Fighting Temptations

TUNNEL VISION CHELSEA!!!

So the last two weeks, I got random texts from three different guys that I haven't talked to in a WHILE. Ok so what's wrong with that you ask? WELL, I don't think any of them had good intentions.One even asked me to go to the movies and I can't lie, I was extra tempted. In my mind I was like "Oh we're just friends. Nothings wrong with a movie." But then that night I had a dream. And let's just say that dream was enough to make me change my mind lol Not to mention the dream I had about one of them the day before he texted me.

Some people may not understand that. I've gotten a lot of slack from people about dating. Why aren't you dating anybody? blah blah blah I have some things to get in order! Even back in my "those years" season, dating was something that I took very seriously and didn't just dive in without first truly analyzing the WHOLE situation. But I always find it interesting that when I've finally gotten to another level of being focused, here come distractions!

I'm not saying any of them are bad guys but I'm like "Wow your timing is impeccable." NOT! I had to shake it off! I had to turn my head the other way. That's one of the great things about being able to hear from God, I know when He has told me to keep moving. And I can discern distractions much better than I use to. I was a little trif back in the day. I would go to the movies just for the movie and not the person I was going with. Talk about leading people on smh..That's why I have to stay put and focus on God. He's already given me a few great and timely revelations on what to expect for my future as it pertains to that area and I believe it! Until then, I'm growing in Him. Therefore that casual stuff is no good to me.

I can't lie and say it's not tempting at times. (These weren't some unattractive brothas either) But I have some things to do and I'm not at that place where I believe I'm a nobody unless I have somebody. Unfortunately a lot of people are in that unfulfillable territory. That's why you must have God. He is the only consistent and completely fulfilling addition to life. Anything else should just ADD to it. And you can't just have Him, you have to be deeply rooted in Him. That's the only thing that can keep you when temptation peaks its head. Candice and I talked about this in our most recent video but winter time is the "boo season." And to be honest, I had a two second walk down memory lane thinking about that winter when I was walking hand and hand through Short Pump with all the pretty Christmas lights lol I shook that off too though!

If you don't remember anything else, remember that there's a time and season for everything. I've lost focus before. I've given into distractions and temptations. But the difference now is that I know what's for me and what isn't. No time for setbacks or imitations of the real thing. The beauty of working on yourself and your relationship with God is that you haven't given a piece of yourself to every person that comes your way. But you put yourself in a position to learn and imitate God's love so that you can be a reflection of that. You also give God the space and freedom to complete you and you'll know when the right ONE comes at the right time. One day but not today! I'm growing and I just want to keep my focus!

"I am completely convinced that God has reserved me because He knows the ONE man who deserves me. And until that day I've asked God that through my virtue, He continues to preserve me."
                                                                                                                               -Me

Stay focused! The right ONE will wait!!

Thank you guys!!!!

 

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GOD BLESS YOU GUYS!!!!

Season of Seclusion

According to Exodus 34:14, God is a very jealous God. And it has become evident to me that God truly loves and cares for us so much, that even though we are nowhere near perfect, He still wants to build a relationship with us. The more I think on that, the more I realize that God literally has NO conditions for His love because we ALL have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) But yet, He still wants us. That truly blows my mind because it causes me to think about how easily we'll give up on someone who disappoints us or hurts us. 

We must walk in the same patience that God holds for us. So in a season of seclusion, there are some things you must put on hold because God is trying to perform a work in you. And if He has already begun it, if we continue to hold on to things that should either be cut off or put on hold, than we're hindering our growth and prosperity. And the bible does say that if the work has begun, it WILL be continued to completion. (Philippians 1:6)

So may times God sees so many things that are taking our focus and our attention. And because He's a jealous God, He'll tell us to let go of some things, people &/or situations, so that we can regain our focus on Him. When we agree to discipleship, we agree to accept everything that comes with it. It reminds me of a song with lyrics that say "He never said it would be easy but you're a winner in the end. Jesus defeated all your enemies way before the fight began." We were never guaranteed a life without trials and hardships. But the difference between a Christian and a nonbeliever is that as Christians, we know it will all work out for our good and the good of those around us. We are offered an alternative way of seeing bad situations by being able to see the big picture, not just our current situation but the blessings that will come from our obedience perserverance and continuous pursuit of God.



When God calls us to a season of "aloneness" it's easy to feel "alone" because that's what our flesh tells us, if no one is around, then we're lonely. But someone with spiritual maturity understands that being alone can be one of the greatest blessings because God can speak to you much more clearly when He is the only one you expect to hear from. When you're in a season of seclusion, you expect a word from God because no one else is around.

Now when we walk in the flesh, we feel that we NEED someone around. We hear God saying, "Seperate yourself" but we don't want to because we're afraid to be alone. But aloneness does not mean lonely and if you're feeling lonely, it's because God is calling you to Him. Being lonely means you have a void. Take it from someone who knows, the devil will entice you with temporary "fillers" and most often it's things and people we can see so we jump on the opportunity because we're guaranteed an immediate relief. But the thing about that is it's only temporary. God makes Himself avaliable to provide us with anything and fill any void but because we can't see Him and we must SEEK Him, we tend to not have the patience to pursue Him. BUT the "filler" He provides us with is the only thing that won't fail. It can be compared to the lottery. Some people would rather pay a couple dollars to buy a scratch ticket in hopes of winning instant money instead of sewing 10% into the church and waiting patiently for the harvest. God won't forget the coveant He has promised us and we MUST also remember. So by being obedient and secluding ourselves, we have more time to SEEK Him, resulting in a closer, more intimate relationship with Him and an opportunity for Him to work on us and fill any voids that may be present.

Psalms 139:15 says, "My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in secret." If God made us in a secret place, doesn't it make sense that He would occassionally need to get us alone and take us back to that secret place to adjust us and mold us. God is the POTTER. So how can we, the clay, tell Him not only what we want to be but also WHERE He should mold us. That's pretty much what we do when God tells us to let go of some things for a season or for good but we continue to hold on to it. We're not going to always want to let go of people or things but God needs to seclude us because He has work to do and He doesn't want our focus elsewhere. I encourage everyone who is in their season of seclusion like myself, to take a moment and just praise God for loving and caring about us so much that not only does He want us to Himself but He also has so much He's trying to use us for. I'm brought to tears everytime I think about the fact that God wants to use ME! When I didn't even want to be used, He continued to call my name. How awesome is God??!?!

(Had to go cry real quick but I'm BACK! lol) He should've dismissed all of us already but He chose us for our own individual assignments and He's a faithful God so I bow down to Him for not leaving me in the dust but for dusting me off each and everytime I chose to sit in dirt, each time I chose to focus elsewhere, each time I chose to turn my back on Him. I'm so unworthy but He's continued to call me. I owe Him more than I can ever repay but Jesus is our example so I give Him my life. He's called me to that secret place where it's just me and Him and the things He's doing in me is beyond words. Stay tuned. You will see the miracles of God once all these things in me finally manifest. My Redeemer..Letting Him work!


2 Chronicles 31:21 "In everything He undertook in the service of God's temple and obedience to the law and the commands, He sought His God and worked wholeheartedly. And so He prospered."
Selah.

Stolen Pieces

(So I have an old blog from 2009 that I looked up. I decided to possibly share a couple of the entries from there on this current blog. Amazing to see the difference time really makes. I was 20 years old when I wrote this. This was called 5 Letter Word.)

 

I use to find rocks when I was little
You know, the pretty ones
I use to say they looked like crystals
My grandpa would sit on the porch
And I'd run to him with my treasure
I never let it out my sight
I'd cry when I lost it
But the next day,
I'd be searching again
That's how you use to treat it
So rare and special
Holding and protecting it
Never turning your head away
I had given it to you
Because if anyone deserved it,
You did
You kept it polished
And even repaired all the scrapes
You made it look even better than before
It was truly your crystal
Your treasure
But you became careless
You dropped it
And lost it
From that moment I knew,
There are very few who are deserving
I spent day and night
searching...
I had to retrace my footsteps
Because I was nothing without it
Looking high and low
Through tears and smiles
I found it



It's mine again
But it's nowhere near the same
You see,
A few of the pieces that broke off
Fell into your pocket..
And if you look closely at the crack
It's a reflection of you...

 I know that everyone has felt this way at some point. As I stated I wrote this is 2009. I am in such a different place now. Thank God for growth! If I were writing it today it would be different. My heart would be forever protected because no one could get to it without the approval of God. Maya Angelou said "A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man should have to seek Him in order to find it." WHOLENESS is about getting back those stolen pieces!  The good thing about a broken heart is that it gives God a doorway to enter. No matter what/who has broken your heart, God's love can repair it all! Allow Him to complete you!

"I am not my hair" Are you sure?

So I've been wanting to talk about this for a while! And today I experienced something that really set me off lol (BTW I've been completely natural for a little over a year now and this is just my opinion!)

I was in line at Target and overheard a group of females. Three of them had natural hair and one of them was relaxed. One of the natural girls told the one with relaxed hair that she NEEDS to go natural and then asked "What are you scared of? Are you ashamed of your natural hair?" *Pause*

That conversation bothered me so much! And I've heard those types of comments so often. Some are similiar and some are vice versa but that has to be one of my biggest pet peeves.


Two weeks ago, I was at my cousin's house. She's been natural for four years and has hair down her back. Us natural ladies would call it BSL or Bra Strap Length. Her hair is very beautiful but she CHOOSES to wear sew-ins. One of my other cousins was also there and she said "I don't know why she wears all that weave. Wear your hair out!"


*Pause again* Ugh! Leave her alone!


I never understand why some women feel the need to tell others what they NEED to do with their own hair. People choose to wear their hair in whatever way works for them. I've heard people say that women who get relaxers, keep their hair long, wear weave, etc are insecure. Really?? And I'm not targeting just women who are natural by any means. I've heard it from many different people. So what does "I am not my hair mean?"

To me, that phrase means that no matter how a person CHOOSES to wear THEIR hair, they are not "titled" by their hair. Some people prefer short hair, others natural, others long and relaxed, some with weave, others with purple pink or orange, what does it matter??? If a woman with natural hair chooses to flat iron her hair every week of the year except one, then that's her choice. I understand people talk about the importance of healthy hair. But if a woman wants to do a process on her hair that you wouldn't do on yours, the beautiful part is, you don't have to! lol If you truly believe that phrase then the label of insecure or ashamed wouldn't be thought of because of the way a woman wears her hair. Its her hair, therefore her choice!

I know a few fierce females who will wear their hair in a short cut one day, long wavy weave the next, braids the next, and a fade after that. And that's what works for them. Now I'm not at all against educating each other about how to take care of our hair whether natural or relaxed. But the great thing about being grown is that YOU can make the best decision for YOU.

People know how they like to look and I'm not against encouraging people to love themselves but loving ourselves goes much further than how we choose to wear our hair. I've never been against relaxers. I was relaxed for YEARS but chose to go natural for the health of MY hair. Some people are relaxed because that's what works for them like that young lady in Target. Some dye their hair because they WANT some color. Some wear sew ins like my cousin because it protects their hair and helps it grow. Let people do what they want to do!

I'm very much against conforming and I feel that many times people try to make others conform to what THEY find acceptable. Some people think relaxed and weave is insecure, some people think natural and kinky is unattractive. But what people don't realize is that by forcing their views on someone else (go natural, get a relaxer, cut it, grow it) about how they should wear their hair or whatever else, they're assisting society with bringing more division amongst black women. If we really are not our hair, why does it matter how it's worn?? Let people express themselves whichever way they want!

This is one of my biggest pet peeves. There's a big difference between encouragement and FORCING your views. Back off of people and let them do what's best for them! *end rant*

He's All the World To Me!

For some reason, I've been led to listen to old school Fred Hammond tunes. This song has been on REPEAT, and it's nearly brought me to tears each time...odd for a fast-paced song. Take a listen!

The "Oh, To Be Busy" Ramble

What's your life like right now? Are you living out your dreams, getting joy and satisfaction from living each day on purpose? Do you feel stuck in a rut with your routine 9-5? What do you have going for yourself? Do you prefer to be BUSY and on the go, or do you enjoy being a homebody chillaxin'?

For a long time, I've wanted to be busy. Sometimes, I feel that I have so much idle time on my hands. I want to be busy about a purpose, and I absolutely HATE routine. Routine and "same old" bug me. Sometimes I get tired of driving the same roads, working the same job for nearly 6 years, living in the same area, and even dealing with myself on a day to day basis. I just don't care for too much predictability in my life. It just stunts creativity.

Technically, I am busy (or should be anyway). I'm taking 5 classes, working on the days I'm not in school, staying involved with the small group I'm apart of, and working with the 4-6 year old kids at my church. I also just got asked to write a skit for an upcoming children's event also at my church. My life right now is pretty much "go with the flow." I guess I still want to "have a life," despite being enrolled full-time in school. I don't think I've gotten to the point of sacrificing fun activities for the sake of getting my schoolwork done. I also want my life to be dictated by a definite purpose; I don't want my life to just happen.

I often find myself gazing at pictures of the celebs, their hangouts, and the latest fashion trends on Essence.com. I'm not for the gossip, but I just like looking at their lives in pictures. Their lives seem so glamorous and busy; there seems to never be a dull or idle moment going on. They have fashion shows/weeks to attend, a billion places to shop at, red carpet events, movie premieres, concerts, interviews, photo shoots, book signings....the whole 9! It just appears to be such a good life! Of course several of these celebrities are richer than rich, yet empty on the inside. Still, I'd like to travel like they do....see the world and experience LIFE outside of my small town.

I asked God to give me more opportunities to be busy about a purpose, and I believe He has. However, I don't think it came in the form that I was expecting. I constantly ask Him to reveal my purpose to me, but I don't make an effort to obey the small assignments that He has already given me.

To whom much is given, much is required. You can't skip steps. You're gonna have to go through Steps 1, 2, and 3 before you can even think of arriving to Step 45. To get to any destination, you will have to prepare.

Hope I didn't ramble too much... :-)

He's my Husband!

So that title is so funny to me! But unfortunately so many people say that, many out of nothing but emotion!

I was having a chat with a few of my friends Sunday night, two guys and two girls. I enjoy those types of convos. I like hearing what my brothers think about certain things and I'm comfortable talking to them about things like that.

We talked about HEALTHY friendships of the opposite sex. I was saying how it's important to me that I have a least one or two close male friends. We all have the ability to discern things but it's nice to have an opinion from the other side because most of us know that most males and females think differently.

We talked about how some people are incapable of having friendships with the opposite sex. If they text you, they must like you. If they act happy to see you, they must like you. If they are friendly, they must like you. If you have inside jokes, they must like you. If they smile around you, they must like you lol But those are the things friends do. That doesn't mean they're your husband or wife lol It doesn't even mean that they like you! It's called FRIENDSHIP.

Now don't think I'm condemning anyone, I've been interested in a few people in my day. And my previous relationship was the one when I was like "Yes he's my husband." Not because God had said it but my emotions told me while we were together. I've had crushes on people or thought someone was attractive and thought to myself "I wonder if it's him!" But it didn't go further than a thought and often was rebuked before it came around again. And most times the holy spirit would check me before it went any further. Guard your heart!

But some people end up with emotional ties after breaking up from a relationship they were never in. All because a FRIEND of the opposite sex was being a FRIEND. I'm not trying to be mean but we're talking about being whole right? Part of being whole is knowing the purpose of the people in your life. A divine connection doesn't mean a divine relationship ending in holy matrimony. CHRISTIAN DOESN'T MEAN COMPATIBLE. I think alot of people would avoid broken hearts if females saw males as their brothers, and males saw females as their sisters. If a person doesn't say, "I'm interested in you" then assume that they aren't!

Friends should be able to talk as much as they want. Smile and laugh as much as they want. And not have to be overly cautious believing that their actions will be leading somebody on. A person with maturity knows that someone who has a purpose in their life is there to fulfill SOMETHING. But they know to keep their mind in check. Cut out the daydreaming and reading into actions. Sometimes we read so deeply into things and daydream so much we've mapped out how many kids and where we're going to live before anyone has even expressed interest.

Don't confuse your emotions for the holy spirit. We've all been in that position at least once but let's not only guard our own hearts but guard the hearts of our brothers and sisters. We're in this together. Ladies, let's give the fellas a break. WE are the PRIZE. The prize doesn't hunt down the winner, the winner has to go after the prize. If a male is friendly, checks up on you, smiles and makes you laugh, he's being a good friend. That doesn't make him your husband and vice versa.

Lastly I will say that WE individually have to use discernment as to who of the opposite sex we can be friends with. Some people aren't ready for it. And that's perfectly fine but make sure there are no hidden intentions. Friendships with the hope of an eventual relationship is usually a bad idea. Now if it ends up being God's plan, wonderful! If not, wonderful!

I thank God for my male friends as well as that revelation. That's vital info for healthy friendships. That way mine as well as their hearts are protected. No hidden intentions or expectations. Just pure and uninhibited friendship! Thankful for maturity and grateful for that convo!

The trip isn't cancelled, just delayed!

So I felt led to share the testimony of how I made it to Mt. Gilead, the best church in thee world! But before I get into it, I’ll say this:
This testimony truly shows God’s way of strategically mapping out our lives. Sometimes we feel like we’ve made the wrong decision or been disobedient by not making ANY. But God’s grace and mercy will always get us back on track. I love God!

So I graduated high school in 2006. Can’t believe it’s almost been SIX years! (smh) But when I was eighteen to about twenty years old, those were those YEARS for me. I guess I can even bump it up to the beginning of being twenty one too. But by “those years” I mean the time when I was doing ALL THE WRONG THINGS. Candice and I talked about this yesterday and we called “those years” the years of sin lol I’ve always been in church. I grew up with Christian morals, values etc but I felt like I hadn’t experienced what everybody else was doing. Of course now I see that God had been protecting me from the temptations of the world. Some people get attacked by the world meaning unfortunate circumstances push them into the world and they get wrapped up and consumed by it. Me on the other hand, I was a pretty sheltered person, no huge worries, etc. but when I turned eighteen, I thought I was grown and jumped on the bandwagon (didn’t take long before I jumped off but it was mostly my own decision.) I knew better!

Now I will say, I wasn’t out doing anything extra crazy or anything but things that were still out of my character. Things that weren’t pleasing to God or the way I’d been raised but I thank God everyday for His grace and mercy that only allowed me to take a couple steps on a path that “quick sands” so many people. It didn’t take Him long to reel me back in. I can imagine God now, “Really Chelsea? I’ve protected you all this time from all these temptations for 18 years and this is how you act? Get yo behind in the house!” lol I can laugh now but God truly showed me favor and protection.

So I met a guy when I was eighteen years old that was a member of Mt. Gilead. I had never heard of that church. I didn’t really know anything at all about the Midlothian/Chesterfield area and rarely ever went that way for anything. I remember looking up the website and going through all the pages. And seeing the picture at the very top of the website, I remember thinking, “Ok that church is WAY too big. I’ll pass.” I didn’t really think much of it after that. I was so use to my home church where I knew everybody. My family was all there. It was “comfortable.” Even after my mom became a minister at a different church, I still stayed where I was. Most times going back and forth to support both ministries.

So during my first year of college, I got my very first job at the MCV Medical Center Bookstore in downtown Richmond. I worked there a few times a week for a few hours. Working was definitely new to me. I laugh when I think about the fact I had never worked until I was almost 19 smh Anyway, one day two women came into the store. They had two Krispy Kreme donut boxes. One of my managers went and put them in the break room. On my break she told me to feel free to get a donut. (Can’t say no to Krispy Kreme!) So I went in and opened up the box. On the top of the box was a sticker that said “Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries.” I was like “Oh you go there? I know so and so. He goes there too.” Come to find out two of my managers at that store went there. In my mind, “Well that’s nice. Moving along.” Smh

I was actually working there for about a year and a half. Not once visiting the church or anything. They would talk about the services and events there but as I said, I was in my “those years” season. I barely was going to my own church as much as I should, let alone visiting a new one.
So after that year and a half was up, I got another job at a clothing store all the way in Mechanicsville Va. I had a very close relationship with my co workers and my store manager. They were the best! One day my store manager was talking to me and a coworker. She told us we should visit her church. So I asked what church do you go to?? Her reply, Drum Roll….

MT. GILEAD!!!!

Um, so in my mind I thought two things, either this church is so huge that everybody from Midlothian to downtown Richmond to Mechanicsville went there OR there was something there for me.

So I finally agreed to visit. My co worker, her cousin, and I all went to a Wednesday night service together. And I already knew, that’s where I was supposed to be. It took me a few months to join but thankfully I had already rededicated my life to God. And I realized that my “curious season” was blocked, interrupted, and ended by God’s intervention.

I honestly don’t even know that person from 18 to 20. It was such a random season of bad decisions and mistakes. I wouldn’t take them back though. They’ll always remind me of what happens when you turn your back on God. Never again. God and I created a bond like I had never experienced once I realized what He’d save me from. “Where would I be if not for your grace? Carrying me through every season. Where would I be if not for your grace. You came to my rescue and I want to thank you for your GRACE.” That’s one of my favs. Big ups to Ty Francis for introducing me to that song! (Speaking of Ty, I met Ty the beginning of 2009, I joined Mt. Gilead offically in August of 2009. God used Ty as the final push to get me back in line! The end of the lukewarm season. Talk about ordering of steps and the crossings of paths!)

So I hope this testimony encourages anyone that feels like they made a wrong turn. God sent five people to get me to where I was supposed to go! And I think about the last two years since I joined Mt. Gilead and how much I’ve changed and how God reeled me back in so quickly. He’s truly faithful! God thought enough of me to give me consistent clear direction even when I wasn't listening. God will do the same for you! We all make mistakes but even through my own disobedience God still found a way to get me there. I don’t even like to think about how different my life would be right now. What you are around is what you will become. Guess God knew where to send me for training. Praise God! Just know your steps are ordered. Wrong turns don’t cancel the trip, they just delay it. God will always provide a detour. THANK YOU GOD!

"People and things clutter my mind, should I even try?"

Just wanted to share these two videos with y'all. These songs are really speaking to me right now. Enjoy.

SideNote: I'm gonna bring overalls back! Who's with me? lol