WANT MORE FROM YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?!? - THE TALK…sooner than later!

How important are those around you whether it’s your parents/spouse/children/leader/coworker/boss? Do you love them enough to tell them the truth…IN LOVE with right tone, and hope they feel the love?!  It is the only way to build good relationships.
I remember the time when taking a bible course, I did not like the author of books they assigned in the class and told them so, but not in a kind way. My immaturity caused me to NOT use filter, and felt I am the way I am because that’s the way I was made, I’ve got to be true to me. Everyone in the classroom cringed when I spoke, but I can only imagine they wish they had the courage to say what I said as they were thinking same thing. (They told me later)!
The Dean of the School pulled me aside and spoke to me about the issue as well as a few others matters. At first I became very defensive and wanted to blame others, but not me, I was angry and as she talked I was reloading my guns to tell her my point of view, but shortly into the conversation I heard a voice say, “LISTEN.” I Listened, I heard and received a new perspective and from that day forward I was no longer bored with the class and really got involved and enjoyed the class and have read other books by the same author, and can agree with some of his information. This changed my life, not just for that class but for other areas of my life as well.
Last week before leaving for vacation I received a phone call from a classmate of my Self Confrontation Class, who is also a Counselor (I loved that class as we definitely can’t effectively confront someone else, until we confront SELF). Conversely, I returned the call, left message. This morning I received a lengthy text from her. In this text she was chastising me for something I had forgotten about – I did NOT read the text and said, “YOU CAN MISS ME WITH ALL THIS…we need to talk.”  I called early, as both of us are on the go. My friend, railed on me, yes she RAILED and I heard a voice saying, “Be quiet…LISTEN!” She talked, cried, yelled, etc. when she finished I said after I realized nothing can be accomplished by being defensive, I needed to hear HER heart, and put MYSELF in HER shoes. Therefore, I listened…then I said, “Anything else you need to say?” At that point she started laughing and said, “I think I need counseling”. (She obviously was NOT crying because her mood changed swiftly).
When the conversation was over, she vented, I listened, we decided to get together immediately 2017 for lunch/brunch and we had a hearty laugh. What I like about this was, she confronted me, told me what was on her heart; both took responsibility for our OWN actions and realized our relationship was more important than any circumstances.  Moving forward I believe we will get more out of our relationship and out of – LIFE!
I am on a journey learning how to confront (and be confronted) successfully. Speaking the truth in love.  After all, Jesus confronted.  MORE TO COME…  

IN RETROSPECT… (2016 CHRISTMAS LETTER)

Early part of this year I decided I wanted Christmas to be something different and definitely not business as usual. I am worn out WITH Christmas songs including my favorite song by Aaron Neville – Please Come Home for Christmas. It was about two years ago I learned the REAL meaning of Christmas. I worked with a team of young people at my church for six weeks. We met twice a week for rehearsal and the last three weeks at church. Title of skit was “BELIEVE.”  During that time the children connected with each other and to me and they are still asking when may we do another skit? (I just did it because no one else wanted to). During that time I truly learned the only reason Jesus came into the world and we call that Christmas was to be an example for us here in the earth and die a cruel death on Calvary cross. THAT WAS THE ONLY REASON!
I do not like what we have made of this time and besides these events did not take place in the winter time, etc. Don’t be gullible, read YOUR bible. What version? Any version that you decide to read and be consistent and intentionally about it.
No Christmas trees, lights, decorations, etc. found some old stuff in my house so I did put that out. Not shopping and buying, and giving small stuff to folks I just want to say thanks to, and that will be something they can use RIGHT NOW! (Probably homemade stuff).
I decided to try something for 50 days, I spent time in prayer and just giving God thanks for all his benefits to me and reached out to someone less fortunate than I am by calling, sending a card, maybe preparing a meal or a gift or going by their house to just listen to their hearts. I was so accustomed to asking for stuff when I pray I had to learn during these 50 days how to just STOP and give thanks and go back and made petition and supplications later. This was a tremendous blessing to ME, as I was blessed abundantly.
One of those days I felt led to stop by a friend’s house, this is rare for me to just drop by, but I did, and they told me they needed to go to hospital. (This person is prideful and do not like to ask for help). Another time one of my neighbor’s from India sent me a text asking if she could talk to me when I was available. I became available immediately and she shared lots of tragic incidents with me, and I was able to listen and show her compassion. She doesn’t believe in Jesus but she knows that I do and she always allow me to pray for her. The next day early she came to my mind to invite her for dinner. (I have invited her before, but she never came). She arrived at my house on a cold day, immediately after work and I had hot soup and homemade bread. She cried as she ate and enjoyed the soup tremendously! She called her friends and family and told them that she was at my house for dinner as she laughed and cried and when she went home texted me: “Thanks for inviting me to your house for a meal on a day that I could use a friend, hot soup and bread!” “You are welcomed, thank you for coming!” For a few days I still felt that it was me that was blessed.
I am so excited about my growth in the Lord, I know I have a long way to go, because He is my yardstick, not my pastor/friend/neighbor/face book, etc. I can see it’s all about applying the Word of God to our lives not just quoting and reading the bible, but DOING the bible, one day at a time. In doing so, it will make you think you are out of step with the culture, so what, as long as we are pleasing God. Even today I received a phone call that said, “I heard about what you did, and I am shocked…” “Well, if you did not hear that I am striving everyday to please God in all I do then someone must have misunderstood my actions.” Toward end of conversation they admitted – I heard NOTHING!
Speaking about being misunderstood regarding doing what you know for sure God wants you to do I have decided to be sure not to pick on folks doing what I don’t do, as that is so easy to do and being sure my opinion is not beyond my pay scale, therefore, get the right information, get both sides of story, don’t take sides and each person assume responsibility for their part in the matter.
Finally, it may not always be apparent, but God does reign over our world. He rules in majesty and might, and no philosophy or power can cast Him from His throne. He allows us to cross up His purposes…even to destroy His visible creation about us. But His place and His reign are eternally secure. And so are they who put their trust in Him, who live by His precepts, and who follow His course for their lives.  Psalms 93
My oldest daughter just got off phone and at that point was reminded that I have said NOTHING about my children. I am glad that they are fulfilling their destiny, love their Mom and as I said to my middle daughter today, “if it ain’t one thing…it’s the MOTHER!” She said, no, it ends with, another. So glad that I am NOT the conclusion of the matter.    

FEELING SOME KIND OF WAY…

Whenever I open my computer throughout the day I see President Elect Donald Trump. This started before the election when I thought EVERYTHING he said was just so comical to me. First, before I get started I am NOT a writer and not looking for a job writing but I enjoy putting my expressions on paper. I have enough COURAGE to put my feelings/ideas on paper and don’t mind anyone disagreeing with me. We are different and all I ask of you to respect my opinion as I respect yours. Conversely, it is NEVER my intent to be rude, disrespectful or persuasive, but simply to speak the truth…IN LOVE - I hope you feel the love.
The Lord told me while several people were running for the position, “do not get distracted, I am in control…I GOT THIS!” It was hard seeing some of the mean things folks said about Hillary, (she was not my candidate, my candidate was a Republican, he looked and sounded Presidency…to me), and Donald was doing the same things. LET’S BE FAIR – What’s good for the goose is good for the gander!
One time I saw a post on FB that I started to respond and the Holy Spirit said, “what are you doing?” I was becoming distracted and stopped immediately. I did not watch the news nor listen to radio but sound bites as I walked thru the rooms of my house I heard Donald say so many rude things, at first I laughed, then it offended me personally.  He OFFENDED ME ON SO MANY LEVELS things he said with his own mouth. I would stop and go take a look to see if that was him saying these things, and it was indeed. Then the next day he took it all back. Yep, after the side bar with others, he retracted his statement. (Worked in government 40 years, even with Judges, and I KNOW about those side bars so they can reach the conclusion they had in THEIR minds).
He is President of these United States, and God said to pray for those in authority. I will do exactly that and have already started. I refuse to second guest his decisions, but I will PRAY for the heart of the king is in God’s hands and He turns it as He wills. My confidence is in no man, yet, I know I will have to live by the laws that govern this land whether I believe in them or not. I will run to God is EVERY situation. We have had bad Presidents before (I believe God allows leadership according to the hearts of the people). Some of the policies President Obama made, I did not agree – I prayed and I repent of the bad things I said about even him. However, I will miss his friendly/warm family oriented photos because our President elect is a bully and with his own mouth brags about how rich he is. (His riches will NOT buy him a place in heaven). In my opinion, by his own words, is the most immoral man I have ever encounter. He can change, if he desires and take action.
I have said from my youth, when I started reading my bible on my own, as folks talked about Russia taking over United States. I have always thought from my perspective of the scriptures that it will be China as they have no mercy. United States have been on a slippery slope for a long time – calling good evil, evil good and every man is right – at least in their own eyes. We have turned our backs on God, WE THE PEOPLE have been disobedient and we are putting our fingers in our Heavenly Father’s face as if we are saying, I don’t want you and I don’t need you. Yet, God shows us much mercy and grace and takes us back when we repent. GOD IS CALLING US TO REPENTANCE TODAY! God has been on our side, because we were on God’s side. I guess we changed our minds (I didn’t)! God has even used United States to punish other pagan nations, wonder who He will use to punish United States?  I say China. Who is one of the first Leaders President elect Trump has talked to?!  KEEP YOUR EYES AND EARS OPENED…
Yes, I am Feeling Some Kind of Way going into new year with President elect Trump, but I will face my future with faith and certainly NOT fear because God is on my side and I will NOT fear what man can do unto me…I will trust God. He has already brought us thru the flood, rain, storm, red seas of many kinds, and I know he won’t allow me to drown in a pond. I hold fast to the PROMISES of God, not politicians, for these promises will sustain me as Jesus said, I will never leave you nor forsake you. I will continue to draw near to God that He might draw near to me. I have lived long enough to TRUST HIM, and He really does have the best ideas and plans for MY life. I love living this kind of life…It’s a blessed life!!!  

WHAT I KNOW FOR SURE…

Jesus loves me and his tangible mercies are new every morning. How great is his faithfulness.  Now that the year is coming to a close there are lots of things that I learned just by intentionally drawing near to God, and He has drawn near to me as well.
I know for sure that God is NOT going to do it all, and what we allow He will allow. My Mom used to say, if you take one step He will take two. This is not scripture but it is a principle and I have experienced lying in the bed, feeling very ill, wishing and desiring a shower, laid there for hours, praying for a shower, and then the Lord said to me, “If you want a shower, you have got to get out the bed.”  I got out of bed and got my shower, it took a long time to shower, not feeling well and all, but I had to MOVE, and God didn’t move me.
I know for sure that my relationship with God is not based on anybody else, nor circumstances, but on the fact that He (Jesus) died on Calvary cross for me, not only to save my soul from going to hell, and by His stripes I am healed but for so much more, including guilt and everything the enemy may bring to keep me bound and not moving forward.
I know for sure Jesus came that I might have life and life more abundantly, and anything that comes to threaten that kind of life is of the devil, for he comes to steal kill and destroy. Sometimes I can pull my car in the garage, coming in from shopping, class, etc. and all the sudden walking in the house, a feeling of depression overwhelms me, nothing has happened, nobody did anything to me, yet, feeling like the air is going out of my balloon. I stop right at the door and say, Father, I submit myself to you, I resist the devil and he must flee (James 4:7). “Devil you cannot go into my house, you have got to stay in the garage,” and keep moving inside and the mood is lifted and I don’t know where it went.
I know for sure that when you give of your time, energy and resources that is generosity and we are never more like Jesus than when we are giving. Lots of folks ask me why do I give away so much of my time, as I could be paid for some of the stuff I do, and I am also offered jobs. I must respond by letting them know that I am over age 70 years of age, I have more time behind me than in front. I am on my way home, I have so much inside me, and I used these opportunities to deposit into someone else, as I won’t need any of this in heaven. I am so blessed and highly favored I must share without expecting anything in return. Down thru the years, God has been good to me. We talk about giving money in church (I do), but I am giving of myself.
I know for sure you can’t be sad, down, discouraged, disappointed long if you reach out to someone else. Make a phone call, write a note, do a deed, as you can’t spread sunshine without getting some on yourself. Sometimes I measure my capabilities by my past performances (don’t even try it), or somebody on Facebook or on TV, etc. and became so sad. At that point I realized I am being too self-centered and that does not work for me.
I know for sure you can have a desire to do the right thing, move forward in that and people will take it wrong and all you are trying to do is apply the Word of God to situations. In cases like that I must admit that Jesus said, in this world I will suffer persecution (being misstood). To that I say, since I was in a coma for two months, I have been at death door, and not afraid to return – if necessary and all I have to do is please my Heavenly Father.
What I know for sure is if I don’t respect myself, nobody else will and we must teach people how to treat us and no matter what position a person hold, they are NOT better than I am (I am not better than anyone else as we are all God’s creation). I have learned this year that if I don’t like how something is going, instead of accepting what I cannot change, I am changing what I cannot accept…I remove myself.
I have learned so much this year and can’t wait to see what 2017 will bring. Meanwhile, I will not be anxious for nothing, including tomorrow, for today has its own troubles and I am just grateful for my daily bread – Just today…THAT’S ALL!