A Personal Reflection
I haven't posted anything lately, but today's post is going to be really short and straight to the point. During this Lent season I identified some of my own weaknesses that I want to face and today I read something that really jolted me so to speak and I wanted to share it with you all.
Our number one purpose in life should be to please God; everything else is secondary. One way we can please God is by using all of the abilities that he has equipped us with. God is not only pleased when do things like read the bible, go to church, or tithe - but he also gets pleasure from every other detail of our lives (except sin of course). Isaiah 45:9 (CEV) says - Israel, you have no right to argue with your Creator. You are merely a clay pot shaped by a potter.The clay doesn't ask,"Why did you make me this way? Where are the handles?" You will never bring pleasure God pretending to be who you are not or by hiding your true abilities. When we reject any part of ourselves, we are saying that we do not trust God or accept his wisdom. How many of you have been asked: "if you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?" ... I know I have, plenty of times. While the question may seem innocent, we challenge the authority and sovereignty of God when say things like "I wish I could be more like xyz" or something of that nature. So friends, let's accept ourselves and each other for who we are and start living for the pleasure of God.
:)
Thursday, February 25, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
He Loved Who?
From Pastor Marquis Boone
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Discover the most precious loving act ever done. God sent His Son to die for you! I know some would say "for who"? Have you ever had a conversation with someone you haven't seen in a long time and the two of you begin to talk and you tell them "you know such and such fell in love with such and such and they got married". The first thing most of the time when the person is in shock is "with who"!!!
The word love is such a loosely used word today that many have really elapsed the accurate meaning of such a powerful four letter word. Some declare it's what you do and others utter its how you act. Whatever you think love is you will never find a love like God's love. God so loved the world that he choose us to give his only begotten Son to. To be chosen is to be one who is the object of choice or of divine favor, an elect person, selected, and preferred for a certain and divine purpose.
An object is something that when viewed stirs a particular emotion, something toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed; it's a cause for attention or concern. When God looks at us it stirs His emotion of Love and compassion. That's why he forgives us and He directs His blessing down upon us.
Why? Because we are the cause for His attention and concern. God's Love is not like man's love; we didn’t have to do anything to earn it. He doesn't take it away from us when we mess up. He's not waiting on us to love Him before He loves us, and His love is unconditional. If you didn't know it already it might shock you but "For God so loved (say your name) that he gave his only begotten Son."
The Father desires to share His love with His people in good times, in bad times, during hard times, within a recession or not. Max Lucado once said: "If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen."
That's just how much love God has for you.
No matter what state this devotion finds you in weather happy or sad dwell on God's love it's everywhere. Look at the flowers outside they represents His love, the moon at night and the sun during the day represents His love. The next breath you take represents God's love. Don't walk around saying he couldn't love me after what I did last night but remember He loves you.
John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Discover the most precious loving act ever done. God sent His Son to die for you! I know some would say "for who"? Have you ever had a conversation with someone you haven't seen in a long time and the two of you begin to talk and you tell them "you know such and such fell in love with such and such and they got married". The first thing most of the time when the person is in shock is "with who"!!!
The word love is such a loosely used word today that many have really elapsed the accurate meaning of such a powerful four letter word. Some declare it's what you do and others utter its how you act. Whatever you think love is you will never find a love like God's love. God so loved the world that he choose us to give his only begotten Son to. To be chosen is to be one who is the object of choice or of divine favor, an elect person, selected, and preferred for a certain and divine purpose.
An object is something that when viewed stirs a particular emotion, something toward which thought, feeling, or action is directed; it's a cause for attention or concern. When God looks at us it stirs His emotion of Love and compassion. That's why he forgives us and He directs His blessing down upon us.
Why? Because we are the cause for His attention and concern. God's Love is not like man's love; we didn’t have to do anything to earn it. He doesn't take it away from us when we mess up. He's not waiting on us to love Him before He loves us, and His love is unconditional. If you didn't know it already it might shock you but "For God so loved (say your name) that he gave his only begotten Son."
The Father desires to share His love with His people in good times, in bad times, during hard times, within a recession or not. Max Lucado once said: "If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it. If he had a wallet, your photo would be in it. He sends you flowers every spring and a sunrise every morning. Whenever you want to talk, he'll listen."
That's just how much love God has for you.
No matter what state this devotion finds you in weather happy or sad dwell on God's love it's everywhere. Look at the flowers outside they represents His love, the moon at night and the sun during the day represents His love. The next breath you take represents God's love. Don't walk around saying he couldn't love me after what I did last night but remember He loves you.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Loving God, Loving Others
From Brenda Gittens
We live in a world today where love, the unselfish loyal concern for others, is not discussed, described, nor displayed enough. But there is discussion, description, and a full display of the opposite of it.
There's war, violence, hate, prejudice and much more we see and hear of everyday. And in the body of Christ, it's not in full operation or production either. There's jealousy, envy, strife, selfishness and much more when we walk in and out of those doors of the "four walls."
We the church are the light of the world, so the love that flows from God into us, should flow out of us, and be more evident and reflective among us. "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35).
How can we say that we love God without having the love of the Lord for our sisters and brothers? It can't happen any other way. When we love others, it's also a sign of worship to the Lord. As our love for the Lord continues to develop and grow inside of our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls, we can't help but love one another.
As a Worship Leader, after leading God's people into His presence, I would often remind the people of God, "Now with that same love that you have, turn and show someone else that you love them." Jesus, the True Vine tells us, "I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you." (John 15:12).
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 is what we call the love chapter. It tells us that we can have every gift and tremendous talent there is, but if we don't have love one for another, they wouldn't mean a thing to God, because he calls His people to love each other.
The gift of speaking in tongues would sound like brass used for making a loud sound or like clashing cymbals, just a bunch of noise! We can have the gift of prophecy and know everything about everything and the gift of faith where we could speak to a mountain and tell it, "Get out of my way!" but we have no love, we wouldn't be of any good or help to anybody. We would be absolutely nothing.
This chapter of the word of God is one that we can read over and over and over and then apply it to our lives over and over and over...the greatest of all is love. To love others also means to forgive others. If you love someone, you should be able to forgive them also. That's the kind of love that God has for us. When we say we love God and others, we're also saying that we need one another too.
There's a song that we sing often in our church entitled, "I Need You To Survive." Let this song become a part of you today.
We live in a world today where love, the unselfish loyal concern for others, is not discussed, described, nor displayed enough. But there is discussion, description, and a full display of the opposite of it.
There's war, violence, hate, prejudice and much more we see and hear of everyday. And in the body of Christ, it's not in full operation or production either. There's jealousy, envy, strife, selfishness and much more when we walk in and out of those doors of the "four walls."
We the church are the light of the world, so the love that flows from God into us, should flow out of us, and be more evident and reflective among us. "Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." (John 13:35).
How can we say that we love God without having the love of the Lord for our sisters and brothers? It can't happen any other way. When we love others, it's also a sign of worship to the Lord. As our love for the Lord continues to develop and grow inside of our hearts, minds, spirits, and souls, we can't help but love one another.
As a Worship Leader, after leading God's people into His presence, I would often remind the people of God, "Now with that same love that you have, turn and show someone else that you love them." Jesus, the True Vine tells us, "I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you." (John 15:12).
1 Corinthians Chapter 13 is what we call the love chapter. It tells us that we can have every gift and tremendous talent there is, but if we don't have love one for another, they wouldn't mean a thing to God, because he calls His people to love each other.
The gift of speaking in tongues would sound like brass used for making a loud sound or like clashing cymbals, just a bunch of noise! We can have the gift of prophecy and know everything about everything and the gift of faith where we could speak to a mountain and tell it, "Get out of my way!" but we have no love, we wouldn't be of any good or help to anybody. We would be absolutely nothing.
This chapter of the word of God is one that we can read over and over and over and then apply it to our lives over and over and over...the greatest of all is love. To love others also means to forgive others. If you love someone, you should be able to forgive them also. That's the kind of love that God has for us. When we say we love God and others, we're also saying that we need one another too.
There's a song that we sing often in our church entitled, "I Need You To Survive." Let this song become a part of you today.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Chasing After You!
Day One (Ash Wednesday) - Lent 2010
Some of my friends on Twitter were a little confused when they saw people with crosses marked on their foreheads. Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent! The name "Ash Wednesday" comes from the practice of placing ashes from the burned Palm Crosses from last year’s Palm Sunday on the foreheads of individuals as a sign of repentance. There are two bible verses that are relevant to Ash Wednesday:
Genesis 3:19 (NIV) – "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
Mark 1:15 (NIV) – "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
Having said that – the time has come, the season of Lent has begun! In Joel 2:12-14, God says "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments..." and the scripture goes on to say "who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing..."
The season of Lent is not about self. It is all about God. The ulterior motive for your personal sacrifice should not start with you. "If I give up this – God will bless me with that"...while receiving the extras in life are great, I can say with conviction if God doesn’t do anything else for me, I will still praise His name! Look at Job – he had everything: a house, land, lots of livestock, and a family. Satan thought that if Job didn’t have any of those things he would turn from God. What a fool was he! When Satan destroyed the land, took the livestock, and killed the family – Job still in the midst of all of it fell to his knees, praised & worshipped God: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
Lent is our time to face ourselves in the wilderness and seek God, deepen our commitment to Him, and solidify our way of life as believers of the Word. God calls to us: "Come back to me, with all of your heart." Regardless of whatever wrongs you have done in life – it doesn’t matter! All we have to do is show up and accept God’s calling.
During this Lenten season, I am focusing on several things:
- my purpose in life, why am I here?
- allowing God to deal with insecurities; getting rid of baggage that is keeping from receiving and being all that God has called me to be
- recognizing and discerning what is and is not beneficial for me – including cutting some people from my life and letting go of anything that is not of God
I'm not "giving up" something because that sounds too much like a punishment and that's not what it's about – I am fasting (Monday-Saturday) and abstaining on Sundays (no meat). Isaiah 58 lays out what God defines as True Fasting and it also reminds us that during this time Jesus is inviting us to a change of heart. Fasting is a tool – for a lack of a better word – that we can use whenever we want to sincerely seek and ask God for something (whatever that might be). But do understand it is not the actual act of fasting that is the focus – by fasting we are clarifying our thinking and our feelings; it purifies us and allows us to pray more deeply.
Lent is also not just about "giving up" something – you can also do things: volunteer with a charity, give more money in your offering to the church, add or increase your prayer/reflection time with God, etc. Again the overall focus is to grow and strengthen your relationship with God.
I am sharing my journey on my blog because I believe that a journey is always better when it is shared. So if you have something to share, by all means post it below or shoot me an e-mail (tamiapowell12@yahoo.com) – true believers do not walk alone.
Before I end this blog, I leave you with seven Psalms that will help you through this Lenten season:
Psalm 6 (A Prayer in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 32 (The Joy of Forgiveness)
Psalm 38 (A Prayer in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 51 (A Prayer for Forgiveness)
Psalm 102 (A Prayer in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 130 (Trusting the Lord in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 143 (A Prayer in Time of Danger)
If you are interested in starting a bible reading plan: www.youversion.com is a GREAT website! They have several bible reading plans that you can choose from - all you have to do is create an account and it will keep track of your progress. You also can keep a journal on the site and post contributions with other members on the site about the bible verses you have read.
I will keep you all in my prayers & may God continue to bless you!
:)
P.S. - This song exemplifies exactly what Lent should be about (one of my favorite Praise songs!)
Some of my friends on Twitter were a little confused when they saw people with crosses marked on their foreheads. Today is Ash Wednesday, the start of Lent! The name "Ash Wednesday" comes from the practice of placing ashes from the burned Palm Crosses from last year’s Palm Sunday on the foreheads of individuals as a sign of repentance. There are two bible verses that are relevant to Ash Wednesday:
Genesis 3:19 (NIV) – "By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground, since from it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you will return."
Mark 1:15 (NIV) – "The time has come," he said. "The kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news!"
Having said that – the time has come, the season of Lent has begun! In Joel 2:12-14, God says "return to me with all your heart, with fasting and weeping and mourning. Rend your heart and not your garments..." and the scripture goes on to say "who knows? He may turn and have pity and leave behind a blessing..."
The season of Lent is not about self. It is all about God. The ulterior motive for your personal sacrifice should not start with you. "If I give up this – God will bless me with that"...while receiving the extras in life are great, I can say with conviction if God doesn’t do anything else for me, I will still praise His name! Look at Job – he had everything: a house, land, lots of livestock, and a family. Satan thought that if Job didn’t have any of those things he would turn from God. What a fool was he! When Satan destroyed the land, took the livestock, and killed the family – Job still in the midst of all of it fell to his knees, praised & worshipped God: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
Lent is our time to face ourselves in the wilderness and seek God, deepen our commitment to Him, and solidify our way of life as believers of the Word. God calls to us: "Come back to me, with all of your heart." Regardless of whatever wrongs you have done in life – it doesn’t matter! All we have to do is show up and accept God’s calling.
During this Lenten season, I am focusing on several things:
- my purpose in life, why am I here?
- allowing God to deal with insecurities; getting rid of baggage that is keeping from receiving and being all that God has called me to be
- recognizing and discerning what is and is not beneficial for me – including cutting some people from my life and letting go of anything that is not of God
I'm not "giving up" something because that sounds too much like a punishment and that's not what it's about – I am fasting (Monday-Saturday) and abstaining on Sundays (no meat). Isaiah 58 lays out what God defines as True Fasting and it also reminds us that during this time Jesus is inviting us to a change of heart. Fasting is a tool – for a lack of a better word – that we can use whenever we want to sincerely seek and ask God for something (whatever that might be). But do understand it is not the actual act of fasting that is the focus – by fasting we are clarifying our thinking and our feelings; it purifies us and allows us to pray more deeply.
Lent is also not just about "giving up" something – you can also do things: volunteer with a charity, give more money in your offering to the church, add or increase your prayer/reflection time with God, etc. Again the overall focus is to grow and strengthen your relationship with God.
I am sharing my journey on my blog because I believe that a journey is always better when it is shared. So if you have something to share, by all means post it below or shoot me an e-mail (tamiapowell12@yahoo.com) – true believers do not walk alone.
Before I end this blog, I leave you with seven Psalms that will help you through this Lenten season:
Psalm 6 (A Prayer in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 32 (The Joy of Forgiveness)
Psalm 38 (A Prayer in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 51 (A Prayer for Forgiveness)
Psalm 102 (A Prayer in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 130 (Trusting the Lord in Times of Trouble)
Psalm 143 (A Prayer in Time of Danger)
If you are interested in starting a bible reading plan: www.youversion.com is a GREAT website! They have several bible reading plans that you can choose from - all you have to do is create an account and it will keep track of your progress. You also can keep a journal on the site and post contributions with other members on the site about the bible verses you have read.
I will keep you all in my prayers & may God continue to bless you!
:)
P.S. - This song exemplifies exactly what Lent should be about (one of my favorite Praise songs!)
Saturday, February 13, 2010
Love Me Better Than I Love Myself
From Bishop Vashti McKenzie
"But as for me, I trust in you." Psalm 55:23
David is entangled in the affairs of his administration. He is caught in the crosshairs of opinions and critics in Psalm 55. He is in the midst of a series of crises and his confidence has him caught in between flight and fight. One day he wants to run away from the problem, but the next day he wants to fight what's going on. He declares that if he had wings like a dove, he would fly away and be at rest.
The brother is having a rough time. David lifts his voice in prayer because his enemies oppress him. The palace is in an uproar. There is trouble in the land. David was also hopping mad because he discovered a friend among his enemies. A former trusted friend blurred the lines of relationship, clothed himself in sheep's clothing, and went undercover disguised as a friend. When the cover was blown, David was served with a burn notice.
Nothing hurts more than when a friend stabs you in the back - someone you trusted, shared secrets with, disclosed things you'd never tell anyone, as well as shared and kept confidences. This friend now stands on the other side of the friendship fence among those who mean you no good.
David was ready to fight. He's angry about the betrayal, and believes the betrayers deserve the death penalty. "Let death seize upon them and them go down quick into hell" (Psalm 55:15). Now you know what was really saying to them, "Y'all go to__________."
Is it just the evil in them? Were they evil or just being used by evil? In the end, it is not the fight, the betrayal; it is not the crises of confidence, wanting to run away; it is his final confession of faith and confidence that speaks to us about God's resolution of the matter.
God answers David's prayer by responding to David's enemies with judgment. When they refused to change, it meant that what they were doing was more important to them than the Lord. This refusal was rejection of God's way of life and rejecting God's plan for life.
The refusal of the divine call to a new creation is aborting the pregnancy that was designed to birth in you, a new power, peace and progress. It is saying "No" to what can help you, and "Yes" to can keep you in a rut.
The key to change is found in the last verse of this Psalm for David as well as you and me "but as for me, I trust in you." (Psalm 55:23) Trust the Lord who loves you too much to leave you the way you are. As good, great, marvelous, exciting, smart, cute, stupendous, brilliant and bright you are - all of us can stand to do better. I do better. You do better. All God's children do better. God could have left David on a hillside keeping his daddy's sheep, but he had something better. God could have left him as a singer of psalms and a composer of hymns, but God had something better. God could have contented David with being a musician and expert on animal husbandry, but God had something better.
God loved David so much that God wanted to develop David's full potential. In order to do that, he had to put David into positions where he was challenged to many choices and decisions. Sometimes he chose right and sometimes he chose wrong, but it was in the choosing that he grew beyond his present capacity. The Lord took him from the pastures and elevated him to the palace; took him from last place to the victory podium; from being the runt or baby of the family to the king of all Israel; from humble beginnings to a noble ending.
He trusted a God who loved him and could see in him what he hadn't seen in himself, a God who loved him too much to let him settle for less. So must we: James and John knew how to fish for fish, but they had to change something to be successful at becoming fishers of men; Zaccheus had to change his cheating ways to be a successful community servant; Mark had to change his tax collecting ways; the woman at the well changed her sleeping arrangements; and Saul had to transition into Paul.
Trust God who loves you too much to leave you the way you are!
"But as for me, I trust in you." Psalm 55:23
David is entangled in the affairs of his administration. He is caught in the crosshairs of opinions and critics in Psalm 55. He is in the midst of a series of crises and his confidence has him caught in between flight and fight. One day he wants to run away from the problem, but the next day he wants to fight what's going on. He declares that if he had wings like a dove, he would fly away and be at rest.
The brother is having a rough time. David lifts his voice in prayer because his enemies oppress him. The palace is in an uproar. There is trouble in the land. David was also hopping mad because he discovered a friend among his enemies. A former trusted friend blurred the lines of relationship, clothed himself in sheep's clothing, and went undercover disguised as a friend. When the cover was blown, David was served with a burn notice.
Nothing hurts more than when a friend stabs you in the back - someone you trusted, shared secrets with, disclosed things you'd never tell anyone, as well as shared and kept confidences. This friend now stands on the other side of the friendship fence among those who mean you no good.
David was ready to fight. He's angry about the betrayal, and believes the betrayers deserve the death penalty. "Let death seize upon them and them go down quick into hell" (Psalm 55:15). Now you know what was really saying to them, "Y'all go to__________."
Is it just the evil in them? Were they evil or just being used by evil? In the end, it is not the fight, the betrayal; it is not the crises of confidence, wanting to run away; it is his final confession of faith and confidence that speaks to us about God's resolution of the matter.
God answers David's prayer by responding to David's enemies with judgment. When they refused to change, it meant that what they were doing was more important to them than the Lord. This refusal was rejection of God's way of life and rejecting God's plan for life.
The refusal of the divine call to a new creation is aborting the pregnancy that was designed to birth in you, a new power, peace and progress. It is saying "No" to what can help you, and "Yes" to can keep you in a rut.
The key to change is found in the last verse of this Psalm for David as well as you and me "but as for me, I trust in you." (Psalm 55:23) Trust the Lord who loves you too much to leave you the way you are. As good, great, marvelous, exciting, smart, cute, stupendous, brilliant and bright you are - all of us can stand to do better. I do better. You do better. All God's children do better. God could have left David on a hillside keeping his daddy's sheep, but he had something better. God could have left him as a singer of psalms and a composer of hymns, but God had something better. God could have contented David with being a musician and expert on animal husbandry, but God had something better.
God loved David so much that God wanted to develop David's full potential. In order to do that, he had to put David into positions where he was challenged to many choices and decisions. Sometimes he chose right and sometimes he chose wrong, but it was in the choosing that he grew beyond his present capacity. The Lord took him from the pastures and elevated him to the palace; took him from last place to the victory podium; from being the runt or baby of the family to the king of all Israel; from humble beginnings to a noble ending.
He trusted a God who loved him and could see in him what he hadn't seen in himself, a God who loved him too much to let him settle for less. So must we: James and John knew how to fish for fish, but they had to change something to be successful at becoming fishers of men; Zaccheus had to change his cheating ways to be a successful community servant; Mark had to change his tax collecting ways; the woman at the well changed her sleeping arrangements; and Saul had to transition into Paul.
Trust God who loves you too much to leave you the way you are!
Friday, February 12, 2010
Lent 2010
February 17, 2010 (Ash Wednesday) – April 3, 2010 (Saturday before Easter Sunday)
Every since I've expressed my commitment to observe Lent this year – I have had various conversations and I've gotten a lot of questions about what exactly Lent is. For many people, including myself, Lent is a season of repentance, soul-searching, and reflection (peep Isaiah 58:6). But please don't misunderstand me – Lent is NOT about self-improvement, it is about improving your relationship with God. Many do a combination of giving up something and taking on a spiritual practice that they didn't do before. The important thing is to eliminate or take on a practice with dedication to God in mind. It should feel like a sacrifice, not a punishment.
Generally, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (the seventh Wednesday before Easter). The last day before Lent (i.e. Mardi Gras or Carnival) symbolizes that last day before we enter into the solemnity of Lent. *Interesting fact, the word "carnival" comes from the latin term "farewell to meat" – many people who fast, give up meat through the duration of Lent*
Before Jesus performed miracles, healed the sick, and raised the dead – He spent 40 days & 40 nights in the wilderness. Why? First, to be tempted; second, to meet with the Father; and third to prepare for power. We are at that time of year when we too are invited to test our inner selves and question the notion: "I can take it or I can leave it" – in other words now is the time to face and deal with those habits that make you hard to live with. Lent is about regaining self-control, especially in areas of your life that damaging not only you and others, but more importantly your relationship with God.
For those of you who are observing Lent & the Holy Week (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday) – I know that it is not the easiest of times; however, I do believe that because our ultimate goal is to draw nearer to God, we must keep each other in prayer and minister to one another. So during the course of Lent I will be posting messages on my blog and hopefully they will be encouraging to you. Having said that, I end with a message from Rev. Ken Collin’s called "Honest to God":
We avoid Lent and Holy Week because it isn't a happy and uplifting time—but to be honest, neither is most of life. Sometimes we come to church all scrubbed up, dressed nicely, with smiles on our faces, and when people ask how we are, we reply that everything is fine and we even boast how wonderful things are—but it is all a lie.
Life is not always uplifting, or wonderful, or pleasant, or joyous—but we have been taught the lie that for spiritual people like us, it must be so. So we become play actors, hypocrites—telling ourselves that by lying, we are having faith, and that if we lie enough, the bad things will fade away, like a dream upon awakening.
But in this we miss the whole point of the incarnation! God became flesh in Jesus Christ. Jesus faced temptation, He suffered hunger and thirst, He suffered the agony of crucifixion. Jesus our God did not face these things so that we would be exempt from them, He faced these things so that we would have dignity in them.
We think ourselves so modern and enlightened when we read of lepers walking through crowds, crying out "Unclean, unclean!" so that others could avoid touching them and thus protect themselves from ritual impurity. We tell ourselves we would do no such thing, but we do the same thing! When a person in our society becomes sad, or depressed, or out of sorts—our modern form of social leprosy—they cry out, "I want to be alone, I want to be alone." In truth, they want company, but they tell people to go away to avoid rejection and to make it easier to restore relationships when they are feeling chipper again. We laugh when we remember the days when people dressed to the nines for church and stayed home when their attire wasn't fancy enough, but we stupidly do the same thing with our emotions. We stay away when our emotions aren’t presentable.
Yet when Jesus came in the flesh and dwelt among us, and suffered hunger and thirst and heat and cold and betrayal and loneliness, and finally also pain and agony and death upon the cross, He gave dignity to His little ones who suffer. He gave dignity to us! Everyone avoids a sad person, except Jesus Himself who is much acquainted with sorrow. Jesus was the only person who gave the demoniac of the Gadarenes his dignity, the only one who could exorcise him. Jesus faced the man who lived in a cemetery, naked and screaming all day and night and calmed his spirit and healed his soul. How can you think that this same Jesus would be repelled by your pessimism or your cynicism or your sadness or your grief? How could a man who seeks the company of demoniacs be repelled by you?
The people of this world believe in the power of positive thinking and in happiness, and in believing these things, they are very shrewd. For people of this world have only the present moment, and if they are unhappy in it, they have lost something. But we who are Christians can endure unhappiness and sadness and loneliness and backstabbing and betrayal and friendlessness and poverty and hunger and thirst; we can face mourning and grief and even death, because Jesus faced all those things. As Christians, we know that Jesus’ suffering was His way to glory, and his Crucifixion was the door to His Resurrection. We know that He ascended on high and sits, alive and well, at the right hand of His Father, where He rules over all things. We can face our own crucifixions in life, because we know that we will share in His Resurrection on the Last Day!
On Palm Sunday, there were crowds who cheered Jesus as the King, but where were all those fair-weather friends when Jesus prayed in agony on Gethsemane, and where were they when He hung upon the cross?
Therefore, let us show that we as Christians are not just Jesus’ groupies, we are His friends. Let us be bold to join Him, fasting in the wilderness for forty days during Lent; let us be bold to pray with Him in the garden on Maundy Thursday, let us fearlessly stand at the foot of His cross on Good Friday, so that we may witness His Resurrection and His Ascension, and join in His triumphant reign. And on that Last Day, when Jesus brushes away the groupies, let us be among His true friends, whom He welcomes into His glory.
:)
Every since I've expressed my commitment to observe Lent this year – I have had various conversations and I've gotten a lot of questions about what exactly Lent is. For many people, including myself, Lent is a season of repentance, soul-searching, and reflection (peep Isaiah 58:6). But please don't misunderstand me – Lent is NOT about self-improvement, it is about improving your relationship with God. Many do a combination of giving up something and taking on a spiritual practice that they didn't do before. The important thing is to eliminate or take on a practice with dedication to God in mind. It should feel like a sacrifice, not a punishment.
Generally, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (the seventh Wednesday before Easter). The last day before Lent (i.e. Mardi Gras or Carnival) symbolizes that last day before we enter into the solemnity of Lent. *Interesting fact, the word "carnival" comes from the latin term "farewell to meat" – many people who fast, give up meat through the duration of Lent*
Before Jesus performed miracles, healed the sick, and raised the dead – He spent 40 days & 40 nights in the wilderness. Why? First, to be tempted; second, to meet with the Father; and third to prepare for power. We are at that time of year when we too are invited to test our inner selves and question the notion: "I can take it or I can leave it" – in other words now is the time to face and deal with those habits that make you hard to live with. Lent is about regaining self-control, especially in areas of your life that damaging not only you and others, but more importantly your relationship with God.
For those of you who are observing Lent & the Holy Week (Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday) – I know that it is not the easiest of times; however, I do believe that because our ultimate goal is to draw nearer to God, we must keep each other in prayer and minister to one another. So during the course of Lent I will be posting messages on my blog and hopefully they will be encouraging to you. Having said that, I end with a message from Rev. Ken Collin’s called "Honest to God":
We avoid Lent and Holy Week because it isn't a happy and uplifting time—but to be honest, neither is most of life. Sometimes we come to church all scrubbed up, dressed nicely, with smiles on our faces, and when people ask how we are, we reply that everything is fine and we even boast how wonderful things are—but it is all a lie.
Life is not always uplifting, or wonderful, or pleasant, or joyous—but we have been taught the lie that for spiritual people like us, it must be so. So we become play actors, hypocrites—telling ourselves that by lying, we are having faith, and that if we lie enough, the bad things will fade away, like a dream upon awakening.
But in this we miss the whole point of the incarnation! God became flesh in Jesus Christ. Jesus faced temptation, He suffered hunger and thirst, He suffered the agony of crucifixion. Jesus our God did not face these things so that we would be exempt from them, He faced these things so that we would have dignity in them.
We think ourselves so modern and enlightened when we read of lepers walking through crowds, crying out "Unclean, unclean!" so that others could avoid touching them and thus protect themselves from ritual impurity. We tell ourselves we would do no such thing, but we do the same thing! When a person in our society becomes sad, or depressed, or out of sorts—our modern form of social leprosy—they cry out, "I want to be alone, I want to be alone." In truth, they want company, but they tell people to go away to avoid rejection and to make it easier to restore relationships when they are feeling chipper again. We laugh when we remember the days when people dressed to the nines for church and stayed home when their attire wasn't fancy enough, but we stupidly do the same thing with our emotions. We stay away when our emotions aren’t presentable.
Yet when Jesus came in the flesh and dwelt among us, and suffered hunger and thirst and heat and cold and betrayal and loneliness, and finally also pain and agony and death upon the cross, He gave dignity to His little ones who suffer. He gave dignity to us! Everyone avoids a sad person, except Jesus Himself who is much acquainted with sorrow. Jesus was the only person who gave the demoniac of the Gadarenes his dignity, the only one who could exorcise him. Jesus faced the man who lived in a cemetery, naked and screaming all day and night and calmed his spirit and healed his soul. How can you think that this same Jesus would be repelled by your pessimism or your cynicism or your sadness or your grief? How could a man who seeks the company of demoniacs be repelled by you?
The people of this world believe in the power of positive thinking and in happiness, and in believing these things, they are very shrewd. For people of this world have only the present moment, and if they are unhappy in it, they have lost something. But we who are Christians can endure unhappiness and sadness and loneliness and backstabbing and betrayal and friendlessness and poverty and hunger and thirst; we can face mourning and grief and even death, because Jesus faced all those things. As Christians, we know that Jesus’ suffering was His way to glory, and his Crucifixion was the door to His Resurrection. We know that He ascended on high and sits, alive and well, at the right hand of His Father, where He rules over all things. We can face our own crucifixions in life, because we know that we will share in His Resurrection on the Last Day!
On Palm Sunday, there were crowds who cheered Jesus as the King, but where were all those fair-weather friends when Jesus prayed in agony on Gethsemane, and where were they when He hung upon the cross?
Therefore, let us show that we as Christians are not just Jesus’ groupies, we are His friends. Let us be bold to join Him, fasting in the wilderness for forty days during Lent; let us be bold to pray with Him in the garden on Maundy Thursday, let us fearlessly stand at the foot of His cross on Good Friday, so that we may witness His Resurrection and His Ascension, and join in His triumphant reign. And on that Last Day, when Jesus brushes away the groupies, let us be among His true friends, whom He welcomes into His glory.
:)
Thursday, February 4, 2010
No Pain, No Gain
Ya'll remember this song?:
My last blog focused on understanding that God has a plan for all of us but here's the part that many of fail to understand - in order to get something, we have to go through something. We've all heard the story from the bible when Jesus and the disciples were out at sea and a storm was rocking the boat and Jesus stood up and said "Peace, Be Still." The second time the disciples were caught in a storm and Jesus was on land, the disciples found themselves in what seemed to be an impossible situation. And without saying on word, Jesus walked on the water and calmed the seas.
Sometimes in life we find ourselves rowing against the currents of our own personal storms. And it seems like no matter how hard we try to press on the storm continues to keep us from going forward. And just when we felt like giving up and throwing in the towel - God stepped in. We are always going to have some struggles in life and each one is going to be more challenging than the previous one. The lessons that you were taught in your previous storm are to help prepare you to face the next one. That's why I don't understand why people get so stressed out about their circumstances - if God brought you through the last tribulation - He will bring you through this one. 1 Peter 5:10 says: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
God's motivation for surfacing the destructive parts of us is so we will face them and cooperate as He uproots and heals them. In the meantime we have to be obedient. Obedience to God in a difficult situation will ultimately bear fruit, even though it might immediately cause hardship. Going through those hardships require patience - patience to wait which does not come from suffering long for what we lack but from sitting long in what we have.
The message: No Pain, No Gain
My last blog focused on understanding that God has a plan for all of us but here's the part that many of fail to understand - in order to get something, we have to go through something. We've all heard the story from the bible when Jesus and the disciples were out at sea and a storm was rocking the boat and Jesus stood up and said "Peace, Be Still." The second time the disciples were caught in a storm and Jesus was on land, the disciples found themselves in what seemed to be an impossible situation. And without saying on word, Jesus walked on the water and calmed the seas.
Sometimes in life we find ourselves rowing against the currents of our own personal storms. And it seems like no matter how hard we try to press on the storm continues to keep us from going forward. And just when we felt like giving up and throwing in the towel - God stepped in. We are always going to have some struggles in life and each one is going to be more challenging than the previous one. The lessons that you were taught in your previous storm are to help prepare you to face the next one. That's why I don't understand why people get so stressed out about their circumstances - if God brought you through the last tribulation - He will bring you through this one. 1 Peter 5:10 says: "And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast."
God's motivation for surfacing the destructive parts of us is so we will face them and cooperate as He uproots and heals them. In the meantime we have to be obedient. Obedience to God in a difficult situation will ultimately bear fruit, even though it might immediately cause hardship. Going through those hardships require patience - patience to wait which does not come from suffering long for what we lack but from sitting long in what we have.
The message: No Pain, No Gain
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
I Give Myself Away
Today I was at work and my manager started an interesting conversation about Beyonce at the Grammy's. Ironically it was the same conversation that I had on Twitter with some of my Tweeps (Miabonics) but she was discussing how Beyonce has come so far but she was disappointed when she didn't acknowledge God in her acceptance speech. Now that may seem like a small/miniscule thing to some people - but for those of who watched Beyonce from Destiny's Child back in 1998 (yes it's been that long)she always thanked God for her success. Now I don't know if it has anything to do with Jay-Z (I know a lot of you are about to start rambling about the Illuminati, lol) but who knows.
The reason I bring this up is because I've seen so many people who have let their success go to their head and that stubborn pride that comes with it becomes their downfall. What many people don't realize is that everything that we see on this earth is only temporary - all of the material things of this world that people tend to covet, pale in comparison to what God has in store for us later. Let's have church for a minute (yes, I'm about to get a little deep so bear with me)...
One of my favorite bible verses comes from Jeremiah 29:11 and it says: "For I know the plans I have for you, 'declares the LORD,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My personal conviction is that when God supplies us with different things in life He is testing us. I also believe when you are blessed with certain things you do have a choice in how you decide to utilize those things. However, if you should decide that, well, maybe you don't want to do it God's way, I can promise you this - there is no high, like the MOST high. What I mean is this: if you read that bible verse from Jeremiah, God says that he has plans for us - but you have to understand that many of us are doing some stuff, involved in some stuff, harboring some stuff that is keeping us from receiving ALL of the things that God wants to give us.
My "lifestyle change" (because I hate the term/concept of New Year's Resolution) is to work on getting rid of all of those things that are blocking me and keeping me from fulfilling the purpose that God has for me.
What does this have to do with Beyonce? Well one of the things that stand in the way of many people being all that God has called them to be, including individuals who have experienced some success, is this little called pride. In the book of 2 Chronicles (chapter 26 to be exact) there is a story about a King named Uzziah. In the beginning he sought God for everything and through it all God provided for him and gave him success. But then King Uzziah became too powerful and he let the fame go to his head and the story goes that he was afflicted with leprosy. I've seen a lot of African-American entertainers, businessmen/women, etc. who have been blessed with so much and yet at the height of their careers they don't even utter a single "thank you." I don't know about you, but even though my success may not seem as "great" as some one like Beyonce - I do know that I didn't get it by myself and it was ONLY God that got me to where I am today (*interject with your own praise break*).
I could go on and on but my message for tonight's blog is simply this - the chains of life begin to break when we are willing to believe we are who God says we are and when we learn to be victorious in the face of challenges by surrendering our lives to God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder. So friends I dare you to give yourself away to Him.
The reason I bring this up is because I've seen so many people who have let their success go to their head and that stubborn pride that comes with it becomes their downfall. What many people don't realize is that everything that we see on this earth is only temporary - all of the material things of this world that people tend to covet, pale in comparison to what God has in store for us later. Let's have church for a minute (yes, I'm about to get a little deep so bear with me)...
One of my favorite bible verses comes from Jeremiah 29:11 and it says: "For I know the plans I have for you, 'declares the LORD,' plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." My personal conviction is that when God supplies us with different things in life He is testing us. I also believe when you are blessed with certain things you do have a choice in how you decide to utilize those things. However, if you should decide that, well, maybe you don't want to do it God's way, I can promise you this - there is no high, like the MOST high. What I mean is this: if you read that bible verse from Jeremiah, God says that he has plans for us - but you have to understand that many of us are doing some stuff, involved in some stuff, harboring some stuff that is keeping us from receiving ALL of the things that God wants to give us.
My "lifestyle change" (because I hate the term/concept of New Year's Resolution) is to work on getting rid of all of those things that are blocking me and keeping me from fulfilling the purpose that God has for me.
What does this have to do with Beyonce? Well one of the things that stand in the way of many people being all that God has called them to be, including individuals who have experienced some success, is this little called pride. In the book of 2 Chronicles (chapter 26 to be exact) there is a story about a King named Uzziah. In the beginning he sought God for everything and through it all God provided for him and gave him success. But then King Uzziah became too powerful and he let the fame go to his head and the story goes that he was afflicted with leprosy. I've seen a lot of African-American entertainers, businessmen/women, etc. who have been blessed with so much and yet at the height of their careers they don't even utter a single "thank you." I don't know about you, but even though my success may not seem as "great" as some one like Beyonce - I do know that I didn't get it by myself and it was ONLY God that got me to where I am today (*interject with your own praise break*).
I could go on and on but my message for tonight's blog is simply this - the chains of life begin to break when we are willing to believe we are who God says we are and when we learn to be victorious in the face of challenges by surrendering our lives to God, not by gritting our teeth and trying harder. So friends I dare you to give yourself away to Him.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Homemade Hair Recipes
So I've been on this natural kick - well more so really reading the labels of hair products. And some of the stuff that we put in our heads is just down right grotesque (same thing can be applied to foods - but I'm a fat kid so I won't go there - lol!). But anyway, here is a list of some of the things I make and use for my hair. There's no way I can tell you if it works; they work for me - it might not work for you. Just experiment! Let me know how it works out ...
Egg & Honey
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of plain yogurt
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon of almond oil
mix ingredients and apply to hair. let it sit for 30 minutes (i would recommend using a plastic cap, not a heating cap)
got dry hair? don't waste your money on hot oil treatments that you can make yourself!
Olive Oil Treatment
1/4 to 1/2 cup of Olive Oil (depending on the length of your hair)
plastic cap or plastic grocery bag (it's country/hood, but it works!)
warm the oil in the microwave (be careful not to make it too hot). i recommend putting it in a spray bottle and spritzing it on the hair but you can use your fingers if you like. once you have applied the oil put on your cap or plastic bag. i'm not a big fan of a heating cap - but if it works for you, then by all means use. let the oil sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes but no longer than an hour.
some people do the hot oil treatment after they shampoo their hair, and some people do it before. if you choose to do it before: before you rinse the oil out, apply the shampoo directly to your hair and slowly add water as you lather. if you choose to use the oil after you've already shampoo make sure you completely rinse all of the oil out.
Hair Clarifier
2 cups of warm water
1/2 cup of lemon juice
mix and pour over head. let it sit for 10 minutes. rinse and then condition/style as usual. this recipe is good if you are trying to "refresh" your hair - however if you have used heavy products/oil - shampoo your hair instead.
Mayo Conditioner - i know what you're thinking, "that stinks" but ... trust me follow these steps:
after you've shampoo'd and rinsed, apply 1/2 cup of mayo to your hair. let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. rinse and shampoo lightly and rinse with an apple cider vinegar and water solution (1 oz of apple cider vinegar and 1 quart of water) OR you can add a half peeled and mashed avocado to the mayo - mix it with your hands until it's a consistent green color and smooth onto your hair and follow the same steps as mentioned.
Tropical Conditioner
1 peeled and mashed avocado
1 cup of coconut milk
combine mashed avocado with coconut milk in a small bowl. Heat in microwave for 30-45 seconds. stir and massage mixture into hair. cover hair with plastic cap for 15 minutes. shampoo & rinse out.
Egg & Honey
1 tablespoon of honey
1 tablespoon of plain yogurt
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon of almond oil
mix ingredients and apply to hair. let it sit for 30 minutes (i would recommend using a plastic cap, not a heating cap)
got dry hair? don't waste your money on hot oil treatments that you can make yourself!
Olive Oil Treatment
1/4 to 1/2 cup of Olive Oil (depending on the length of your hair)
plastic cap or plastic grocery bag (it's country/hood, but it works!)
warm the oil in the microwave (be careful not to make it too hot). i recommend putting it in a spray bottle and spritzing it on the hair but you can use your fingers if you like. once you have applied the oil put on your cap or plastic bag. i'm not a big fan of a heating cap - but if it works for you, then by all means use. let the oil sit in your hair for at least 30 minutes but no longer than an hour.
some people do the hot oil treatment after they shampoo their hair, and some people do it before. if you choose to do it before: before you rinse the oil out, apply the shampoo directly to your hair and slowly add water as you lather. if you choose to use the oil after you've already shampoo make sure you completely rinse all of the oil out.
Hair Clarifier
2 cups of warm water
1/2 cup of lemon juice
mix and pour over head. let it sit for 10 minutes. rinse and then condition/style as usual. this recipe is good if you are trying to "refresh" your hair - however if you have used heavy products/oil - shampoo your hair instead.
Mayo Conditioner - i know what you're thinking, "that stinks" but ... trust me follow these steps:
after you've shampoo'd and rinsed, apply 1/2 cup of mayo to your hair. let it sit for about 15-20 minutes. rinse and shampoo lightly and rinse with an apple cider vinegar and water solution (1 oz of apple cider vinegar and 1 quart of water) OR you can add a half peeled and mashed avocado to the mayo - mix it with your hands until it's a consistent green color and smooth onto your hair and follow the same steps as mentioned.
Tropical Conditioner
1 peeled and mashed avocado
1 cup of coconut milk
combine mashed avocado with coconut milk in a small bowl. Heat in microwave for 30-45 seconds. stir and massage mixture into hair. cover hair with plastic cap for 15 minutes. shampoo & rinse out.
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