Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Speak
The easiest thing to do is speak up when you feel that you have been wronged. You are hurt or offended and just like that you open your mouth to speak. You listen to the sounds of words that are like melodies. This is not right. It isn't fair. It's hurting me. Simple words of feelings that seemingly flow easily out of a once clinched mouth. How can you not hear when I speak? How can you not hear the song that is coming out of me? I speak but there is no way that you will understand. I said nothing when you beat me. I stood still under the hatred of your gaze. But when you called me a nigger, I just had to speak.
Adayinthelife
Friday, April 12, 2013
I'm Not Perfect, But I'm Perfect For You
I'm Not Perfect, But I'm Perfect For You. This is both line and title of a Grace Jones song. A song that has been playing in my head now for days. It's jukebox 80's edition. I tell you when I sat to write this, the song appeared to have no bearing on the topic. The thing is, Grace just might have been on to something. I'm not perfect, but I'm perfect for you(God).
Thanks to Adam, Eve, and that wretched apple I alone lack the power to be perfect. Perfect means to be flawless without fault or defect. Candy Brooks can be just as nice as she wants to be, but flawless??? Most certainly not. Regardless of that, I am perfect. I'm perfect because I attend church services, I am a faithful tithe payer, I feed the homeless as well as my hungry friends, and I am a minister. Now before you prepare your rebuttal, I am just kidding. I actually do all of those things, but my perfection doesn't stem from my ability to follow religious routines or practice random acts of kindness. I am perfect because I have Jesus in me.
I am so certain that at least one of you chuckled or just outright laughed, but this is real talk. When I gave my life to God, I became the perfect person for Him. My perfection is a manifestation of His ability to make all of my weaknesses strengths. My perfection is solidified by my commitment to seek Him, open myself to Him, and rest in Him. My perfection is in the fact that I am made in His likeness and image. My perfection is in in His command. "Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect." So if you wanna be perfect like me, get Jesus down on your insides.
Adayinthelife:-)
Thanks to Adam, Eve, and that wretched apple I alone lack the power to be perfect. Perfect means to be flawless without fault or defect. Candy Brooks can be just as nice as she wants to be, but flawless??? Most certainly not. Regardless of that, I am perfect. I'm perfect because I attend church services, I am a faithful tithe payer, I feed the homeless as well as my hungry friends, and I am a minister. Now before you prepare your rebuttal, I am just kidding. I actually do all of those things, but my perfection doesn't stem from my ability to follow religious routines or practice random acts of kindness. I am perfect because I have Jesus in me.
I am so certain that at least one of you chuckled or just outright laughed, but this is real talk. When I gave my life to God, I became the perfect person for Him. My perfection is a manifestation of His ability to make all of my weaknesses strengths. My perfection is solidified by my commitment to seek Him, open myself to Him, and rest in Him. My perfection is in the fact that I am made in His likeness and image. My perfection is in in His command. "Be ye therefore perfect even as your Father in heaven is perfect." So if you wanna be perfect like me, get Jesus down on your insides.
Adayinthelife:-)
Friday, April 5, 2013
Stepping Up to the Plate
The story of Queen Esther is a great example of stepping up to the plate. Esther, a young Jewish girl, found herself the queen of Persia. There was nothing about Esther's upbringing that would suggest that she would one day be queen of Persia. She was young. She was an orphan. She was a Jew. None of that mattered because God had a plan for Esther to lead.
Being the queen was a huge honor, but not one that typically required a lot of leadership. So when Esther was called on to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people, it would have been easy for her to shrink from the task. Instead, Esther sought wise counsel. The queen was a leader, but she did not allow the title of queen to puff her up and hinder her ability to lead. The queen of Persia exemplified leadership by allowing herself to be led.
Esther submitted herself to her uncle Mordecai, who at the time held no royal position. She submitted herself to her husband the king, who had the power to order her death for merely walking into his presence. More importantly, Esther submitted herself to God by fasting and praying before acting.
Being an effective leader requires submission. No one leads effectively without first understanding the value of following. No one leads effectively without understanding that risks are sometimes necessary to complete the mission. No one leads effectively without acknowledging God.
***For the entire story of Queen Esther, read the book of Esther. It's really good.***
Being the queen was a huge honor, but not one that typically required a lot of leadership. So when Esther was called on to intercede on behalf of the Jewish people, it would have been easy for her to shrink from the task. Instead, Esther sought wise counsel. The queen was a leader, but she did not allow the title of queen to puff her up and hinder her ability to lead. The queen of Persia exemplified leadership by allowing herself to be led.
Esther submitted herself to her uncle Mordecai, who at the time held no royal position. She submitted herself to her husband the king, who had the power to order her death for merely walking into his presence. More importantly, Esther submitted herself to God by fasting and praying before acting.
Being an effective leader requires submission. No one leads effectively without first understanding the value of following. No one leads effectively without understanding that risks are sometimes necessary to complete the mission. No one leads effectively without acknowledging God.
***For the entire story of Queen Esther, read the book of Esther. It's really good.***
Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Clarity
I don't know why I'm writing because the things on my mind are not clear. The things on my mind are a jumbled mass of anger, disbelief, hope, and a dash of uncertainty. I keep hearing be angry but sin not. I am far calmer than I could be or perhaps far calmer than I should be. Calm is not a bad thing. I am just not certain how I can simultaneously be calm and angry. Uncertain, but hopeful.
The thing is it is beyond time for something to happen. It is beyond time for me to actually have some clarity. I told my friend I am not sure if God is shaping me or the devil is trying me. I talk to God quite candidly. I know He hears me. I am just not sure if these things are answers or tests, truths or lies, triumphs or failures. My very first sermon comes to mind for its title more than its content. Why are you here? I posed that question about 20 times during that sermon. I am asking myself now. Why are you here? Why are you facing challenge after challenge?
My question is searching for God's purpose in it all. I am not asking arrogantly or like I cannot face a challenge. I am questioning because I want to understand so that I can internalize my lesson and move forward. The only thing I am certain of is I have clearly missed something. I have clearly failed to grasp the concept that will lead to successfully passing the test.
Adayinthelife:-)
The thing is it is beyond time for something to happen. It is beyond time for me to actually have some clarity. I told my friend I am not sure if God is shaping me or the devil is trying me. I talk to God quite candidly. I know He hears me. I am just not sure if these things are answers or tests, truths or lies, triumphs or failures. My very first sermon comes to mind for its title more than its content. Why are you here? I posed that question about 20 times during that sermon. I am asking myself now. Why are you here? Why are you facing challenge after challenge?
My question is searching for God's purpose in it all. I am not asking arrogantly or like I cannot face a challenge. I am questioning because I want to understand so that I can internalize my lesson and move forward. The only thing I am certain of is I have clearly missed something. I have clearly failed to grasp the concept that will lead to successfully passing the test.
Adayinthelife:-)
Monday, April 1, 2013
SMB updates
A few things that are coming up.
1. Sunday Morning Breakfast is celebrating 2 years this Wednesday. Please show your support by visiting us at www.sundaymorningbreakfast.org. The website gives you some background information on the ministry and you can purchase items from the SMB store. We currently have copies of past messages, t-shirts, and the single We Ride 4 God.
2. We are two weeks away from the release of the mixtape "Doubt No More" by T. Carr. Get ready to support us in this endeavor. Visit the music website at www.tcarrmusic.com.
3. If you're on Facebook, please like the Sunday Morning Breakfast page.
http://www.facebook.com/SMBInspiration?ref=ts&fref=ts
As well as the T. Carr music page.
https://www.facebook.com/tcarrmusic
Thank you so much for your support. God loves you and so do we. Team SMB! Here's the link to the clip of the single.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk4K9BynZlc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
1. Sunday Morning Breakfast is celebrating 2 years this Wednesday. Please show your support by visiting us at www.sundaymorningbreakfast.org. The website gives you some background information on the ministry and you can purchase items from the SMB store. We currently have copies of past messages, t-shirts, and the single We Ride 4 God.
2. We are two weeks away from the release of the mixtape "Doubt No More" by T. Carr. Get ready to support us in this endeavor. Visit the music website at www.tcarrmusic.com.
3. If you're on Facebook, please like the Sunday Morning Breakfast page.
http://www.facebook.com/SMBInspiration?ref=ts&fref=ts
As well as the T. Carr music page.
https://www.facebook.com/tcarrmusic
Thank you so much for your support. God loves you and so do we. Team SMB! Here's the link to the clip of the single.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gk4K9BynZlc&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Temptation-Tyler Perry
If you haven't seen the movie, you should. You don't have to worry about reading this and having me spoil it. There will be no spoilers here just some self reflection.
I will admit that a large part of me wanting to see the movie was the incessant commercials with the clip of the Rhianna song. They totally bewitched me. I have no clue what the song says beyond the bars of the said commercial, but it was money well spent. Seeing the movie gave me an opportunity to think about how easy it is to get caught up. The need for validation and attention is so strong that at times I have failed to operate like a woman in love should. Lately, I have been a little clueless when it comes to the intent of more than one man. I kind of take for granted that people will respect my relationship. The reality is a person will only respect your relationship if you require them to. How can you blame someone for trying when you are flashing the yellow caution sign instead of the bright red STOP?
The thing is I do blame them. I blame them because I can remember a time when a girl and a guy could just be friends. I blame them because I shouldn't have to constantly say I need you to respect what I have going on. One time should be more than enough. But it's not. This makes me extremely sad because it means I have to shut myself off from people. I don't get to have new male friends. No, this was not an edict from my Mr. It is a choice that I've made because I do love him. I love him enough to prioritize what's good for me and what's essential for us. I love him so much that just writing it made me smile and then lose my train of thought.
Adayinthelife:-)
I will admit that a large part of me wanting to see the movie was the incessant commercials with the clip of the Rhianna song. They totally bewitched me. I have no clue what the song says beyond the bars of the said commercial, but it was money well spent. Seeing the movie gave me an opportunity to think about how easy it is to get caught up. The need for validation and attention is so strong that at times I have failed to operate like a woman in love should. Lately, I have been a little clueless when it comes to the intent of more than one man. I kind of take for granted that people will respect my relationship. The reality is a person will only respect your relationship if you require them to. How can you blame someone for trying when you are flashing the yellow caution sign instead of the bright red STOP?
The thing is I do blame them. I blame them because I can remember a time when a girl and a guy could just be friends. I blame them because I shouldn't have to constantly say I need you to respect what I have going on. One time should be more than enough. But it's not. This makes me extremely sad because it means I have to shut myself off from people. I don't get to have new male friends. No, this was not an edict from my Mr. It is a choice that I've made because I do love him. I love him enough to prioritize what's good for me and what's essential for us. I love him so much that just writing it made me smile and then lose my train of thought.
Adayinthelife:-)
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