Moving into new places

moving to new places

I am moving to new places both literally, metaphorically and emotionally, I am movin on to different struggles, different issues, different blessings. added freedom added responsibilities, subtracting some tangible guidance and support being replaced with learning independence and greater dependence on God. I am stretching my abilities, confronting my weakness, acknowledging new strengths and being intentful about what surrounds me. i am living, loving and learning how God moves within my passions, I am amped and fired up about fighting for social justice and the call God has for community. i am envisioning the city in connection with the church. I am finding the church not in a building but in  new space, from new faces that worship the same God I do; Jesus. i am in a moment of serenity, a calm but also a consuming fire. I have been taken out of my city, my comfort my home, out of the rustle and bustle of errands and a bunch of stuff to do and placed in an environment that produces intellectual, spiritual, psychological, and emotional transformation. Im having epiphanies, im writing and reading and talking and sharing and praying and reflecting and relaxing and rejoicing and crying. God is in the act of molding, though he never stopped. I feel the tension as He is crafting me into something new. I am experiencing submission to God love and will. wow its bomb!

Submit out of Love

It’s time we make some people uncomfortable. It’s time we challenge your comfortable views on life and challenge your reason and your principles. We come in the name of love and humbleness. But we also come with conviction and discernment of the truth. We speak forth what God is and what God is not. May you hear what it is God has for you. Amen

 The movement for women in power has been the new rise. It’s beautiful and wonderful and it is necessary. We have been demeaned and devalued and it seems that home was destined to be our only arena of power and purpose. But just like fighting for the right to vote, abolishing slavery and segregation, we fought for justice and it has produced good fruit. The fight for the rights of women was totally vital to redefining our meaning of what we are and what we are capable of. But how much redefining should we do? From whom are we “taking back” our definition? Being that God created women, He has all authority to have a view and definition on women. Are we so boastful and ambitious that we would attempt to redefine the meaning that God has for women? (Touchy I know.) You would like to think of course not! Maybe you would say, we are just taking back the image that man (society, and people born of sinful nature) have corrupted and exploited. Well, if that is truly the case then I’m all for the cause of bringing back truth and progression. But my fight for justice comes to an immediate halt when it denies the vision that God has for justice and His people. The driving force for Christians that serve and fight for justice is to show the world God’s love (coming in the name of love and humbleness). Because this is the foundation from which we fight, I do not fight for a cause that attempts to rob God of His power and voice and denies or disregards His view on the topic (here’s that conviction and discernment of the truth we talked about). God has created man (humanity) in His own image. The man and the woman are meant to partner together, both complimenting each other in what the partner lacks. God is clear in defining the man’s role to lead and the woman’s role to help and nurture. This is not a negative or lesser image of the woman. May we feel the authority of God that should reign supreme over our fight “for equality”.  May we realize that this is the role that God has called the woman to, and our obedience to God should come before any other feelings or ideals we may have. In Genesis 2:18 God said “it is not right for man to be alone”. So He took from man’ rib and created woman, both in His own image. Ephesians 5:22 says “The woman submits to her husband as to the Lord”. But, when God requires that the wife submit to your husbands, He does not say it without requiring the husband “to love his wife as he loves himself” (Ephesians 5:28). The husband is “to love his wife the way that Christ loves the church” Ephesians 5:25. Christ loves the church with an unconditional love for “He is the head and we (the church) are the body” Ephesians 5:23.  The love that the husband has for his wife is to be deep and true. Christ submitted himself to God’s will when He gave His life for us. In this image of Christ’s submission to the church, we see the call for submission of the husband to the wife as well. This love the husband is required to have for his wife doesn’t sound like the love to someone (the woman) that is lesser than the husband. It doesn’t seem like a love that enforces patriarchal views to me, it so much deeper than that. It actually embodies and symbolizes the love that Christ has for us. And I’m a woman and I recognize that I must submit and am in dire need of Christ’s love. Because the woman submits out of love and not fear, the love the wife has for her husband is the picture and posture that we should come to God with. If it was out of fear, it would make it law, but since Christ, dying for our sins, fulfilled the law we may now obey and submit out of love. Oh what a beautiful call to worship! God does not command for a woman to be lesser than a man. But He requires obedience and submission to His will from both man and woman. Please note, that submission is not a gender defined word. Submission is what God requires of His people (again discerning truth). Even Christ submitted to God when He died on the cross. So women, in our act and fight for equality be mindful in your resistance of submission at all costs. Truth is, though man has corrupted the idea of submission and that may give us a bad image of it. May we know that submission is a God ordained ability that allows us to give God full glory and respect. We submit and obey out of love. Submission is appropriate and required of all in certain arenas and moments in our lives.

And word to the feminist (whom I hold regard and respect to, for there is a need and a call for your mission) God does not prohibit that you learn and work and experience out of the home. He does not misguide you to do what the man says “just because he is a man”. He does not silence your voice and gifts in places of power. (In fact, He hears your cries and rejoices in your triumphs). But God does require full submission to Himself. May I repeat so that you understand the location of this submission. This submission is rooted in which is good “No one is good but God alone” Mark 10:18. Our submission is a matter of the heart. Our flesh fights God’s call for us to give up control over ourselves. So in this way, submission is highly respected, because it is difficult to do without being inspired by tremendous fear. It is an act that many wish that they possessed. For it is freeing yet anxiously uncomfortable. The call to submit to anything other than your own wants, will and needs would challenge anyones’ ego. But be encouraged, that submission is both admirable and humbling. It is painful but beautiful. It is not out of fear but of Ultimate Love.

We submit to God because He first loved us. He gave His only son Jesus Christ that our lives would be spared from His wrath and we would have everlasting life instead (John 3:16) So Christians, you preach Christ in your service and in your fight for justice. You show God’s love and presence with those that are hopeless and suffering. Your fight is against the “slavery of corruption” (Romans 8:21) and that fight is always in line with God. You are serving out of God’s love for His people and His world, which He created anyway. Your call to service is a witness to the people, that God has not forsaken them, and that God sees them and loves them more than they can imagine. And through their thankfulness and restoration God is glorified. So fight, act and serve with God’s love as the purpose and power that you use. (coming in the name of love and humbleness {Jesus Christ} and praying that God will speak to you with conviction and discernment of the truth). Amen

 

 

Is Hip Hop carrying out its purpose?

Hip Hop Legendary Icon Daryl (DMC) McDaniels says "The whole purpose of Hip Hop is to inspire, to motivate, to educate" Is it really? Because I feel like the current mainstream Hip Hop is a bunch of glorification of money, self and sex. The message on the surface doesn't really seem to reach that deep. May I state that not all Hip Hop is negative youve got, Common, Nas, Talib Kweli, Lupe Fiasco and a few more that spit that knowledge. Kudos to them for recognizing their roots, purpose and power. But the majority of Hip Hop artists are talking bout some self centered, ignorant stuff. It pains me to say that my Hip Hop degrades me (as a woman) everytime I turn it on. It hurts that instead of educating my generation that knowledge and social justice is the power to be had, they state that money and fame is the only power. As I turn on some of the songs I love to dance to, I'm bombarded with sexual suggestions, desentized violence and prideful swag. At times these images sound great to a fly beat. But stripped from just "tryna have a good time", when I sit down an listen to the message, the vision and the purpose carried out in these songs, it is nothing that I stand for. Im writing this to say I am unsatisfied with the limited periphial that Hip Hop currently has. Im saddened that the purpose "to inspire, motivate and educate" has not been used for positive ends. If we are to say that our hip hop artists are in a place of social power than should they not be held accountable to stay true to the purpose of Hip Hop once presented with a record deal? DMC states that "Hip Hop was created so that we as people are in charge of our own purpose and destiny". This transcends beyond an individual just "tryna make money". This is a call and a responsibility to model what our purpose and destiny as a Hip-Hop urban culture is. Being that minorities are the majority of Hip-Hop. Hip Hop is rooted from the African American struggle. It was a tool to fight oppression. Wouldn't we want to use our new places of power ton continue to define our place of power and justice in society? Remember, Blacks couldn't even vote in America until 1965, that was less than 50 years ago. We are finaly coming into places of power. We are still a community of black people fighting forms of oppression, believe it or not. Our traditional African Culture Values are a "sense of community,  sense of good human relations, sense of sacredness of life, sense of hospitality, sense of the sacred and religion, sense of time, sense of respect for authority and elders, and a sense of language and proverbs."(Emeka.at African Cultural and Values). If we are to define our purpose and destiny, should we not pull from our history? I know some rappers feel like "it aint that deep, they not part of the movement". But if we as a culture acknowledge you and your music,  Then it is that deep and you are part of the movemnt. You become a depiction of what we mean, and what we say. It's ironic that we want all the fame and the money and the power, but when it comes to the responsibilityand accountability that that role aqquires, we get all sheepish about how much power we truly have. So I would love to enjoy my hiphop and support my fellow brothers and sisters that reflect the urban culture of today and put it to a fly beat. But if they feel their only purpose is to regurgetate the brokeness of our urban culture and not be part of the solution then they are selling themselves short. and Im disturbed that ignorance and controlling images of who we are continue to consume the air. #Imjussayin

A Friend

Dear Friend,

I love you girl your beautiful, created in God's image. born and destined for God's purpose. you are shining with the Lord's love inside your soul. You sparkle with the grace of the gospel in your voice, Knowing youve been forgivin knowing you don't deserve the love that Christ is. Girl I hope that you know that God is all things. He is the only thing that will meet ur unsatiable needs, hes the consuming fire that takes your breath away and restores your depression. He supplies your needs, and He strips you of the things,that require more attention than you give him. Girl you are blessed to have a friend a savior, a love,r the missing piece of your soul, the inner completion to your heart as your God. You see this God I serve, He is very personal to me. I know He designed me with an everlasting yearning for him. I know that I am sin and without his Holy Spirit calling me to his bosom I would not know him, would not love him, I would not follow him. I know that my posture should be that of a beggard with my face to the ground knowing I dont even deserve to kiss his feet let alone serve as his slave. But beyond all this woe is me stature. God sent his son who is the only one to live perfect, to be killed on my behalf. Grace.... its true depth we may never know..but nonetheless we worship christ for his forgiveness and his obedience to his father which has saved our lives. you see friend I believe that God is alll things no matter what new knowledge man discovers, no one will change the truth; that My God is all and has made all. I know that Christ was sent to proclaim his fathers glory first and save me from  "drowning in my own blood" Ezekiel  16:6. You see friend the Lord saved us from this death threatening state that we didnt even know we were in. Its like Jesus pulling us out of the twin towers ( years before it even happens). Dear friend I 'm writing all this to let you know what you believe and who you serve and as much as you may grow, progress, fall and develop just know that Who God is and his place in your heart never changes, you are made to worship forever and forever. This is hard for you, this is painful, this is beautiful, this is depressing, this is hope, this is submission, this is out of your control, this is Gods pride in exchange for letting yours go, this is leavin your fishermen job and following Christ. this is Christ cruxifiction living in your life. this is your calling, your blessing this is Gods honor his Glory. Its all you have and know matter how much you love him and know him and follow him you still desperately need him more. trust that this God you love is the main thing he is the only thing he is all things. this world is too tangible, too literal and self consumed but that spirit of the Lord is where your heart is truly at home. Friend know that God called you to himself and He so sure about it.  I just wanted you to know girl. thats your man right there, thats unconditional love, thats everything youve ever wanted or will want but most importantly God said you are his and He is yours Amen
                                                                                    Sincerely A Friend,

Tips to grow. Blossoming Flowers

Feeling Overwhelmed, Unloved, Trapped, Can't Explain. Take a deep breath. Enjoy a moment filled with no thoughts jus enjoy the air you breathe. Know that God is alive and sees you. Know that those feelings can help you push to better choices. Know that no matter how rough life feels, your life is not over. Know that needing and wanting help demonstrates your maturity and is the only way to get to happiness.

Activity Blossoming Flowers

1. On a peace of paper list four possible people (older than you, preferrably adults) that you would talk to an ask for guidance and support in your life.


2. When you have picked these four people. For each person write what you admire about them, what positive things they are doing in thier life, and do they know God.

3.Then sit with your self and write out 2 of your flaws, and 1 of your strengths

4. Write how that strength could help you treat yourself with love.

5. Pick one of the people you chose. CALL THEM or meet with them

6. Let the person know what you admire about them and that You want to practice being open and real but you fear getting judged, ask that they don't judge you, but that they listen and/or give you honest advice.

7. Remember only the whole truth will set you free, not half of it. So you may have to embarrass yourself to be honest, but this is where transformation occurs.

8. After the conversation sit with your self and write out how it felt to share you life, and how it felt to listen to the person's response.

9. Write what they said to you in 3 main points. Keep these notes. Remember what you learned

10. Call another person or the same person from your list again next week Repeat #6-10

We are flowers blossoming into our inner beauty. As God sustains us, we must love on one another and help redirect one another to our creator. We are lost and broken. We must die daily to have life. We must admit our helplessnes and our incompetence and seek our creator. My fellow young people the advice of the wise is clarity and rescue. May God speak to your spirit man and quiet your flesh. Grow <3

Your Shoe (poem)

Excuse me, But I think I left my heart on the bottom of your shoe. You smushed it, suffocated the life out of it, but its still remains stuck on the bottom of your shoe. You drag it everywhere you stumble to, never checking to see if its still attatched to the botttom of your shoe, never attempting to pull it off and put it in a different spot or even give it back, just dragging me along. carelessly left at the bottom of your shoe. Far away from your heart, so that you wont have to cater to its needs, you wont have to acknowledge its wounds, see its pulse no longer move with that spark. Its left with you and you have no use for it. and I feel broken and empty because my heart has been left on the bottom of your shoe so long that I think you forgot it was there.

Thoughts and Ideas of A Princess: Love, Hope, Faith: God is intentional and strategic!

Thoughts and Ideas of A Princess: Love, Hope, Faith: God is intentional and strategic!: My trust in Christ has been reaffirmed by knowing that God, the creator of the universe, is strategic about life, he has planned it all out,...

The Story of King Tut

                                                                    King Tut
King Tut lived in a hut. In this hut he was called King. His parents gave him everything he ever could possibly want. Lavish clothes, plenty of food and toys. All his life people waited on his every beck and call. King Tut was a selfish King. He looked at his self in mirrors all day fantiscizin about himself. He ate all day. People from the village where ordered to come to King Tut's hut and entertain him every two hours.

King Tut never left his hut. He was told that if he ever left the hut he could not be King anymore. After King Tut's 18th birthday he decided to leave the hut anyway. Once King Tut left the hut, He felt free. He never realized how small his hut was, how trapped he felt. He first noticed the trees and the plants and the flowers. He felt the breeze and watched the sun as it began to set. King Tut marveled at creation. As he continued to walk around the village he saw children naked and hungry. He saw men fighting each other and women begging for food for thier families. He saw broken families, poverty and pain and all of this was only 2 miles from his hut. King Tut told the people that he would help them. But the people laughed in his face. The poor people of the village didnt know him as King.  In this place his identity didnt matter. King Tut became very ashamed. In his hut he was selfish, He helped no one, He ate more than he needed and he had more than enough, and just outside his hut were people starving and without anything. King Tut realized that he was never King at all. He was self consumed with himself. He never knew that the world was about things bigger than him. King Tut was humbled by this realization. King Tut hurried back home. He apologized to his family for his bad treatment and his selfishness. King Tut said he would gladly give up being King for he had done nothing for the people of his village. He now became Tut. Tut started working as a hunter in the village. He hunted and brought back food for all the people of the village. Tut finally was proud of himself. He was able to help others and provide for himself. Tut decided he wanted to explore more of the world and serve others. He realized that the world was so much bigger than him. When he was King Tut he thought the world revolved around him so the world seemed very small, but once he left his hut. He realized the world was so full of many things and he didnt matter. Tut was taught humility and service. Tut was given a second chance to live his life out with great purpose.

Sometimes we get like King Tut. We stay trapped in our own heads and think that we are the only things that matter. But once we step outside of ourselves. We are reminded that the world is going on whether we acknowledge it or not. Thier is work to be done. May we open our hearts to humility and service and live out our live with great purpose.  Amen

Great Purpose

We are built for great purpose. We are tried and broken. So that we may release our agenda and submit to our great purpose; God's will. It's crazy that though you may feel your calling is to be at the top of the law firm, become a rap star, or win the lottery, but instead God gives you 3 kids, no car and a husband who is suffering from alcoholism. In our dreams, in our agenda, pain isn't included. Things get better and better with time and we only feel closer and more successful by the minute. But is that how God works? A life without suffering, without difficulty? That sounds like a life without humans. Our Great purpose may not be the self centered purpose that you envision for yourself. But it is nonetheless yours to experience. Things begin to shatter when our perception changes (even when our circumstances stay the same). I present this idea that was ministered to me, may you and God wrestle with it and may the holy spirit convict you to will and to do what he calls you to. Jesus died on the Christ First and foremost that God's Glory would be shown. Christ saved us because only He (not us) should recieve glory for our souls saved from the wrath we deserve. He died for our sins and He rose. Christ did all the work, so Christ deserves all Glory all thanks. My life's purpose is to live serve and say thank you with the life He has graciously saved from the pit. All through history, massacres, genocide, plagues, pain, and suffering have occured. God could have stopped these because He holds everymoment in every place. But in some way that we cant percieve, These things were also part of God's plan. He recieved full glory even in these sufferings. Even if just one soul was brought to Christ. God is aware of his power. God is not scared of what we may think about Him. He is never ashamed and never unsure of the things that occur under His reign. He is not so concerned with our feelings that He alters his plan to protect our emotions. When it comes to Gods plan. God's plan is bigger than my parking ticket, God's plan is bigger than slavery (touchy I know). God is personal and He is yours He cares He loves you dearly that I do not deny. But God's work, God's purpose for my life isn't about me, it doesnt put my needs first. It puts God's glory as all that exists. So if you accept the challenge to wrestle with God just know that He wins. He reigns and He is about His glory, so your discomfort may just be part of the God's plan. So serve with a perspective that says "nothing I have, do I own for myself, all I have is because of Christ". As God's Glory Shines your great purpose is being fufilled.

God must hold more weight (glory)

God must hold more weight (glory) than my own life. My substitutions could never amount to the glory of God. My trials consume me to the point where God is no longer King of my heart, My sin seduces me, My longing compels me to betray the God of truth, for the small weightless substitutes that never seem to satisfy. Even as a christian, a believer in Christ, even in knowing that my whole life's purpose is to glorify him with a life that worships and thanks Him, I still have unbelief. Not in the sense that I intentionally state I don't believe Christ. I believe all the works of Christ to be true and are what my life depends on. But there is a disconnect between belief and lifestyle. My sinful nature is consistently fighting my spirit man, at least every 5 minutes. Sin is doubting that God should abide in me. Its the small things that are big things to God. We think they don't matter, but that is where God sees that we don't truly trust Him.To truly follow Christ means to know and admit there are areas of my life that are hidden from him. It means that in every aspect of my life, God and I must wrestle, and He must win in every corner and crevice of my life.

To follow Christ is not to say now I am perfect ( though we are made righteous by the covering of Christ). It is to know and receive that Christ is perfect, and was perfect on my behalf. And now out of the duty of love, I let God change my life completely. Which means no longer am I in control. No longer do I only discuss with myself before making a decision. I turn to Christ for my every move. My life no longer is about succeeding and reaching my goals (though that is great). It is now about God's agenda, giving Him glory with my life, and reaching His people for His purpose. As I am saved by Christ, I take on his last name so to speak. I trade my sin for his righteousness, We are made one. But the flesh is still present, fighting everyday to divide my marriage with Christ.  Knowing what sin cost (my joy and my life) how can it still allure me? Because there must be areas of my life where God doesn't abide. When left to myself, I commit adultery (disrespecting God to please myself). The areas of my life where darkness remains are what keep God abstract, allowing my sinful nature to abuse my spirit man. But If I choose Christ, I must choose Him in this; love, family, friends, music, clothes, hobbies, work, school, intellectual thought, emotions, relationship, my mind, body and soul. I must stop agreeing with God only where it is convenient for me. I will not have an affair on God, He is faithful to me, He is my name, He is my God, He is my Master (pun intended as well). What ever situations and circumstances swarm my life like a million bees, may I never be moved from behind The Rock which is Christ.

It is okay to admit that you struggle to follow Christ in some parts of your life. But Admit it! Acknowledge, take some time with it. Question yourself, why is this thing of value to me? Do I know that this (if it is not Christ himself) will not solve all my problems inward and outward, it will not satisfy the ultimate longing of my soul? Am I truly genuinely happy with this arena of my life or am I just comfortable or just feel trapped? Our life struggles seem so large to us. But when put in perspective they would not consume us so much, We must admit that God is all we need. God is the sustaining ultimate satisfaction. He must hold more weight than anything you have or will ever experience. Because His love is out of this world.

An excerpt from a saved sinner

                                             An Excerpt from a saved sinner

I am relentless, full of hope x10, I picture myself as a Princess, that helps restore the hope of the people, so they can fall in love with God, My passion is a consuming fire, tearing at all that I am. I am called by God to do it, community driven, I desire to be a messenger to the people (That God is here, He is love and He is the one truth). But I am completely unqualified for this calling. I am BROKEN, internally shattered into a million pieces, facing betrayal, failure and emotional demolition. I am fragile, unstable, and consumed with sorrow. I am broken hearted and bound to my sin. I refuse to be free because my chains are all that I can imagine for myself. FREEDOM would inflict the removal of my addiction in which I cling to. thus to get to freedom withdrawal must occur. something in me must die, My life as I know it will be at the discretion of God's vision and reconstruction, for the better I assume, because its God's doing, but it is so OUT OF MY CONTROL and thats completely uncomfortable for me. I admit that refraining from temptation may appear much more painful than the temptation itself ( because sin allures the sinner). But God has called me out (and His vision and purpose for me is much bigger than I could ever have for myself) I hear him calling. I feel Him tugging, I feel the weight that compels me to his bosom.Who am I to reject God's vision for me? How SELFISH of me to close myself up, so that God can't use me, just to be consumed and controlled by my toxic addictions that will consistently leave me in ruins. To betray and neglect God the creator, for his creations. What a fool I have been and yet He calls me daughter. We that are called to Christ are not called because we deserve it or are fully capable and qualified, (because we are not, we are sinners underservng of the grace of God, we fall, we doubt, and we forget God,)We are called because GOD IS deserving, worthy, and supernatural.  But w,hen Christ uses us to give God glory we are living out the purpose in which we were made for. I should want nothing more than to live for Christ for the rest of my days. Because that is what I was created to do. A saved sinner is simply aware of His sinful condition and knows that his total dependence is on Christ his Lord and is compelled by the new heart God has given him to live out his one true purpose; To glorfiy Christ forever in all ways, in life and death. Selah

How Ive Learned to view Love

                                                            How Ive learned to view Love

Love is what I know how to do. I may be a little indecisive, too nice, impatient, overtly passionate, and a little different. But Love is who I am, I believe in it, I relish in it, I crave to have and to give. Love's depth knows know limits, its dimensions are still unknown. Its strength can be dangerous, its power can be bone crushing in the most beautiful way. Its headstrong, heart heavy and free spirited, the lover is recognizes love where ever it is shone. Love embraces flaws (something to forgive) and enhances strengths, Love is filled with metaphoric intelligence. Mundane connections are made to the deepest of Love's ability. Love is sometimes bitter, its painstakingly stubborn sometimes making the human it consumes to be weak. Controlled and consumed by love is the risk. to love someone who doesn't love you back, is simply void and unethical. It makes Love to look as a fool, as a joke, as weak a, simple concept. Love is the driving force for breathing. Love is the driving force for human connection. We thrive on our hate for love or our uptmost admiration for it. Those that lack Love and those are drenched in it are both products of Love we all seek to know its power. Love's power is something to fear,Love causes you to lose a few senses, and only common sense and self worth can help you regain. Love will do its thing when it comes for you and some point it may attack. You may find yourself wrestling with love because Love wants to be priority in your life. Love attempts to defeat every other value and every other thing. Love will only except being the ONLY exception. Love can get real deep real fast. Love is profound. Before allowing Love to find you, Make sure that Christ is Love for you and that he is the only exception. That Christ is better than anything youve ever had and any person youve ever known. Human love is cool, its deep and moving, but humans are imperfect, they have this tendency to sin (lie, hurt, disrespect, devalue, and let you down). But Christ love is pure and all knowing. His connection with you is why you where created. His Love is His Glory and we as his creation are His Glory because he made us. So it seems to me God is Love God is Glory We are Glorifying God when we recognize that he is Love.

God is Profound

There are very distinct moments in life, where God has been the most profound thing I've ever known. His grace with His Judgement, His Holy Spirit that reveals Himself to us as well as His mysteries unknown,  His ability to create all things and to destroy. Being a God that is everywhere but still is right at home in my heart. A God that created the commandments and sent His son to save us.The beauty of God and the ugliness of my sin. How I constantly disobey, disregard and stray away from the purpose and plan of God. But his love still remains without conditions. The undeserved privelege and honor to be called "to himself". How God has planned everything out even before there was life and He has given me free will. How Gods love is perfect and will never fail, yet the humans that recieve this love are with many imperfections...

http://youtu.be/-p7XAOb3zxU

Who are we to boast in our own works.

Proverbs 27:1 "Do not boast of yourself and tomorrow, for you know not what a day may bring forth"

If I could turn back the hands of time, what could I really change? What experiences would I omit? What lessons do I feel I could have been just fine without? Who am I to say that the pain and anger that I have encountered and been consumed by, was of no benefit to the person I am (to be)? Who am I to say when Life (which only God creates), deserves to end. On the basis that I ASSUME, FEEL, AND THINK (all uncertanties that are constantly changing) that I am ill prepared for whatever LIFE may have to offer me. Who am I to say that God's plan, test, and testimony for me are unecessary or too much for me to bear? When I dont see God's full plan (I can't even fathom).  I see my small piece of the story, but God knew my end before I even began. He is the creator of the universe, the solar system and all the galaxies, everything known and unknown. He is in control and present in all of His creation. If God is this, who am I to assume full authority of analysis over my life. Who am I to be my own judge and lead my own way? When I dont see God's vision for me, When I dont have the plan nor the tools within myself to fufill my purpose. How would I know my life's purpose? If God's divine revelation did not reveal, confirm, and encourage me to believe that it is God who knows my purpose and holds my future? Who am I to determine what the supernatural, all knowing , all seeing, perfect model of perfection and unconditional Love CAN and SHOULD do for me? Maybe I should beg and plead what can I do for God (only thing being give him Glory). 1 Corinthians 10:31 " Therefore whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do ALL to the glory of God" How big am I that I can make my problems out to be bigger than God's Glory? Who am I to negotiate with what God defines as my life story? Who am I to say that I have better plans than the Almighty God? May we be reminded of who and what were dealing with. We are dealing with the ultimate power the ultimate love our ultimate reason and purpose for existing. The God who sent his son for us, so that we may recieve life instead of the death and wrath that our sinful souls deserve. John 3:16 " For God SO LOVED the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Christ), that everyone who believes into Him would not perish,but have eternal life" May we be humbled at how big and perfect God is and know that we are no match to compete or to rule, or to think we can plan better or do more than God HAS ALREADY DONE. Instead may we rejoice in the grace and forgiveness he has given us. May we delight in the ultimate rescue of Christ taking our place of death and Giving us connection to our father John 14:6 "I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me". I am simply his child. Ephesians 1:5 "Predistinating us unto sonship through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His Will" I take part in this journey. I live, grow, stumble and learn under the supervision, protection,instruction and will of My Father, and all things in my life and under his reign (which is everything) is for HIS GLORY. May you endure and be encouraged to know that life with Christ is ur life purpose. It is He that orchestrates life. May we relish in who he is and be part of his kingdom to glorify and magnify him forever Amen

Reflect on God

Sometimes the very thing that u never wanna have to deal with, may be the very thing that God uses to teach you who he is and what he has called you for. sometimes an uncomfortable situation that may seem hopeless is the test of ur faith in God's bigger plan. I'm a wise gurl, I'm passionate about God's movement in our hearts and in our lives. However, sometimes I make descisions based on my feelings instead of my values. Sometimes I make the same mistakes over and over and still wonder why I am consumed by fustration and sadness. But what it is, is that I look to myself to solve my own problems. I look to others feel the voids that If cant fill for myself. But if I jus took the few seconds to reflect on who God is and to really evaulate if He is the center and the focus of my feelings and values and actions. I would make better descisions. If I could be intentional about involving God in the midst of all of my feelings and goals and aspirations. This would be one more step closer to following christ.

Women Deserve Better

Women Deserve Better

pray for me

I have so much I feel so much to say but im struggling to get it out. Pray for me.

God is intentional and strategic!

My trust in Christ has been reaffirmed by knowing that God, the creator of the universe, is strategic about life, he has planned it all out, and he is present at all times and thier is nothing in our lives that is out of his control. If God can go before my life and plan and see the end goal. Then I must know in my daily life that God has got me right where he wants me to be at all times. Through all of my struggles, [and I mean the seasons where it feels like God is nowhere to be found. Those pockets of our life where we expereince true genuine hurt, that seems to eat away at our souls, but even in that trench of agony and sorrow.] God is present, He is there and has not forgotten us, He has made no mistakes. We must know that our pain is meant to point us to Christ, to cry out in desperation for his divine vision and love in our lives. We must know that we need him. He sustains our being. Christ is the one who sustains you through the highs as well through the lows and even the idle seasons of our lives that we feel are absolutely meaningless. This is one of the many reasons I'm so in love with Jesus. Because he is proactive and a planner. God has went before us and he sees everything, he knows our end, before our beginning. He uses us for his glory and in turn this satsfies our longing for him. Be encouraged that every point in your life whether it be so horrible you repress it or so joyous its all you think about is in his plan. Know that God was so involved in that season of your life, he has watched you and you are part of his plan. Resting in christ is the safest most challenging place to be. But as for me Christ is my calling, he sustains my life, he reaffirms my calling by showing me how much in control he is and how much he loves his people. I share the love God gives to me because it is a free gift to all!

Im in love with a God that loves his people!

Everything is happening so beautifully, all of my seasons of agony, sorrow, fustration and confusion are preparation for a season of empowerment, hope, and Joy. My true joy comes from Christ living inside of me. I love my church, they embody the community that I envision. They carry out service as a natural part of their being and are intentional about the love they spread to the world. I see through the lens of a community driven Christian. That is who God has called me to be and I view the world in fellowship as a community. I am a hopeless Romantic for the things God sees as pure in heart. I am inspired by humans and hearts. I see struggle in my world, I see pain and I want to help the community look to restoration and revival of their spirits, minds, and dreams. The Beauty of struggle is growth. It is always present even throught the blood, sweat and regurgetation of all we've lived off of for so long. Our communities are filled with resource (not always financial, but still just as valueble), love and compassion. But for many reasons, we just can't reach it or even believe that it is meant for us. We all know that this is an Injustice, it is a sad thing that represents the struggle of the world. But we can do something about it. Its one thing at a time one person at a time. You think you can't make a difference, but life is designed so that people are in relationship with people. We grow, learn, and experience our own lives through relationship with people. I have so much to share with my community. Such heavy burdens that I must unleash to those who love our world and those who despise it. I am burdened by the struggle of life that never ends, just as much as I am overwhelmed by the hope and calling that God has for his community. God told me to tell you that He created YOU and He loves YOU so very much. He has made you in the image of himself, He knew your whole life before you were even formed. and as alone or independent as you may feel, He has been present with you through everything that you have felt, seen, overcome and accomplished. It is not I, that loves people, It is God that loves his people. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he sent his only begotten Son (Jesus Christ), so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life." He sees the battle of evil fighting the good that he has created. Believe me, God is not disconnected from his world. God is not closing his eyes to the pains that exist. He is the all seeing all knowing God, He stands true in the midst of the pain and the joy. and He will restore his earth and restore his people. He has not abandoned us. Gods plan is bigger than ours and thankfully his love is more dynamic then ours could ever attempt to be. May we trust that God is in control. He is in love with us, He is present and He has not forsaken us. I Love God and he is the center, the motive, the passion, the foundation, the motivator, the inspiration, the authority and the conviction that has called me to serve people. God is the driving force for who I am and all that I live and think. Without God I have absolutely nothing to live for. He will always be in my writings because He is inside of me. May He call you to his bosom of love and may you SEE God in his beauty and Glory. Because that my brothers and sisters is our life's purpose.
                                                                                     I am so in love with a God that loves His people

The Highly Sexual Teenager

Our Music, Hip Hop and R&B to be particular is infused with seduction and illumination of sex, sexuality, and sexual skill. It numbs us as youth from having the giggles about sex and the conviction that we are not prepared for such acts. Ultimately robbing our mental innocence. It is my hypothesis after discussing this topic with a few best friends, That our music is intended to train us and desensitize us to become highly sexual beings. It educates us about an activity we know nothing about, but it keeps this act on the forefront of our minds so that we inquire about it and define it as the goal of maturity, love, beauty, satisfaction, or manhood. Since middle school there have been songs like "Freak a Leek" by Peety Pablo any Too Short Song, and Candy Shop by 50 cent that have been on replay by youth. The sexual metaphors and blatancy that were in these songs has had longevity in being the theme within music. Our Music is made to be an experience and a fantasy. I was not aware of this even slightly until I made the choice (Well really God changed my heart) to choose music that magnifies and glorifies God rather then the music of my generation that in no way Glorifies My Savior. Once I became free from the chains of my secular music. I could feel the freedom of my mind, body, and soul. As I cut off the highly sexual messages that my music hummed in my ear and ultimately my soul, I decided to replace it with music that cried out to the Lord in reverance. I came to learn that their are so many genres of music for the Lord. Great Gospel Rap artist like Lecrae and  Flame, worship music by Mali Music, Israel Houghton, Hillsong United, Marvin Sapp, and V Rose. I began to see  that I could still enjoy the music I liked and glorify the Lord as well! There are times when I miss listening to Drake and all that, but I see their chains. They are slaves to their own sin, as we as youth become slaves to their music. They get us hooked early and hard. They seduce and our friends to love and ultimatelly need thier music. They proclaim things that are not Good in the sight of the Lord. Their highly sexual lyrics do not produce good fruits in me. So God gave me conviction  to eliminate this music's power over my life. For that I am grateful. I can see and hear life so much clearer. No more an addiction to my ipod. Music in isolation and in a crowd, where only the music speaks to us and for us. I am now able to hear God's voice clearer and share an express my thoughts with him and others. This is the smokescreen that presents itself in music, that it is all we need as youth to connect to and to learn from. It becomes our life and ultimately our chains. Parents and youth be aware of the enemy's tactics to chain us up. 
Food For Thought: Romans 6: 1-2, 6, 12
"v1 What shall we [to all this]? Are we to remain in sin in order that God's grace (favor and mercy) may multiply and overflow? v2 Certainly not! How can we who died to sin live in it any longer?
"v6 We know that our old (unrenewed) self was nailed to the cross with Him in order that [our] body (which is an instrument) of sin might be made ineffective and inactive for evil, that we might no longer be SLAVES OF SIN." v12 " Let not sin therefore rule as king in your mortal (shortlived, perishable) bodies, to make you yield to its cravings and be subject to its lust and evil passions"

My Soul Magnifies the Lord- Luke 1:46

May the Love of Christ live in me forever. We are created to Glorify God. All our gifts, weaknesses, testimonies and trials are all designed by God and for God. John Piper declares in his book The Dangerous Duty of Delight that "God is most Glorified in us when we are most satisfied in him". May we Maximize our Joy (Which comes from God) by Magnifying God's Glory. In Luke 1:46 Mary says "My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit has rejoiced in God my savior". How beautiful is this song of worship that Mary sings to the Lord. To magnify is to make big, make more of and to rejoice is to be made joyful and to delight in the Lord. I believe that Christ calls us to have the heart that Mary had. May the Lord be made big in my life and My I rejoice in Him forever.

Goodmorning thoughts

As we start a new day, we get a new chance to see and do things different, to interact with the world in a different way. In the morning, we make a choice of how our day will start and finish. Self Reflection at the beginning of any day affirms that their is hope for beautiful things. We cannot control the interactions we have, bt we can choose how we internalize them and how we live them out. Today I choose my morning to be filled with love, fellowship and kindness. What will you choose and how will you maintain as life may throw its hardships at you?
                                                                                                     Goodmorning!

The Beauty of laboring for others

                                                      A Labor of Love
I was born into a world that is cruel and cold, there are atrocities, massacres of people and perspective, there is sexism, racism, classism and ignorance. As humans one (if not all) of these hardships we will encounter. But I was also born into a world that God created, and when he had finished he liked what he saw and said it was good. I have seen the joys of this world as well as the hope of this world. I refuse to ignore the pain of the world. But rather confront it head on with vitality, compassion, confidence and implementing the values this pain attempts to destroy. My people are humans and I love them. God has designed us to love. I am on a mission to serve those that have been stuck in the atrocities and have not been able to see the flowers bloom and find beauty in it, because they feel their pain is too strong to produce compassion or joy. I am here to help them dream, think, hope and love again. Only God changes hearts. He has called me to serve, to be used as a vessel so that his lost sheep may come back home. I have been blessed with much! not in tangible, material financial things, but I have been given support, role models, communication, love, prayer, education, an opportunity to be helped and to help. and every human deserves this. So I am passionate, driven and focused to show God's people, my community, humankind that they can do more than survive they can excel and exceed above and beyond what our minds and our environments would subject us too.