on what God can do.

We limit God to only creating huge miracles, like delivering us from sickness or death, giving us jobs, homes or other materialistic things and saving us from natural disaster. However God is ruler over EVERYTHING big or small.

I won't be long winded with this post, but I just want us to understand that God wants us to go to him for things big and small. If we can trust and believe in God for the big things why not go to him for the small things?

If God brings great things into our lives, allow him to make even the smaller things great. Personally for me, I have seen God bring jobs into my life, heal my body from a sickness that was supposed to be permanent, bring me out of severe depression, yet when it comes to dating and men I always try to make men that I think I want or is good for me, want to be with me. Although something like dating is small in my eyes, I should still take it to God. If he has brought greater healing and joy in my life why can't he bring a man just as great into my life? Something so small can bring huge results into your life.

When we limit God's ability we cause unnecessary turmoil and issues for ourselves and then we expect a major miracle. However God is not major because he can produce major and great works, he is major because he reigns over ALL works. So I challenge you not to limit God's Ability to simply working on a large scale. God loves everything big and small and can manage any size issue we may experience in our lives. Never underestimate the limits of God's ability. Be Blessed!

Be About Our Change: Living What We Preach (Troy Davis Case)

2011-09-21T23:40:00.001-04:00

As many of us right now, seek to find comfort and peace in with the recent execution of Troy Davis, God placed it on my heart to truly emphasize how we have strayed away from actually applying values into our daily living.

If you do not know about this case you can go here to read more about Troy Davis. However what I would really like to focus on is where do we go from here? We have seen a man lose his life over what was assumed to be truth in order to bring "peace and justice" to the family and our judicial system.

In my last blog post, I focused on our anger, and what was emphasized was that when allow our anger to rule over our thoughts and actions sin is near. And that's exactly what happened tonight. In Savannah, GA the family of officer Mark MacPhail and the American Judicial system felt the only way to solve and fix the hurt and pain of this family was to kill the man accused, (not proven), to be the root of the issue. Tonight Troy Davis was the "Abel" to this family's "Cain."

However even now that troy Davis is gone, Officer MacPhail still won't come back. The fact that murder and crime exists in this world will not be erased. So what can we do about this instead of shaking our heads and looking to blame someone or something else? We can change ourselves.

Many of us claim to believe in God, a higher being or just a set of life values of principles, but when the time comes to apply them and be an example of our beliefs we fall up short. What the MacPhail family needs is forgiveness, what this country needs is a lot of repentance and forgiveness.

Troy Davis is not the first and unfortunately may not be the last if we don't wake up. If you think about our history, America is rooted in pain and bitterness. We have experienced murder, mistreatment, prejudice, betrayal, and it all worsened because at some point instead of applying those values of forgiveness, right from wrong, and personal betterment we decided to satisfy our impulsive feelings by hurting someone else to temporarily relieve our hurt.

This country was founded as "one nation under God," yet his disappearance in everything we do is evident. No change will not and does not come overnight but it does start with you. It's starts with you deciding to forgive those who have hurt you and work towards preventing someone else from experiencing the same hurt.

Behind our country's government, and behind every system is logic. A way of thinking, and whatever rules the minds of the people creating these standards is what will be represented in the mainstream way of living. However if we decide right now to change our mindsets and way of life, it will be reflected in what we do, what we believe, who we surround ourselves with, and the standard of living.

If we actually start to forgive instead of talking about it, revenge will deteriorate from our lives. If we act out of love, instead of talking about being loving, physical and mental wounding will decrease. If we surround ourselves around others living the same lifestyle we create a better environment. Then the people that we vote to represent us will not have to go around campaigning about what they will do and how they will do it because they will already be living it.

It's really as simple as what we allow to come in and out of our lives. How we filter things, and how we react. I know it's intimidating to really believe that you, 1 person can make such a huge change, but you can. A country is nothing without it's citizens. But we have to decide whether we are going to talk about change or be about change.

Are you living what you preach and judge others by? Jesus was one man who fervently lived what he believed in, and what started as 12 disciples turned into a multitude of believers. Even in Christ's death he still acted on his values praying for the same ones ordering his death.

Luke 23:34

New International Version (NIV)

³⁴ Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”^[a] And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.

And although physically he left the earth, his spirit and beliefs live eternally. More importantly he died for a cause that he knew would bring life to others. In his death he forgave!

What I found admirable about Troy Davis is that he did the same thing, he apologized for the hurt of those who hated him and forgave those who did not understand the seriousness of what they were doing.

“May God have mercy on your souls. May God bless your souls.” — Troy Davis’ last words to his executioners

“I did not personally kill your son, father, brother. I am innocent.” — Troy Davis to victim’s family just before execution

Now this man forgave in his death, what's our excuses when we wake up living free but still holding ourselves captive by the same hurt and excuses? If we humbly ask for forgiveness for all the pain and wrong we have cause in our lives and then proceed to truly sincerely forgive those who have hurt us, we create a clean slate for new life.

How do you forgive, you start by letting go of your anger, hurt and bitterness. You ask God to simply take it away from you. To bring peace to your mind, and to provide a way for you to let go. Then you pray for those who have hurt you understanding that their actions are only what's been taught to them as the solution to their own hurt.

Once you forgive, and surrender your hurt and sin, you will allow yourself to change. Will it be easy? No, but no change has never come without struggle, however you will have the opportunity to apply your new values and live out the lifestyle you want to have.

Imagine that! If we decide right now to change the way we are living, be a living example to our surroundings of what living should be, we could gradually turn around our households, communities, governments, workplaces and churches.

So I encourage you not to get caught up in anger or hurt or bitterness because nothing good stems from it. And trust me that is what our current day society thrives on, but we must not conform! Turn it all over and become a living advocate for change and a better living, it starts with you. It's a difference to say you have faith and to actually walk in faith. And remember that God cannot fill you up with anything new if you haven't filtered the old out.

Everyone be encouraged, Troy Davis did not live in vain and neither did everyone else who died in a similar situation. The man he was tonight 12/21/11 is the man that has changed lives and sparked unity.

God wants the same for ALL of us, but in order for him to provide that we have to be about our change. So no you can't just save the world or hop on CNN and make a difference right at this instant, but you can start with yourself and become an example for your household and community.

Take the challenge, Be about your change, apply your values, and practice what you preach. Be Blessed, stay strong and stay encouraged everyone!

Overcoming Your Anger: Genesis 4:6-7

2011-09-13T20:36:00.001-04:00

Genesis 4
Cain and Abel
⁶ Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”

Many of us are walking around angry. Bitter because of how something turned out in our lives. Bitter towards those who have embarrassed us, been mean to us etc... And all of this bitterness and anger can be traced back to hurt.

We have been talking about wounds and hurt a lot at my church recently, and it wasn't until I went deeper to investigate hurt that I realized where our anger stems from and how sin follows suit. One of our very first warnings of anger comes in Genesis with Cain and Abel.

Cain is always described as the first murderer in the bible and that's it, but in reality Cain was just another hurt person. Cain never felt like he was "good enough." And then his brother Abel seemed to be perfect. So here he was hurt and then he became angry. Angry because he was hurting and at the time Abel seemed to be the root of his hurt. So he allowed his anger to rule over him to the point that he killed his own brother.

Many of us have done the same thing. Maybe not physically killing someone, but we have allowed our hurt and anger to consume us to a point where we verbally murder someone, or with our thoughts we murder someone, and even physically aim to hurt someone badly.

I personally realized how I allowed my hurt to turn into bitterness and anger. If you get me talking about certain subjects and people there is so much hatred the becomes present in my voice, but it's all rooted in hurt. Hurt because what people perceive as the truth really isn't. Hurt because the people who are full of so much venom and hurt me are praised and glamorized. Hurt because of the lies told on me. Hurt because no one ever apologized for hurting me, while I apologized for hurting them.

When we are hurt we allow anger to bloom in our hearts, and that's why God warns us to caution ourselves against letting anger linger because wherever anger is present, a sinful deed or nature is near waiting to take over. Think back to your anger and discover whether the root is really just a wound that has become infected with bitterness.

We cannot allow our anger to turn into venom that we spit into others lives. Like the saying says, "Hurt people, HURT PEOPLE." The only way to conquer sin is to overcome our anger. Even if people are out to get you or hurt you, do not allow anger to take over, turn it over to God.

Allowing anger to stay and grow in your heart never helps. It dominates your actions, makes you physically sick from stress and embraces a sinful nature. While it may not be fair, it's better for you to forgive and love than to be angry and hateful.

Even to this day, I am still turning over my own anger to God, but I find myself not investing energy into things that made me upset to start with. I find myself having less headaches already and focusing more. All because I am choosing to overcome my anger, and I have a past of anger management issues.

Maya Angelou says it best,

"The problem I have with haters is, they see my glory but they don't know my story."

And while we may deny it, we have all been a hater at least once in our lives because haters are simply hurt people. People that see what you have, and somewhere in their lives maybe they've been hurt because they feel as though they should have a lifestyle that they don't. So I even push to encourage you to pray for those who appear as haters or enemies, because they are only wounded just like Cain and feel as though you are another Abel in their life.

Bottom line: Anger is not good, and it leads to sin. While we are human and bound to feel and experience anger, we are not bound to live in it. God doesn't want that for us and we shouldn't want that for ourselves. Overcome your anger, and forgive instead. Be Blessed!

Break the Norm: Taking the Road Less Traveled

2011-09-06T12:07:00.002-04:00

Ruth 1:11-18
But Naomi said, “Return home, my daughters. Why would you come with me? Am I going to have any more sons, who could become your husbands? ¹² Return home, my daughters; I am too old to have another husband. Even if I thought there was still hope for me—even if I had a husband tonight and then gave birth to sons— ¹³ would you wait until they grew up? Would you remain unmarried for them? No, my daughters. It is more bitter for me than for you, because the LORD’s hand has turned against me!”
¹⁴ At this they wept aloud again. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung to her.
¹⁵ “Look,” said Naomi, “your sister-in-law is going back to her people and her gods. Go back with her.”
¹⁶ But Ruth replied, “Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. ¹⁷ Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the LORD deal with me, be it ever so severely, if even death separates you and me.” ¹⁸ When Naomi realized that Ruth was determined to go with her, she stopped urging her.

On Sunday, we talked about making a choice out of faith to try new things or experience new challenges in my Sunday School class. Then my pastor followed up with an excellent sermon about living an unrealistic life. After all of this I realized how much our faith plays a role in where we allow God to take us.

In the scripture above we read about Naomi, Ruth and Orpah. Both were Naomi's daughter-in-laws and she gave them option to leave after all of their husbands dying. As we all know Ruth stayed and Orpah left. Not that Orpah was wrong, she just obeyed Naomi. Ruth however, we see in her plea the need to stay with Naomi because her relationship with Naomi grew far more deeper than just the two of them. Ruth's relationship with Naomi is what obviously drew her nearer to God and for her she longed to stay near God just like she did Naomi. Now that's faith!

Think about it, Ruth could have went home. back to a place she was known, comfortable and familiar with, but instead she chose to go to a new place, no family but Naomi and find a living. The beauty of this is her faith, she did not know if she would be welcomed to Naomi's home, but she did know that's where God dwells and to be near Naomi was to be near God. That kind of amazing faith is all God wants from us.

We are not always going to know why God is leading us down a certain road or making us do certain things, but our faith should sustain us enough to be encouraged to know that wherever God is that's where we need to be. Just like Ruth said, where you go I go!

Now to tie in what my pastor said, because these are 2 very important points. When we take on the life of a Christian, accept him fully into our lives we should not expect to live a normal life. If God is not looked upon as being normal, nothing that comes from him will be either. So here we are children of the most high and we are expecting to live normal lives??? ABSOLUTELY NOT.

The people that God uses to spread messages and teach are not normal, the blessing that we receive especially when we are in those situations that are plain ugly and won't budge but somehow by the grace of God you made it out, recovered and lived to tell it.... NOT NORMAL. The understanding of life and how we choose to live it is not normal. We do not serve a "normal" God. We serve a God that can do unrealistic things, so we need to understand we are bound to live an unrealistic life.

That means when people look into your life and they don't understand how you are making it, still alive or successful, I mean it's so mind boggling it's unrealistic, that is perfectly fine. Our faith should take us to a place where we realize that our lives may be very challenging and very off the wall or out of the norm because we serve a God who does not do normal.

Ruth's story is unrealistic, she lost her husband, lost her brother and father in law, left her home to never return, followed another widow to her home hoping to find a "new" home and in return for her faith and obedience, God blessed her with a new man, a prosperous home, and so much more. Unrealistic huh?

See just like our blessings are unrealistic our sufferings are unrealistic and that is the beauty of it all. We serve a God that can bring us through unrealistic things, and shatter what other perceive to be the "reality" of it all. Faith is so key in our lives, and how we worship God. He is trying to take us to places we have never been and down roads that are rarely or never traveled. So I challenge you to break out of the norm, and stop looking for the reality of it all, because if you consider yourself to be of Christ norm and reality don't exist, only the unrealistic exists and the faith to carry you through ALL of it!

BE OBEDIENT. IF GOD IS MOVING YOU TO GO DOWN AN UNKNOWN ROAD, MOVE INTO A DIFFERENT CAREER, BEGAN SPREADING HIS WORD OR TRY SOMETHING NEW, DO IT. HAVE THE FAITH TO LIVE UNREALISTICALLY, BECAUSE YOUR BLESSINGS WILL BE UNREALISTIC.

Be blessed, stay encouraged!

Promises, Self-Accountability- 1 Thessalonians 5:16-17

2011-08-16T18:11:00.002-04:00

This morning I felt inclined to read a word about God's promises, looking to get some inspiration about all that God promises us. And while I did receive that a bigger message was given to me. Many times we always look to remind God about the promises he makes to us, but we seldom remind ourselves about the promises we make to him.

God never fails, he always comes through. He is like the clutch that we all need in that demanding time. Everything that we could ever want or need he provides, and never lies or half finishes what he starts. Now can we say the same about ourselves? This morning I realized that I needed to challenge myself to keep my promises to God. So Instead of holding God accountable after reading 1 Thessalonians 5:16-28, I decided to hold myself accountable. I promised to God that I would truly trust him when I can't see what's coming next. To have faith although I may be physically in a situation that seems dead. And so I challenge you all to do the same, instead of holding God to his promises hold yourself to the promises you made to God. Be Blessed!

^{1 Thessalonians 5_16-28}

¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil.

²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.

²⁵ Brothers and sisters, pray for us. ²⁶ Greet all God’s people with a holy kiss. ²⁷ I charge you before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

²⁸ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Thank You Lord by Walter Hawkins

2011-08-14T23:21:00.006-04:00

Hello all, I meant to share this a while back when we first sang this. But this is my church (Grant Chapel A.M.E. Trenton, NJ) singing Thank You Lord by Walter Hawkins, led by myself. Although the late Walter Hawkins made this song a while back, the words apply for today, tomorrow, and even further ahead. This is truly one of those songs to remind you of all the blessings we do have in this life. Enjoy and be Blessed! I have pasted the lyrics below the video.

Verse 1
Tragedies are common place,
all kinds of diseases,
people are slipping away.
The econonimes down,
people can't get enough pay,
but as for me, all I can say is,
thank you Lord, for all You've done for me.

Verse 2
There's folks without homes,
living out in the streets,
and the drug habits some say,
just won't cease.
Muggers and robbers,
no place seems to be safe,
but You'll be my protection
every step of the way;
and I want to say,
thank you Lord, for all You've done for me.

Chorus
(It could have been me) thank You,
(outdoors) thank You,
(with no food) thank You,
(and no clothes) thank You,
(or all alone) thank You,
(without a friend) thank You,
(or just another number) thank You,
(with a tragic end) thank You, oh.
(But You didn't see fit) thank You,
(to let none of those things be) thank You,
('cause everyday by Your power) thank You,
(You keep on keeping me) thank You;
thank You Lord for all You've done for me.

Vamp 1
(I wanna thank You for Your love) thank You,
(I wanna thank You for Your power) thank You,
(I wanna thank You for protection) thank You,
(every hour) thank You.

Remaining Humble: I am Still A Sinner

2011-08-13T12:52:00.001-04:00

So I needed a word badly because last night I had a real set back. Last night I allowed my anger to drive me into a hateful state. Here I was mad and pissed because I couldn't understand why I kept ending up in situations where I was so unhappy, or left feeling empty. I wanted to point the finger at everyone else last night. I wanted to cry and have everyone crowd around and rub my back and cheer me up. I wanted a fairy tale story to happen basically where the person you want or cared about came running back fighting to be in your life. That's what I wanted. And I woke up this morning with the urge to slap myself and say SNAP OUT OF IT.

Then I went searching for a word, that would give me something and I came across Romans 5.

Romans 5: 1-11

Peace and Hope

¹ Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we^[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, ² through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we^[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. ³ Not only so, but we^[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; ⁴ perseverance, character; and character, hope. ⁵ And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. ⁶ You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. ⁷ Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. ⁸ But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
⁹ Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! ¹⁰ For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! ¹¹ Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

This scripture reminded me that while I sat last night, complaining about what I wanted, what I was tired of, and what I thought I deserved, that I am not perfect and definitely not the best thing to walk this earth. The best thing to walk this earth was Jesus and like the reading says he died for us while he knew we were still sinners. He knew we would still turn and be hateful, curse others, hurt others, have arrogant spirits, be brats, be ungrateful and so much more. Yet he still gave his own life so we could choose to experience real life. So if you are like me and tend to get caught up in your own thoughts, selfish wants and emotions, remember that we wouldn't be where we are if Jesus hadn't looked at us beyond our sin. And that through our sufferings we are molded into a better person.

So instead of being quick to anger, or complain or whatever it is you are quick to do, try looking past the person or situation for its flaws or pet peeves and see them for their hearts. Humility is key, be blessed!

Power of Prayer, Thank you!

2011-08-10T10:32:00.001-04:00

Yesterday I posted on my Facebook status that I needed prayer, which I did badly. While I may not always show what I'm dealing with, I battle my own situations and demons also. Yesterday I felt myself growing weak and wanting to cry and so I asked that everyone pray that I overcome my current battle, "bump in the road." Needless to say, in the past I would have spent yesterday evening depressed and crying my eyes out, but instead when I went to cry an instant calm came over me. And for the first time in a long time, I payed attention to that peace and realized that someone was praying for me. I literally could feel the prayers going up for me and I knew God already begun his work. I couldn't understand the peace that I had, but knew I needed it and I was grateful for it.

So I say this to anyone who doubts prayer or ridicules anyone for always praying for people when they are in need. We don't pray for other people to feel it for ourselves, we do it for the OTHER person. While they may not be able to blog about it or say it, you never know what the prayers of others can do for someone. Like I said sometimes we are so down and out we can't gather ourselves to comprehend what we need from God but we know we need something, and it is then when the prayers of others can intercede on our behalf.

So I would like to personally thank any and everyone who saw my status, heard about it and then prayed about it for me, because your prayers were truly and sincerely felt. Last night I was OK, my tears were dried and I had an undeniable peace, something I've been needing. And it really does feel good to know that why I may not always see or know it, that I have a support system. That matters a lot to me. Be Blessed!

Morning Word: Ephesians 3

2011-08-08T08:52:00.004-04:00

^{Good Morning Everyone,}

^{This morning I wanted to read a word on Trust. I had a conversation last night with a friend who reminded me that we have to have faith in ALL aspects of our lives, so it did not shock me when this was the scripture I was led to this morning. So I will simply share what God shared with me.}

^{If you you can trust me in one area of your life why not trust me in all areas of your life. Just because you may appear to be damaged in your mindset when it comes to certain areas, it does not mean you cannot be changed and break those chains. If you haven't noticed I have shown you things you thought you would never see, and I have assigned you to do things you never thought yourself worthy of, so why limit yourself here? I am the same one who gave you life, trust me in every aspect of your life. I will bring glory to every inch of chaos, sadness, anger and fear in your life.}

^{So to everyone who reads this, if you are like me afraid of a mindset or situation that we believe to be unchangeable, trust God in this situation just like you have in every other area of your life. His work has no barriers!}

^{Be Blessed!}

¹ For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles—

² Surely you have heard about the administration of God’s grace that was given to me for you, ³ that is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written briefly. ⁴ In reading this, then, you will be able to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, ⁵ which was not made known to people in other generations as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to God’s holy apostles and prophets. ⁶ This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

⁷ I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. ⁸ Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ, ⁹ and to make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things. ¹⁰ His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, ¹¹ according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. ¹² In him and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence. ¹³ I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory.

A Prayer for the Ephesians

¹⁴ For this reason I kneel before the Father, ¹⁵ from whom every family^[a] in heaven and on earth derives its name. ¹⁶ I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, ¹⁷ so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, ¹⁸ may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, ¹⁹ and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

²⁰ Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, ²¹ to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Simple Word with So Much Meaning- Romans 12:21

2011-08-05T09:16:00.003-04:00

²¹ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Simple and to the point. So all I am going to say to everyone just like I said to myself after reading this. Don't focus on people who judge you based off of what they were told not by truth. Don't waste your words on people who never have anything good to say, or simply speak to hear a round of applause from everyone. We live in such an amusement park, where respect and love does not rule hearts and minds but superficiality and titles do. While we may plan the perfect comeback or tell our best friends all the things we want to say and do to our enemies, it's not worth doing it because no good ever comes out of evil. Your words or actions aren't going to make them change, they will become uglier. So just like the scripture says don't be overcome by evil trying to make a point to your enemies, they don't care to know the truth. However, just overcome their evil with good, because they will be upset because the rumors and actions they make out about you will fall worthless compared to the truth in your actions. Be Blessed!

Life by The Spirit: Galatians 5:13-26

2011-07-30T22:00:00.005-04:00

I just wanted to share one of my favorite scriptures with everyone especially since we are tempted and tried by the flesh on a daily basis. Remember do not be ashamed to ask God to make any temptation go away, he already knows it exist so why not get his help to overcome it? That's my weapon! Be Blessed!

Galatians 5:13-26

¹³ You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh^[a]; rather, serve one another humbly in love. ¹⁴ For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”^[b] ¹⁵ If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.
¹⁶ So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever^[c] you want. ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
¹⁹ The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; ²⁰ idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions ²¹ and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. ²⁶ Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Dating Tip: Knowing Yourself beyond Your Issues

2011-07-28T10:59:00.005-04:00

This morning on my way to work I thought out loud to myself about dating. I read my morning word and I still thought about it. Men and dating/relationships had been on my mind for a while now just because I felt like I kept finding myself in unhappy places with men, where I am not seeing what I need. I had been asking why I always ended up in the same predicament where guys don’t want relationships or even dating! And sure God had been trying to show me but I wanted the memories to go away, because for the past two weeks my past relationships have been haunting my mind. It wasn’t until I confronted my thoughts this morning that I realized what God had been trying to show me.

All this time I hoped that someone would want to get to know me for how great I am and sincerely pursue me in that sense, but for some reason it would never reach that far. I would play the whole let’s get to know each other game and spill my guts only to hear the same words, “Well a relationship is not what I want or need right now.” So then I thought about how I would describe myself when I was in the getting to know you stage compared to what the man said he saw in me.

Think of what people say they thought of you as a first impression. Here I had guys saying they thought I was strong, smart, pretty independent and down-to-earth, and then I would proceed to spill out all of my issues with myself and my past. That was a mistake that I did not realize I made. Here is someone genuinely expressing an interest to get to know me, and I turned it into getting to know my issues.

So I asked God, well now that you have brought this to my attention why I am so quick to push off my issues to a man. And clear as day he revealed to me that, while I know how beautiful he made me inside and out, the first way I identify with my self is by my issues first not who I am. So as a result majority of these men got to know me according to my issues, not by my who I actually am, which I don’t blame them for not wanting anything more with me now.

So I write this today because I know there are many just like me that need to take some more time to get to know themselves beyond their issues and discover who they are in God. While I have physically moved past many of my issues and people see the God in me first, I still see my issues first. So (here is the key point) THERE IS NO WAY ANY MAN WILL EVER WANT TO PURSUE ME OR YOU IF WE’RE PUSHING THEM TO GET TO KNOW OUR ISSUES. No one, male or female wants to know someone for their issues. We all have them, but it’s who we are in the present that counts.

Majority of my issues are just strings that I am still cutting but they no longer have power over me, however until I start to acknowledge who I am now, who I am in my heart, and who I am in God, no man will ever stick around long enough to learn the rest.

So I am going to start right now at this moment and start loving me more, like my best friend Jen told me to do. Because I am beautiful on the inside and when you are truly beautiful on the inside it has to show on the outside.

So instead I will be happy to know a man knows my favorite colors, song, book, flower, food and whether I like to dance, sing or act nuts at times, instead of being disappointed when I ask those questions and all he can say is, “Well I know you don’t trust men easily.”

So let’s try something new. Get to know a person for who they are NOW. Ask questions about them today and save the insecurities from the past or mistakes for later dates because obviously they are attracted to you today, not you from yesterday.

Remember learn to Identify and know yourself beyond your issues, and understand who you are now, after the mistakes and the heartaches. Like I said we all have some challenges, but it’s not our challenges that say who we are, it’s how we handle and come out of them. So fellas, ask away about who I am, not who I was because I am ready to share!

Word on Focus: Psalm 119:1-24

2011-07-26T08:19:00.000-04:00

As I did my daily reading this morning I wanted to read about focus and so I came across scripture in Psalm 119 that address seeking for God's direction in your life. I thought is was so good, that I ought to share it with everyone else. Be Blessed!

Psalm 119

    You're blessed when you stay on course, walking steadily on the road revealed by God.
   You're blessed when you follow his directions,
      doing your best to find him.
   That's right—you don't go off on your own;
      you walk straight along the road he set.
   You, God, prescribed the right way to live;
      now you expect us to live it.
   Oh, that my steps might be steady,
      keeping to the course you set;
   Then I'd never have any regrets
      in comparing my life with your counsel.
   I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;
      I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.
   I'm going to do what you tell me to do;
      don't ever walk off and leave me.

^9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?
      By carefully reading the map of your Word.
   I'm single-minded in pursuit of you;
      don't let me miss the road signs you've posted.
   I've banked your promises in the vault of my heart
      so I won't sin myself bankrupt.
   Be blessed, God;
      train me in your ways of wise living.
   I'll transfer to my lips
      all the counsel that comes from your mouth;
   I delight far more in what you tell me about living
      than in gathering a pile of riches.
   I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,
      I attentively watch how you've done it.
   I relish everything you've told me of life,
      I won't forget a word of it.

^17-24 Be generous with me and I'll live a full life;
      not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.
   Open my eyes so I can see
      what you show me of your miracle-wonders.
   I'm a stranger in these parts;
      give me clear directions.
   My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—
      insatiable for your nourishing commands.
   And those who think they know so much,
      ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it!
   Don't let them mock and humiliate me;
      I've been careful to do just what you said.
   While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,
      I'm absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.
   Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;
      I listen to them as to good neighbors!

Choice- Proverbs 18:21

2011-07-18T22:38:00.001-04:00

I promised I would start blogging again, so here I am restarting my journey again. I thank all my readers for your patience and prayers, they are truly appreciated. I hope you enjoy.

We are granted the ability of choice. To choose right or wrong, yes or no, etc... We face choices every single day. Some we see the effects of immediately while some take years. However in the end, we decide which road we take. I just want to highlight the important of choice.

Words kill, words give life, they're either poison or fruit- you choose. -Proverbs 18:21

Words are a very powerful source. While we deny its power, we ultimately live for words. We live to hear praise for our success, loving words for our hearts and every swear possible when we are angry lol j/k

In the Old Testament , your word determined your credibility and reputation. Today we use words effortlessly with no thought behind them.

Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. -Proverbs 18:13

We choose to throw our words around holding no worth. Someones word can be traded in for money, fame and all levels of superficiality today. God once used us and our words to move mountains, end bondage, captivity and slavery. But now words have the same worth as dirt.

Men and women waste time using words against each other instead of loving each other with them. People throw away words on broken promises and no kind of reliability. Children use them offensively towards the same hands that feed them and then towards other kids. Bullying and using words to ridicule someone else's life when they barely know and understand their own life.

Language, communication, all these things originally were given to us as a gift, a privilege and we have chosen to turn them into evil and a weapon.

It's time to use our words for good, not bad. Choose to speak life, truth and loving things into existence not hate, fear, despair, violence and negativity.

Imagine if we chose to use our words more wisely or if we had a daily limit of words. What would you use yours on? What would you say? How many words have you already wasted? How much longer will you continue to live this way?

We have to become more conscious of what we choose to say because we speak how we live, and we live out what we speak.

Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach, good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest. - Proverbs 18:20

You have a choice of how you speak into your life and the lives of others. If you choose to speak life, you live, but death is only a word away if you choose to speak it.

Be Blessed!

A Good Word About Wisdom

2011-06-17T19:05:00.005-04:00

I have been reading my bible every morning before work and I have realized how much I love the book of Proverbs there is so much good stuff in there! So I just wanted to share a proverb on wisdom that has become one of my favorite readings. Enjoy!!!

Proverbs 12 (The Message Version)

If You Love Learning

¹ If you love learning, you love the discipline that
goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction!

² A good person basks in the delight of God,
   and he wants nothing to do with devious schemers.

³ You can't find firm footing in a swamp,
   but life rooted in God stands firm.

⁴ A hearty wife invigorates her husband,
   but a frigid woman is cancer in the bones.

⁵ The thinking of principled people makes for justice;
   the plots of degenerates corrupt.

⁶ The words of the wicked kill;
   the speech of the upright saves.

⁷ Wicked people fall to pieces—there's nothing to them;
   the homes of good people hold together.

⁸ A person who talks sense is honored;
   airheads are held in contempt.

⁹ Better to be ordinary and work for a living
   than act important and starve in the process.

¹⁰ Good people are good to their animals;
   the "good-hearted" bad people kick and abuse them.

¹¹ The one who stays on the job has food on the table;
   the witless chase whims and fancies.

¹² What the wicked construct finally falls into ruin,
   while the roots of the righteous give life, and more life.

Wise People Take Advice

¹³ The gossip of bad people gets them in trouble;
   the conversation of good people keeps them out of it.

¹⁴ Well-spoken words bring satisfaction;
   well-done work has its own reward.

¹⁵ Fools are headstrong and do what they like;
   wise people take advice.

¹⁶ Fools have short fuses and explode all too quickly;
   the prudent quietly shrug off insults.

¹⁷ Truthful witness by a good person clears the air,
   but liars lay down a smoke screen of deceit.

¹⁸ Rash language cuts and maims,
   but there is healing in the words of the wise.

¹⁹ Truth lasts;
   lies are here today, gone tomorrow.

²⁰ Evil scheming distorts the schemer;
   peace-planning brings joy to the planner.

²¹ No evil can overwhelm a good person,
   but the wicked have their hands full of it.

²² God can't stomach liars;
   he loves the company of those who keep their word.

²³ Prudent people don't flaunt their knowledge;
   talkative fools broadcast their silliness.

²⁴ The diligent find freedom in their work;
   the lazy are oppressed by work.

²⁵ Worry weighs us down;
   a cheerful word picks us up.

²⁶ A good person survives misfortune,
   but a wicked life invites disaster.

²⁷ A lazy life is an empty life,
   but "early to rise" gets the job done.

²⁸ Good men and women travel right into life;
   sin's detours take you straight to hell.

A Letter to Us Christians

2011-03-18T11:38:00.000-04:00

Dear Christians around the world,

I thought about you today. And I come with concern that we may have lost our way. My heart became heavy recently when I learned that a local middle school student took her own life as a result of severe depression. Others reported that they knew she was not happy, she was being bullied and felt very unloved. As a result she took her own life. While many shook their heads and said a prayer for the family, I began to plead with God to have mercy on her. I asked God not to condemn her to hell, because in my heart I felt like she never was introduced to him. She was unaware of his love. She didn't know that she had someone to turn to when people made her out to be worthless. And I asked God can you truly penalize her when she was unaware of you and your gift of life? And then after talking again with my mother I begin to think, where were us Christians at to reach out to this young girl. Us Christians who we say we're great in numbers, yet our deeds are short in count. So I'm writing us to ask, Are we really holding ourselves accountable for spreading the gift of salvation?

What is being a Christian today? For many of us it's talking the talk, but not walking the walk. For some of us, it's acting holier than thou and condemning every person in sight, because God is displeased with them. Some of us simply use it as another title to boost up our life resume and look good to others. It enables us to look down on everyone else and say,"Hmmph how terrible a lifestyle you live."

Yet when the time comes to act as a Christian we shy away from our duties. We have a country motto that includes God in our mission statements, but we push him out of everything we do. Our jobs require us not to pray in the workspace or speak of our beliefs, and we follow it. Yet, we give God the cold shoulder and constantly provide excuses as to why we disobey him. In situations where others look to us for inspiration and faith, we leave them disgruntled because we too are in panic instead of acting on faith. Remember faith without works is dead, right?

Yet we wonder why their is so much hatred and misunderstanding when it comes to Christianity. Remember what Isaiah 61:1-3 said?

¹ The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
   because the LORD has anointed me
   to proclaim good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
   to proclaim freedom for the captives
   and release from darkness for the prisoners,^[a]
² to proclaim the year of the LORD’s favor
   and the day of vengeance of our God,
to comfort all who mourn,
³ and provide for those who grieve in Zion—
to bestow on them a crown of beauty
   instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
   instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
   instead of a spirit of despair.

What happened to us seeking to do the same thing and spreading the good news of eternal life? With so much turmoil and hurt out here, are we really spreading God's love like we said we would when we declared ourselves followers of Christ?

Some of us say speaking to those we consider to be notorious in sin is beneath us, yet we forget that we too are notorious from sin and our only difference is that someone shared the gift the saves with us. Have we forgotten our own past?

That's why so many turn away from us because we hide the very testimonies God has given us to share and draw others nearer only to appear perfect to the human eye. But that's just it there is nothing perfect about us.

Matter of fact it's not about us. Yes I said it, nothing about our lives is about us. For us to act as if we are above others is to turn our faces from God and praise ourselves, not him for all the things he has done.

Have we lost sight that people ought to see the God is us, which is: Someone who was a sinner but was provided a way out of their sin and saved by grace and mercy. No where in that definition does it state an uppity, judgmental person.

So you see my friends, it's not about holding a title, or shaking our heads, or flaunting an unreal lifestyle, or judging others. It's about sharing that same gift of life that Jesus died to share with us. It's about looking at others with the same mercy God looked at you with when you were living at your lowest point. It's about loving with the same heart God loves you with and making sure it's known that ain't no body gonna love them better than God. Sorry Mary J. had to tweak your song a bit.

So as I end this letter, lets take it upon ourselves to humble our lifestyle and remember our own story and what being a Christian really is. People should not have to die not knowing the love of God and not knowing they could have received it. It's not about us, it's about sharing the gift of life.

Sincerely your Christian friend,

Ashley

P.S. Here's something to help you remember, it's a poem my father shared with me last night.

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.

Bob, 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!

Share this poem!

Project PRAYER: Praying for Japan and the Pacific Coast and the Salvation of all!

2011-03-11T13:12:00.002-05:00

PHOTO COURTESY OF Deeepa Praveen FLICKR

The sadness of hearing and watching clips from the earthquake and tsunami that hit me hard this morning, not just because of the events that occurred and the lives lost. But also because of the fact that many of us take every day for granted. We don't acknowledge God for the blessing of life and some of us don't even recognize and believe in his existence in our hearts. The saddest thing about this disaster is the chance that many of the lives lost today may not have accepted Christ into their hearts. So I ask that everyone will pray and pray boldly for salvation in the lives of all. Continue to pray for Japan and all areas affected by this tragedy, but lets emphasize the need for salvation in our world.

SO I WANT TO USE THIS POST AS A PRAYER WALL. ALL I ASK IS THAT YOU WILL POST YOUR PRAYER TO JAPAN AND FOR SALVATION. PRAY LIKE YOU PRAY. LONG OR SHORT, HOWEVER YOU WANT TO WRITE IT, WRITE IT! GOD HEARS ALL OF OUR PRAYERS. I JUST THINK IT'S TIME WE PRAY FOR SALVATION.

I WILL START THE WALL BY POSTING MY OWN PRAYER. PLEASE COMMENT AND POST YOUR PRAYERS ALSO. I AM CALLING ALL BELIEVERS OF CHRIST AND THOSE WHO BELIEVE IN SALVATION TO BE BOLD FOR GOD!

DEAR GOD,

WE COME TO YOU ASKING THAT YOU WILL PROVIDE A SHIELD FOR THE COUNTRY OF JAPAN AND SURROUNDING AREAS. WE ACKNOWLEDGE AND BELIEVE IN YOUR POWER, MERCY AND LOVE. SO WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD SEND YOUR ANGELS DOWN TO PROTECT THE LIVES OF YOUR CHILDREN. MORE IMPORTANTLY WE ASK FOR SALVATION OF THE LIVES OF WORLD!

YOU ARE TAKEN FOR GRANTED SO EASILY, SO WE ASK THAT YOU WOULD ENABLE ALL OF US TO SPREAD YOUR WORD OF SALVATION. THAT YOU WOULD COME INTO THE LIVES OF ANYONE WE WITNESS TO. GIVE US A BOLDNESS TO UNDERSTAND IT'S NOT ABOUT US, BUT IT'S ABOUT SHARING THE SAME GIFT THAT YOU GAVE US THROUGH YOUR SON, OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST.

ALL THESE THINGS WE ASK IN YOUR PRECIOUS NAME,

AMEN.

I ENCOURAGE YOU TO POST YOUR PRAYER AND TO SHARE WITH OTHERS AND PRAY ALSO. IT'S UP TO US TO SHARE THE GOOD NEWS OF JESUS SO GO TO SOMEONE YOU KNOW WHO HAS YET TO RECEIVE THIS GIFT AND LEAD THEM TO CHRIST. THERE IS POWER IN PRAYER, AND FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD.

¹⁴ if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Ash Wednesday & Lent: A Discovery and Celebration of Christ

2011-03-09T22:18:00.001-05:00

People all over the world today went to their designated places of worship to celebrate Ash Wednesday.

For myself, it was my first time attending an Ash Wednesday service and my first time deciding to participate in Lent.

Personally I did not know the significance behind either ceremonies, something I'm not ashamed to say. That's why I attended so I could learn.

Now I understand that Ash Wednesday represents a day where we ask for repentance of all our sins and take note of the fact that we are mortal and not perfect and we should be grateful that God has mercy on us and chooses to still love us. It's a day to acknowledge that very love by the life of Jesus Christ. Ash Wednesday simply starts Lent, a 40 day celebration of the life of Christ and a journey discovering how we can live more like him in our Christian walk.

Now that I understand the purpose of Lent my goal this year is to not just fast without any purpose. My fast is sacrificing one part of my life while admiring how Christ sacrificed his entire life for all of us. During these 40 days not only will I surrender the items I have decided upon, but I plan to reread the story of Christ and really take a in-depth look at his life and how he acted from his heart, not for the approval of people. I challenge you all to confess any bad habits or actions you have been taking and challenge yourself to not only celebrate the life of Christ as Resurrection Sunday approaches but to also discover where you can mirror his actions in your own lifestyle.

Before I go, I want to leave you with two scriptures that my Co-Pastor, Rev. Dr. Melinda Contreras Byrd left us with as a guidance during the next 40 days.

If you need a reminder of God's love and mercy for us read Psalm 103:8-18

8The LORD is compassionate and gracious,

slow to anger, abounding in love.

⁹ He will not always accuse,

nor will he harbor his anger forever;

¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve

or repay us according to our iniquities.

¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,

so great is his love for those who fear him;

¹² as far as the east is from the west,

so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,

so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,

he remembers that we are dust.

¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,

they flourish like a flower of the field;

¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting

the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,

and his righteousness with their children’s children—

¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

If you need a reminder of what God considers true worship and sacrifice read Isaiah 58:5-9

⁵ Is this the kind of fast I have chosen,
   only a day for people to humble themselves?
Is it only for bowing one’s head like a reed
   and for lying in sackcloth and ashes?
Is that what you call a fast,
   a day acceptable to the LORD?
⁶ “Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen:
to loose the chains of injustice
   and untie the cords of the yoke,
to set the oppressed free
   and break every yoke?
⁷ Is it not to share your food with the hungry
   and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—
when you see the naked, to clothe them,
   and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood?
⁸ Then your light will break forth like the dawn,
   and your healing will quickly appear;
then your righteousness will go before you,
   and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard.
⁹ Then you will call, and the LORD will answer;
   you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.

I've Got a new name!

2011-03-04T14:48:00.001-05:00

Psalm 139:13-14 (NIV)

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.

Hey Everyone! So I know I have been talking in my past posts about being happy about yourself and living that way. Well last weekend I attended a 1 day women empowerment retreat at Grant Chapel A.M.E. Church in Trenton, NJ. (My home church) And first of all the day was awesome! But one of the seminars that touched me the most was titled SISTA WHATCHA GOT?
We were asked to look at ourselves and just for that day or more, we were to rename ourselves. And so we all began to shout out our new names. You heard Strength, Faithful, Courageous and many more. But the most significant part of the seminar was when she began to explain how God gives us so much to offer to the world. so many things that we tend to look over. God gives ALL women a unique strength, and great heart, and specific unique gifts in us all. Some us have the ability to just smile and make a huge difference in another life. Others have an encouraging word to offer. Others touch hearts through the art of dance or song. While some know how to keep organization in the midst of chaos. Some of us know how to step up and be a true leader. While others know and define the true meaning of service. Some of us have a presence that just gives other security. We all have something about us, sometimes things that we overlook all the time that we have to offer to God and to the world. Personally for me it's not my writing, song, or dance for me I feel like God has truly blessed me with a spirit of willingness. Because I am willing to do whatever it takes to reach out to the lives of others. Whether its helping get groceries or singing a song. I'm willing to do it.

Anyway, my point and challenge for everyone is to look at yourself examine who you are and rename yourself what you want to be. And a good way to start living in that new name is to search and see what it is that God gave you to share with the world. Lastly, start SHARING that gift and start calling yourself by your new name. My new name is Ms. Confidence. I have inspiration hanging from all my walls, Jill Scott blasting from my sound system and I constantly tell myself I am beautiful, I can be what I want to be. I am CONFIDENT.

Do the same for yourself. Write it on a piece of paper and hang it in a place that you look constantly. If you being to teach yourself to think in new ways, act in new ways, you will begin to live by your new name. So I restate the question and slightly tweaked for everyone. Sista/Brotha Whatcha Got? I got a new name and a new life!

The Real

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Project PRAYER: Praying for Japan and the Pacific Coast and the Salvation of all!

2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version, ©2011)

Ash Wednesday & Lent: A Discovery and Celebration of Christ

I've Got a new name!

Genesis 4
Cain and Abel
⁶ Then the LORD said to Cain, “Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast? ⁷ If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”