Recently, while reading "Just A Sister Away" (Dr. Renita Weems) I came across a statement that blew me away: "The first lesson to be learned was how to receive a blessing no longer expected (p. 114)." This statement prefaced an interesting perspective on Elizabeth, the future mother of John the Baptist, the cousin (and baptizer) of Jesus Christ.

As I read this section, I began to reflect on my life. I have seen many things, experienced several tragedies, disappointments and setbacks. Because of this on-going trend and uphill battle, I've felt as if the prayers I have prayed and the promises that were spoken over my life were not happening anytime soon. I began to give up. Now you must understand this process. It isn't that every day I speak life, prosperity, joy, and a future and a hope over my life then suddenly one day I wake up and decide that I no longer believe it. It's more like with time, like Elizabeth, I began packing my mental and emotional boxes, ensuring that I was careful in the packing process so they wouldn't break. You see, it's not necessarily that I had walked away fully from all I've prayed about; it's just that the time has been passing by and there is still no visible sign of deliverance or blessing so the thought of something happening soon (or at all) was no longer in the forefront of my mind.

So why now does it seem as if everywhere I turn I am hearing "Your prayers are about to be answered. Are you ready?" Today's devotional on Streaming Faith is entitled "Make Room For Your Blessing." Have I made my point?

Since I have been bombarded with these messages screaming "It's Coming" I have been going down my mental checklist. What have I done - physically, emotionally, financially and last but certainly not least, spiritually to prepare for the blessing that was no longer expected? I am almost there, in my estimation, but I know that when the blessing becomes fully manifested I will still need to make on-the-spot adjustments. My expectations on this side of the blessing is based on what I already know or on what I have seen or experienced. What is coming is guaranteed to hit everything out of the ballpark! How do I know what to do when the game has changed? Will I know how to carry my dreams and keep my wits about me as the scenery changes? What if I am expected to take leadership/ownership of enterprises I had only dreamed about in secret? And if I must stand before crowds to declare His mighty works in song or spoken word - Am I ready?

According to the author of the devotional, this principle is one which we should take note: "God blesses those who have prepared themselves to be blessed." Jabez was mentioned as he prayed the prayer asking God to bless him and enlarge his borders. I have prayed the prayer of Jabez many times in the past in various ways - yet waiting for the manifestation.

What I had forgotten about was the last portion of the verse "And God granted what he requested." (1 Chronicles 4:10)

In the same way Elizabeth pined over being barren - then out of nowhere (it seemed) she received her unexpected answer to prayer in her old age, I have also opened up my heart and my hands are extended, palms upward, ready to receive my answer to prayer - because God WILL GRANT WHAT I HAVE REQUESTED!!!

PHEW!

Thank You, Jesus! I feel like shouting right here: (I digress)

So I'm here to encourage you to keep on pressing. Stay focused, and prepare for the blessing you asked, pleaded, prayed, cried and travailed for. It may take years (like it has for me) for you to see its manifestation but do NOT give up! God has awesome ways of answering prayers. It is ALWAYS different from what we imagined or planned for it to be. It NEVER shows up the way we thought it would or should. And it is ALWAYS 10,000 times better than we could have ever orchestrated, plotted, networked, planned or executed ourselves! We just CANNOT duplicate God's ways!

IMPOSSIBLE!

So as I step across my threshold into new opportunities and a shift in the heavenly atmosphere on my behalf, know that I will continue to pray with and for you that you too will wait patiently to receive all God has for you! You prayed, right? He STILL answers prayers! (And you know this!) Prepare to receive your blessing! Make room for it! Do what you need to do so when the time comes (and it will come suddenly) you are READY.


Let's get ready to receive together!

Hebrews 12: 1 & 2 (NIV):

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

This Scripture is referring to the Christian journey, the race to eternity.

When I think about the cloud of witnesses mentioned in the Scriptures above, I imagine a coliseum packed with people, so many in fact that they look like a cloud. No particular individual can be identified in such a crowd. In that cloud of witnesses I believe that people from our past, present and future are there. Paul the apostle (who was Saul before his conversion), John the Baptist, Martin Luther King Jr., Martin Luther (who posted the 95 Theses centuries earlier) and my mother are some of the people from the past. Present individuals could be co-workers, parents, friends, ministers of the gospel (such as the Bishop of my church, Donald Hilliard Jr.) and mentors. People from the future are children, including the unborn.

In throwing off the things that hinder us from running the race, I remember learning that in Biblical days the athletes competed stark naked in sporting events. If they had anything on, it was probably sandals. This meant they had NOTHING to hinder them while they participated in the races, thus increasing their chances of winning. This means we cannot have any baggage from our past or continue to hold onto sinful habits or traits (such as porn, lying, cheating, abusing others, unforgiveness or hatred) and expect to run the Christian race effectively.

Notice that the race has to be run with perseverance – which means that this race does not end in one day. This race is meant to last until life's end, so perseverance is the key to finishing the race.

As a runner races, he or she must keep looking straight ahead to minimize distractions and to keep the finish line in full view. As we run our Christian race, remember that Jesus Christ will meet us at the finish line. Notice it says the "Author and Finisher" (KJV) of our faith – because Jesus is there when we first begin our Christian journey and He will be there to meet us at the end. Also, understand that He represents that other set of footprints on the sands of life – so we are never alone in this race. Jesus Christ ran this race Himself more than 2000 years ago. He endured the cross and He experienced shameful treatment. He overcame it all by resurrecting from the dead and ascending into the heavens. He now sits at His Father's right hand, interceding for us. He is our Ultimate Champion in this race called life.

One more thing: The only way to complete this race is to keep on running. Imagine that you had entered the Olympics and fell in one of the races. Because of your embarrassing fall you decide not to get up from the tracks. You had other races you could still participate in, but you chose instead to camp out on the tracks. Other runners using the same track did not see you lying there and stumbled and fell over you. This may be an amusing scene, but in reality we do this many times. We make mistakes, get distracted or make wrong decisions and instead of getting up, dusting ourselves off (which means forgiving ourselves and asking God to forgive us) and keep on running, we stay on the ground. While we're down there, we are a stumbling block to those coming up behind us. When we don't get our act together, we can cause our children to stray. We can cause others who were looking at us as an example to fall away from the faith. It's just not worth it to remain on the ground!

Let us understand the gravity of our situation and run this race with faith, determination, patience and perseverance. Without these traits we will not finish. We all want to hear at the end of it all: "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!" (Matthew 25:21, NIV)

Song: We Fall Down
Donnie McClurkin (feat. Marvin Winans)

You can get back up again (Repeat 5 times)
For a saint is just a sinner who fell down -
And got up.

Hi everyone!

I've been quiet for a while; so much has happened since I last posted a blog here.

I'm here to remind you not to take any moment for granted. Just a few weeks ago a close friend of mine was taking his family out to dinner. They haven't gotten back home yet. In fact, two of the three passengers in the vehicle will NEVER go back home. My friend survived his wife of 30 years and his daughter who was scheduled to graduate from college next month.

When I received that news I was reeling in shock. How many moments have we taken for granted, thinking we have another moment to "make things up"?

Did we neglect to hug our children so we wouldn't miss a punchline on our favorite show on TV? Did we put off calling our extended family members because we had no time? Did we not bother to visit loved ones who were out of town because they were too far away?

How about that soccer game in which your son or daughter is playing? The school play? Their prom night? And what about your wedding anniversary? Your spouse's birthday?

I could go on and on. Let us treasure every moment we have been given - and not just the special occasions. Hug freely. Keep our lists of grudges and offenses short. Seek to mend relationships between ourselves and others (as much as possible).

For some, this will be the last time they will hear you say, "I have some time for you today."

If you read only one thing on the internet this week and forward it to your friends let it be this, "An Overcrowded Heart". The link can be found below. So many of us both women and men "say" we want that special someone to come into our lives, but our actions around others and fear of hurting other people's feelings keep that at bay. Some of us have somebody, but things aren't going they way they should and we are having relationship issues possibly because of behavior we are exhibiting with the opposite sex that is creating a barrier to your relationship running smoothly. My advice to everybody who has a few spare moments to better their relationship is, read the article, buy the book she's talking about if you haven't already, and if you've bought it and it's collecting dust, blow the dust off and read it! This is something powerful that you can forward it to your friends without fear of reprisal. Don't forget after you read it to write your own Dear John letter too. We've got to learn to love better.

http://lovebettercamp.wordpress.com/2008/07/14/an-overcrowded-heart/

Happy Memorial Day, everyone!

This is an especially happy day for me because I finally conquered a very difficult course in school.

But I want to share something with you that has been on my heart for quite sometime.

There are many who desire lifelong companionship with a godly person, just as they may have observed in others' lives - but do YOU believe that God can do that for you too, or are you settling for less?

How many of you know that what you believe in your heart works as a magnet to draw certain individuals to you? If you believe marriage cannot work because there aren't any good people left in the world, then guess who will come knocking every time? If you believe you are undeserving of a healthy, godly person for you to spend the rest of your life with, then how will they come?

Some of my friends and relatives who are single (who were once married or involved in other relationships) have written off ever being happy in a wonderful marriage. At first I thought that way, but as time passed and as I continually read the Word of God, I am happy to say that my mindset has changed tremendously.

First, God stated clearly that "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD (Proverbs 18:22, NIV)." This means that God sanctions marriage and has already blessed it and called it good. His favor is on it, so marriage cannot be all bad!

What has given marriage a really bad rap is the involvement of two people who are not ready for marriage or who are unequally yoked (married to someone who is not a believer). Once both people are emotionally and spiritually healthy and WHOLE and are equally yoked, God will bless that union in ways that were unimaginable in the past.

If you have read my earlier blogs you would notice that I have been married before and for many reasons it did not last. But as my mind and heart have accepted and worked through many of the shortcomings of that relationship and I have forgiven myself and the other party, it is really time to move on.

I am now paying special attention to all the relationships within my life and I am setting them in order so they do not have the chance to disrupt what God is about to place in my life. Friendships are wonderful and family is great, but they must have their set place in our lives and boundaries must be put in place. I am now very careful regarding conversations I keep with anyone - married or single, male or female - as the mindset and attitude of others will influence my decisions and my mindset (whether I want to believe that or not). Surrounding myself with those who desire to have meaningful relationships with God and others is where I am now focused.

If my personal atmosphere (my mindset, my attitude and the friends I keep) is made right, then I have every reason to expect the right man to step forward in God's timing.

Having bad experiences in the past does not guarantee bad experiences in the future - unless that is what you believe. I recall attending a bible study class a few days ago and the teacher asked "How many of you pray and make special requests to God?" Everyone raised their hands. He then asked "How many of you expect an answer when you pray?" Only a few hands went up. Mine was one of them. Why spend time praying if you do not believe that what you pray for can actually happen? Is that a waste of time or what?

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours (Mark 11:24, NIV)."

"If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer (Matthew 21:22, NIV)."

So, for those of you who have written off the possibility of ever having a wonderful, godly marriage, understand that God has already endorsed such and is waiting for you to believe Him enough to provide it for you!

Why not dare to believe that God has someone special waiting in the wings whom He is preparing to love and care about you as much as you desire? Why not believe someone is there who has no plans to destroy your life or to take advantage of you - only to add to you and to make things better for you?

I DARE YOU TO BELIEVE!!! All things are possible WITH GOD!

ShellyLove2002

Mommy, I thank you for the life you gave to me - you nourished me when I was still inside your womb and you delivered me into this world.

I thank you for the love you showed me for the first sixteen years of my life; the laughter, joy and the lessons you taught. I even have to thank you for the discipline you instilled in me.

I am also grateful for the many Scriptures you helped me to learn. You fostered my love of learning and books. You helped me to express my creativity and encouraged me to express myself intelligently. As you taught other young people while you were on the job, your enthusiasm to see us all learn motivated us to do our best.

When you closed your eyes for the last time on Mar 19, 1989 with one lone tear down your right cheek, you left me without a best friend.

I know I'll see you again someday. I thank God for the precious memories of My Mommy.

Happy Mothers Day to all our precious mothers!

I pay special tribute to my grandmother, who is still living and is now 83.

She toiled many years to ensure our family was kept intact, that there were hot meals on the table and that we were kept safe and secure.

She was determined to keep us untouched from the world’s realities, but we grew up and learned what life was like outside. As she watched her grandchildren struggle to find their identities and destinies, she prayed fervently as great-grandchildren began to appear on the scene.

Now in the twilight of her life, she maintains a heart of humble prayer, praise and thanksgiving. She still worries about us, but I know she knows that God is still in control and He’s all-sovereign.

Grandma, I want the world to know you mean a whole lot to me. You’re my second mom, the mother of my mother who is no longer with us. You hold a special place in my heart. When you are ill I get alarmed and concerned. When you laugh, I breathe a sigh of relief. I am determined to give you the best twilight years’ experience I can afford - because you deserve it and more.

May God richly bless you. I want you to stay here as long as possible, but I know you may be tired....

I LOVE YOU. I honor you and you have my utmost respect. I will always keep you in that special place in my heart - forever.

ShellyLove2002

It was early fall that year when Mommy started having headaches and other signs of illness that concerned her and definitely worried my dad. My sisters and I had just migrated to the US a couple months before to join Mommy and Daddy who were already living here for 5 years. I did not know what to think....

Later we discovered that the cancer had returned and had spread to her vital organs and brain. It was only a matter of time. I secretly prayed like a maniac almost daily, because it seemed that my idyllic world was about to come to an end.

The last week of her life she started shutting down. She was still home with us and we had to nurse her in every way. My grandmother was hurting, but had to keep a strong face as she watched her only child slip away from this life....

Then on that Thursday night, the week before Holy Week, we fed her her last meal - a cup of milk. It took one hour for her to drink it, and it was as if she didn’t even see us. She looked right through us, it seemed.

She slowly laid backward on the bed and I opted to spend the night with her. My dad was hard at work at his new job - the job she found for him before she became unable to function (and the job he still works - to this day). She laid across my chest, her bald head with hair just growing back. Her breathing was deep. We went to school the next day, and while we were in school my grandma called the ambulance. They took her to the hospital - to die.

One of my sisters and I saw our mother alive for the last time on the day before Palm Sunday, on our way to our part-time jobs. We walked into the room; it smelled of death. We were terrified, but we had to be strong; somehow we had to face what was about to happen to our beloved mother. We walked over to her and she tried to communicate with us. She was comatose, but very much aware of what was happening around her. She gasped for breath, labored long breaths. I leaned over to her and whispered a promise in her ear that I definitely plan to keep: "Mommy, I’ll see you in heaven." She moaned loudly, indicating she heard what I said and wanted me to know. I tried not to cry as Daddy led us out of the hospital room to the car and took us to our jobs.

Then on Palm Sunday, exactly 19 years ago on this date, at 5:00pm we received a call from the hospital. She was gone! We felt a relief, as we watched her life ebb away since that fateful moment early fall the year before. Grandma mustered all the strength she could to comfort us, and when she broke the news to our youngest sister, we heard her wail in such a manner that I hope to never hear that again.

On Holy Saturday, the eve of Easter, we stood in a cemetery in NJ and watched them lower her coffin. My sister, the one that follows me, had a wild look in her eyes. They quickly took her away from the scene. I lingered a bit after throwing in my rose. I felt as if I lost my very best friend. I didn’t know what to say or do nor how to act. People came and hugged us, some of whom we never saw again.

Those were her final days here on earth, but I have some very pleasant memories! She used to dance with us around the house "chorus girl-style" to songs on the radio or to little dittys she made up to show us how much we meant to her. I learned most of my earliest Scriptures when she would walk around the house reciting them in her melodious, powerful voice. My love for words came from her, an English teacher for many years. I devoured her bookcase - Jane Eyre, To Kill A Mockingbird and various other literary treasures - before I reached my teens. I learned how to play the recorder and we did many duets and trios with Grandma on the harmonica. We played Monopoly in the summer for DAYS - we’d stop the game and pick it up again the next morning. I learned Snakes and Ladders, Checkers and Parchesi from my mom. Scrabble was another of our favorites.

Her smile, her infectious laughter, her beautiful singing voice and her commanding presence soothed and disciplined us all at the same time. In Jamaica it is legal to administer corporal punishment, so plenty of that was given out freely when necessary. I remember the nights she stayed up with me as I struggled to breathe from my latest asthma attack. I remember how she consoled me when I had nightmares.

Mommy, you’re not here to see me now, but I think you’d be quite proud if you could. I’ve tried to live the life you taught me. I’ve made some wrong turns and did some crazy things, but you taught me LOVE. True, unconditional love, character and integrity.

I honor you today and everyday. I live my life in respect for what you’ve imparted into my spirit. (I remember you saying to me "We walk a narrow road as Christians, where we can fall off on either side of the road." I also remember you saying "If someone didn’t give you something or you didn’t buy it, it doesn’t belong to you - even if it’s a safety pin.") I thank God for your integrity and your humble spirit.

God, I thank you for blessing me with such an awesome mom who loved you with ALL her heart, mind and soul. I’m glad she’s with you now......

I am not one usually to write regarding current events or political happenings, but I can’t help but think about the recent happenings with the NY governor. I was very disappointed to hear about it, and as the sordid details are being unveiled I cannot help but wonder what is going through his mind right now.

You see, there is one thing I know about the Almighty God: He convicts us when we do wrong. This is especially true when we have been taught the traditional moral expectations and are aware of what is acceptable and legal. When we try to maneuver and create loopholes and other "secret ways" of handling our issues - then it’s only a matter of time......

What has made this so serious to me is that he was known as Mr. Clean during his term in office (and even prior, is what I’m understanding). He was relentless in ensuring that the punishment fit the crime, but now he is at the mercy of others who could be just as ruthless.

I shudder when I think about it. What if my convictions weren’t as strong? What if I hadn’t been firmly planted in Jesus Christ? What would my life look like right now? Would my life have been much different from the NY governor?

I also reflected on past CEOs, CFOs and televangelists who have fallen (shamefully) from grace. Even former Presidents of the United States have not been immune from sullied character and messed-up profiles. What do we do with all these individuals who are obviously imperfect? Do we criticize? Empathize? Laugh? Ignore the situation? Embrace them? Pray for them?

Hmmmmm.......... I know God still loves all of them, even those who do not acknowledge His existence. We all have a God-vaccuum inside of us, so we innately know a few things. We know that we may get involved in certain things that are just not right, so we either try to cover them, "blow them off" or find some other way to deal with them that (we hope) draws minimal attention to ourselves. But here’s where I’m heading:

None of us are immune. We dare not act as if any of us is above reproach. If we’ve lived at all, we’ve made tragic mistakes somewhere along the line. If we try to cover up those mistakes instead of facing them, asking forgiveness (from God and others), cleaning up and then moving on, we’re making an even BIGGER mistake. Let’s confess, remove, STOP, forgive, repent, etc. or we will be embarrassed like many who were caught red-handed.

Not  because we are imperfect it means that (almost) anything should be tolerated. Leaders in high office and in clergy are held to a higher standard than the general population, whether we/they like it or not. Those who are in such positions have basically given permission for their "dirt" to be dug up and spread out for public display. So, if any of us run for public office, head up a large corporation or if we answer the call to ministry we must be prepared for our lives to become closely srutinized. If we have secrets we want to keep, then we will have to keep our mouths closed and make them REAL secrets. And the cure for that ill is this: If you don’t want to read about something on the front page of a newspaper about yourself, then don’t say it, write it or do it!

Let us show mercy, grace and love. Yes, this is embarrassing for anyone caught in such a position and the pain is inevitable - the family’s trust is broken, peers feel awkward, subordinates are ashamed, etc. (The only thing I wonder is this: Would he have stopped if he had not been caught????) Let us pray for him and his family. Let us pray for the woman (or women) with whom he was involved. And let us cover in prayer all our leaders - political leaders, corporate leaders and church leaders. We tear them down after things happen, but were we covering them in prayer BEFORE things happened?

Let us try to walk in their shoes. It will be easier to show mercy, grace and love if we put ourselves in the position of those who have fallen from grace for a moment. Maybe they felt empty, and thought these actions would satisfy their longings. Maybe they are/were addicted to such behavior. Whatever the case, let us see that this could have easily been any of us.

Let us continue to support our leaders with prayer and encouragement. Sometimes people fall because they feel unappreciated. Sometimes a kind word of encouragement is all they need to keep on going, to keep making right decisions and doing and saying the right things.

Oh Lord, I commit our governing leaders, our church leaders and our corporate leaders into Your hands. You know the pressures and struggles they all face daily, even hourly. Help them to be aware of what their weak points are and to seek help to mend things before it becomes a tragic situation as we’ve seen in recent times. May none of us think we are better than any who have fallen; help us to realize our human frailities are prominent and can take us under if not for Your grace and mercy covering us. Guide us, Thou Great Jehovah, and turn our hearts toward You and Your Word - a light unto our feet and a light unto our path. In Your Son Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

ShellyLove2002

Hey,

Just dropping in. And thinking. Thinking how in a few days I’ll turn another page on my life - another year! I thank God for allowing me to see this time, this age, even this moment. It’s not because I did anything special to deserve it. It’s because of His grace and mercy. Nothing else.

I also get teary-eyed around this time because almost 20 years ago my mom departed this life after losing her battle with cancer. I was almost 17 - in fact, it was two days before my birthday that she went home to glory. And it was Palm Sunday that year. So she triumphantly entered into the New Jersualem where there is no pain, sadness or medical expenses.

I thank God for her life and legacy. It’s because of the strong impression she left on me why I’m even writing this. She is listed as one of my heros because of what she stood for. Many thought she was "stuck up" but I understood what her intentions were: She had girls to raise and she wanted to pour into us what was inside of her. Because of that legacy she left, I am now pouring into my son (now five) what I have bottled up inside of me. And because he’s still young and doesn’t understand everything yet, I’m pouring into anyone else who desires to drink....

So, I am ending with this: Cherish your loved ones while you can still look them in their eyes and speak with them face to face. If you can’t see them often, write! Call! How I wish I could speak to her now. I’d have so much to tell her.....

Love much! Pray much! Live your life ON PURPOSE! And know that if you have accepted Jesus Christ in your heart and made Him Lord of your life, you have a lot to look forward to - here and OVER THERE!

ShellyLove2002

I am in a "holding pattern". You may have heard that term used when planes are forced to circle an airport if they cannot yet land.

But my holding pattern is a little different. Mine isn't really restrictive as it is for airplanes. Mine is a protective holding pattern.

Because God loves all of us (which is why He sacrificed His only Son to redeem us), He is not willing that we perish but that we live fulfilled, sanctified and fruitful lives, then live eternally with Him in heaven.

So, back to my holding pattern: Because He loves me, He is helping me, and He is directing and guiding me so I do not make any more detrimental mistakes. He leads me to His Word when I feel doubtful or when I am feeling drained. Even when I feel on top of the world, the Word still pulls, still calls me.....

As I wait for His timing on several areas of my life, I'm learning to stop asking the famous question "Why not now?". First, I usually do not get an answer anyway. Next, it tests my faith in Him. Do I believe Him, or not? Do I fully control my situation? Not by a stretch of the imagination. Does He? Yes, if I allow Him.

So, my holding pattern is summarized thus:

I will wait.

ShellyLove2002