Is it alive?

Genesis 2:7 Then the LORD God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

I heard a sermon not too long ago that was based off of this verse and it really blessed me. One question that I think is incredibly important to ask yourself, "Is there anything in my life I've created that God did not breath into?"

I looked up the definition of alive. And the one that stood out to me stated that being alive means continuing in existence. So if something is alive that means it should be making progress. It shouldn't just be in one place doing one thing forever, life should equal pressing forward.


Genesis 2:7 is describing the creation of the first man, Adam. God created him from dust and THEN God gave him life. Before God breathed into Adam he was a creation but he was not alive. Without life you can't function. If you don't have life you can't pursue or live up to a purpose. To make it plain, without life any creation is a waste.

We as humans often lose patience. We feel that we're missing out on things that we want or need, not realizing that greater blessings take greater preparation. In the mist of doubt, sometimes envy,and alot of times being impatient, we take it upon ourselves to create our own situations. This list could include many things, relationships, friendships, businesses, etc. But without the breath of life from God, it's a creation but it is not alive. Just as Adam was created by God and was a man, he didn't have purpose or the ability to make progress until God breathed LIFE into him.

I think being mature in Christ and growing requires each of us to admit to our own wrong doings. There have been many times in my life that certain things didn't work out. Sometimes it was the wrong timing or the wrong decision but what it comes down to was that I personally had created it, but God had not given it life to progress. Therefore it was a waste and it was dead. I'm grateful for that lesson and more importantly that revelation.

When we put our will before God, many times we're left with baggage. We're left dragging our dead creation because it was out of disobedience and was not approved by God. On this journey of growth that I'm currently on, it was important for me to understand the importance of God's will. Everyday we create things, ideas, dreams, and aspirations. But what is currently in our lives that God has not breathed on? Relationships that we've created can become baggage just as dreams that we pursue prematurely. There is no life outside of God. Our situations are no different than Adam's creation. If God needs to breath life in His OWN creation, what makes any of us think we can create without the BREATH OF LIFE from God? Doesn't make any sense right?

I thought it was important to share this with you because we're all growing together. And to stay away (as much as possible) from broken hearts and failed dreams, it's important to know the importance of submitting to God's will. To create only what He has instructed us to create and to stay away from our own created unapproved relationships and friendships. And to wait to pursue certain dreams until God has given our creation life.

God can't bless disobedience. And one of the things that can bring the most discouragement, is creating something that is dead. It may not be dead because it was NEVER for you but it may be dead because of the impatience that pushed you to create it without the hand of God. Rest in knowing His way is always the right way. His timing is always the right timing. Just know that He is God. I would much rather wait patiently for His living creation than to drag along my own created dead one!


Find patience in the breath of life.
-Ryunosuke Satoro

Purity in Sowing

I just read Candice's recent blog and laughed because she talked about something that I was planning on mentioning and that's SOWING. As a woman of God, it's important to sow seeds, meaning to give your tithes and also an offering. But not only that but also to give the way God instructs you to give. Blessings don't necessarily come from the actual item but I believe they mostly come from obedience. The bible says that we will all reap what we sow. That verse describes positive and negative actions, seeds, etc. We all should have great expectancy for what God has for us but don't put it above the blessing it is to someone else.

I say all that because I believe it's important to be pure at heart. On the road to wholeness, recognizing impurities is vital to becoming better. There's a difference between sowing to sow and sowing to receive. And I had to understand that sowing is not all about materialistic things. They can be wonderful when you are blessed with them but you can also sow spiritual seeds. Encouragement, sincerity, love, etc are all seeds. God blesses us based on obedience. It's not a show or time for the spotlight but it should be an opportunity for God to get glory.

Matthew 6:6 But when you pray, go into your [most] private room, and, closing the door, pray to your Father, Who is in secret; and your Father, Who sees in secret, will reward you in the open. (Amplified)

I believe that also applies to sowing. Being that God is the one who provides blessings, it doesn't matter if you sow seeds privately. He sees all and you will be rewarded for being obedient. However, if you put your faith in man, you will be disappointed. I enjoy the idea of leaving a seed in someones car or sending something in the mail with no return address. That may seem odd to some but I had to realize that I am only the vessel. And I've been blessed to be a blessing.

Although we should all have great expectancy of the things God will do in our lives, we have to realize that God won't always bless us the exact way we're expecting. You may sow a seed but not reap the harvest until years later. Would you regret giving if you didn't see the immediate return? Having joy shouldn't just come from the excitement you feel from the idea of you receiving more. But joy should come from the excitement on the face of someone else when God uses you to bless them. And a good way to analyze how pure at heart you really are is to ask, "if I knew that I wouldn't receive the same or greater in return from this seed, would I still give it?"

Matthew 5:8 Blessed (happy, enviably fortunate, and spiritually prosperous--possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God! (Amplified)

I think that sums it up pretty well. Wholeness in God is having complete faith in God and not in man. God has a way of doing things and they don't always happen the way you're expecting. Sowing if incredibly important to every individual and every household but even more important is sowing out of obedience and good, pure intentions. I've done by share of being disobedient, God telling me to sow a seed and I procrastinate.

One time in particular, God told me to give money to a woman at church. I couldn't find her after service so I remember thinking "Oh well, I'll do it later." Two weeks went by and it wasn't on my mind. Then one Wednesday a close friend of mine said she was suppose to give her a seed. To keep it short, I was beyond convicted because I knew that whatever the money was for, she must have needed it because God blessed her through someone else as I stood on the sideline, NOT COOL. Delayed obedience is still disobedience. I could have been sowing into my breakthrough. But I've learned my lesson.

So when God speaks, it should be immediate reaction. God has recently placed someone on my heart. In this type of situation, I've begun to pray and ask God what exactly I'm suppose to sow and not go off of what I want to give them because it's not about me. God placed them on my heart for a reason so it would be selfish to give them what I WANT them to have especially if they are in NEED of something else.

So yea, it's all with wisdom and good intentions. It's not easy to purge your heart of selfish and impure desires but obedience is better than sacrifice. I look forward to the blessings of God but also for the blessings of others!

Audience of One

Lately, I've just been thinking...who am I living for? Why do I do what I do? Do I only do something merely so I can receive some sort of recognition or award for it? Why?

In this past week alone, God has reminded me that I need to do whatever I'm supposed to do for HIM alone! Not for any sort of recognition or glory on my part, because who am I anyway? ....right! You don't know and neither do I! lol

We all have a purpose or perhaps many purposes we are to complete within our lifetime. We have at least ONE crazy dream we hope to accomplish before we leave this Earth. I have several, but I'm only going to mention one right now. I believe I'm supposed to be a writer for SOMETHING in this world. Whether for a magazine, news station, book(s), or even a movie. My crazy childhood dream was to be an author, have all these books published everywhere, and be famous! I was a painfully shy kid, so this was like the ultimate dream for me. Getting paid for doing something that I LOVE and finally being this outgoing popular chick from my fame.

However, I'm reminded everyday that I literally can't do anything without the man upstairs! So whether or not I became famous or not, I just want to give Him back all that He's given me! I don't want to face Him in Heaven and hear about all the things I shoulda coulda did. Or that regardless of the things I did for Him, He doesn't even know me because of my own self-glory. Smh.

²² Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching the people. He was on his way to Jerusalem. ²³ Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"

   He said to them, ²⁴ "Try very hard to enter through the narrow door. I tell you, many will try to enter and will not be able to. ²⁵ The owner of the house will get up and close the door. Then you will stand outside knocking and begging. You will say, 'Sir, open the door for us.'

   "But he will answer, 'I don't know you. And I don't know where you come from.'

 ²⁶ "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you. You taught in our streets.'

 ²⁷ "But he will reply, 'I don't know you. And I don't know where you come from. Get away from me, all you who do evil!'

 ²⁸ "You will sob and grind your teeth when you see those who are in God's kingdom. You will see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets there. But you yourselves will be thrown out. ²⁹ People will come from east and west and north and south. They will take their places at the feast in God's kingdom. ³⁰ Then the last will be first. And the first will be last."---New International Reader's Version

So as of now, any sort of desire for fame on my part is now SHOT. What I do, I do for Him. From my character to my demeanor, morals, and integrity. What's done in the dark surely comes to the light, whether good or bad. God sees it all. He sees how you act when the boss isn't around and how you put some pep in your step when the boss man's looking over your shoulder. He sees your heart when you only sow (give) to others for your own selfish gain..."I know God's gonna bless me with this, if I do that." Smh. He knows WHY you really do the things you do. He knows the people that shout the hardest on Sunday mornings, but totally ignore Him throughout the week. He knows when something's genuine, so don't fake. 

I'm just realizing more and more how unimportant I really am. Don't get it confused; my confidence is fine. =) The Lord is just SO much more important than me or you. If you get out the way and come to Him sincerely, you will learn who He is. Learning daily that my main goal at the end of the day is to have pleased an audience of one...

*Classic Soul Break*

I absolutely love the soul music from the 60's & 70's! I mean, how can you not? Practically everything from today's music is sampled from that time period. I reallyyyyy want to go to an Earth, Wind, & Fire concert with my daddy. That was his fav group, and I love their music!
As well as...

• STEVIE WONDER
• MARVIN GAYE
• THE O'JAYS
• THE SPINNERS
• DIANA ROSS & THE SUPREMES
• THE EMOTIONS
• THE STYLISTICS
• THE TEMPTATIONS

...and there's just too many to name!! lol...but I love it love it LOVE it! I seriously get hype if I see a classic soul infomercial on TV lol...

I think this song is gonna be incorporated into my wedding somehow (it's been in my head for a few days)...& it always reminds me of my dad b/c he can hit that falsetto part. :-)

And this is my favorite song in the world!!!! I listen to it like every other day! haha

How can you not love some Marvin?

I think I'll leave y'all with that...for now lol....it's crazy, I'm feelin so giddy just picking out the video clips.

*Back to what you were doing*

Garden Updates...

If you all remember from awhile back, I (along with my daddy) planted a veggie garden on Mother's Day afternoon. I just wanted to keep the legacy alive, since my grandfather (who passed away Dec. 2010) faithfully maintained a garden each year.

This has been an awesome experience for me. It truly amazes me to see seeds turn into actual things. I've really enjoyed seeing the process. Now if you know my character traits from this blog, you probably may wonder how faithful am I for real to this little project aka MY FIRST GARDEN. Let's just say, I'm not ready to get a dog yet or have kids lol...I would procrastinate A LOT on watering it, and I wasn't aware of the fact that I needed to constantly pull up the grass so it wouldn't choke the plants. Whoops! haha...but I'm learning, and I don't think I did half bad...

That's an onion.

Squash

An overview of the entire garden

Squash again

My dad already picked those squash out yesterday. Now, I have the wonderful task of finding a recipe using squash. I feel silly that I planted it, and I don't even know how it tastes or what to put it in. If you have any tried and true recipes involving SQUASH let me know....or else, they will just be fried and seasoned and eaten for a snack :-)

Now just waiting on the....tomatoes, cucumbers, green and yellow peppers, and onions to spruce up!!! Can't wait! 

SN: Just heard on the news today that fruits and veggies are goin UP in price, so a garden would be pretty smart people. It's fun, even though it's old school. But if you know ANYTHING about me, you'd know I'm ALL for the old school and still wish I was born in like 1975 lol...

Short vent

May sound simple, but I just want more of God. I don't know how to explain it. Being in the presence of God is indescribable and I just want to rest there. Away from all worry and distractions and into peace and joy. I want so much more! Everytime it happens, it gets better and better. People think they KNOW me but most have no clue. Nothing can separate me at this point! I was just laying here and thinking about God and no one else is on my mind. There's no words to express when things God promised begin to take physical form and when you can feel the change inside yourself. God is like no other. I can't believe something so wonderful is available to me at a price I didn't have to pay! It's truly overwhelming sometimes and I want so much MORE! (For the third time lol) I'm sleepy but just wanted to vent about this HUGE longing that I have in my heart. I've messed around and fallen in love.

I Want A White Guy!!!...But Your Will Is Cool, Lord... :-)

For starters, I'm NOT racist and/or dislike black people...lol. I had a dream one day this week, and I was in a relationship with a white guy. I had an "aww, man" moment when the dream ended; it was getting good. (We weren't doin the nasty or anything... lol)


I remember liking white guys and finding them attractive when I was in elementary school. I think when you're younger, you'll like anyone. I'm saying that in a good way; back then, you would like/love others genuinely. Society hadn't forced you to believe that one group was better than another yet. You just wanted to play your game(s) and live freely with whoever, regardless of skin tone.


I still find some white guys attractive today. I went to Buffalo Wild Wings a couple of weeks ago with Chelsea, and we had this finneeee white waiter. I kept telling Chelsea he was a "beautiful creature." lol..and he was. Pretty eyes, tan, and he smiled a lot. Ah!


I think that interracial relationships are a beautiful thing. Relationships where both parties are the same ethnicity are cool, too. But when I see interracial ones, it makes me curious and I want to know more. It's an interesting subject, and it just shows how far people have come from the crucial days of segregation.


I don't know why, but I have this insane random desire to date a white guy now. Like I said, I was never against it. But I just feel more OPEN to the idea. However, I'm not gonna be dating to be dating. If and when I date now, it's all for marriage. Why waste time? I want a hubby. Playing emotional "feelings" games with a boyfriend is not gonna fly this time around. I guess that also means I can't be shallow and only find interest in another's physical appearance (like many girlfriends/boyfriends do).

I'm just making it known that a white guy would be sweettt! lol

I still like black guys, mixed guys, and many of God's beautiful creatures. I'm just really open to the idea. I'm sure you all have made a list of characteristics you want in a mate, or you may have an invisible list in your head. 

PHYSICALLY---> Ladies may want a guy taller than them with pretty eyes, light or chocolate skin, built body, nice biceps, etc. Fellas may want a girl with the hourglass shape, big butt, nice legs/calves, hair and nails done, etc. 

I think a lot of us tend to allow ourselves to become so focused on the physical that we forget to introduce ourselves to the true being of that person. We forget to become friends with the person, and instead, we fall head over heels into lust with a person's body and/or how they look. Yes, first impressions are everything, and how you present yourself to the world is crucial. However, we need to stop being so shallow.

Do you only surround yourself or talk to "attractive" people? Do you like to keep the so-called "unattractive" people around you to only make yourself seem superior? Do you only hang out with your "own" people? What are your feelings of interracial relationships (friendships, included)?

I'd say to NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER. You never know who or what your blessing may be. Don't limit God, and just be open to different friendships and connections to take place in your life. It's time for boundaries to be crossed, especially in the church. I'm ready for my church to be more mixed and not predominantly black. There is no black heaven, white heaven, or Hispanic heaven. So, we might as well get used to praising God together while we're here. :-)

As for me, the physical desires for my potential mate doesn't matter if he doesn't believe what I believe. I'm not gonna try to change anyone this time around either. No time to catch him up on what I've been working on along for myself. 

I think my list is pretty simple (with additional add-ons occasionally): someone that loves God more than me, someone purpose-driven and focused, has a sense of humor and DOESN'T take life so seriously, respectful, can hold a conversation as well as LISTEN, and.......wouldn't you like to know? lol

But to me: height or size doesn't matter (as long as he's not leaning towards the unhealthy side) and I don't mind what color he is...I'm not gonna be shallow or too picky. God knows what's best for me more than what I can explain to Him, so I'm stepping back. The limits are taken off...   

Graduations Make Me Smile

Time sure does fly when you're having fun, wouldn't you say? My brother and cousin both graduated from high school this week, and it seems so surreal. I feel like I just graduated! I'm sure however old you are right now, there's something in your life that you did years ago, but it seems like yesterday. It's crazy!

Aren't we cute?

I actually enjoy going to graduations. Yes, some parts are boring. But at some point through the ordeal, I get inspired to go to the next level in my own life. I still have most of my graduation cards from when I graduated in 2007. The money's all spent, but I like reading the motivational words from time to time. Need a pick me up? Head to Hallmark and browse the graduation section...lol..seriously though.

I guess it really hasn't hit me that my baby bro is about to leave the nest (probably for good), but this just reminds me that life goes on. Everyone has to let go of the hand that feeds them one day or another, and if you're over 25 years old, your grip should be loosening. You can't be a baby forever. The road can be scary, but it's just a new chapter in your life.

I think my aunt said this at my cousin's cookout: "Don't be so quick to be a grown up, because it's not as fun as it seems."

I don't necessarily agree with her. Of course, I think the image of independence and freedom is glamorized more than the actual work behind the scenes. However, I plan on having fun 'til I die (while paying my big girl bills and tending to my other responsibilities). I mean, you only get one life. Why not make it fun, ya know?

Then my grandma said that, "These [college years] are about to be the best years of your life."

Umm...I don't really agree with that too. All MY days are about to be the best they can be. There is no day, month, or year promised to us. Enjoy it ALL while you can.

Yea, so I'm glad I was able to attend both graduations/family gatherings. It got me to thinking about ALOT. From mistakes I've made in my past, to forgotten dreams, stupid boys, summer plans, lack of never living a "wild" life, and even a strong strong STRONG desire to be in an interracial relationship. lol...I'm still alert, so I think I'll write more.

Why wholeness is important

I'm not a relationship counselor but I'm led to share this...

A while back I wrote a list of the things that are negotiable and the things that aren't. Every so often I take the list out and make tweaks and adjustments based on newer revelations and greater wisdom. One of the main things I realized is if you don't know what you want, then there's no need to expect it yet. I read a book a while back entitled, "Before you do." It had a very extensive list of questions that everyone should ask their potential interest.

I read that probably about three years ago and while going through the questions, I remembered many of them I couldn't answer myself. So that made me realize the importance of being whole before entering a relationship. Otherwise, you open yourself up to be manipulated and taken advantage of. A lot of people who end up with low self-esteem allowed a person to tell them who they were and then they actually believed it. If you wait until you're whole to let someone in, you already know who you are and won't be persuaded to think otherwise.

TO THE LEFT, TO THE LEFT

That may seem harsh but in reality, when you're a whole person and know who you are, that's not too hard to say when you come across a person that just isn't quite up to par. That's where your list comes in handy. If you already have made up in your mind what you refuse to settle for, if someone doesn't meet the standard then you have no problem letting them know they are not for you. For example, let's say you definitely want children and that is on your list of non-negotiables. But IN walks this incredibly handsome, educated man of God that seems to have it all together. After "the talk" he says he doesn't want any kids. Now someone who does not have a firm foundation will say, "Hmm, I know he doesn't want children but he is ALMOST to good to be true. Maybe he'll change his mind. He's interested so I better go for it." Now someone who has a firm foundation will say, "He's handsome and educated but he just does not meet the standard. To the left, to the left." That's a woman who knows what she wants and refuses to settle.

My bishop has said in the past that you shouldn't look at where a person currently is but you should look at their potential. Now I definitely agree with that but one thing that's also important is that the person also knows their own potential. Otherwise you're in the mode of "transformer," meaning the "I can change them" mindset. NEGATIVE! Most people will aim as far as they can see. If they can't seem themselves higher or further then they won't strive for it. If ambitious is on your list of non-negotiables then a person with a tainted self image or lack of drive may need more time to work on themselves.

Now certain things, I feel might be a stretch. You shouldn't be expecting the perfect person, otherwise you'll be disappointed. But I feel that God will reveal certain characteristics that will help you know when "the one" has appeared. But you should also have discernment and know enough about yourself to know when "the one" hasn't. Patience is key to getting what you really desire. The enemy doesn't want an ordained union so many times he'll send distractions. Some that look and act like "the promise" and some that don't. But patience is one of the things that separate the wolves from the sheep. A wolf can only stay in sheep's' clothing for so long before their "wolfy" characteristics surface. So how mature is your discernment?

"A woman's heart should be so hidden in God that a man should have to seek Him in order to find it."

That's one of my favorite quotes. My mom always told me it's important for a young lady to have tunnel vision, meaning that you're so focused on God that when someone does appear, you're in a mindset of "OK so who sent you?" Not in a rude or negative way but in a "I'm focused and don't want my time wasted so if you are who you say you are, show me before I let you in" kind of way. The closer Ive gotten to focus, the more I understand it. The more I understand it, the more I realize the importance of knowing who you are in Christ FIRST. Opportunities will present themselves but when you have a solid relationship with God, you know when someone is helping that relationship or when they're hindering it. An addition should make life better. Don't add a person that subtracts your progress.

It seems like a lot but in reality, God has asked for our hearts, males and females. Not just part of our hearts but the whole thing. When God knows we have trusted Him with every part of ourselves, he knows He can bless us with "the one" and we won't forget our FIRST love. We'll know who we are and won't believe anyone but God. Don't settle for whose available just because they're available or settle for someone who doesn't have the characteristics on your non negotiable list. But recognize when you're still in the molding phase, when you and God are secluded in your own private place. When distractions have no chance and your heart aches with love for Jesus alone. THAT'S where He wants us. So that when "the one" does appear, it may not be perfect but it'll be a solid relationship of THREE, a non destroyable foundation.

Don't Waste Your Life!