The Christian Chameleon

Invisible Fruit

2013-02-13T09:53:00.001-05:00

"If a tree falls in the forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?"

Many of us are familiar with this age-old philosophical question. We've probably thought about it for a few moments, came to a conclusion and moved on. But I want us to revisit this question just long enough for you to read this article and then you can go back to what you were doing!
Read more »

The Top 10 Life Lessons from The Christian Chameleon

2013-02-07T19:38:00.004-05:00

Lately I haven’t had the chance to blog like I want to. Partly because of this work schedule I’m still trying to adjust my life to and more so because I haven’t had the right motivation to post anything on the website (just being honest). However, as I am continually learning to inspire myself just as God continues to anoint me to inspire others, I have been given the urge to post this particular blog.

In dealing with being separated from my husband since last August and transitioning into being a full-time deputy sheriff who works the graveyard shift while being a full-time mother too, I have taken note of my top 10 personal #LifeLessons that have helped me keep moving forward. I thought this important to share right now because this could very well be someone else’s transitioning season too.

So here they are:

1. Regret is an unforgiving emotion. Stay away from it at all costs. It will linger and never fade away if you let it enter and manifest in your life. Everything happens for a reason. Accept that.

2. Stop trying the same things (or people, lol) over and over and expecting different results. That’s simply called being crazy. It’s never too late to change your course of action when trying to adjust your life for the better. If it didn’t work for you the first few times you tried to make it work, then move on to something else. Maybe it’s a reason that it’s not working in your favor.

3. Stop overanalyzing and justifying. Either that job or relationship is meant for you or it isn’t. Either they care or they don’t. Either you’re unhappy or you’re not. The point is, stop trying to make every excuse for why you should remain stagnant. Stop trying to make that situation more than what it really is. Choose to move forward with a simplistic point of view. Understand that God is the one who’s really in control, you’re not.

4. Trust is a privilege that’s given, not automatically earned. You can’t award your trusting heart to everyone you come in contact with. There’s a reason the Bible speaks of having a discerning spirit. Don’t award trust to those who aren’t worthy. When you do so, you give them access to possibly destroy your spirit (and your heart).

5. The world is NOT conspiring against you. Stop being the victim and start becoming the victor. Don’t resign to the idea that life is full of hurt for you. Yes, situations and/or people may hurt you but instead of dwelling on that, start the process of healing. God wants us to live in peace because He has so much in store for us. You can’t fully live in your purpose if you think others are always out to take that away from you.

6. Believe in the good of the world around you. Don’t live life with rose-colored shades on but do believe that God meant what he said in Jeremiah 29:11. Feel free to go take a look at that awesome promise in the Bible.

7. Stop suppressing your emotions. It’s totally ok to feel what you feel in this phase of your life. Don’t worry about shielding yourself from being happy or sad. It’s a part of who you are. Just remember not to let your emotions control you. You control your emotions.

8. Stop punishing yourself for the past. Yes, you may have chosen that relationship that ended up hurting you more than it helped you. You may have went against good advice and made bad decisions but life goes on. Understand why “it” happened the way it did, resolve to do better next time, and move on.

9. Don’t wait for someone else to validate you, validate yourself. This has got to be one of the most important life lessons yet (at least for me). Stop looking for God in everyone. Not everyone can give you spiritually sound advice or encourage you to live your life pleasing to God (and not pleasing to them). Look within for your sense of self-worth and pray that God will see past your imperfection to glorify your perfect spirit.

10. You can’t change anyone but yourself. Anyone can change their habits but absolutely no one else can change who God created them to be. Accept them for who they are and decide whether they need to remain in your life or not. This goes for you too. Accept who you are and remember that you can change your habits and your outward appearance but you can’t change who God predestined you to be.

I hope that these little tidbits have inspired you to look beyond the struggle and start having a more positive attitude toward life. Remember, things will work out not necessarily how we want them to but how they're meant to be. Any other life lessons you can think of? Feel free to share below...

Sincerely,

Becoming

2013-01-25T11:58:00.001-05:00

The Butterfly - A quintessential example of "Becoming"

First I want to wish the Christian Chameleon Family a Happy New Year; I pray that 2013 is full of God’s favor and grace. Secondly, I want to say that this has been the most difficult blog I have ever written. I realize I haven’t written hundreds of entries, but the challenge of trying to translate what God has placed on my heart has been a great one. I hope it is clear and it blesses all who read it.
Read more »

Live Your Life, Live Your Dream!

2012-11-19T14:48:00.005-05:00

We all have big dreams we want to pursue in life. Some of us have realistic dreams and some of us have wishful dreams that are only capable of being reached in our private thoughts.

Either way, God gives us the power to dream...and dream big.

Gifts and Weapons

2012-11-07T10:40:00.000-05:00

Robert Downey, Jr. as Tony Stark. Stark is a gifted scientist who is seen here developing the weaponry that makes him Ironman.

Who doesn’t like gifts? As we come into the holiday season to finish this year, much of America will begin thinking about what gifts they should buy for their loved ones and what gifts they’d like to receive. That’s because it feels great to give and receive gifts.
Read more »

Foresight 20/20

2012-09-26T12:41:00.001-04:00

As I look back over my life, and I think things over,

I can truly say, that I’ve been blessed.

I’ve got a testimony!

The incomparable Reverend Clay Evans is credited with penning the words to one of my favorite gospel songs! Anytime this song is played I can be caught singing along; and if I’m in a worship service, I’ll be the one standing, clapping and swaying like I should be in the choir. Like all great gospel songs I’ve Got a Testimony remains a classic because it has two important elements; its melody and its message.

POETRY SPOTLIGHT: "I AM"

2012-09-24T18:53:00.000-04:00

There's a brilliant woman who I am thankful to be connected to by the name of Brandi Jines. We met one another at our previous employer in Nashville, Tennessee years ago and we still communicate often about our Christian thoughts and opinions in regards to this world we live in.Read more »

Getting the Ring Doesn't Mean A Thing (on VH1)

2012-09-04T19:57:00.002-04:00

Apparently, many of those who watch and are enamored with the characters on VH1's reality shows think that getting a ring means happily ever after...well that is the furthest thing from the truth when it concerns reality television on this network.

Professing It or Playing with It?

2012-09-04T19:42:00.000-04:00

We all know that our words have the power to hurt or to heal...to confess or to lie. Well, recently, while watching the hit movie Think Like A Man, which was quite hilarious to say the least, I learned that a lot of relationships are usually compromised by the words we say or fail to say.

Muscle Up

2012-09-04T19:23:00.000-04:00

A couple weeks ago I was blessed by God to earn a promotion at work. This wouldn’t be news to you if you were my Facebook friend or followed me on twitter…but we’ll deal with that later.

The Courage to be Different

2012-08-29T18:46:00.005-04:00

Being unique used to be a scary thing for me. I felt I needed to be what everyone else envisioned for me. I never realized until I became closer to God (and cut all my hair off) that I was playing games, gambling with my true identity.

Mercy Me

2012-08-27T08:35:00.001-04:00

^“Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Romans 12:19 (KJV)

For me, relationships are vital. Whether it is work, family, romantic or a good friendship, I desire to have quality and beneficial relationships. I’ve had my share of all these types of relationships and done well in maintaining many of them…not so well with others. Those who mean the most to us have the potential to hurt us the worst and if you are like me, you’ve been hurt a time or two. Many times when we are hurt by those we care for, we desire some type of revenge; we want the person that hurt us to realize what kind of pain we experienced because of something they’ve done. But in an attempt to uphold our Christian integrity we have quoted the above verse as a means to restrain ourselves from taking vengeance into our own hands. And this verse does well in reaffirming our trust in the wisdom of God to handle our affairs, while also being cathartic in releasing the stress and strain that can come from focusing on such a negative aspect of our lives.

We aren’t always victims however; we have hurt people we have been in relationship with as well. Whether by word or deed we have offended people and, if we were honest, we have been intentional and unapologetic at times. Now, those we’ve hurt may be quoting Romans 12:19 in reference to us and our actions. Using the very scripture we’ve used so many times, our victim has placed us in the very hands of the God we trusted to handle paying back our assailants when we were victims. Proud of the “spiritual maturity” we showed in times past by allowing God to fight for us, we are now on the other side of the battle facing the vengeance of God Almighty.

Cowering seems to be the appropriate response. “Lord, I know I asked you to handle the vengeance of those who’ve wronged me, but do you think you could give me a pass on the vengeance coming my way…please?” As ridiculous as that sounds, I believe that is exactly what can happen. How quickly we forget that God is a God of mercy (Psalm 116:5). The mercy of God is that which keeps His hand from giving us what we justly deserve. If we took a moment, we can think of all of the times that God has showed us mercy, even in times when we did not specifically ask for it.

Two things are certain; first, God’s mercy is not to be taken for granted or abused. There is no free pass to behave any way you like, mocking God and his genuine mercifulness. Secondly, there will probably always be an unpleasant fallout from hurting someone, but that isn’t necessarily the vengeance or wrath of God. It would almost certainly pale in comparison to what God would be capable of doing if he took the full brunt of vengeance out on us.

So what do we do as we realize just how much we’ve hurt someone and that God would be justified in answering our victim’s request from Romans 12:19? I want to encourage you that falling into a valley of guilt and shame is not the answer. The Spirit of God that lives within us should push us toward the proper response; conviction rather than condemnation. This isn’t the first time we’ve hurt someone and it is likely that it will not be the last. And just as God has forgiven us and extended mercy before, He is faithful to do it again. Don’t wallow in self-pity and fear; rather continue on, receiving God’s mercy, accepting his forgiveness and making your relationships better.

VIDEO Spotlight: A Poem for Gabby Douglas Entitled "Ponytail"

2012-08-21T17:34:00.002-04:00

I know the whole hair fiasco with Gabby Douglas has somewhat waned out, but I had to share this...
Read more »

The Balance between Contentment and Ambition

2012-08-21T16:56:00.000-04:00

What is the ultimate vision you have for your life? Have you accomplished everything you have dreamed of?

Framing Your Faith

2012-07-10T11:51:00.001-04:00

A couple of months ago I had the humbling experience of graduating from the historic American Baptist College. I was excited not simply because I was adding more credentials to my resume, but also because it was the culmination of a wonderful season of learning and sharpening future theological minds that I believe will benefit Black America for a very long time.

Tameka Raymond's Son, Kyle Glover, Declared Brain Dead by Doctors

2012-07-09T10:24:00.000-04:00

I'm pretty sure most of you have heard the horrific news about Usher Raymond's stepson, Kyle Glover. Kyle was vacationing at Lake Lanier near Atlanta, Georgia when someone on a jet ski ran into him while he was floating on his inner-tube on the lake with another teenage girl. The jet ski struck him in the head and he was airlifted to the hospital...
Read more »

Are Your Self-Imposed Limitations Holding You Back?

2012-07-09T10:05:00.002-04:00

How many of you are still contemplating—at this very moment—what you should be doing with your life? Don’t let my presentation of that question overwhelm you or scare you away either…

Called Anyhow

2012-06-19T08:00:00.000-04:00

The current economic climate of our country has put the job market in the forefront of many American’s minds and has become a major talking point for the upcoming presidential election. I can recall when things first began to decline, there was a news report about a guy who was highly educated walking the streets wearing a wooden placard over his shoulders stating what college he graduated from and asking for a job interview. Unfortunately, things have only worsened since then.

Deep Cover II

2012-06-07T08:00:00.000-04:00

In my previous article, I wrote about how people often hide their true self, their God-created self, from others in “Deep Cover”. Referencing Abram hiding the true identity of his wife as they entered Egypt (Genesis 12:10-20), I stated that hiding yourself in deep cover can be a problem because it can removed you from the place God has prepared for you. Abram found a place to escape famine in Egypt but because he masked who he and his family truly were, they all were kicked out of Egypt by Pharaoh. In fact, I think that wording may best help me clarify something about these ideas, Abram “masked” himself.

A Change of Plans: God's Way vs Your Way

2012-06-06T22:05:00.000-04:00

In the book of 2 Corinthians 1, Paul mentions two gifts God gives us when we start to believe in what He can do for us as we are changing our plans, deciding to follow our purpose with Him in the lead…
Read more »

Oprah Finally Interviews 50 Cent!!!

2012-06-06T21:19:00.000-04:00

Oprah Winfrey FINALLY interviewed Curtis Jackson. Yes, the man we all know as 50Cent finally got his chance to sit down and chat with the outstanding talk show host, “O.”

Look inside for more details on how the interview went and when it will air on the OWNtv network.

Love Will Make You...

2012-06-03T20:39:00.002-04:00

In the words of Iyanla Vanzant, “Love is the energy of life.” It is, indeed, the greatest source from which we draw our vitality and livelihood. This weekend while celebrating my 27^th birthday, I was shown over and over again that everyone loves “love.” Even those who try to deny the concept of love secretly wants to accept it…

Tyler Perry Defends Bobbi Kristina: "Leave This Baby Alone!"

2012-05-31T21:23:00.000-04:00

Tyler Perry has sent out a personal email to all of his fans and followers defending Bobbi Kristina against the allegations that have been circulating in the media and on social networks, saying that she walked off the set of her new role on TP's television show...
Read more »

Back from Hiatus: Still Aspiring to Inspire

2012-05-27T20:26:00.000-04:00

I’m back!!! Yes, after taking a brief hiatus from writing/posting on The Christian Chameleon I am finally returning to what I love most.
Read more »

Deep Cover

2012-05-21T10:53:00.002-04:00

Recently I watched a story on ESPN’s Outside the Lines about former NBA player Dennis Rodman. The story touched on a few parts of Rodman’s life that ultimately gave way to where he is now. Three guests who knew Rodman in some way were commenting for the story and the consensus among all of them was that somehow Rodman became lost in a certain type of role or character that gained him notoriety and fame. Soon, Rodman found difficulty in distinguishing himself from his character that could be seen dressed in wedding gowns at times and sporting facial piercings and brightly dyed hair.